Chainsaw Man Fans Furious Over Golden Globe Snub
Anime enthusiasts are outraged after the Golden Globes nominated Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle but ignored Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, sparking heated debates about which film truly deserved recognition.
Anime fans are up in arms after the 83rd Golden Globe Awards announced their nominations, selecting Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle for Best Animated Motion Picture while completely overlooking Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. The snub has ignited fierce discussions across social media platforms, with supporters of both franchises arguing over which film earned the spot.
The Golden Globes ceremony, scheduled to broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount+ this January, revealed six contenders for the animated category: Arco, Zootopia 2, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, KPOP Demon Hunters, Little Amelie, and Elio. Notably absent was Chainsaw Man's latest theatrical release, despite its remarkable performance in Japan and critical acclaim worldwide.
Record-Breaking Success Stories
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc dominated Japanese box offices for seven straight weeks, claiming the top position and generating massive buzz. The film's theme song, "Iris Out," reached number one on Japan's Billboard chart, while the movie itself earned the highest ratings on MyAnimeList. With a reported budget of just $4.1 million, the film generated approximately $174 million globally, delivering an astounding 42-times return on investment.
Meanwhile, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle achieved even greater commercial success, earning over $780 million worldwide against a $20 million budget. The film became 2025's sixth-highest-grossing movie overall and claimed the title of highest-grossing non-English film in American theaters. It also set records as the top-earning Japanese film and highest-grossing R-rated animated feature.
Critical Reception Comparison
Both movies received exceptional reviews from critics and audiences alike. Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc scored 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and earned an impressive 9.18 rating on MyAnimeList. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle achieved a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score, though it received a slightly lower 8.71 rating on MyAnimeList. Both films tied at 8.5/10 on IMDb, demonstrating their quality and appeal to viewers.
Industry observers suggest strategic considerations may have influenced the nomination process. Some speculate that Crunchyroll's stated intention to push Demon Slayer toward Oscar consideration meant avoiding potential competition between the two anime properties. Others argue that Demon Slayer's broader international recognition and massive box office numbers made it the safer choice for Golden Globe voters.
Fan Reactions and Industry Impact
Social media erupted with passionate responses from both fandoms. Chainsaw Man supporters highlighted their film's superior return on investment, artistic innovation, and cinematic pacing compared to what they described as "six episodes strung together." Demon Slayer fans countered by pointing to their movie's unprecedented global reach and record-breaking financial performance.
The controversy underscores the growing influence of anime in mainstream entertainment awards. Both franchises represent the medium's evolution from niche interest to global phenomenon, with theatrical releases now competing alongside traditional Western animated features for prestigious recognition.