The wait for more Chainsaw Man anime has been… painful. Season 1 dropped in late 2022, introduced millions to Tatsuki Fujimoto’s unhinged masterpiece, and then… silence. Well, not complete silence—we got movie announcements, but fans have been starving for actual Season 2 news.
So what’s the deal? When is Chainsaw Man Season 2 actually coming? Why the delay? And what about that Reze movie everyone keeps talking about?
Here’s the complete breakdown of everything we know about the future of Chainsaw Man anime as of February 2026.
The Current Status: Movies First, Then Season 2
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Chainsaw Man Season 2 does not have a release date yet.
MAPPA, the studio handling the adaptation, made a strategic decision that’s both understandable and frustrating: they’re adapting the most self-contained Part 1 arcs as theatrical films before continuing the TV series.
The Plan (As We Understand It):
This means the next Chainsaw Man anime content you’ll see is the Reze Arc movie, which is releasing theatrically in July 2026 (Japan) with international release in Fall 2026.
Why the Movie Route?
MAPPA’s decision to adapt the Reze arc (Bomb Devil arc) as a film rather than including it in Season 2 makes sense for several reasons:
The Arc Is Self-Contained
The Reze arc functions almost as a standalone story within Chainsaw Man. It introduces a new character, tells a complete romantic subplot, and reaches its own emotional conclusion. This makes it perfect for theatrical adaptation without requiring extensive setup or feeling incomplete.
Theatrical Budget
Movies get bigger budgets than TV anime. The Reze arc deserves elevated production values—Reze’s explosive abilities, the emotional beats, and the action sequences all benefit from theatrical-quality animation.
Financial Strategy
Anime movies are incredibly profitable. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train proved a standalone arc film can break box office records. MAPPA is following a tested model.
Production Breathing Room
Let’s be real: MAPPA was stretched thin. Between Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Attack on Titan Final Season, and other projects, their production schedule was intense. Spacing out Chainsaw Man content allows for better quality.
The Reze Arc Movie: What to Expect
Title: Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc (official title may vary)
Release: July 2026 (Japan), Fall 2026 (International)
Studio: MAPPA
Content: Chapters 40-52 of the manga
What’s This Arc About?
The Reze arc is where Chainsaw Man’s emotional depth truly reveals itself. Denji meets a girl named Reze who works at a café, and for the first time, he experiences something resembling a normal romantic connection.
Of course, this is Chainsaw Man, so nothing stays normal for long.
Without spoiling specifics, this arc:
- Explores Denji’s desperate desire for normalcy
- Introduces one of the series’ most beloved characters
- Features some of Fujimoto’s most creative action
- Delivers emotional gut-punches that define the series
- Sets up important threads for later arcs
Why Fans Are Excited
Reze quickly became one of Chainsaw Man’s most popular characters despite appearing in only one arc. Her relationship with Denji feels genuine in a way the series hadn’t explored before, and Fujimoto’s handling of their dynamic is masterful.
The arc also features the Bomb Devil abilities, which should look incredible animated. Explosions, the unique transformation, and the kinetic action all suit MAPPA’s strengths.
Season 2: What We Know
Expected Timeline
Based on typical anime production schedules and MAPPA’s confirmed projects:
- Reze Movie: Summer 2026
- Season 2 Announcement: Late 2026 (post-movie release)
- Season 2 Release: 2027 (likely Spring or Fall)
This is speculation based on patterns, not official confirmation. MAPPA hasn’t announced Season 2’s timeline yet.
What Arc Will Season 2 Cover?
Assuming the Reze arc is handled by the movie, Season 2 would pick up with:
The Bomb Girl Arc Aftermath → Katana Man Arc Continuation → International Assassins Arc → Darkness Devil Arc
Wait, actually, let’s reassess. The structure depends on whether MAPPA adapts additional arcs as movies:
Possible Scenario 1: Multiple Movies
- Reze Movie (2026)
- International Assassins Movie (2027?)
