Chainsaw Man, one of the most highly anticipated anime adaptations, has finally hit streaming platforms this October. However, despite the excitement, fans are left disappointed with MAPPA’s take on the beloved manga series by Tatsuki Fujimoto.

In response to this dissatisfaction, an online petition has been created calling for a remake of the anime, preferably with a different director. The petition, started by a fan of the manga series, criticizes the anime’s cinematography and its failure to capture the intensity and comedic timing of the original work.

The petition highlights specific instances where creative freedom seemed to undermine the source material. For example, some of Denji’s lines were removed from the first episode, and there were significant changes made to Kobeni’s battle scene in the ninth episode. The petition also critiques the pacing of each arc and the portrayal of characters, particularly Kikunosuke Toya’s interpretation of Denji.

While the petition may have originated in Japan, it is unlikely that MAPPA will act on the fan’s demands. Despite some underwhelming ratings and sales, Chainsaw Man still holds its own as the third-best ongoing anime on myanimelist, only trailing behind the highly anticipated return of Bleach and the beloved slice-of-life anime Bocchi the Rock, albeit by a mere 0.01 percent difference.

Although praised for its highly realistic animation and attention to detail, MAPPA’s reliance on realism and excessive drawing strokes has drawn criticism from fans who believe it detracts from the manga’s essence in battle scenes and comedic moments.

Despite the growing criticism from Japanese fans, social media is abuzz with praise for Chainsaw Man, with many claiming it to be the best-animated series of 2022. While the petition may ultimately prove fruitless, it is likely that MAPPA is paying attention to the negative feedback and aiming to deliver an even greater second season that will satisfy manga fans and surpass their previous work.

To stream Chainsaw Man, head over to Fecomic and join the debate on whether a remake is necessary.

Chainsaw Man is available to stream on Crunchyroll.