To celebrate the release of "Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc," which premiered in Japan on Friday, September 19, 2025, we present a special roundtable discussion. Join Kikunosuke Toya (Denji), Tomori Kusunoki (Makima), and Shogo Sakata (Aki Hayakawa) as they share insights into the movie's highlights and their favorite scene!
The film follows Denji, a young devil hunter who transforms into "Chainsaw Man" after acquiring a devil's heart. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters the enigmatic Reze in a phone booth. As their relationship deepens during their frequent meetings at the café where Reze works, Denji's world begins to change forever.
Heart-Racing Performance by Reina Ueda as Reze!?
──What were your initial reactions to the announcement of Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc?
Toya: I always believed the "Reze Arc" was perfectly suited for a theatrical release due to its length. So, when the decision was made, I thought, "I knew it!" I was eager to see how it would be animated and really looked forward to the recording sessions.
Kusunoki: As a devoted fan of Chainsaw Man, I was thrilled about the continuation of the anime series. The "Reze Arc" was what initially drew me to Makima when I first read the manga, so I was incredibly happy to portray her in this production.
Sakata: My feeling was also, "Finally, it's here!" I had been hoping to see the Chainsaw Man anime, especially the "Reze Arc," in cinemas. When the official announcement came, I was filled with excitement, thinking, "This is going to be amazing!"
──It's been a while since the anime series broadcast. How did you feel about recording for the movie, and what was the atmosphere like on set?
Toya: I have poured my voice, heart, and entire body to act even during the series, but when we did the voice recording for the movie, especially during the battle scenes which we recorded almost continuously, I thought, "Ah, it's been a while." The battles in the "Reze Arc" are particularly intense, and there are an incredible number of explosions as part of the anime direction. There were also many scenes with large, dynamic movements combined with beam effects.
Kusunoki: I mainly only recorded Makima's scenes. Since I didn't see much of the recording for scenes where Makima wasn't present, I'm really looking forward to seeing the completed film.
Sakata: I also enjoyed the recording after such a long time.
Toya: He summed it up in one line (laughs).
Sakata: (Laughs) Well, Aki Hayakawa had always been a part of me, so it didn't take long to get back into character. During the exchanges with Nomo, I received direction to "add a bit more familiarity," which was nice as it allowed me to explore new aspects of his character.
──This time, there were many interactions with Maaya Uchida-san, who plays the role of Aki's new buddy, the Angel Devil.
Sakata: Yes, that's right.
Toya: We didn't really record together this time, did we?
Kusunoki: Me neither.
Sakata: I didn't have any scenes with these two at all. The only characters I recorded with were the Angel Devil (Maaya Uchida-san), Nomo from the Public Security Devil-Hunting Special Division 2 (Kenji Akabane-san), the Vice Captain (Hidenori Takahashi-san), Kobeni Higashiyama (Karin Takahashi-san), and the Violence Fiend (Yuya Uchida-san).
Kusunoki: Was the atmosphere on set different?
Sakata: Until now, I had a lot of conversations with the members of Division 4, but interacting with Nomo, who's a close senior colleague from Public Security, felt fresh.
Kusunoki: Indeed. Seeing Aki talking with a senior was new. In the anime series, it was mostly just with Himeno.
Sakata: The dynamic with Nomo was different from Himeno. It felt more like talking to a senior from a club or workplace. Moreover, the conversations were like he was doting on me as a younger brother, which was also strange. It allowed me to show a new side of Hayakawa Aki.
──Could you share your impression of Reze, the central character in this story?
Toya: I was completely captivated by Reze; she's incredibly endearing. Ueda-san's portrayal made Reze feel so real, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Kusunoki: (Chuckles)
Toya: Why are you laughing? (Laughs)
Kusunoki: After several interviews for the movie, I've noticed your responses are strikingly similar to Denji's.
Toya: Really?!
Kusunoki: It's amusing because you're not viewing it from an external perspective. It's as if Denji himself is answering.
Sakata: Your honest admission of being "on edge" is also quite charming.
