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Discover why Chainsaw Man’s Bomb Devil arc was always meant to be adapted into a film instead of the typical episodic anime format.
Ardent fans of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man series know that the mangaka is no stranger to subverting expectations and completely flipping the script. By incorporating elements of psychological horror, excessive displays of gore, dark humor, and overall unpredictable storytelling, Fujimoto has managed to craft a story that is truly one of a kind.
In fact, Chainsaw Man is a story that absolutely refuses to play by the rules of a typical Shonen series. However, throughout all the story arcs in the manga till now, nowhere has this been more evident than in the Bomb Devil arc — a story arc that feels like it was created with the silver screen in mind.
This, by no means, is an exaggeration, as this arc stood out from the rest due to its tight pacing, “explosive” action sequences, and a heartbreaking conclusion that was a testament to Fujimoto’s genius writing. That said, let us now explore why Chainsaw Man‘s Bomb Devil arc was tailor-made for the big screen, and which specific parts of the arc scream “cinema”.
Explaining Chainsaw Man‘s Bomb Devil Arc
Officially known as the Reze arc, the Bomb Girl or the Bomb Devil arc is the fifth arc of Chainsaw Man‘s Public Safety saga. In this arc, Denji meets a kind and gentle girl named Reze, who apparently develops a crush on him shortly after meeting him. Initially, she seemed to genuinely care about Denji as she tried to make his life more normal than usual.
However, her kindness and loving nature turned out to be a façade to get closer to Denji. In reality, Reze was the Bomb Devil Hybrid from the Soviet Union. Apparently, she worked under the Gun Devil, who sent her to Japan to steal Denji, aka the Chainsaw Man’s heart.
Why the Bomb Devil Arc Feels Cinematic
There were several parts of the Bomb Devil arc that made it a perfect fit for a feature-length film. In fact, this arc perfectly captured the qualities that make a film unforgettable for many — high stakes, memorable characters, a decisive yet heartbreaking conclusion, and a narrative that moves like a freight train.
From the moment Reze entered Denji’s life, readers couldn’t help but feel that everything was too good to be true. Tatsuki Fujimoto used this exact tension to masterfully craft a short story that kept the readers hooked. Although this arc lasted for only 14 chapters, it felt like a complete story in itself. It featured a tightly paced narrative that had no filler in between.
All the events that played out in this arc, from Reze’s introduction and the revelation of her true nature to her character conclusion, felt exactly like what people would normally expect from a typical 90-minute movie. Every panel of this arc served a specific purpose and pushed the narrative forward with no gaps in between.
Lastly, the action sequences of this arc feel like something you would expect from a high-budget action film. The explosive (in the literal meaning of the word) battle between Denji and Reze was entirely cinematic, to say the least. It raised the bar to an unbelievably high level for the action scenes of Chainsaw Man moving forward.
Why Reze Feels Like a Cinematic Antagonist
Reze is a complex character, to say the least. In fact, her character isn’t one we can describe in a few words. For many, the duality of her character as a kind, innocent girl, and a lethal, manipulative weapon represented the layered antagonists we often see in films. We can even consider her as Chainsaw Man‘s very own femme fatale. However, in Reze’s case, she is armed with bombs and an existential crisis.
Fujimoto brilliantly crafted her relationship with Denji as both genuine and manipulative. This left readers with mixed feelings and second-guessing her actions and motives. All this feels like it was tailor-made for a cinematic adaptation, which could arguably do justice to a character as complex as Reze.
Moreover, her final moments, where she decides to abandon her duties and take Denji up on his offer to run away with him — only to meet her end before reaching him — feel like a metaphorical gut-punch that tragic cinematic antagonists are often subjected to.
Would the Bomb Devil Arc Work Better in an Episodic Anime Format?
Conversely, we can make a counterargument that the episodic format of a typical anime series might be the ideal way to adapt Chainsaw Man’s Bomb Devil arc. Breaking down the arc into episodes would allow for the tension to build over time. It would also give viewers the space necessary to fully connect with the characters. Moreover, adapting it to the episodic format might allow for a massive amount of hype to accumulate over the weeks.
The episodic format of an anime would also allow for cliffhangers, that would increase the suspense. This would work particularly well for the revelation of Reze’s identity as the Bomb Devil Hybrid, or her unfortunate end at the hands of Makima. These moments, if spread across multiple weeks, would undoubtedly create a buzz or hype that would be hard to create in a standalone film.
As such, it’s easy to see why some would prefer to view the Bomb Devil arc in the episodic format of an anime. However, stretching the story across multiple weeks could also harm the arc’s tight pacing and would subsequently dilute its impact. Ultimately, both options have their own merits and demerits. Given that it is confirmed to be released in the form of a feature-length film, we should only hope that MAPPA does proper justice to one of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s best works.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, the Bomb Devil arc represents Chainsaw Man at its peak. This arc has everything that you would normally look for in a film, which arguably makes it hard not to imagine just how much more impactful it would feel if done proper justice by MAPPA Studios.
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