The Major Chainsaw Man Mistakes by MAPPA Not Related to Animation Quality

In December 2023, the announcement of the Chainsaw Man: Reze movie generated excitement within the fandom, yet fans are still awaiting significant updates about its release. Amid this uncertainty, a recurring criticism has emerged regarding the anime’s 3D animation style. However, it appears that the more pressing concern may lie in the pacing of the series, which has struggled to highlight the source material’s unique essence.

Addressing the Pacing Concerns in Chainsaw Man

Denji and Pochita - The Best of Denji and Pochita (Image via MAPPA) — Denji and Pochita in the anime adaptation (Image via MAPPA)

Based on the acclaimed manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, Chainsaw Man’s first season was a single-cour anime that covered several significant story arcs. Despite the immense popularity of the manga, the anime adaptation has received mixed responses, primarily due to its unconventional animation choices.

On social media, the series struggled for attention and was often deemed one of the less impressive anime adaptations of recent years. However, the main issue appears to stem less from animation style and more from how the pacing and arc selections have been handled throughout the first season.

The initial season adapted four arcs detailing Denji’s evolution from a struggling street boy to an esteemed member of the Devil Hunter Association. Yet, the climax, which featured a battle against the Katana Devil, might not have resonated with fans as powerfully as anticipated. Key moments—like the emblematic tongue-biting scene between Denji and Reze or Denji’s encounter with the formidable Gun Devil—remained untouched, leading to a diluted portrayal of the story’s critical themes.

The Gun Devil as seen in the manga (Image via Tatsuki Fujimoto\Shueisha) — Gun Devil from the manga (Image via Tatsuki Fujimoto\Shueisha)

The first season merely skimmed the surface of what made the Chainsaw Man saga compelling. The adaptation’s true potential lies in the series’ raw intensity, characterized by its graphic scenes and the sinister aura of the Gun Devil. As the upcoming Reze movie plans to adapt the Bomb Girl arc, it sets the stage for pivotal scenes from the manga, including the infamous tongue-biting moment while Denji and Reze share a romantic interlude.

Moreover, the anticipation builds further around Denji’s showdown with the Gun Devil, which is anticipated to be one of the series’ highlights. Ideally, the first season could have benefited from a two-cour format, allowing for a more comprehensive adaptation that includes these crucial story arcs, while possibly reserving the Control Devil arc for a cinematic finale.

Concluding Thoughts on the Franchise’s Future

The main poster of the movie Reze (Image via MAPPA) — Official poster for the upcoming Reze movie (Image via MAPPA)

The anime adaptation of Chainsaw Man, while not a failure, certainly fell short of its potential, especially considering the excitement surrounding its prior manga success. A two-cour season could have addressed pacing issues and made animation critiques less impactful. With the timeline for the release of the Reze movie still unclear, fans remain hopeful for developments and the promise of a more fulfilling continuation of Denji’s story.