I’ve got to be honest with you guys – when I first heard people talking about an Attack on Titan reference in the new Chainsaw Man Reze movie, I was pretty skeptical. I mean, sure, MAPPA produced both shows, but would they really sneak in such a specific easter egg? Well, after doing some serious digging and rewatching that theater scene about a dozen times, I can confirm: Yes, the Chainsaw Man Reze Movie absolutely includes a deliberate Attack on Titan reference, and it’s actually pretty brilliant when you think about it.
The Easter Egg That Broke The Internet
So here’s the deal – during that scene where Denji and Makima are on their movie date (you know, the one where Denji’s basically living his best life), there’s a background character sitting in the theater that caught everyone’s attention. At first glance, he’s just some random dude in a navy shirt, right? Wrong!
When I zoomed in on the screenshots fans have been sharing online, I could clearly see this character is wearing a silver badge on his shirt – and it’s not just any random design. It’s the Wings of Freedom emblem, the exact same symbol that the Survey Corps wears in Attack on Titan. You know, that iconic blue and white wing logo that represents humanity’s fight for freedom against the Titans?
But wait, it gets even better! The eagle-eyed fans over at Screen Rant pointed out that this background character doesn’t just have the right shirt – he’s also rocking a haircut that’s suspiciously similar to Connie Springer’s signature style from Attack on Titan. I mean, come on! That can’t be a coincidence, right?
Why MAPPA Added This Tribute?
Let’s think about this for a second. MAPPA, the studio behind Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc, is also the same studio that brought us the final season of Attack on Titan. They literally just finished wrapping up Hajime Isayama’s masterpiece less than a year ago with “Attack on Titan: The Last Attack.”
When I was researching this, I found out that MAPPA has this awesome tradition of sneaking in cultural references and easter eggs into their work. It’s like they’re leaving little love letters to the fans who pay super close attention to every frame. And honestly? I think that’s pretty cool.
The timing makes perfect sense too. Attack on Titan had this incredible decade-long run that finally came to an end in November 2025, and here we are with Chainsaw Man smashing box office records and reaching the number 1 spot at the US box office. This easter egg feels like MAPPA’s way of tipping their hat to both series and saying, “Hey, we’re proud of what we’ve created.”
More Than Just a Cool Reference
What’s really interesting to me is how this isn’t just some random fan service. Both Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan deal with some pretty heavy themes about freedom, sacrifice, and hope for the future. When I was rewatching some key scenes from both series, I realized how much they actually have in common beneath the surface.
In Attack on Titan, you’ve got humanity fighting for their freedom against terrifying giant monsters. In Chainsaw Man, Denji’s literally fighting devils while trying to find his own kind of freedom. Both series ask these big philosophical questions about what people are willing to sacrifice for their ideals and whether true freedom is even possible in their messed-up worlds.
So when MAPPA stuck that Survey Corps emblem in the background during Denji and Makima’s date, they weren’t just giving us a cool easter egg – they were creating this subtle connection between two of the biggest shōnen anime of recent years. And I’ve got to say, as someone who loves both series, that gives me all the feels.
The Creator’s Love for References
Here’s something else I discovered while digging into this: Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man, is basically a massive film nerd. The guy is constantly sneaking movie references into the manga. Like, there’s this one chapter titled “Sharknado” that’s obviously referencing those ridiculous (but awesome) horror movies.
This love for cinematic references totally carried over to the Reze Arc movie. The opening sequence alone is packed with homages to legendary films. So when I found out about the Attack on Titan easter egg, it made perfect sense – it’s completely in character for both Fujimoto and MAPPA to include these little details that reward attentive viewers.
What Fans Are Saying?
I spent way too much time scrolling through Twitter and Reddit to see what other fans thought about this, and the reactions are pretty amazing. One fan tweeted, “Maybe you didn’t notice, but there was a small reference to Attack on Titan in the Chainsaw Man movie. When Denji and Makima are at the theater, you can see a man wearing a t-shirt with a small Survey Corps logo.”
Another fan replied with a screenshot and just said, “Lmao, it’s actually there, peak movie for a reason.” And honestly? I couldn’t agree more. It’s these little details that separate good anime from great anime, in my opinion.
The Bigger Picture
What’s really cool about this easter egg is how it represents this awesome moment in anime history. We’ve got two absolute powerhouse series, both produced by the same studio, both dealing with similar themes, both loved by millions of fans worldwide. This little reference feels like MAPPA’s way of acknowledging that and giving us something to geek out about.
And let’s not forget – Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc is just the first of an upcoming trilogy. If they’re already sneaking in Attack on Titan references in the first movie, I can’t even imagine what kind of easter eggs they’ve got planned for the next two installments. I’m already planning to rewatch each frame with a magnifying glass when they come out!
Why This Matters to Anime Fans?
I know some people might be thinking, “It’s just a background character with a cool shirt – what’s the big deal?” But honestly, this is exactly why I love anime so much. The creators and animators put so much thought and care into every single frame, knowing that there are fans out there who will notice and appreciate these little details.
It’s like being part of this inside joke between the creators and the audience. When you spot something like this, you feel this connection to both the series and the community of fans who caught it too. That’s pretty special if you ask me.
FAQ
Is the Attack on Titan reference in Chainsaw Man Reze Movie real?
Yes, it’s completely real! During the scene where Denji and Makima are at the movie theater, there’s a background character wearing a navy shirt with the Survey Corps Wings of Freedom emblem clearly visible.
Where exactly in the movie does the Attack on Titan reference appear?
The reference appears during Denji and Makima’s cinema date scene. Look for a background character sitting in the theater – he’s wearing a navy shirt with the distinctive Survey Corps logo.
Did MAPPA intentionally put the Attack on Titan reference in Chainsaw Man?
Absolutely! MAPPA produced both the final season of Attack on Titan and the Chainsaw Man Reze movie, so this was definitely an intentional tribute to their previous work.
What other easter eggs are in the Chainsaw Man Reze movie?
The movie is packed with references! The opening sequence alone includes several homages to legendary films, and there are likely many more subtle details that fans are still discovering.
Are Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan connected in the same universe?
No, they’re not connected in the same universe. The reference is purely a tribute/easter egg from MAPPA, not an indication that the two stories exist in the same world.
Will there be more Attack on Titan references in future Chainsaw Man movies?
While nothing’s been confirmed, given that this is the first of a planned trilogy and MAPPA’s history with easter eggs, I’d say it’s pretty likely we’ll see more references in the future films!
Final Verdict
So, did the Chainsaw Man Reze Movie make an Attack on Titan reference? Absolutely, 100% yes. It’s not just some random coincidence – it’s a deliberate, well-placed tribute from MAPPA that connects two of the most beloved anime series of recent years.
The fact that it’s so subtle makes it even better. You could easily watch the entire movie without noticing it, but if you’re paying attention (or if you’re like me and you read about it online and then go back to check), there it is – a perfect little nod to the Survey Corps and everything Attack on Titan represents.
I don’t know about you, but this just makes me even more excited for the future of both franchises. If MAPPA’s already this good at sneaking in meaningful references, I can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store for us next.