Reze is a complicated character. Without spoiling too much, those who watched Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc know her as someone denied the chance to grow up normally, and her connections to various characters are frayed through both subterfuge and her inherent tragic destiny. In short, she’s the ideal character to star in the most popular anime-related X (formerly Twitter) post of all time , and the inspiration behind a viral wave that’s a perfect capstone on 2025: the Reze dance . With millions of views, likes and shares across social media (not to mention tons of inspired fan videos), Reze dancing is about as fun a tie-in as one can ask for. Animated by Chainsaw Man studio MAPPA and set to a portion of “IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu, it was an instant hit, and if its immediate impact is any indication, you’re not going to be able to go to an anime convention next year without seeing someone recreate it. It’s the perfect storm of ingredients, even beyond the tried and true success of the “pretty anime girl dances” genre. First of all, it taps into our own desires for Reze’s character, namely that she be able to escape the trajectory of her life and just have a good time. The quieter scenes in Reze Arc she shares with Denji, though layered in poignancy, are some of the most delightful in the film. They make you wish that, despite what’s to come, things will work out for her, and she’ll be happy. A dancing video, in that context, is pure, wonderful escapism. But the appeal of this particular dance isn’t just limited to fans of Chainsaw Man . In anime opening and ending sequences, characters are often given the chance to vibe outside of the driven narrative of a series, and it continues to be a trend we see across the medium. In the first season of JUJUTSU KAISEN , we were treated to the immensely cool dance stylings of “Lost in Paradise” by ALI ft. AKLO , while the main character learned about the dark, literally cursed world he was now an inextricable part of. And in the midst of game-changing conflicts that span an entire ocean’s worth of characters, we can rely on One Piece openings to give the Straw Hats some respite, whether they’re hanging out on their boat or exploring a new, ridiculous island. Both of these examples inspired their own waves of viral celebration. It’s a clear reminder that even though these are fictional characters, we can’t help but attach ourselves to them. Characters like Reze are pulled by the plot to rip our hearts out, but we still just want them to have a good time, even if it’s a brief respite from the bittersweet or soul-crushing. And for Chainsaw Man , with the series’ themes of hubris, greed, and sadness, seeing Reze dance offers a glimmer of hope. The perfect, positive fuel for the holidays, we can forget about where Reze’s journey goes for a moment. Just let the girl dance.
