Apparently, it doesn’t match the tone of the manga.
Summary:
- Some Chainsaw Man manga readers don’t like the adaptation.
- That’s because, according to them, it should have had a darker tone.
- Most, however, still think the adaptation is good.
While Chainsaw Man is definitely one of the most popular anime out there, not everyone likes it. Of course, you can’t satisfy every fan, but in this case, some people criticizing the anime actually like the manga.
Poor adaptations exist, yes, but it would seem that there’s nothing wrong with the Chainsaw Man anime at first glance — or is there?
It’s a Good Anime
The disappointment with the Chainsaw Man anime doesn’t stem from the anime changing the storyline. It’s faithful to the original manga, and the pacing is pretty much perfect. Nothing important is skipped, and the anime has no fillers. By all accounts, the anime should be considered a good adaptation.
The animation is also very good. While MAPPA is a controversial studio (due to their treatment of animators), their animation quality is usually top-tier — especially for popular series like Chainsaw Man. This is no exception, and you can’t really complain about the action in the series.
Why Some Manga Readers Don’t Like the Adaptation
However, the main point of complaint about the CSM adaptation was the direction. The director’s approach made the anime look less like your typical anime and more like a live-action movie with its framing and lighting.
It’s certainly a bold approach, but it’s understandable why it was chosen. The manga is inspired by live-action movies as well and often references them in different ways.
Not all fans were satisfied with the choice, however. Many wanted a darker approach to the visual presentation, similar to that of Dorohedoro, another MAPPA series. To many, Chainsaw Man is a very dark series, and the anime doesn’t exactly reflect that.
Another possible reason why the anime is disliked by some manga readers is a knee-jerk reaction to the studio adapting it. MAPPA is not a studio that boasts the best reputation among fans. It’s entirely likely some fans dismissed the anime because of the studio alone.
Most Fans Still Like the Anime — and They’re Hyped for the Upcoming Movie
That said, most anime viewers still feel the adaptation captures the soul of the original. As such, they’re looking forward to the Reze movie — but with the recent restructuring of top-level management positions in MAPPA, we can’t even guess when that will come out.
The most optimistic guesses mention the date of late 2024, but it being released in 2025 is far more likely.