1
Chainsaw Man
This is where everything begins. The 12-episode season introduces Denji, the world of devil hunters, and the core cast before the story moves into film territory.
3 titles
Updated Aug 19, 2026
Chainsaw Man Watch Order (2026 Guide)
Denji is a teenager working off his late father's debt as a devil hunter, with only his chainsaw devil dog Pochita for company. When he is killed and Pochita revives him by becoming his heart, he is pulled into a government agency that hunts devils — and into a life far stranger and more violent than the one he was trying to escape.
Recommended Order
Quick answer
- Chainsaw Man
- Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Plus 1 optional extra.
2 titles · 12 episodes + 1 movie · ~6.5 hours
Start with the TV series, then move straight to the film, which picks up where the season leaves off. The shorts are a separate side piece with no bearing on the main story, so they can be saved for after.
2
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Watch this directly after the TV series. The 100-minute film continues the story into a new arc and assumes you already know the characters and setup from the season.
Optional Side Content
3
Chainsaw Days
Five shorts adapting the bonus pages printed at the end of the manga volumes — small comedic side stories about the cast rather than new plot. They were released as part of a two-part compilation of the TV series in September 2025, so watch them whenever you like once you know the characters.
Why This Order
Chainsaw Man is one of the more straightforward franchises to get into — there are no confusing timelines or prequels to worry about. Start with the TV series, which covers the opening arc of the story and does all the work of introducing Denji and the world he lives in. Once you finish it, head straight to the film, which picks up the narrative and takes it into new territory. Skipping ahead to the film without the season would leave you missing a lot of context, so treat them as two halves of the same journey rather than separate entries. Chainsaw Days is a different beast entirely — five shorts adapting the small bonus stories printed at the end of the manga volumes, light in tone and disconnected from the main plot. They are worth a look if you want more time with the cast, but they add nothing to the story and can be skipped without missing a thing. A further anime project covering the Assassins Arc has been announced and is in production, though nothing about its release has been confirmed yet.
How Many Episodes and Seasons Does Chainsaw Man Have?
Chainsaw Man has 1 season and 1 film in the main run — 12 episodes altogether.
Main Run
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chainsaw Man | TV Series | 12 episodes | October 2022 |
| Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc | Movie | September 2025 |
Optional Side Content
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chainsaw Days | ONA | 5 episodes | September 2025 |
2 titles · 12 episodes + 1 movie · ~6.5 hours
Source Material
Where each part of the anime lines up with the source, so you know where to pick up reading.
Manga
Completed
Chainsaw Man
Season 1 (12 episodes)
Source Vol. 1 - Vol. 5
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Source Vol. 5 - Vol. 6
Chainsaw Man Spin-offs and Side Stories
Only spin-offs that tie into the main story are listed here — anthologies, fan books and the like are left out.
Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories
Side Story Novel
The manga finished on 25 March 2026 with Chapter 232, running to 24 volumes total. It splits into two parts that share continuous numbering: Part 1, the Public Safety Saga, runs from Volume 1 to Volume 11, and Part 2, the Academy Saga, runs from Volume 12 to the end. Everything the anime has covered so far falls within Part 1. The Viz Media English edition is still catching up — 21 volumes are out as of August 2026, with Volume 22 scheduled for 13 October 2026. Neither the TV series nor the film contains anime-original episodes; both follow the manga directly. Chainsaw Days adapts the short bonus pages printed at the end of the individual volumes rather than any part of the main storyline.
Chainsaw Man Watch Order FAQ
Where should I start with Chainsaw Man?
Start with the TV series. Its 12 episodes introduce Denji, the devil hunters he works for, and the world they operate in. From there go straight to the film, which continues the story. The shorts can wait until after both.
Can I skip the TV series and just watch the movie?
No. The film opens after the season ends and assumes you already know the cast and the setup. Going in cold means missing the relationships the whole story rests on.
Is the movie a recap of the TV series?
No. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is entirely new material, adapting Chapters 39 to 52 of the manga across 100 minutes. There is a separate two-part recap of the TV series that came out in 2025, but the film is not it and does not overlap with the season.
Do I need to watch Chainsaw Days?
No. Chainsaw Days is five shorts adapting the bonus pages printed at the end of the manga volumes — small comedic pieces about the cast rather than part of the story. Watch them if you want more time with these characters, but nothing in the main plot depends on them.
Are there any filler episodes in Chainsaw Man?
No. The TV series and the film both adapt the manga directly with no anime-original episodes. There is nothing to skip within either of them.
Is there an English dub of Chainsaw Man?
Yes, for both the TV series and the film. Ryan Colt Levy voices Denji, with Suzie Yeung as Makima, Reagan Murdock as Aki and Sarah Wiedenheft as Power. The film streams with the English dub alongside the subtitled version.
Where can I watch Chainsaw Man?
Crunchyroll carries both the TV series and the film, the latter having arrived there in April 2026 with subs and dub. The TV series is also on Hulu in the US. Availability varies by country and streaming rights change over time, so check what is listed in your region.
Where should I start reading the manga after the anime?
The film ends at Chapter 52, so the story continues at Chapter 53, which falls in Volume 7. The manga finished in March 2026 at 24 volumes, so the whole thing is readable start to finish — though the Viz Media English edition is still catching up, with 21 volumes out as of August 2026.
When is the Assassins Arc anime coming out?
There is no release date. MAPPA announced the project in December 2025 and released a second teaser in June 2026, but has not confirmed a date, a release window, or even whether it will be a TV season or another film. Any specific year you see quoted is speculation rather than an announcement.
How long does it take to watch Chainsaw Man?
About 6 and a half hours — roughly five hours for the 12 TV episodes plus the 100-minute film. The shorts add a little on top if you want them.