Chainsaw Man was one of 2022's most anticipated anime. The popular shonen manga has long dominated sales charts, standing on the same level as classics and modern fan favorites like One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia. Following suit, Chainsaw Man dominated social media and quickly became one of Fall 2022's most popular anime. However, its Blu-ray sales tell a different story. Selling only 1,735 copies in its first week in Japan, the Chainsaw Man fandom is currently stressing over whether the series will receive a second season.
As physical media becomes a thing of the past, many rely on streaming platforms and other methods of watching anime. Still, Blu-ray is Japan's primary way of gauging which series are successful and which titles flopped. The Blu-ray's price may have been an issue, considering it's ¥ 6,934 -- or roughly $53 USD -- for two episodes. At that rate, the cost of all 12 episodes would be about ¥ 40,800, or $310 USD. All these issues considered, does the Blu-ray's disappointing performance in Japan indicate that Chainsaw Man may not return for a Season 2?
What Went Wrong With Chainsaw Man's Anime Adaptation?
Chainsaw Man's anime adaptation was surprisingly controversial. Though global fans loved it, domestic fans felt something was slightly "off." Studio MAPPA received criticism for making the anime look too clean, with sluggish CGI work as one of the main complaints. Some fans also weren't happy that it replaced over-the-top visuals -- typically synonymous with shonen anime -- for a more cinematic approach. Many felt it didn't capture the manga's gritty atmosphere and criticized its rather bland color palette. This may be why the anime didn't do as well as expected sales-wise.
One fan in Japan even started an online petition for Chainsaw Man's anime to be remade, disparaging the anime for being an unfaithful adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto's work and having forgettable music with lackluster visuals. The Blu-ray's Amazon reviews tell a similar story, with many chiming in to criticize the director for not being a true fan of the series. Many reviewers expressed that the anime entirely misunderstood the manga's gritty tone.
Another reviewer stated that the manga's tone was scattered, going from eroticism and gag comedy to seriousness and brutal battles in a way that still made sense. However, this person felt like the anime only relied on sexual innuendo blended with a serious tone that didn't capture the essence of Chainsaw Man. Another called it "an animated adaptation that looks like a bad Japanese movie." On the plus side, many reviewers agree that the opening theme and the 12 different ending songs were a bright spot for the adaptation.
However, global fans believe MAPPA delivered the same quality as expected from previous projects like Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan, feeling that more cinematic visuals aided the narrative. The pacing is a point of contention for both audiences, and everyone seems to agree that Chainsaw Man moved too slowly in certain parts and charged ahead at warp speed in others. The consensus seems that, though the adaptation was visually appealing and stayed true to Fujimoto's art style, it would have been nice to see a more stylized approach to the narrative. Still, the numbers don't lie. An anime's domestic reception is important, which may be why the Blu-ray flopped in Japan.
Some of Chainsaw Man's Sales Weren't Counted in the Oricon Chart
Japan's primary way of gauging a series' success is via Blu-ray sales, and Chainsaw Man was beaten out by series like Lycoris Recoil, Bocchi the Rock!, Spy x Family and even Paw Patrol. Selling 1,735 copies in its first week is worrying for any anime series. However, there's a light at the end of the tunnel for Chainsaw Man. MAPPA sold the DVD on its own website, bundled with extra merchandise.
Doom-posters initially claimed that this wouldn't change the numbers. However, MAPPA's online store sales accounted for approximately 10,000 copies that weren't counted on Oricon. This may well be enough to salvage the series and ensure it gets a second season. Though the anime adaptation has garnered criticism, it doesn't seem like Chainsaw Man's momentum is slowing down anytime soon. Despite its less-than-impressive first-week sales in Japan, all signs still point to Chainsaw Man receiving a Season 2.
