Continuing from interview (1). The film version of Chainsaw Man: Reze, a sequel to the TV anime Chainsaw Man Man, based on the popular manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto , will be released on September 19th. The Reze chapter tells the story of Reze and the main character, Denji, who also appeared at the end of the TV anime that aired from October to December 2022, and became a hot topic. While Denji is excited about a date with his crush Makima, he takes shelter from the rain and meets Reze, a young girl working at a cafe. Following on from the TV series, we spoke to Kikunosuke Toya, who plays Denji, and Kusunoki Tomori, who plays the popular character Makima, about their thoughts on Chainsaw Man and the filming of the film.
◇Mysterious Makima
-What did you feel after working with him?
Toya-san, I've always thought your delicate side is amazing since the TV series. It's very difficult to play Makima. I've only seen her from the outside, so I don't know what's going on inside, and I wonder how she does it. I've always thought it's amazing that she can do that.
Thank you, Kusunoki-san ! Toya-kun's natural acting is appealing, and although there are many scenes that stand out because "Chainsaw Man" is a manga and anime, I think it's wonderful that he manages to weave in natural acting that makes you feel like Denji is living as a human being. Denji has an eccentric personality, but there are moments when he looks his age and even cute, and I get the impression that he creates Denji with nuances. I can feel his love for "Chainsaw Man" and his desire to lead the series, and I think he's a truly wonderful actor.
I'm so happy, Toya-san ! Thank you.
--The famous scene where Denji and Makima go to the movies is also a highlight.
After his battle with Samurai Sword, Denji wonders if he doesn't have a human heart. He hears this from Makima, and there are parts of the film that he felt, so I tried to act that out. It's also an episode where Denji is excited and happy about his date with Makima, so there are parts where he acts a little excited.
Kusunoki: This is the first episode where Makima talks in a private way, and I thought it would be difficult to strike a balance between how Makima spends her private life as a boss, but Denji's reactions, such as being nervous, were so honest that I was able to act from the perspective of how I wanted Denji to hear it. Toya-kun helped me a lot, and I think we created a good atmosphere.
--Will we see a side of Makima that's a little different from what we've seen so far?
You can sense a girlish side to Makima , or perhaps a bit of innocence within her. Unlike the mysterious side of her previous version where you couldn't tell what she was thinking, she becomes even more mysterious because you can tell she's thinking something... She's a femme fatale.
◇Reze, played by Reina Ueda, is amazing!
--Reina Reina Ueda will play Reze.
Toya-san is amazing! You can really feel that Reze is alive in every word, and especially from the words she says to Denji, I felt a closeness to her that made me think, "I'm going to fall in love with this!" The second half is also amazing! It's so scary! I was thinking this while I was doing it. I think I was constantly being led around by her.
Kusunoki-san was just as I imagined her to be from the TV series. There was a chilling feeling, but also a sense of warmth. Reze is attractive in that she seems unreachable, but at the same time, it seems like she could reach out, in contrast to Makima, so the sense of distance that makes you feel like you can reach her is very appealing. There is a wall between them, but she delicately portrays the fragile and vulnerable feeling that seems like she could reach out. Ueda-san had detailed discussions with me about what Reze was feeling here. He was taking it seriously, and I felt his respect.
-What was the recording like?
Toya-san and Fai-chan (Fairouz Ai, who plays Power) brought sweets to the set.
Mr. Kusunoki: It was so delicious! I'm not usually the type to eat on set, but I ate an awful lot and even took some home with me.
Toya-san, it was really delicious!
Just like Kusunoki-san and Fai-chan have power, having them around brightens up the place.
Before recording, Toya-san , Ueda-san and I had the opportunity to talk with the director and sound director Nagura (Yasushi). We were able to talk about the direction of this movie, which made it easier to prepare, and we were very grateful.
At first, Kusunoki-san let me play Makima freely, and we did multiple takes until I was satisfied, allowing me to act freely. When I was struggling with the direction, he guided me. What made an impression on me was when I talked with sound director Nagura-san about the direction, saying, "Makima seems like she can reach, but she can't. Reze seems like she can't reach, but that's what makes her so appealing," and he replied, "That's right!" and we got into the kind of excitement where middle school boys are talking. We were able to record in a good atmosphere.
◇It's worth seeing in the cinema!
-What scene would you like us to pay attention to?
Toya-san, it's the beam. The scene where he appears is interesting, and I'd like you to see how Denji uses the beam.
Aki Kusunoki and the angel devil are also interesting points to watch. I really like how the relationship between the two changes.
Toya: There are battles and gags, and even during the battles there are gags. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out in the video.
I'd also like to see the Kusunoki-san fireworks scene on the big screen at the theater. I'm looking forward to it, including the sound effects, and there are many intriguing details.
Toya-san, even when I saw the footage during the recording stage, it was amazing, so I hope you'll look forward to it. The cast all put a lot of effort into making it! I'm looking forward to it too.
Mr. Kusunoki, "Reze" is definitely worth seeing in a movie theater, and it's still summer in September, so it's a good time of year. I would definitely recommend seeing it in a theater. It's also a story about Denji learning about love, so I hope couples will come and see it.
The Toya couple, huh...
Mr. Kusunoki is also young!
--The story continues after "Reze".
I really hope Kusunoki-san makes a sequel.
I'm sure you want to see Toya-san , I want to see him too.
"Chainsaw Man" is a dark hero action story about Denji, a boy with the heart of a devil, who works as a devil hunter. Part 1 was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha) from December 2018 to December 2020. Part 2 has been serialized on Shueisha's manga app "Shonen Jump+" since July 2022.
