Where to Start: Chapter 53, Volume 7
If you’re wondering where to start the Chainsaw Man manga after the Reze Arc movie, here’s your answer: Chapter 53, “In a Dream,” the first chapter of Volume 7. In manga, chapters are published individually and then collected into physical books called volumes — each volume typically contains about eight or nine chapters.
The Reze Arc movie adapts what’s called the Bomb Girl arc — an “arc” being a self-contained storyline within the larger series. There’s no overlap and no gap between the movie and Chapter 53. When the credits roll, the next chapter picks up right where the movie left off.
Chapter 53 is still within Part 1 of Chainsaw Man. The manga is split into two halves — Part 1 and Part 2 — and three major arcs remain before Part 1 wraps up. These are widely considered the best stretch of the entire series.
This guide covers exactly what comes next, how the Part 1 and Part 2 split works, and which volumes to buy depending on how far you want to read.
What the Reze Arc Movie Covers
The movie adapts Chapters 39–52, which make up the arc officially titled Bomb Girl — widely known as the Reze arc after its main character. This material originally appeared across two manga volumes: the tail end of Volume 5 and most of Volume 6.
If you watched anime Season 1, that covered Chapters 1–38. The movie picks up immediately after, with no added scenes that weren’t in the original manga. The adaptation is faithful to Tatsuki Fujimoto’s source material, so you won’t find gaps or missing scenes when you transition to reading.
One thing to know if this is your first time reading manga after watching the anime: Fujimoto’s art style is rougher and more expressive than the anime’s polished look. It takes a chapter or two to adjust, but most readers come to prefer his raw, kinetic artwork.
In total, the movie covers 14 chapters — a tight, self-contained arc that wraps up cleanly before the next storyline begins.
Where to Find Chapter 53 — By Format
Chapter 53 is titled “In a Dream” and opens Volume 7. Here’s how to find it depending on your format:
Physical volumes: Buy Volume 7. Chapter 53 is the first chapter in the book — you won’t accidentally start mid-arc. Individual volumes retail for around $10 each.
Digital — Viz Media / Shonen Jump app: Viz Media is the official English publisher of Chainsaw Man. Their Shonen Jump app offers the full catalog with a monthly subscription (currently $2.99/month for unlimited access to their entire manga library). Navigate directly to Chapter 53. All 232 chapters are available.
Manga Plus by Shueisha: A free app from Chainsaw Man’s Japanese publisher. Offers free access to the first and latest chapters — check availability for Chapter 53 specifically. A great way to sample before committing to a subscription or physical purchase.
One important note: do not skip ahead to Part 2 (Chapter 98). Chapters 53–97 contain three arcs that are absolutely essential to the story. Skipping them would be like watching the first half of a movie and jumping to the sequel.
And if you’re wondering whether you should go back and read Chapters 1–52 even though you’ve already seen them animated — it’s not necessary. The anime and movie are faithful adaptations, so you can safely pick up at Chapter 53 without missing anything. That said, the manga does include small details and panel compositions that hit differently on the page, so it’s worth revisiting someday if you’re curious.
Part 1 vs Part 2 — What the Split Means
Chainsaw Man is divided into two distinct parts, each telling its own complete story within a larger saga (a multi-arc narrative). This matters for reading order and especially for buying decisions, so here’s the breakdown:
| Part 1: Public Safety | Part 2: Academy | |
|---|---|---|
| Chapters | 1–97 | 98–232 |
| Volumes | 1–11 | 12–24 |
| Focus | Denji (the protagonist) working as a devil hunter for the government | Time skip, new setting, expanded cast — Denji’s story continues |
| Status | Complete (anime + movie cover Ch 1–52) | Complete — ended March 25, 2026 |
The entire manga is now finished at 232 chapters across 24 volumes. Part 2 concluded on March 25, 2026, and this is the definitive ending of the series — there is no Part 3 planned. You can read the whole thing start to finish with no waiting for new chapters.
After the Reze Arc movie, you still have 45 chapters of Part 1 remaining (Chapters 53–97) before reaching Part 2. These chapters contain some of the most intense and emotionally devastating moments in the series. Don’t rush past them.
The Three Arcs After the Movie (Spoiler-Free)
Three arcs remain in Part 1 after the Bomb Girl arc. Each one escalates in stakes and emotional intensity. Here’s what to expect without spoiling anything:
International Assassins Arc (Chapters 53–70, Volumes 7–8)
The scope of Chainsaw Man expands dramatically. Assassins from around the world descend on Tokyo to claim Denji’s heart, and the series introduces fan-favorite characters including the enigmatic Quanxi, a formidable fighter with her own motivations. This arc also introduces the concept of Primal Devils — ancient fears that redefine what you thought you knew about how dangerous the enemies in this series can get.
