Chainsaw Man’s Reze Arc Movie Avoided the Biggest Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Complaint

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The highly anticipated Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has arrived and is receiving positive feedback, much like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. Both films are performing exceptionally well financially and critically. Infinity Castle has already earned an impressive $670 million and boasts a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Chainsaw Man‘s new movie has been number one in Japan for seven weeks (according to Crunchyroll) and currently holds a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, placing it among the top-rated anime films.

Both anime movies have done well, but Infinity Train is currently on track to earn more at the box office than Chainsaw Man, which has made $140 million worldwide. However, I believe the Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is better in one key area. While the new Demon Slayer film is almost perfect, it has one recurring problem – a criticism that has also been made about the series itself. Luckily, the Reze Arc movie avoids this issue.

Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc Avoided The Most Common Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Complaint

Both the upcoming 2025 Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man movies are strong contenders, but Chainsaw Man doesn’t suffer from the pacing issues that plague Demon Slayer. Infinity Castle immediately throws viewers into the intense situation, and the action quickly ramps up after the characters enter Muzan Kibutsuji’s world. However, the anime often slows down to explore each character’s history, creating noticeable pauses, especially during the climactic battle between Tanjiro, Giyu, and Akaza.

As with most fights in Demon Slayer, this one explores the villain’s past. This means the action is frequently broken up by flashbacks to Akaza’s history, which has upset some viewers. While Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has generally received good reviews, these flashbacks continue to be a common complaint among fans, who have shared their frustrations on platforms like Reddit and social media. Critics have also noted this as an issue.

Luckily, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc keeps things moving and avoids slow moments. While it begins a bit slower than Infinity Castle, once the action starts, it doesn’t stop. This allows the movie to build tension effectively, creating a more exciting and rewarding climax than Infinity Castle. The film’s pacing makes it feel like a true cinematic event and shows how well the anime can integrate character development into the story naturally.

The Chainsaw Man Movie Surpasses Demon Slayer In Terms Of Pacing & Characterization

While Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is enjoyable, the Chainsaw Man adaptation, particularly the Reze Arc, is stronger due to its better timing and flow. This isn’t just about how the story is structured; Chainsaw Man also presents its characters more effectively, avoiding unnecessary flashbacks or lengthy explanations. The anime truly shines in showing us who the characters are through their actions and subtle behaviors.

We understand characters like Denji and Makima more through how they react to things happening now, rather than lengthy flashbacks to their pasts. Similarly, Denji’s choices during his battle with the Bomb Devil consistently reveal who he is – he might be a little slow to understand things, as Beam often points out, but he’s resourceful, persistent, and genuinely wants to help others. Aki’s sadness and fear of loss are also clear from how he interacts with the Angel Devil. The story doesn’t need to explain why the characters are the way they are; their present actions speak for themselves.

Reze’s reasons for doing what she does are surprisingly nuanced. Through her interactions with Denji, we learn she simply wants a normal life, with genuine connections and freedom from the expectations of her government. The story doesn’t need lengthy flashbacks to explain her past trauma and how it affects her, which sets her apart from a villain like Akaza. This also keeps her fight with Denji fast-paced and avoids unnecessary explanations.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Couldn’t Avoid Its Biggest Criticism, Even If It Wanted To

It’s unfair to compare Demon Slayer‘s pacing to Chainsaw Man‘s. The Infinity Castle arc relies heavily on flashbacks that are essential to the story, and changing them now would feel out of place as the anime nears its end. These flashbacks, particularly Akaza’s backstory, help explain his choices during the Infinity Castle arc. However, considering how much Demon Slayer uses flashbacks, it makes you wonder if this arc might have worked better as a full TV season.

While the frequent flashbacks in Demon Slayer can be frustrating, they effectively show that villains aren’t born evil and often retain some humanity, even when it seems lost. This is a powerful message, but the way it’s presented prevents the villain battles from being as fast-paced and impactful as those in Chainsaw Man. Thankfully, Tanjiro’s fight with Akaza ultimately feels rewarding, though it takes a while to reach that point. The story might have flowed better if it had been divided into shorter episodes.

What’s your all-time favorite anime that wasn’t based on a manga or other source? Share your pick in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-06 18:11