After 4 Years Hikaru Utada Makes Her Huge Anime Return With Chainsaw Man

MAPPA Studios surprised fans by revealing that acclaimed Japanese singer Hikaru Utada (who prefers both They/Them and She/Her pronouns) will be contributing the ending theme song for the movie “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc”. A snippet of the track, titled “Jane Doe”, was showcased in a recent film teaser. The teaser didn’t reveal much about the song, other than some melancholic piano notes and brief glimpses of Utada’s voice before the music fades out. From what we’ve heard so far, “Jane Doe” seems to have a slower tempo and a more somber feel, which is unusual for action anime series like “Chainsaw Man”.

Utada is set to embark on her first anime project since singing “One Last Kiss” for the movie “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time” in 2021. Previously, Utada had performed the main themes for all four films in the “Rebuild of Evangelion,” with “Beautiful World” from the first film being particularly renowned. Meanwhile, musician Kenshi Yonezu, who sang “Kick Back” for the initial season of the anime “Chainsaw Man,” will once more contribute to the franchise, performing the opening theme for the film “Reze Arc,” titled “IRIS OUT.” The Japanese premiere of this movie is scheduled for September 19th, with an international release following on October 29th in the United States.

Why It’s a Big Deal for Hikaru Utada Joining Chainsaw Man

Hikaru Utada, a renowned vocalist globally, gained fame through the music she created for the Kingdom Hearts series. Notably, she’s been the primary song provider for all three mainline Kingdom Hearts games, contributing tracks like “Simple and Clean,” “Sanctuary,” “Don’t Think Twice,” and “Face My Fears.” Utada’s songs are frequently identified by their poignant mood and emotive delivery. “Simple and Clean” stands as one of the most memorable tunes in Kingdom Hearts, recurring consistently across the franchise. Tracks such as “Beautiful World” and “One Last Kiss,” also featuring a bittersweet sound, have been well-received within the Evangelion series. Moreover, Utada is recognized for her ability to sing in English, with many of her songs featuring English versions for global distribution.

Utada’s style of music might appear unexpected for “Chainsaw Man,” given its grim subject matter and extreme violence. Yet, in a surprising twist, Utada was an ideal fit for this series. Beneath the bloodshed and brutality lies a profoundly philosophical tale exploring the essence of fear and humanity’s inherent darkness. The story’s themes are most vividly demonstrated through the character Reze, who emerges as a central focus during the arc. She is both pitiful and menacing, making it challenging to decipher her true nature. Is she the kind-hearted teenager she presents herself to Denji, or does she harbor something more sinister?

The “Jane Doe” song serves to deepen the mystery surrounding Reze, since “Jane Doe” is often used for unidentified bodies in real life. Similarly, Reze’s character in the Chainsaw Man series is shrouded in enigma, adding complexity to her portrayal. Utada’s music frequently explores female perspectives, with “Simple and Clean” focusing on a person’s hesitant emotions towards their partner and apprehension about deepening the relationship. This resonates well with Reze’s character, a young girl grappling with feelings for a boy, making Utada a perfect fit to perform such a song.

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2025-08-15 02:57