Toya: Ahaha (laughs). But I genuinely felt a deep connection to Ueda-san's performance. Especially during the scenes where Reze and Denji are at "Nido," the café where she works part-time. There's a certain summery vibe in her casual dialogue that truly makes an impact, like "Whoa!"
Kusunoki: How would you put that into words? Try to be a bit clearer (laughs).
Toya: My apologies (laughs). There were just so many heart-pounding moments.
Denji and Reze, Angel Devil and Aki Hayakawa
──Could you share your favorite scene from the "Reze Arc"?
Toya: I really like the part where the radio breaks while they're escaping by car from the training facility. I was always curious about how that scene would turn out until I saw the finished animation. When I finally watched it, I thought, "Oh, so that's how they chose to portray it." The manga scene was perfectly translated into anime form, and it was incredible.
Kusunoki: There are also lots of battle scenes that are really intense, aren't there?
Personally, my favorite is Makima in the latter half of the story. I'm sure everyone who watched that scene felt something was off, and it was the moment that moved me the most when I was reading the original manga.
Toya: I can definitely see that.
Sakata: For me, the scene where Reze and Denji sneak into the school at night and play in the pool together made me laugh when I saw it in the theater.
Sakata: When Reze says to Denji, "You should get naked too," and in the next moment, after his inner monologue of "What should I do?!", he's suddenly completely nude.
Kusunoki: I laughed so hard at that too (laughs).
Sakata: While watching, I couldn't help but blurt out, "Huh?!" (laughs).
──The scene towards the end where Aki desperately grabs the Devil Angel's hand as they're about to be sucked into the typhoon devil was really moving.
Sakata: I actually put a lot of effort into that, but it's a bit embarrassing to say it myself... (laughs)
Everyone: (laughs)
Toya: I get it. You want someone else to say it, right?
Kusunoki: That scene was really great. Did you and Uchida-san (Maaya) discuss how to approach it before performing?
Sakata: No, we didn't talk about it specifically. We just went straight into the test recording. I was the only one who kept asking, "Can I try that again?"
Kusunoki: I did the same thing.
Sakata: I'm sure they used a good take in the end.
Toya: It was really excellent. You should feel free to praise yourself.
Kusunoki: It was a wonderful performance!
Sakata: Thank you. I guess I ended up talking about it myself after all (laughs).
Chainsaw Man vs. Bomb: A Spectacular and Intense Battle
──The battle between Chainsaw Man and Bomb is a standout moment. What are your impressions of it?
Toya: It was truly incredible. Each scene felt like a standalone piece of art, I bet the task of stringing them all together was immensely challenging.
Kusunoki: I can only imagine how difficult it was to interpret the manga's movements. There are so many impactful images in quick succession, so figuring out the transitions must have been tough. Honestly, I couldn't fully grasp it all after just one viewing (laughs).
Toya: Absolutely. The scale was massive, with elements like the Typhoon Devil and Beam. It was a true spectacle.
──Natsuki Hanae-san's performance as Beam, and the intensity he brought when Denji became Chainsaw Man, was remarkable. It truly highlighted the actors' talent.
Toya: We received specific direction from Director Yoshihara (Tatsuya) and sound director Nagura-san (Yasushi), where we were often instructed to "give more." We really pushed ourselves in those moments.
──Did Hanae-san's portrayal of Beam inspire you?
Toya: Definitely. Even though we recorded separately, watching the movie revealed the depth of his commitment. I recently had a recording session with some back-and-forth between Denji and Beam. Before recording, we were just casually chatting, but the moment it started, Hanae-san instantly switched into character. Witnessing his rapid transformation made me think, "I need to reach that level too." It was genuinely inspiring.
──On the other hand, I felt that one of the charms of "Chainsaw Man" is being able to see the "quiet" performances of Makima and Aki.
Kusunoki: I also got the impression that the direction thoroughly pulls back where needed and adds where necessary. During recording, there's no background sound, so we record in a very quiet environment. But when you watch the final film, it's wonderful how that tension is maintained, and the background music seamlessly blends in.
