Reze blushing while smiling awkwardly in Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
By
Zach Zamora
Published 13 minutes ago
Zach joined the ScreenRant Anime team as a contributor in June 2024, before taking on a Senior Writer role in November. Since then, he has covered breaking news and produced features and lists about the most popular anime titles.
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Since the release of its first highly acclaimed box-office smash-hit movie, Chainsaw Man has stolen the attention and the hearts of the global anime community. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc outperformed all expectations and debuted as the number one movie in several countries around the world, reminding fans why exactly the series was so highly anticipated years ago.
Critics, anime fans, and casual moviegoers alike cannot seem to stop singing Chainsaw Man's praises, which has landed series creator Tatsuki Fujimoto in the anime and film community's good graces. However, recent online discoveries are now stirring up controversy surrounding Chainsaw Man and its author, and the drama may prove a threat to the series going forward.
Chainsaw Man Is at the Center of a New Controversy
Adult Movie Stars and Claims of Plagiarism Are Headlining Chainsaw Man's Latest Controversy
Artist Tatsuki Fujimoto is no stranger to controversy. His stories are weird and wonderful and the man himself appears to be even weirder, at least, that's how he presents himself. Since his major debut in the industry with 2016's Fire Punch, Fujimoto has kept up an odd persona while writing a few of manga's most creative, unhinged, unpredictable, and undeniably moving stories.
From tales of eating his pet rice fish, to grainy videos of attempts at levitation, Tatsuki Fujimoto has become more of a mythical figure to the anime and manga communities than he is just another artist. And thanks to Chainsaw Man and his two later one-shots, Look Back and Goodbye Eri, Fujimoto and the myths surrounding him have reached even mainstream anime audiences.
However, when more eyes are gathered on something, controversy is usually following close behind. A fan on Reddit, in a post that was initially more of a joke than anything else, included a screenshot of a 2013 adult video starring an actress who wears a very similar outfit to the one worn by Chainsaw Man's most recent new cast member, Reze.
Such a discovery would usually pass as little more than a coincidence, though thanks to Fujimoto's reputation as a bit of an odd guy, anime fans have felt inclined to believe that this adult video was, in fact, the inspiration for Reze's character design. Fans of Chainsaw Man mostly laughed off the original post, but the same cannot be said for the anime community at large.
Many are now heavily criticizing Tatsuki Fujimoto for his alleged inspiration for Reze, while others are using the drama as an excuse to throw claims of plagiarism in his direction. In a now viral thread, an X-user in Korea has taken the opportunity to showcase many examples in which they believe Fujimoto has ripped off other notable, mainstream properties.
Chainsaw Man and Its Creator Are Being Hit With Plagiarism Accusations
The Latest Claims of Plagiarism Being Thrown at Chainsaw Man Are Entirely Baseless
Reze holding a flower in a promotional poster for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
While it may be fun to partake in internet drama from time to time, it's incredibly important to consider all circumstances and facts before throwing damaging claims in anyone's direction. The possibility that Tatsuki Fujimoto was inspired by the adult video in question when writing the Reze Arc can't be denied, but it also isn't very likely.
Reze's exact outfit was rather trendy during the mid to late 2010s, when the Reze Arc was being published, and the likelihood that a Japanese creator stumbled across an obscure American adult video and was so inspired that he borrowed an outfit years later is more than a stretch. If that was somehow the case, it also really isn't deserving of backlash.
The more serious accusations are coming from those who believe Chainsaw Man's creator has plagiarized other intellectual properties in his work. The original viral thread in question, however, doesn't shed light on much other than bringing to light a few of the references to other stories in Fujimoto's works.
Tatsuki Fujimoto is an artist who wears his inspirations on his sleeve. Being a self-proclaimed movie buff, the opening of Chainsaw Man's first season is littered with references to his favorite films. In his work, he nods to everything from popular manga to obscure foreign films. The thread brings up an allegedly stolen panel from the 2013 cult classic, Sharknado.
Denji standing on top of and riding Beam in Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
The panel features artwork of Denji riding Beam, and it does appear very similar to a shot in Sharknado. However, it's easy to identify that such a panel is a clear homage to the film, as it's found in a chapter titled "Sharknado", which itself is found in a manga volume where Fujimoto's author comment reads, "I love Sharknado!"
Recent Drama May Threaten Chainsaw Man's Future
Accusations of Plagiarism Are a Danger to Chainsaw Man's Reputation, Whether True or Not
Denji holding a flower and sticking his tongue out in Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
Much of the drama surrounding Chainsaw Man and its creator is somewhat silly. Many fans are countering that Reze's inspiration actually came from Tokyo Ghoul's Rize, and when considering whether Fujimoto was inspired by a fellow manga artist or an obscure American adult video, the likelier scenario becomes obvious.
Nevertheless, accusations of plagiarism are damaging to a series and an artist's career, and are not to be thrown around without concrete proof. If the online discourse happened to convince the general audience and drove them away, Chainsaw Man's future might be in danger.
Any time some sort of entertainment, whether it be a movie, show, or music, becomes overly popular, it doesn't take long for drama to arise, and Chainsaw Man is currently sitting atop a throne in the anime industry. Though before anime fans decide to throw accusations at its creator, it might be wise to consider whether there's anything substantial to back their claims.
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8.9/10
Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed Animation Action Horror Fantasy Release Date September 19, 2025 Director Tatsuya Yoshihara Writers Hiroshi SekoCast
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Kikunosuke Toya
Denji (voice)
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Reina Ueda
Reze (voice)
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