Fact check: Did Chainsaw Man Reze Movie make an Attack on Titan reference?

Chainsaw Man Reze Movie theaters this October was more than just about the riveting and explosive devil-hunting chaos. Buried within a seemingly ordinary cinema context of Chainsaw Man was, for attentive otaku, a delightful visual easter egg that paid homage to MAPPA's prior successful project. The preordained moment was subtle enough not to be noticed in the theater context on first watch.

The verdict? It was absolutely confirmed. The Chainsaw Man Reze Movie features a credible Attack on Titan reference by way of a background character wearing the Survey Corps emblem on Denji and Makima's cinema date. MAPPA had obviously positioned the Wings of Freedom homage as a creative nod, noting the conclusion of Hajime Isayama's storytelling opus spanning a decade of their own.

The reference came to be when fans started posting about it on their social media accounts. One keen fan posted screenshots of the exact moment in the Chainsaw Man Reze Movie that contained the reference.

The character is wearing a navy shirt that has a silver badge detail. The badge is not detailed at all, but it does have the Wings of Freedom emblem, which is the symbol of the military faction in the Attack on Titan franchise. The post really caught on in the anime community, as fans became aware of the fandom crossover.

Understanding MAPPA's Creative Connection

The Chainsaw Man Reze Movie is made by the same studio as Attack on Titan in MAPPA, thus highlighting the intention of the tribute in the storyline. The studio previously produced the last season of Attack on Titan. Because of this conscious decision by MAPPA, they gave their fanbase to take pride in both series.

By including the cameo in the Chainsaw Man Reze Movie, the studio tipped their hat to its two opposing anime projects. This all pays tribute to the creative minds that spent several years laying the final nail in the coffin for Hajime Isayama's beloved series.

Both series help to explore what individuals sacrifice for their ideals and whether, in a world of supernatural forces, true freedom can be achieved. The meanings in the philosophical implications of both series nicely coincide, bringing the fandom in between as part of the tribute.

MAPPA's Easter Egg Tradition in the Chainsaw Man Reze Movie

The tradition of MAPPA incorporating cultural references in its productions remains intact with the Chainsaw Man Reze Movie. Creator Tatsuki Fujimoto himself is often reflects various films through the manga. For example, the opening scene of the film features many cinematic references from images taken from Constantine.

This actually means something to the attentive audience and gives them a much greater payoff if they pay attention to every detail in each frame, in a sense, providing layers of meaning beyond the narrative. The Attack on Titan reference fits nicely into this creative process.

Final Verdict

Trending

The evidence definitely shows that there is an intentional Attack on Titan reference in the Chainsaw Man Reze Movie. It serves as a nod to MAPPA's artistry and a respectful tribute to the production of the earlier series. It is something someone who casually watched a movie might notice or overlook on the first watch

This indicates that current anime production is being informed by intertextuality, exhibiting respect for the respective sources of earlier anime that opened the door, and respect, and pride for a new source of achievement.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback