Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc’s Top Hollywood Film Easter Eggs

The arrival of Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc in October 2025 has sent anime fans into a frenzy, but there’s more to this film than just action and spectacle. Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator, has woven in a stack of references to well-known Hollywood flicks, showing off his passion for Western cinema. Let’s take a look at the most striking nods scattered throughout the film.

Subtle Homages and Cinematic Techniques

One of the more understated moments comes early on, with a plane soaring above Reze. This shot mirrors a scene from the 2001 Japanese drama Blue Spring, with the framing and subject placement almost identical. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tribute, but unmistakable for those in the know.

Another clever touch is the sequence of Denji riding a horse, filmed in black and white. This is a clear callback to the pioneering motion study The Horse in Motion (also known as Sallie Gardner at a Gallop), which played a key role in the birth of cinema. The greyscale effect and composition make the reference obvious to film buffs.

Iconic Scenes Reimagined

Angel’s entrance, floating down to the playground, might seem familiar to those who’ve seen the 2005 supernatural thriller Constantine. The way Angel’s feet touch down is reminiscent of Lucifer’s dramatic arrival at the hospital. Whether this was intentional or just a happy accident, only Fujimoto could say for sure.

There’s also a moment where a single raindrop lands on Reze’s eye, echoing a tense scene from the 2002 sci-fi horror 28 Days Later. The similarity is striking, especially for anyone who remembers the start of Frank’s demise in that film.

Dance, Drama, and Explosive Action

The film’s dance sequence, featuring Denji, Aki, and Power, is a standout. The choreography and style are a clear nod to the dance scenes in the French classic Bande à part (1964) and the Italian film 8½ (1963). The homage is subtle but unmistakable for fans of European cinema.

In a more direct reference, the graveyard scene with Kishibe is lifted straight from Saving Private Ryan. The visual of Kishibe among the headstones is a near match for the iconic war film’s somber moments.

Blockbuster Parallels and Explosive References

Denji’s wild ride on Beam into battle against Reze and the Typhoon Devil is not just a thrilling set piece—it’s also reminiscent of a scene from Despicable Me 2 (2013), where the villain El Macho charges into action atop a shark. Whether this was a deliberate wink or just a fun coincidence, it’s a memorable parallel.

Another subtle nod comes when Denji is shown holding a bomb pin before an explosion, echoing the climax of Léon: The Professional (1994). In that film, Léon hands a bomb pin to the antagonist just before a fatal blast, a moment mirrored in Denji’s own explosive fate.

Reze’s dramatic confrontation with Nomo, where she throws her own severed head—revealed to be a bomb—into the facility, draws clear inspiration from the 2000 Japanese cult hit Battle Royale. The use of a decapitated head as a weapon is a direct lift from that film’s most shocking scenes.

Finally, the intense scene where Reze chokes a mysterious man to death is a frame-for-frame recreation of a pivotal moment from No Country for Old Men (2007). The choreography and tension are unmistakably borrowed from the Coen brothers’ modern classic.

For those keen to catch all these references, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The film, produced by MAPPA, blends action, horror, and supernatural elements, and has already earned high marks from both IMDb and MyAnimeList. Whether you’re a die-hard anime fan or a film buff, there’s plenty to spot and enjoy in this much-talked-about release.