Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc

Student “Denji” is already an accomplished demon hunter for the Japanese mob when they betray him and think him dead. Fortunately for him, his quick thinking and chainsaw wielding dog manages to morph together with his master thereby creating a critter with even more formidable devil slaying skills - and that is just as well because they are coming for him. Not, however, in the way he is expecting but via a much more subtle approach. That’s because the seemingly ditzy “Reze” enters his life, via a storm and a phone booth, and despite the fact that he has sworn to love “Makima”, he is soon entranced by her. Thing is, though, is she all that she seems? Now on a practical front, are chainsaws emanating from your arms and head really that useful a weapon when your opponent is as lithe and nimble as a ninja made from jelly? Well we are about to see as this action-packed animation hits the ground running and rarely pauses for breath as poor old “Denji” has to distinguish between friend and foe whilst his hormones do some independent raging of their own. It’s a stand-alone arc from the series so you don’t really miss out on much if you haven’t followed his adventures before, and there are all sorts of colourful mystical creatures for him to combat without the often used game-level look to these films. It has a defined and structured plot, with much more of a beginning and an end to it and though we don’t spend a load of time focussing on the characters (or their development!!) this is still one of the liveliest “love” stories you’ll likely ever have seen. It also benefits from being quite short, and so it can sustain the adventure elements better as the pace starts off fairly frenetically and doesn’t slow up. There’s a sort of slushy phase at the start, but don’t worry it doesn’t last as this vividly animated slasher makes idle work for the devil’s hands.