Chainsaw Man fans around the globe are ecstatic as the highly anticipated anime adaptation of the "Assassins Arc" has officially been announced. The announcement was made on December 21st at Jump Festa 2026, held in Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan, sending waves of excitement through the anime community. This new project will serve as a direct sequel to the currently screening theatrical film, "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc".
The "Assassins Arc," also known as the "International Assassins Arc," is the sixth arc of the Public Safety Saga in Tatsuki Fujimoto's acclaimed manga series. The arc is known for its intense action, complex characters, and significant plot developments as Denji becomes the target of assassins from around the world.
Studio MAPPA, the powerhouse animation studio behind the first season of the anime and the "Reze Arc" movie, will once again be in charge of animation. A teaser visual and promotional video were unveiled alongside the announcement, offering a glimpse into the dark and dangerous world awaiting Denji. The teaser visual depicts a group of assassins targeting Denji's heart, capturing the ominous tone of the upcoming arc. The promotional video features Makima sitting alone in a movie theater, followed by scenes of Denji and the assassins pursuing him. The trailer also showcases a shift in the power balance of the world, with appearances from the Darkness Devil, Quanxi, and Santa Claus.
The "Chainsaw Man" manga, written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto, began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in December 2018. Part 1 of the manga, the Public Safety Arc, concluded in December 2020, and Part 2 began serialization in July 2022 on Shonen Jump Plus. The manga has been licensed in English by Viz Media. "Chainsaw Man" follows Denji, a young man who, burdened by his deceased father's debt, works as a Devil Hunter alongside Pochita, the Chainsaw Devil. After being betrayed and killed, Denji makes a contract with Pochita and is revived as Chainsaw Man, a human with a devil's heart, who then joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters.
The first season of the "Chainsaw Man" anime premiered in Fall 2022 and ran for 12 episodes. The anime was a critical and financial success, with MAPPA CEO Manabu Otsuka declaring it a complete financial success. Crunchyroll streamed the anime worldwide outside of East Asia, while Medialink licensed it for Southeast Asia. The opening theme song, "KICK BACK," was performed by Kenshi Yonezu, and each episode featured a different ending theme song performed by various artists. The "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc" achieved remarkable success, drawing 6.31 million viewers and earning 9.65 billion yen at the box office over 91 days from September 19 to December 18.
While a specific release date for the "Assassins Arc" anime has not yet been announced, it is speculated to broadcast sometime in 2027. Fans are encouraged to remain patient and allow MAPPA the necessary time to deliver a high-quality adaptation of Fujimoto's work. The "Assassins Arc" promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable addition to the "Chainsaw Man" anime series, bringing viewers closer to the climax of Part 1 with more devils and fiends.
