Chainsaw Man took the anime world by storm when it debuted, but not all fans were satisfied with how the first season turned out. While the manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto has a strong reputation for being chaotic, emotional, and unpredictable, many felt that the anime adaptation missed some of the raw energy that made the original story so special.
Some even argued that it felt too polished and cinematic, losing the rough edge that fans loved. Now, with the upcoming Chainsaw Man movie in production, the director has opened up about how he plans to address those criticisms and fix what many see as the biggest mistakes of season one.
One of the main issues that fans raised about season one was the pacing. The anime adapted a large portion of the manga, but some moments that felt wild and frantic in the source material came across as slower or more restrained on screen. The director admitted that in trying to make the anime feel cinematic, some of the rawness was lost.
He explained that the movie will lean more into the unfiltered style of Fujimoto’s storytelling, with faster pacing during action scenes and less hesitation when showing the chaotic violence that defines Chainsaw Man. According to him, the goal is not to smooth things out but to embrace the roughness and intensity that make the story stand out.
Another point of criticism for the first season was the tone. While Chainsaw Man is dark and bloody, it is also absurd and sometimes even funny in its unpredictability. Many viewers felt that the anime leaned too heavily into a serious, almost arthouse-style presentation, forgetting that the manga often balanced tragedy with bizarre humor.
The director acknowledged this and revealed that the movie will work harder to capture that strange blend of tones. He said that fans can expect moments that are both horrifying and hilarious, sometimes within the same scene, just like in the manga. This shift could make the movie feel closer to the original vision.
Chainsaw Man Franchise (Credits: Tatsuki Fujimoto)
Chainsaw Man Movie Director Promises to Fix Season 1’s Biggest Mistakes
The visual style of season one was also a hot topic among fans. While many praised the detailed animation, others complained that it looked too clean compared to the gritty, sketch-like art of the manga. The director revealed that the movie will try a different approach, using a mix of traditional and digital techniques to create a more textured look.
He explained that the aim is to capture the messy, unpredictable feeling of the manga’s panels, where the violence is raw and the characters feel like they are barely hanging on. By embracing imperfection, the movie hopes to create a more powerful emotional impact.
Sound design and music are also areas where the team is making changes. Season one featured multiple ending songs, which fans enjoyed, but some felt the soundtrack lacked the punch to match the story’s madness. For the movie, the director has confirmed that they are working with composers who understand the balance between chaotic energy and emotional depth.
He promised that the soundtrack would not just support the scenes but raise them, making battles feel more intense and emotional moments hit harder. The goal is to ensure that the sound becomes just as much a part of the storytelling as the visuals.
How the Chainsaw Man Movie Will Capture the Manga’s Chaos and Emotion
Perhaps the most important promise from the director is a stronger focus on character emotion. While season one told Denji’s story faithfully, some viewers believed that the anime did not fully capture the raw pain, loneliness, and strange hope that drive him as a character.
The director explained that the movie will place a greater emphasis on Denji’s internal struggles, making sure his feelings are clear and powerful. He added that fans should also expect to see side characters portrayed with more depth, highlighting their relationships and conflicts in ways that make the story feel more human despite its supernatural chaos.
The director admitted that adapting Chainsaw Man is not easy. Fujimoto’s manga has a unique rhythm that does not always follow traditional storytelling rules, and bringing that to life in animation requires risks. He said that the team has listened carefully to fan feedback and is committed to making the movie a true reflection of the manga’s spirit.
Chainsaw Man Franchise (Credits: Tatsuki Fujimoto)
Rather than aiming for a safe or conventional adaptation, they want to capture the unpredictability and emotional rawness that made the original such a phenomenon.
As anticipation for the Chainsaw Man movie grows, these promises have given fans hope that the new adaptation will strike the balance they felt was missing from season one.
By embracing the chaotic energy, blending horror with absurd humor, and putting raw emotion at the center, the movie has the chance to win back skeptics and excite longtime fans. If the director and his team succeed, the Chainsaw Man movie could become not just a correction but a defining moment for the series in anime form.
Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a young devil hunter saddled with debt, who merges with his pet devil Pochita to become Chainsaw Man. Recruited by the mysterious Makima into Public Safety, Denji battles devils while navigating power, purpose, and desire in a world of unpredictable chaos.
The announcement of the Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc film has sent waves of excitement across the anime community. This arc, often praised by manga readers as one of the most emotional and impactful parts of the story, is finally getting its animated adaptation. However, alongside the enthusiasm, a noticeable wave of criticism has already begun to form.
Some fans have expressed concerns about the pace of the adaptation, the marketing strategy being used, and whether the film will truly capture the sharp edge that made Chainsaw Man such a unique and groundbreaking series.
For many fans, Chainsaw Man has stood out because of its intensity, unpredictability, and balance of raw violence with deep emotional storytelling. The first season of the anime, while generally well-received, also faced debates over its pacing and creative direction.
Some felt that certain moments lacked the wild energy of the manga, while others praised the grounded and cinematic approach. With the Reze Arc being one of the most beloved parts of the manga, expectations are extremely high, and any hint that the adaptation might soften the material has drawn criticism.
Chainsaw Man Franchise (Credits: Tatsuki Fujimoto)
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc Film Sparks Debate Over Pacing and Marketing
The marketing of the film has also been a point of contention. Promotional material has highlighted the romance between Denji and Reze, presenting the story with a softer tone than some fans expected. While the relationship between the two characters is central to the arc, longtime readers know that the story ultimately takes a tragic and violent turn.
Fans worry that by leaning too heavily on the romantic side in its promotion, the film might misrepresent what makes the arc so powerful: its sudden shift from tenderness to heartbreak and brutality. Some argue that Chainsaw Man should never feel predictable or overly polished, as unpredictability is one of its trademarks.
Another concern is the pacing. Fans remember how earlier arcs in the anime sometimes felt condensed, and they fear the same could happen in the film. The Reze Arc is not especially long in the manga, but it is rich in emotional beats and action sequences.
Compressing it too much might rob the story of its impact. Fans want enough time for Denji and Reze’s relationship to feel genuine before the inevitable conflicts tear it apart. If the pacing feels rushed, the emotional weight of the arc could be lost.
On the other hand, not all reactions have been negative. Many fans are simply excited to see Reze animated at all. She is one of the most memorable characters in Chainsaw Man, and her dynamic with Denji is often described as both charming and heartbreaking.
The chance to see their relationship play out on the big screen, supported by high-quality animation and music, is something fans have been waiting for since the anime began. For these fans, the criticisms are overshadowed by the excitement of seeing a beloved arc brought to life.
Fans Split on Whether Reze Arc Adaptation Will Keep Chainsaw Man’s Edge
Industry watchers have also pointed out that it is normal for marketing campaigns to focus on broad appeal. Highlighting romance and emotional connections can draw in new viewers who may not be familiar with the darker tones of Chainsaw Man.
Once audiences watch the film, the shocking turns of the story may hit even harder because of the contrast with the way it was promoted. In that sense, the marketing strategy could actually work in the story’s favor, even if hardcore fans feel it softens the edge.
Chainsaw Man Franchise (Credits: Tatsuki Fujimoto)
The debate ultimately reflects the strong attachment fans have to Chainsaw Man. Because the series has built its reputation on subverting expectations, any sign of predictability makes viewers nervous. The Reze Arc holds a special place in the manga’s legacy, blending tender emotion with raw heartbreak in a way that few other arcs manage. Fans simply want the film to respect that balance, giving the story the space and sharpness it deserves.
Whether the criticisms prove valid or not will only be clear when the film is released. Until then, the discussions show how much passion Chainsaw Man inspires, both for its shocking battles and for its deeply human moments. The Reze Arc is a test not only of the anime’s ability to capture action but also its ability to capture vulnerability, fragility, and loss. If done right, it could become one of the most powerful anime films in recent memory.
Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a young devil hunter saddled with debt, who merges with his pet devil Pochita to become Chainsaw Man. Recruited by the mysterious Makima into Public Safety, Denji battles devils while navigating power, purpose, and desire in a world of unpredictable chaos.
