Following the resounding success of \"Demon Slayer: Mugen Train,\" which grossed over $659 million worldwide and set several records, the industry's attention is now focused on the new anime blockbuster based on \"Chainsaw Man.\"
\"Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc\" has had a strong start, grossing an estimated $50 to $70 million since its release in Japan and other Asian countries on September 19. Now, the film is preparing to conquer Western cinemas, having received a perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes after previews—100% from critics and 99% from viewers.
Despite these figures being higher than those of \"Demon Slayer: Mugen Train\" (98%), analysts warn that comparing the two films is a mistake. Even with strong support from Sony and Crunchyroll, \"Reze Arc\" is unlikely to approach the records of the film that grossed $659 million worldwide.
\"Mugen Train\" earned $87 million in its first week alone. Miles Atherton, head of White Box Entertainment, an agency specializing in anime promotion, believes that the gap between the projects will only widen after the release of \"Reze Arc\" in the US on October 24.
\"Chainsaw Man is a very popular title among Western fans, but expecting Reze Arc to achieve the same numbers as Demon Slayer is a mistake. Interest from the American audience is currently about half of what it was for Mugen Train at the same stage of the campaign. It's a complex project with a smaller fan base, and they are not as actively going to the cinema.\"
He also compared the film to another hit from MAPPA studio—\"Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie,\" which grossed $34 million in the US and Canada in 2022. In his opinion, this is a realistic goal for Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures.
Nevertheless, critics and viewers are calling \"Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc\" a masterpiece, combining an emotional story, dynamic action, and impeccable animation. The Russian premiere will take place on October 30, and viewers will be able to personally assess whether the film deserves its perfect rating.
