If you thought the Chainsaw Man Reze Arc movie in theaters was the peak of what this franchise could deliver, think again. MAPPA just dropped a bombshell at Jump Festa 2026 that sent the entire anime community into absolute meltdown: Chainsaw Man: Shikaku-hen (Chainsaw Man: Assassins Arc) is officially in production, and everything we know suggests it is going to be massive.
This announcement comes on the heels of an already stacked anime year. Netflix just dropped their insane Summer 2026 anime lineup, and now MAPPA is proving they are not going to let any studio steal the spotlight.
What Exactly Is the Assassins Arc?
For those who have been following Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga, the Assassins Arc — also called the International Assassins Arc — is widely considered one of the most intense and action-packed storylines in all of Chainsaw Man. This arc picks up after the devastating events of the Public Safety saga and throws Denji into a chaotic battlefield against a roster of international killers, each with their own bizarre devil contracts and deadly agendas.
The arc introduces some of the most memorable characters in the series, including Quanxi, the legendary First Devil Hunter who commands an army of fiends, and the terrifying Santa Claus, a contract killer from Germany whose devil powers are nothing short of nightmarish. If you loved the brutal action and emotional gut-punches of the Reze Arc, the Assassins Arc takes everything up another notch.
MAPPA Returns with the Same Cinematic Vision
The teaser visual and promotional video unveiled at Jump Festa 2026 confirmed that MAPPA is back behind the animation desk. Director Koudai Kakimoto and the core creative team from Season 1 are returning, which means the same gorgeous, film-quality production that made Chainsaw Man’s first season a cultural phenomenon will carry through into this new chapter.
What makes this especially exciting is that MAPPA just finished delivering the Reze Arc movie to theaters, giving them the perfect creative runway to push the animation quality even further. The studio has clearly been building momentum — they are also the force behind Dorohedoro Season 3, proving MAPPA is on an absolute roll with dark, visceral anime adaptations.
The Format: Anime Series or More Movies?
Here is the million-dollar question nobody has answered yet: will the Assassins Arc be released as a traditional anime TV series, or will MAPPA continue the theatrical movie approach they used for the Reze Arc? The announcement did not clarify the exact format, but industry insiders speculate that the arc’s sprawling, multi-country storyline could work brilliantly as either format.
Some reports suggest that the first cour of what fans are calling Chainsaw Man Season 2 will cover the Assassins Arc, with potential future cours adapting subsequent manga arcs. Whether it airs weekly on Crunchyroll or drops as a theatrical experience, one thing is certain: MAPPA is not cutting any corners.
What the Teaser Revealed
The promotional video shown at Jump Festa ’26 was short but packed with enough visuals to make fans lose their minds. The teaser hinted at darker, more atmospheric animation with the signature MAPPA polish that blends brutal combat with surprisingly tender character moments. The new teaser visual also confirmed that Denji returns as the central figure, looking more battle-worn and determined than ever.
While specific voice cast details and a release date have not been officially announced yet, the fact that production is already underway is a strong signal that we could see the Assassins Arc arrive as early as late 2026 or 2027. Meanwhile, the One Piece Elbaph Arc trailer also broke the internet recently, proving 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest year for anime fans in recent memory.
Where to Watch
If previous Chainsaw Man releases are any indication, the new anime will likely stream globally on Crunchyroll with both subbed and dubbed options. The Reze Arc movie already made its way to Crunchyroll’s streaming catalog in Spring 2026, so fans know the platform is committed to delivering Chainsaw Man content worldwide.
What Do You Think?
Chainsaw Man is undeniably one of the biggest anime franchises of this decade, and the Assassins Arc confirmation has the fandom buzzing with theories and predictions. Do you think MAPPA should stick with the movie format or return to a weekly anime series? Which assassin character are you most excited to see animated? Drop your thoughts and wildest predictions in the comments below!
