The Complete Movie References in Chainsaw Man Opening

The long-awaited Chainsaw Man anime has finally arrived, igniting global discussions. Boasting riveting action sequences, a compelling narrative, and the potential to redefine anime standards, it’s a sensation. However, even before the anime unfolds, its opening theme brims with nods to popular movies and artworks. Without a discerning eye, these references might evade detection. Fear not, for we’ve meticulously cataloged every movie reference in the Chainsaw Man opening, along with some delightful extras! Let’s explore the references you caught and those that slipped by unnoticed.

Movie References in Chainsaw Man Opening (2022)

The movie references in the opening sequence of Chainsaw Man subtly reflect the relationships among the characters in the anime. For manga readers, this is a delight, as they already anticipate the evolving dynamics among Denji, Power, Aki, and Makima in the upcoming episodes.

Note : All screenshots in this guide are used solely for comparison. We do not own the image rights. Copyright belongs to the respective artists and studios.

1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

When thinking of scary chainsaws, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise usually comes to mind ahead of Chainsaw Man. While the franchise released another movie in 2022, Chainsaw Man draws inspiration from Tobe Hooper’s classic 1974 film, evident in its lighting style and the tall gravestones behind the protagonist holding a round item.

2. Pulp Fiction Chainsaw Man Reference

Pulp Fiction, arguably one of Quentin Tarantino’s most popular movies, features two mob hitmen (Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson) similar to our devil hunters. Hence, the Chainsaw Man opening directly references this iconic film.

In the opening, Captain Kishibe holds a gun toward the camera, reminiscent of Samuel L Jackson’s iconic pose. The stone wall and red sofa in the background further solidify the connection.

3. Sadako vs. Kayako

As a Japanese anime, Chainsaw Man draws inspiration not only from western movies but also from the Japanese horror film Sadako vs. Kayako. In the opening, Chainsaw Man battles another character in the same location where Sadako and Kayako fought in the movie.

4. No Country for Old Men

Galgali, also known as the violence fiend (distinguish between fiends and devils in Chainsaw Man here), remains a mysterious figure in the CSM universe. Drawing parallels to Anton Chigurh from the film No Country for Old Men, the Chainsaw Man opening depicts Galgali removing his shoe in a manner reminiscent of Chigurh, within the same shady motel setting.

5. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

The anime creators’ admiration for Quentin Tarantino is evident, with another nod to one of his acclaimed films, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, in the Chainsaw Man opening. Denji and Aki, the main characters, reenact the iconic car scene from the movie, highlighted by the conspicuous hand placement on the backseat in both scenes.

6. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

Chainsaw Man begins with a tomato devil attack, evoking the possibility of a nod to Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. The opening scene mirrors the original with four army officials, one positioned atop a table. The anime ingeniously substitutes the United States map from the movie with a chart detailing the killer Tomato devil.

7. Don’t Look Up

Don’t Look Up, also known as Joyurei, is a Japanese horror classic where a character descends into insanity after being haunted. In Chainsaw Man, this haunting figure in Denji’s life is Power (revealed as the anime progresses), depicted perfectly in the opening scene. It echoes a moment from the movie where the protagonist is terrified, with another character screaming in the background.

8. Jacob’s Ladder

Continuing the celebration of classic horror movies, the Chainsaw Man opening scene employs an angel devil to reference Jacob’s Ladder. The opening recreates the staircase scene with precise lighting and color scheme.

9. Constantine

If you’ve seen Keanu Reeves’ Constantine film, it’s hard to forget the iconic scene where the two main characters gaze into each other’s eyes at night with lights in the background. Chainsaw Man’s opening tests your memory by recreating that scene frame by frame, but with CSM characters in focus.

10. The Big Lebowski

While most movie references in Chainsaw Man’s opening were direct recreations, some were subtle. One such instance is the bowling alley scene, reminiscent of The Big Lebowski, where Denji cleans the bowling ball in a similar fashion, resulting in a humorous nod.

11. Reservoir Dogs

Chainsaw Man fundamentally portrays a group of misfits banding together against villains. While the outcome of CSM remains uncertain, Reservoir Dogs shares a parallel plot. The anime’s homage is evident as the main characters don black coats and stroll down a street, mirroring the iconic style of the movie.

12. Thor: Love and Thunder

If you’re an MCU fan, this movie reference is unmistakable in the Chainsaw Man opening. Displaying Power, CSM utilizes the same font and textures as the Thor: Love and Thunder poster. Although there’s no other Thor reference in the scene, the font clearly nods to the hammer-wielding superhero.

13. Messiah of Evil

Continuing the homage to classic horror, an opening scene appears to reference the 1973 film Messiah of Evil. This movie follows a woman seeking her missing father and stumbling into a realm of the undead. Similarly, Denji in CSM endeavors to settle his deceased father’s debt and finds himself confronting devils.

14. Goodbye, Eri Reference in Chainsaw Man

Setting aside the movies, the opening cleverly incorporates numerous other references. Let’s examine each one.

The opening sequence bids farewell to the Goodbye, Eri manga, penned by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man. This manga features several explosive scenes, with the protagonist often walking away from them. Similarly, the opening sequence depicts Power walking away from a detonating building.

15. Dante’s The Divine Comedy

The anime’s opening begins with Denji pulling the cord, transforming into the Chainsaw Man. Simultaneously, in the background, an illustration from Dante’s The Divine Comedy is visible. This iconic Italian poem is renowned for its utilization of mythological figures, notably the devil.

16. C S M Letters in Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man skillfully integrates nods to popular media while also embracing self-reference. In the opening sequence, Chainsaw Man repeatedly collides with buildings, ingeniously carving out the initials of the anime series — C, S, and M.

17. Leucochloridium Parasite

In Chainsaw Man, devils commandeer human bodies for their own ends, mirroring the behavior of the Leucochloridium Parasite in real life. This parasite infiltrates snails, commandeering their eye stalks.

18. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Chainsaw Man embraces gore content, evident in this opening scene, almost celebrating it. We witness a subtle nod to a scene from Neon Genesis Evangelion, where Eva 01 emerges from Leliel by destroying its black ball body.

19. Metaphor of Knowledge

Active online? You’ve probably encountered the media manipulation illustration: one man stands on books, while another gazes at scenery, oblivious to reality. The book-standing figure gains a realistic perspective, symbolizing the true value of knowledge.

The anime depicts Makima standing on a tower of books, with Aki beside her, referencing a pivotal plot twist without delving into spoilers.

20. Mickey Mouse DogHouse Dance

Spotted by Demon Dog | Twitter

In a surprising twist, the Chainsaw Man opening features dance moves reminiscent of those from Mickey Mouse Club House. Towards the finale, Power and Denji execute the same Hotdog dance with uncanny resemblance and synchronized movements.

Complete List of References In Chainsaw Man Opening & Ending

How many of these references from the CSM opening did you catch? Share in the comments! If you haven’t watched the first episode yet, consult our guide on accessing Chainsaw Man anime. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of streaming platforms for all regions where CSM is currently available. Feel free to mention any overlooked references.