Meet the NEW Director of the Chainsaw Man Anime

Summary

Tatsuya Yoshihara to direct Chainsaw Man movie: Reze Arc in 2025, replacing the previous director, Ryu Nakayama.
Though critically acclaimed, Season 1 sparked discourse regarding the art direction, notably the realism and color design.
Yoshihara brings a versatile visual style and experience from Black Clover to elevate the Chainsaw Man adaptation.

Title	Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc
Director	Tatsuya Yoshihara
Studio	MAPPA
Release Date	2025

As a longtime anime enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Tatsuya Yoshihara is quickly becoming one of my favorite animators. His unique blend of digital effects, character animation, and camera work is truly unparalleled, reminding me of the golden age of anime when artistry was at the forefront.

His life experience and diverse resume have equipped him with an impressive skillset that allows him to bring any fight scene to life in a way that is both visually stunning and emotionally engaging. From his work on “Black Clover” to his contributions to “Chainsaw Man”, it’s clear that Yoshihara is a master of the craft.

But what really sets him apart is his ability to tell a story through his animation. Every movement, every expression, every shot feels deliberate and meaningful. It’s as if he’s painting a vivid picture with each frame, inviting us into the world of these characters and making us feel like we’re right there in the thick of it.

So when I heard that Yoshihara would be taking over as the director for “Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc”, I couldn’t contain my excitement. This film has a lot to live up to, but with Yoshihara at the helm, I have no doubt it will surpass expectations and become a classic in its own right.

And as a final thought, let me leave you with this: if you’re still not convinced by Tatsuya Yoshihara’s talent, just remember that he was able to make even the Leech Devil fight watchable. If that doesn’t impress you, I don’t know what will!

In a recurring scenario, a well-known MAPPA adaptation faces the challenging mission of locating a new director capable of maintaining or even exceeding previous achievements. Remarkably, much like with Jujutsu Kaisen, the crew behind Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc appears to have identified an appropriate replacement in the director of Black Clover.

According to the manga series penned by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the storyline of Chainsaw Man revolves around Denji, a young individual whose physical form intertwines with that of a devil. This unique union grants him the ability to battle his way towards a more promising existence. The inaugural season made its debut in Fall 2022, under the direction of Ryu Nakayama, an experienced professional who has previously worked on the music video for “Raison d’etre” by Eve, as well as Jujutsu Kaisen and Sword Art Online.

Putting Chainsaw Man’s Anime In Context

The appointment of Tatsuya Yoshihara as the director for “Chainsaw Man” is exhilarating news to many, especially those who are well-versed in his professional journey. For diehard fans of Fujimoto’s manga, however, the creative decisions surrounding adaptations of such work hold significant weight beyond a promising portfolio. Despite the acclaim garnered by “Chainsaw Man”‘s initial season, there were extensive discussions about the approach taken by Nakayama and his team in adapting the narrative.

It’s clear that Fujimoto has a passion for cinema, and this anime pays tribute to that love with its opening, which is a nod to numerous classic films. Additionally, the anime strives to create a sense of realism in its overall style, from character designs to acting. However, not everyone was fully satisfied with how the anime implemented this realistic approach, often criticizing the toned-down visuals as being less vibrant compared to the original source material.

Look Back Demonstrated What Could Have Been

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share my excitement over the recent adaptations! While Chainsaw Man was the initial series by Fujimoto to get an anime makeover, it’s been surpassed by another masterpiece: Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s adaptation of Look Back. This powerful rendition has earned even greater acclaim! The raw, intentionally “messy” artwork mirrors the manga’s unique aesthetic so perfectly that some fans wish they could see that style in the animation of Chainsaw Man.

In no way was this intended as criticism towards Nakayama. Instead, he had a robust concept of how Chainsaw Man would translate into animation. He valiantly aimed to capture the author’s influences in an effort to realize his vision. Consequently, Season 1 appeared visually pleasing… it merely didn’t quite meet the expectations of some manga readers. Following the release of Look Back, the bar has already been elevated. Keeping this in perspective, here is what Yoshihara seems to be planning for the sequel.

The Career of Tatsuya Yoshihara

Initially hinted at, Yoshihara’s most significant mark on our cultural vocabulary so far is the series “Black Clover,” which is a fantasy shōnen adaptation by Yuki Tabata and produced by Studio Pierrot. Precisely, he was the director of the series up until Episode 152, after that he took the role of chief director. Since then, Ayataka Tanemura has been in charge as director, including the 2023 film titled “Sword of the Wizard King.

Yoshihara first emerged in the animation industry during the late 2000s, starting with his work on “Katekyou Hitman Reborn.” Since then, he’s worked on numerous productions such as “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,” “Spice and Wolf,” and “Seikon no Qwaser.” In the early 2010s, he gained prominence as an episode/animation director on shows like “SKET Dance,” “BlazBlue: Alter Memory,” and “Barakamon” before making his directorial debut in 2015 with “Yatterman Night.” Some of his other directorial works include “Monster Musume,” “Long Riders,” and this year’s “Wistoria: Wand and Sword.

Yoshihara’s Versatile Visual Style

In the early stages of shows such as “Reborn”, Yoshihara’s work shines due to its exceptional character acting, special effects, and unique perspective. When studying renowned animators, it can be tempting to zero in on those whose specialized skills are particularly prominent, such as Yutaka Nakamura’s early action sequences or the special effects he later became known for. What sets Yoshihara apart is the harmonious combination of multiple disciplines, all enhanced by robust digital effects.

When observing fight scenes from Black Clover, I’m equally captivated by the camera angles as I am by the choreography and special effects. However, it’s important to note that his acting skills are not lacking in any way. In fact, many of his cuts from SKET Dance show a great deal of character and personality. Over the years, his work has grown more complex and ambitious. Just take a look at any of his cuts from Wistoria for some incredibly smooth character animation that’s been somewhat overlooked.

His Previous Work on Chainsaw Man

Just like Shota Goshozono played a significant role on the Jujutsu Kaisen series before taking over as director in Season 2, Yoshihara has been deeply involved with the Chainsaw Man anime from the beginning. He not only storyboarded and directed episodes 4 and 10 of Season 1 but also provided key animation for other episodes. As an animation director, he oversaw the “action direction” throughout the series. Fans can anticipate similar high-quality fight scenes in future seasons, given his work in Season 1, which is promising news indeed.

Despite any criticisms about its visual aesthetic, the action in Chainsaw Man is difficult not to appreciate, as it showcases many of Yoshihara’s distinctive animation traits. The episodes he directed, such as Denji vs the Leech Devil and Denji and Power versus Kishibe, stand out with impressive camera work, bold perspectives, and wildly animated characters.

After watching the latest movie trailer (probably for the hundredth time), the intense action seems to evoke memories of the Leech Devil fight’s pace. However, it appears that the criticisms mentioned earlier have influenced the creators, as the art style now seems distinctly different. The realistic aesthetic of Season 1 has been toned down, and the colors appear more vibrant, particularly when set against the night sky or gray buildings.

For the movie adaptation titled “Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc”, Tatsuya Yoshihara is an excellent replacement for Nakayama, easing any concerns that fans might have had. His prior involvement with the franchise, his extensive portfolio outside of it, and his proven ability to captivate audiences make this production in capable hands.

Chainsaw Man is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2025-01-01 20:34