On October 14, 2022, just two days after Chainsaw Man Episode 1 aired, its opening sequence achieved over 11 million views on YouTube. Everyone was ready to welcome the Chainsaw Man era, expecting the adaptation of the smash-hit manga to follow in the grand footsteps of giants like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer. But nearly a year later, the scene has changed dramatically, and the question on everyone’s mind is: what happened to Chainsaw Man?
The Big Gamble Behind the Chainsaw Man Adaptation
Creating an anime series from a multi-award-winning manga series should be a sure-fire win, but it comes with its own set of pressures. MAPPA, the studio behind Chainsaw Man, is no stranger to high-stakes projects, having previously worked on hit shows like Attack on Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen. However, they decided to take a different approach to funding Chainsaw Man, choosing to fully fund the project with their own capital. This gave them unparalleled creative and marketing freedom, but it also meant they had a lot riding on the series’ success.
The studio also made some bold choices when it came to the staff working on Chainsaw Man. Ryuu Nakayama, a promising animation director, was chosen to lead the adaptation as a debut series director, while rookie voice actor Kikunosuke Toya landed the starring role of Denji. The team was a blend of experienced professionals and promising newcomers, representing what many saw as the future of Japanese anime. As MAPPA CEO Manabu Otsuka put it, “I really believe that Chainsaw Man is going to be a new chapter for MAPPA.”
The Chainsaw Man Anime Arrives
When Chainsaw Man finally arrived, it did so with a bang, smashing viewing records and earning heaps of praise. But as the season progressed, cracks began to show. Criticism emerged, particularly around the series’ animation style, which some fans felt lacked the eccentricity and messiness of Fujimoto’s original work. A petition even circulated, calling for the series to be restarted with a different director.
Despite this, the series remained popular, with its final episode ranking as the show’s sixth most popular, according to the Anime Karma List on Reddit. A teaser at the end of the final episode hinted at things to come, leaving fans anticipating a second season. Yet, months have passed without any official word from the creators.
The Aftermath of Chainsaw Man’s Adaptation: Questions and Rumors
In the void left by the silence from MAPPA, rumors and speculation have run rampant. Questions about the series’ Blu-ray sales and the financial success of the adaptation have dominated discussions. While Otsuka admitted to wishing the series had sold better, he also confirmed that it was a financial success. This leaves the future of Chainsaw Man uncertain, with fans speculating about everything from director changes to movie adaptations.
chainsaw man is cinema pic.twitter.com/k0R5h9hdXE
— Chainsaw Man Daily Shots (@ChainsawShots) October 22, 2023
What’s Next for the Chainsaw Man Anime?
As we look ahead, the big question is not if Chainsaw Man will return, but how. With a plethora of options available, ranging from a second season to a movie adaptation or even a complete reboot, MAPPA has some tough decisions to make. Whatever route they choose, it’s clear that Chainsaw Man’s journey is far from over, and fans are eagerly awaiting its return to the anime scene.
