Tokyo, Japan – In a surprising turn at the Japanese box office, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has roared back to the number one position in its ninth weekend, pushing the newly released JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution compilation film to second place. The resurgence of the MAPPA-produced Chainsaw Man film highlights the enduring popularity of the franchise and the effectiveness of fan-centric promotional strategies.
Chainsaw Man’s Explosive Return to the Top
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, which premiered in Japan on September 19, 2025, dominated the box office during the November 14-16 weekend. The film earned an impressive 337 million yen (approximately 2.17 million USD) on 217,000 admissions, marking a significant 155% increase from its gross the previous weekend.
This remarkable jump is largely attributed to strategic “cheer screenings” and the distribution of the fifth bonus gift, a highly sought-after Polaroid-style visual card, which incentivized fans to revisit theaters. The film’s cumulative domestic total now stands at a formidable 8.77 billion yen (56.5 million USD) from 5.72 million admissions, securing its place as the 76th highest-grossing film of all time in the Japanese box office.
The Impact of Fan Engagement and Continued Success
The sustained success of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc demonstrates the power of consistent fan engagement and limited-time incentives. Despite being in its ninth weekend, the film’s ability to not only maintain but also significantly increase its weekend gross underscores the dedicated fanbase for Tatsuki Fujimoto’s dark fantasy series. The movie adapts the popular “Reze Arc” from the manga, serving as a direct sequel to the first season of the anime television series.
JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution Slides to Second Place
Meanwhile, JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution, a compilation film of the critically acclaimed Jujutsu Kaisen anime series, saw a considerable drop in its second weekend. After debuting at number one, it fell to second place, earning 258 million yen (approximately 1.66 million USD) on 176,000 admissions. This represents a 60% decrease from its opening weekend performance.
The film’s 10-day cumulative total reached 1.12 billion yen (7.21 million USD) from 740,000 admissions. JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution is a special theatrical release that compiles the “Shibuya Incident” arc from the second season of the anime and also features the debut of the first two episodes of Season 3’s upcoming “Culling Game Part 1,” ahead of its January 2026 streaming premiere.
Context for Jujutsu Kaisen’s Performance
While a drop in the second weekend is common for many films, the magnitude of the decline for JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution allowed Chainsaw Man to reclaim the top spot. The Jujutsu Kaisen franchise, based on Gege Akutami’s manga, remains a global phenomenon, with its previous film, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, achieving significant box office success in 2021. The latest compilation offers fans an early look at new content, aiming to bridge the gap between existing seasons and the highly anticipated third season.
Overall Japanese Box Office Trends
The competitive nature of the Japanese anime film market continues to be evident. Both Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution showcase the immense drawing power of established anime franchises. The overall box office continues to be dominated by animated features, with other titles like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle also performing strongly. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle recently made history by becoming the first Japanese film to surpass ¥100 billion in global box office takings. This highlights a vibrant and dynamic landscape where fan loyalty and strategic marketing play crucial roles in box office performance.
