Kensuke Ushio Discusses Emotional Depth in Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc Score

Composer Kensuke Ushio describes his approach to scoring Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc as an exploration of emotional volatility rather than mere action intensity. He aimed to capture the allure of a fleeting romance alongside the unease surrounding a mysterious identity, moving beyond standard leitmotifs to reflect the title character’s dangerous transformation.

Ushio leveraged the theatrical environment’s dynamic range to create epic orchestral and bass-heavy sounds impossible in television broadcasts. He utilized surround sound to build an immersive atmosphere, transitioning from tender piano sequences to heavy dance beats that bridge romantic moments with battle scenes. A key creative decision involved composing a new track for Reze’s rebirth instead of reusing earlier melodies, while incorporating Makima’s theme to signal unknown depths.

The soundtrack also features a song performed in Russian, a specific request from the production staff. Ushio drew inspiration from 20th-century Soviet composers to infuse the music with a cold, melancholic quality that contrasts with its romantic melody. This structure mirrors his live performance experiences, guiding viewers through a narrative arc that concludes with a sense of loss.