- Season 2 covers remaining Part 1 content (2028)
Possible Scenario 2: Reze Movie Only
- Reze Movie (2026)
- Season 2 covers International Assassins through Part 1 conclusion (2027)
Most signs point to Scenario 2, where Season 2 would be substantial (potentially 20+ episodes) and cover everything through Part 1’s conclusion.
What About Part 2?
Chainsaw Man Part 2 began serialization in 2022 and is ongoing. It introduces new characters (Asa Mitaka, Yoru the War Devil) and a shifted narrative focus.
Part 2 is likely Season 3 territory at the earliest. The anime has years of content to adapt before reaching current manga material.
Production Quality Expectations
Season 1’s production was polarizing:
What Worked:
- Incredible opening/ending sequences
- Character acting and expressions
- Atmospheric direction
- Voice cast perfection
What Divided Fans:
- CGI usage (though this improved throughout the season)
- Action sequence pacing (compared to manga’s kinetic energy)
- Some felt it was “too slow” or “too grounded”
For the Reze Movie and Season 2, we can expect:
- Movie-quality animation for Reze Arc
- Likely adjustments based on Season 1 feedback
- Continued excellence in character work
- Probably refined CGI implementation
MAPPA has shown they listen to feedback (see: JJK Season 2’s evolution from Season 1), so Season 2 may address criticisms.
Voice Cast
The stellar Japanese voice cast returns:
- Kikunosuke Toya as Denji
- Tomori Kusunoki as Makima
- Shogo Sakata as Aki Hayakawa
- Fairouz Ai as Power
New for Reze Arc:
- Reze’s voice actress has been a hot topic of speculation. Whoever lands the role needs to capture both her sweet normalcy and her dangerous reality.
English Dub:
- Ryan Colt Levy as Denji
- Suzie Yeung as Makima
- The Crunchyroll dub was well-received and will continue
Where to Watch
Season 1: Crunchyroll (streaming now)
Reze Movie: Theatrical release (Summer 2026 Japan, Fall 2026 International), streaming likely late 2026/early 2027
Season 2: Crunchyroll (when it releases)
The Manga: Should You Read Ahead?
This is a personal choice, but here’s our take:
Arguments for Reading:
- Part 1 is complete and readily available
- Fujimoto’s manga art is incredible and worth experiencing
- You get to experience the story without waiting years
- The manga has a different energy that complements the anime
Arguments for Waiting:
- The anime experience is different and worth preserving
- Part 1’s twists hit harder unspoiled
- MAPPA’s adaptation adds its own value
- You can always read after
If you choose to read: Part 1 is collected in volumes 1-11, available physically and digitally through Viz Media.
What We’re Most Excited About
The Reze Relationship: Watching Denji experience something like genuine romance—and everything that follows—will be emotional devastation.
The Bomb Devil: Reze’s abilities animated with movie budget? Sign us up.
The Escalation: Post-Reze, Chainsaw Man gets even more insane. If they continue adapting, the International Assassins and what comes after are wild.
The Music: Season 1’s music was exceptional. The movie and Season 2 maintaining that quality would be ideal.
Comparison: Where Are Other MAPPA Projects?
To understand Chainsaw Man’s timeline, consider MAPPA’s workload:
Completed/Wrapping:
- Attack on Titan: Final Season (Complete)
- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (Complete, Season 3 in production)
In Production:
- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 (Fall 2026)
- Chainsaw Man: Reze Movie (Summer 2026)
- Hell’s Paradise Season 2 (2026)
Announced:
- Chainsaw Man continuation
MAPPA isn’t abandoning Chainsaw Man—they’re working through their slate while maintaining quality standards.
Conclusion
The wait for Chainsaw Man Season 2 is real, but it’s not indefinite. The Reze Arc movie in Summer 2026 gives us new Chainsaw Man content after years of waiting, and Season 2 is expected to follow in 2027.
MAPPA’s strategy of theatrical films for self-contained arcs makes sense both creatively and financially. The Reze arc deserves movie-quality production, and the delay allows the studio to deliver quality rather than rushing.
For now: rewatch Season 1, read the manga if you’re inclined, and mark your calendar for Summer 2026. The Bomb Devil is coming, and it’s going to be explosive.
Related: Chainsaw Man Watch Order
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