Tatsuki Fujimoto's "Chainsaw Man" has made its big-screen debut with the feature film Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, which has been lighting up the box office and getting fans talking all over again.
Japanese media outlet ORICON NEWS sat down with the main cast for a spoiler-filled chat now that the movie is out. The interview features Kikunosuke Toya (Denji), Tomori Kusunoki (Makima), Shogo Sakata (Aki Hayakawa), and Reina Ueda (Reze) as they share their thoughts and some behind-the-scenes secrets.
"Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc" picks up right after the TV anime's finale, following Denji's chance encounter with a girl named Reze, who pulls him into an unpredictable and chaotic new chapter of his life.
When asked how they felt while waiting for news of the movie, Kikunosuke Toya laughed, "I was constantly thinking, 'When are we getting a sequel?!'" He even admitted that the moment he found out it was a movie, "I literally threw a fist pump and yelled, 'Let's go!'"
Tomori Kusunoki said, "I was the type to just start clapping, like, 'Awesome! I'm so happy! Congratulations!'" Meanwhile, Shogo Sakata joked, "I just crossed my arms and thought, 'As expected. I knew it would happen.'"
As for Reina Ueda, she recalled, "I thought, 'Of course, everyone wants to see the Reze Arc as a movie.' But at the same time, I was thinking, 'Oh no, can I handle so many lines?' I was a bit nervous." Toya jumped in to praise her: "Even though she says that, the movie is this amazing thanks to Ms. Ueda. Reze is so cute entirely because of her performance." Kusunoki teased, "You keep calling her cute," to which Ueda laughed, "You've fallen for her just like Denji, huh? (laughs)."
Discussing the film's pacing and appeal, Toya said, "The story's tone shifts so fast between the first and second halves, it's like a rollercoaster. Watching it all in one go is an incredible rush. I was screaming in my head, 'This is it! This is what it's all about!'"
When it came to memorable scenes, Tomori Kusunoki shared, "I loved Makima and Denji's movie theater date. The atmosphere was captured so perfectly, and it was a blissful scene to act out." Shogo Sakata added, "I liked the part where Denji and Beam get blown up at the same time and just bounce back together. And the fight on the train was both cool and hilarious."
Ueda said, "My personal favorite is the scene where Reze walks toward the café. Watching it a second time, that moment really hit me hard." Toya added, "This arc is a summer story. It has fireworks, a pool... it's romantic and tinged with sadness."
On her approach to portraying Reze, Reina Ueda explained, "She's a character with a huge contrast between the first and second halves. While voicing her, I kept thinking that she isn't just Reze, and she isn't just the Bomb Devil. Perhaps somewhere, there's a 'real Reze' that exists."
Elaborating on this "real Reze," Ueda said, "I wanted to bring more humanity to her in my performance. Even though she's lonely, the happiness she feels with Denji, and their interactions that are like a mix of bickering and fighting, felt incredibly genuine." After hearing this, Toya couldn't help but say, "Hearing you put it that way makes it even sadder, but that's a great way to see it."
Additionally, Ueda shared an anecdote from the recording sessions: "At first, I was struggling with how to nail Reze's 'proactive' nature. Then, Kenichi Ono, a veteran voice actor, told me, 'Being bold like that is actually more heart-pounding, because that kind of directness doesn't make people suspect an ulterior motive.' That really gave me the confidence I needed."
When asked, "In the movie, Denji is torn between two women. Which type do you four prefer?" the cast took a vote on the spot. The results were:
Toya & Sakata: "Reze!"
Kusunoki & Ueda: "Makima!"
Toya laughed, "I'm just like Denji—I'm the type who's like, 'If you like me, I like you' (laughs). It's hard not to be drawn to a girl like Reze who expresses her affection so openly."
Tomori Kusunoki offered her analysis: "Makima is like an unattainable flower, while Reze, who seems distant, actually closes the gap herself. Both types of charm are irresistible."
Reina Ueda laughed and confessed, "I can't forget the 'finger-biting' scene (laughs). That feeling of being completely under someone's control, with no escape, is just so captivating."
Finally, the voice actors revealed that "the opening sequence, 'IRIS OUT,' is packed with Easter eggs!"
Toya: "The opening animation has a ton of little secrets. For example, the movie trailers that Denji and Makima watch in the theater actually appear in the opening!"
Ueda: "Some of the musical cues actually reappear in different scenes. You'll notice interesting parallels if you watch it a second time."
Sakata: "Everyone should pay attention to the shop names in the background. There might be some staff in-jokes hidden there (laughs)."
In closing, the four agreed that "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc" is more than just flashy battles and a fast pace; it's a story rich with emotion and the bittersweet sting of youth.
Reina Ueda summed it up: "This work is just so beautiful. The Reze Arc isn't just a continuation of 'Chainsaw Man'—it's a chapter about people, about love, and about loneliness. I also want to thank all the fans who came to the theaters for their incredible support."
▼ Full Interview Video