The anime film “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc” was deliberately marketed differently internationally than many other anime titles. Those responsible at Studio MAPPA explained the background to this strategy. We summarize.
Sony instead of Crunchyroll in focus
In a previous interview with CBR, which was conducted before the release of “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc,” Manabu Otsuka and Hiroya Hasegawa, president and vice president of Studio MAPPA, explained that they would work closely with Sony on the international theatrical release.
According to those responsible, the aim of the cooperation is to expand the reach of the film significantly beyond the existing Crunchyroll user base and to open up new audience groups.
In order to achieve this, international marketing was pushed forward in close coordination with Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Crunchyroll brought up the rear
Looking back, this strategy can also be seen in the actual release process of the film. After the international theatrical release in autumn 2025, it was initially released as a digital purchase title in winter 2026, before “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc” was finally made available on Crunchyroll in spring 2026.
Although »Chainsaw Man« has been successfully distributed by Crunchyroll outside Japan since the first season, the streaming service was only the last link in the international distribution chain when the film was released.
It remains to be seen whether Sony will pursue a similar strategy with other major anime films in the future – although the worldwide box office gross of over 191 million US dollars will undoubtedly be viewed as a success.
The anime adaptation of “Chainsaw Man” so far consists of a twelve-part first season and the sequel film mentioned here. Another sequel that adapts the “Assassins Arc” is already in the works.
Order on Blu-ray:
Via CBR
© Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha, MAPPA