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Chainsaw Man Movie to Blend 2D & 3D Animation, Following Demon Slayer’s Lead
The highly anticipated Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze arc is poised to push the boundaries of anime visuals, masterfully integrating 2D character animation with immersive 3D environments. This approach, reminiscent of Ufotable’s acclaimed Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, was detailed at a recent New York Comic Con panel featuring key members of the production team.
The shift towards a hybrid animation style reflects a growing acceptance and artistic exploration of computer-generated imagery (CGI) within the anime industry. For years, CGI in anime faced criticism, but films like Infinity Castle and the upcoming Reze Arc demonstrate its potential to enhance, rather than detract from, conventional artistry.
During the panel, assistant director Masato Nakazono, supervising producer Manabu Otsuka, and CGI producer Yusuke Tannawa offered a behind-the-scenes look at the film’s advancement. They addressed the techniques used to seamlessly merge the two animation styles, showcasing early blueprints and prototype footage to attendees.
According to Tannawa, the role of CGI in Reze arc is to “complement each production process in a balanced way, in order to maximize the artistic expression of the hand-drawn animation.” The team is leveraging 3D background models to ensure accurate scale and placement, especially in complex scenes. “In scenes that take place inside the cafe and in the nighttime classroom, the 3D CG layout helps maintain precise positioning between characters,” Tannawa explained. “While [during] the city battle sequences, it enables dynamic camera movements that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.”
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle similarly employed this technique, utilizing 3D corridors that constantly shifted and morphed around 2D characters. The result was a visually stunning experience, particularly during action sequences like Shinobu’s battle with Doma, where cinematic CG emphasized scale, reflections, and dynamic movement.
The Chainsaw Man team is also focusing on replicating the aesthetic of hand-painted backgrounds using CGI. “In particular, for the battle scenes, we reproduce the texture of hand-painted backgrounds in CG, allowing for dynamic visual composition within the aesthetic of traditional animation,” tannawa stated.
While Infinity Castle featured more prominent 3D character models, Reze Arc is taking a more subtle approach. The panelists emphasized that all characters will be traditionally hand-drawn, but 3D CG models are being extensively used during the layout stage. These models serve as guides to simulate optimal compositions before the animation process begins. New 3D models have been created for Reze/Bomb and Beam,alongside existing models for Denji Chainsaw Man,to aid the animation staff. Moreover,3D renderings of various vehicles are contributing to the film’s overall sense of realism.
Footage revealed at the panel showcased 3D layouts of classrooms and cityscapes, including a sweeping shot of a damaged urban surroundings.Attendees also viewed “T-posing” models of the characters and fully rendered 3D vehicles.
The evolving role of CGI in anime represents a significant shift in the industry. The days of CGI receiving a negative reputation are fading as filmmakers discover its potential to create breathtaking visuals. At its best, the technology doesn’t simply support the art; it becomes indistinguishable from it, delivering action-packed battles that rival tradi
