A Japanese Anime Arc Becomes Letterboxd's Highest Rated Movie of 2025

Published 01/14/2026, 2:44 PM EST

A singular animated piece has shattered expectations by outranking major live-action blockbusters to become the highest-rated cinematic experience of the year. While critics often favor traditional dramas, this vibrant adaptation has claimed the top spot across multiple global charts like Letterboxd.

The production marks a historic achievement for its director and the studio behind its visceral visual style.

The film dominated the annual rankings by appealing to both hardcore enthusiasts and casual moviegoers worldwide.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Which Japanese anime broke the records of Letterboxd?

Letterboxd recently unveiled its Year in Review for 2025, placing Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc at the absolute summit. This feature film, which adapts the celebrated manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, secured the title of Highest Rated Overall for the entire year. It successfully outperformed high-profile competitors such as Marty Supreme and Sinners to claim this prestigious honor.

The project earned additional accolades as the Highest Rated Asian Film and the Highest Rated Animation. Tatsuya Yoshihara also received recognition for the Highest Rated Directorial Debut for his work on this MAPPA production.

Financial performance in its home territory matched the critical acclaim, with the film earning over 10.15 billion yen in Japan. Over 6.65 million tickets were sold, proving that the story of Denji and Reze is a commercial powerhouse. While the film has already achieved massive box office success in Japan, it is now accessible to international audiences through various digital streaming platforms.

Is Chainsaw Man Available on Netflix? Where Can You Watch It?

The creative team utilized every cinematic tool available to elevate the manga into a sensory experience.

Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc-Artistic and thematic brilliance to bring the Manga to Screen

Composer Kensuke Ushio utilized a haunting score to amplify both the intense action sequences and the tender, tragic romance at the center of Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc. Voice actress Reina Ueda provided the Japanese vocals for Reze, adding significant emotional depth to a character who has long been a favorite among manga readers.

The film, also includes subtle nods to other franchises, such as a hidden reference to Attack on Titan during the opening sequence. The narrative explores profound themes regarding the search for normalcy and affection within a world defined by constant brutality.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

While staying faithful to Manga, the movie expands upon certain scenes to better highlight the isolation of characters like Makima. An added moment showing her emotional reaction at a theater serves to contrast her loneliness with the burgeoning connection between the leads. This blend of depth and technical excellence explains why the project has achieved such legendary status among viewers.

'Chainsaw Man' Season 2: Plot, Cast, and All the Updates You Need to Know

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

What more reasons do you think make Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc worthy of such achievements? Let us know in the comments below.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Soma Mitra

797 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK