5 Reasons Chainsaw Man Should Have Beat KPop Demon Hunters at the Oscars

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It’s become common for popular movies, especially anime, to be overlooked by the Oscars, and the recent hit Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc is no exception, despite doing well in theaters. The Academy Awards have often been accused of favoring Western animation; so far, only Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron have won the Best Animated Feature award.

The Academy Awards generally prefer original, self-contained stories rather than sequels or films that are part of a larger series. Anime movies also often don’t receive as much promotion as Western films, which means they can be easily missed. Even with these obstacles, the artistry of Chainsaw Man felt more worthy of an Oscar than the film that actually won: KPop Demon Hunters.

Chainsaw Man’s Depth Blows KPop Demon Hunters Out of the Water

Chainsaw Man is praised for its thoughtful and complex themes, which come from creator Tatsuki Fujimoto’s insightful look at people. The story frequently explores ideas like what people want, how they take advantage of each other, and the search for freedom. Notably, the series presents a very realistic and sometimes unsettling portrayal of a tragic teenage love story, all set against a backdrop of wild humor and intense action.

Unlike some films that delve deeply into complex themes, KPop Demon Hunters focuses more on entertainment. While it touches on important ideas like finding yourself and accepting who you are, it presents them in a simple way that’s better suited for younger viewers. The movie really prioritizes being fun and memorable with its bright colors and catchy music, rather than offering a lot of emotional resonance.

The Academy Usually Eats Up Subversive Storytelling Like Chainsaw Man’s

Chainsaw Man consistently surprises viewers by breaking the mold of typical action anime. It’s a leading example of darker anime, blending horror and dark humor with familiar tropes. The series challenges traditional hero stories, featuring unconventional characters like Denji and unexpectedly killing off important figures like Reze. This bold approach to storytelling deserved recognition from the Academy as a unique and award-worthy take on anime narratives.

Compared to other works, KPop Demon Hunters doesn’t take many chances. Even its handling of difficult themes, like shame stemming from Rumi’s half-demon, half-human identity, feels cautious. While Rumi and Jinu both come to terms with their demonic sides, the story ultimately falls into familiar territory – Jinu is still portrayed as a villain who faces consequences, and Rumi chooses to fight for the forces of good. Overall, KPop Demon Hunters doesn’t feel innovative enough to be considered award-winning.

Chainsaw Man Deserved an Oscar For Its Complex Characters Alone

What makes Chainsaw Man so compelling is its complicated characters who aren’t simply good or evil. The main character, Denji, is driven by basic needs like food, a place to live, and personal desires – a far cry from the usual heroic figure. The antagonist, and a key character alongside Denji, often reflects Denji’s own flaws. Combined with unpredictable supporting characters like Makima, Aki, and Angel Devil, the characters in Chainsaw Man feel realistic and avoid typical tropes.

While KPop Demon Hunters follows the classic good versus evil storyline, this simplicity ultimately hinders the development of its characters. Only Rumi and Jinu have well-defined backgrounds or reasons for their actions; the others feel underdeveloped, relying on basic personality types. The ‘Saja Boys’ are intentionally designed as K-pop idol stereotypes, but Mira and Zoey come across as simply existing to help Rumi, rather than having their own distinct personalities. Considering it’s an Academy Award-winning film, viewers might expect more detailed and complex characters.

Chainsaw Man Has Some of the Best Visual Direction in Animation

MAPPA, the studio behind Chainsaw Man, is currently known for its outstanding animation quality. The series stands out with its cinematic visuals, featuring realistic lighting, impressive camera angles, and detailed designs. The intense battle between Chainsaw Man and the Bomb Devil is particularly striking thanks to MAPPA’s skillful combination of traditional 2D animation and computer-generated imagery – a technique they execute better than many other anime studios.

KPop Demon Hunters delivers plenty of exciting action. Like Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, it features dynamic fight sequences. However, while Spider-Man creatively combined 2D and 3D animation, KPop Demon Hunters relies entirely on 3D. The result is technically flawless animation, but it can feel a little too smooth and lacking in personality.

Chainsaw Man’s Cultural Impact Matched KPop Demon Hunters

In 2025, KPop Demon Hunters became a massive global hit. It earned $19.2 million in its opening weekend in the US and Canada and quickly became Netflix’s most-watched show ever. The movie’s soundtrack was equally popular, with HUNTR/X’s song “Golden” topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 2025. The success of KPop Demon Hunters has significantly increased worldwide interest in South Korean entertainment, especially K-pop. While maintaining this level of success will be challenging, it’s a remarkable achievement.

The movie earned $17.2 million in its opening weekend in the U.S., exceeding expectations despite limited marketing – a better result than most anime films see in Western markets. It’s also had a cultural impact, contributing to a rise in darker storylines within anime, and its theme song, “IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu, was a hit in both Japan and around the world. If the Academy Awards recognize films that innovate animation, this movie – specifically the Reze Arc – absolutely deserves consideration.

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2026-03-17 23:47