Two volumes of escalating action that feel like the story shifting into a higher gear. If you loved the Reze arc’s blend of action and character development, this arc delivers that on a larger scale.
Gun Devil Arc (Chapters 71–79, Volume 9)
The Gun Devil has been the overarching threat since Chapter 1 — and this is where that thread finally reaches its climax. It’s a single-volume arc, dense with revelations, and it contains one of the most discussed twists in the entire series.
Seriously, avoid spoilers for this one. Don’t look anything up. The less you know going in, the harder this arc hits.
Control Devil Arc (Chapters 80–97, Volumes 10–11)
The final arc of Part 1, and widely considered the emotional peak of the entire manga. Everything you thought you understood about certain characters gets unraveled. This arc delivers a conclusion that is both devastating and deeply satisfying — and sets the stage for Part 2’s new direction.
If you’ve ever heard someone say “Part 1’s ending destroyed me” — this is what they’re talking about.
Which Volumes to Buy After the Movie
Match your purchase to how far you want to read. Here are the three most common paths:
To Finish Part 1 — Volumes 7 Through 11
Five volumes covering Chapters 53–97. This is the minimum purchase to complete the story that the anime and movie have been telling. All five volumes are available individually from Viz Media at major retailers, at roughly $10 per volume.
Here’s what each volume covers:
- Volume 7 (Ch 53–61) — International Assassins Arc begins
- Volume 8 (Ch 62–70) — International Assassins Arc concludes
- Volume 9 (Ch 71–79) — Gun Devil Arc (complete)
- Volume 10 (Ch 80–88) — Control Devil Arc begins
- Volume 11 (Ch 89–97) — Control Devil Arc concludes, Part 1 ends
The Complete Collection — Part 1 and Beyond
If you already know you want to read everything — or if you want to own the volumes the anime and movie covered too — a collected set is the best value.
Chainsaw Man Manga Collection 20-Book Set (Volumes 1–19 + Buddy Stories)
This set includes Volumes 1–19 plus the Buddy Stories side volume. It covers all of Part 1 and most of Part 2 in a single purchase — the most convenient option if you’re committed to the full ride.
To Continue into Part 2 — Volumes 12 Onward
If you’ve already finished Part 1 and want to keep going, Part 2 runs from Volume 12 to Volume 24. English physical editions are currently available through Volume 20, with Volume 21 releasing in June 2026. The remaining volumes (22–24) are expected through 2027.
Chainsaw Man Manga Series 8-Book Collection Set (Vol. 12–19)
This 8-book set covers Volumes 12–19 — the first eight volumes of Part 2. It’s the most efficient way to start Part 2 in physical format without buying each volume individually.
Digital Reading Options
If you want to start reading right now — tonight — digital is the fastest path. No shipping, no waiting.
Viz Media’s Shonen Jump app: Viz Media is the official English publisher of Chainsaw Man. Their Shonen Jump app gives you unlimited access to their entire manga library — including all 232 chapters of Chainsaw Man — for a monthly subscription. The first and latest three chapters are also available for free. This is the most popular option for English-language manga readers.
Manga Plus by Shueisha: A free app from Shueisha, Chainsaw Man’s Japanese publisher. Offers free access to the first and latest chapters. A great way to sample before committing to a subscription or physical purchase.
All 232 chapters are available digitally, so you can read from Chapter 53 straight through to the final chapter without interruption. Digital is also useful if you want to read ahead and then decide which physical volumes to collect later.
Quick Reference: Your Reading Roadmap
| What You’ve Seen | Chapters Covered | Read Next |
|---|---|---|
| Anime Season 1 only | Ch 1–38 | Chapter 39 (Volume 5) |
| Anime + Reze Arc movie | Ch 1–52 | Chapter 53 (Volume 7) |
| Finished Part 1 manga | Ch 1–97 | Chapter 98 (Volume 12) |
The Chainsaw Man manga is complete now — all 232 chapters, 24 volumes, the definitive ending with no continuation planned. Whether you grab Volume 7 and read through Part 1’s finale, or pick up the full collection and binge the entire series, you’re in for a ride. The arcs after the Reze movie are where Chainsaw Man goes from great to unforgettable.