Sakata: Regarding (Hayakawa) Aki, surprisingly, he doesn't have much conversation with Denji this time.
Toya: We had the impression they were always together, but they actually don't talk much, do they?
Sakata: In the car scene, Denji is unconcsious, so there wasn't really a chance for conversation. Even after he recovers, in the scene where the car radio is broken, I wasn't sure how loud the radio volume was supposed to be, so it felt like I was talking one-sidedly. I had to imagine how loudly I needed to project my voice for it to be heard.
Experience Denji's "Summer" Through the Movie
──The stark contrast between the first and latter half is quite unique to this work.
Toya: That transition definitely has a horror-like feel to it. When that mysterious man appears while Reze is at school, the sound suddenly cuts out and the screen darkens. From that point on, the atmosphere changes dramatically.
Kusunoki: It was already scary, but with the added sound effects, it became even more terrifying.
Sakata: Like the "splash, splash" water sounds. But I found it strange that when Reze came back soaking wet, Denji didn't notice at all.
Kusunoki: That's because Denji is an idiot... (laughs)
Everyone: (laughs)
Toya: Right, he doesn't notice anything at all.
Sakata: Maybe his mind was too preoccupied with what he wanted to do with Reze (laughs).
Toya: At this point, he might not be thinking anything at all.
──Finally, please share a message for your fans.
Sakata: Many of you have likely already seen the movie. I found it incredible and am eager for a second viewing—perhaps even a third by the time this article is published. I encourage everyone to watch it as many times as you wish. As Aki's voice actor, I want to highlight Aki's journey, still influenced by Himeno, as he develops a relationship with his new partner, the Angel Devil. Pay close attention to how the dynamic between these two characters, with their completely opposite personalities, evolves.
Kusunoki: After the preview, I was swept away by a flood of emotions. It wasn't just moving; it was an overwhelming experience. I'm excited for everyone to see it and share these feelings. Even those new to "Chainsaw Man" will enjoy this film. Afterward, revisiting the original manga or the anime series would be a fun experience. The movie will be available in MX4D, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema formats starting October 4th, so be sure to catch it in theaters.
Toya: I'm incredibly grateful to our staff for their amazing visuals and sound, and to the voice cast for our dedicated performances. The result is this wonderfully moving film. Since the announcement last year that the "Reze Arc" would be a theatrical release, I've eagerly awaited this moment. Now that it's finally out, I'm excited and a little nervous to hear everyone's reactions.
Come to the theater to experience Denji and Reze's story, the thrilling excitement of adolescent love, intense battles, and the lingering bittersweet feeling after the credits roll.
[Interview by Kazuyuki Nagai / Photo by Atsushi Fujimoto]
About The Movie
Synopsis
Denji (voiced by Kikunosuke Toya), a young devil hunter who became "Chainsaw Man" by possessing a devil's heart, works for the Public Safety Devil Extermination Special Division 4.
While elated about his date with his crush Makima (Tomori Kusunoki), he gets caught in sudden rain. Taking shelter, he coincidentally meets a girl named "Reze" (Reina Ueda).
Working at a nearby café, she smiles kindly at Denji, and the two quickly become close.
From this encounter, Denji's daily life begins to change...
Cast
Denji: Kikunosuke Toya
Pochita: Shiori Izawa
Makima: Tomori Kusunoki
Aki Hayakawa: Shogo Sakata
Power: Fairouz Ai
Kobeni Higashiyama: Karin Takahashi
Beam: Natsuki Hanae
Violence Fiend: Yuya Uchida
Angel Devil: Maaya Uchida
Kishibe: Kenjiro Tsuda
Vice-Captain: Hidenori Takahashi
Nomo: Kenji Akabane
Mysterious Man: Kenji Nomura
Typhoon Devil: Eri Kitamura
Reze: Reina Ueda
©Tatsuki Fujimoto/Shueisha/MAPPA
※Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
