Chainsaw Man: Reze arc movie's opening box office collection is truly shocking, and here's why

Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc has arrived as one of the most talked-about anime films of 2025, generating intense buzz and scrutiny even before its global rollout.

The Chainsaw Man franchise, renowned for blending brutal action with emotional depth, has consistently held a strong appeal abroad, often surpassing its domestic performance. The first anime adaptation drew controversy in Japan for its direction and style, which were perceived as being oriented toward Western audiences, leading to changes in its production team.

Yet despite that tension, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc’s opening collection in Japan has surprised many, signaling a turning of the tide in how Japanese audiences receive this franchise.

From the start, the opening box office collection of Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc in Japan has stunned many observers. On its first day, the film sold over 272,000 tickets and earned ¥420 million (≈ US$2.8 million) in Japan alone. Over its opening weekend, the film amassed ¥1.251 billion (≈ approximately US$8.46 million), marking a commanding debut. Although it doesn't match Demon Slayer Infinity Castle’s astronomical totals, the scale of Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc’s early success is remarkable given its domestic audience, controversial reception, and that it hasn’t yet fully opened internationally.

The surprising strength of Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc’s debut lies in multiple factors. First, it reveals that the manga’s reputation in the West is finally paying dividends in its home country. Historically, Chainsaw Man was more of an export phenomenon—overwhelmingly beloved overseas before gaining full domestic adoption. Over time, Japanese fans have grown more accepting, and this opening suggests that shift has reached critical mass. Second, comparing to Demon Slayer is unfair; the narrative complexity and darker themes of Chainsaw Man often make it less mass-market friendly. Yet, for a film with heavy emotional weight and morally ambiguous characters to draw such numbers shows how strongly the fan base believes in it.

The opening also helps validate the choices made by its creators. The earlier controversy over direction, pacing, and audience targeting had created skepticism among Japanese purists. Still, this performance suggests that those risks may be paying off. The fact that Reze Arc has been rated higher among older viewers than Demon Slayer in some respects underscores that its maturity resonates with audiences seeking depth over spectacle. For a film that hasn’t yet unlocked its full international potential, its domestic debut suggests strong legs ahead.

Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc — Why the Opening Shocked Fans

Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc came out not only as an adaptation but as a statement of cinematic style. It premiered in more than 61 IMAX theaters in Japan, by Toho, and was supported by Crunchyroll in international release. The initial success of the movie, with ¥420M on its first day, made it one of the strongest anime movie debuts in 2025. It earned ¥1.251 billion (USA 8.46 million) during the three-day opening weekend and replaced Demon Slayer Infinity Castle in the top position on the Japanese box office. That change is symbolic: a title that used to be divisive is now a podium leader.

This reaction also indicates growing domestic acceptance. To Japanese fans who felt derided by the perceived Western influence of the anime adaptation, such as the change of tone or direction, this box office is a different tale. Those complaints notwithstanding, many people went out to see Chainsaw Man again. The reason this film sold well before its full international release is a strong indication that Japanese viewers are taking the work on its own terms.

In addition, success promises the next part of the story: anime Season 2 (or Part 2). Success at the box office will further provide more freedom to adapt subsequent arcs more accurately.

This introduction also sheds light on how the once-popular Chainsaw Man in the West has returned home. The international fame of the manga was never a secret abroad (considered one of the best works of Fujimoto). In Japan, it was both adored and opposed with great vitriol. The box office is now indicating that the local audience is finally playing up.

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The success demonstrates that Japanese viewers are prepared to receive a darker, more complicated anime story as blockbuster content. More to the point, it creates a positive outlook for the future of Part 2 adaptation. Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc did not open; it made a statement.

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