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Norman Reedus explained how an anime recommendation from Death Stranding co-creator Hideo Kojima gave him "authority" and could potentially be the catalyst for a film adaptation.
When GQ Hong Kong asked Reedus if he was into anime, he replied, "There's Chainsaw Man, which Hideo Kojima told me about. He said it was his favorite anime.".
Reedus then revealed that he "traveled all over Tokyo looking for [manga] because I have a production company and I was looking for something interesting to create. I gained a lot of street cred from knowing Chainsaw Man.".
The Walking Dead actor later watched Chainsaw Man: The Rese Arc, but it's Reedus' admission that he actively sought out source material for a film adaptation for his bald-man-owned company that may raise some eyebrows.
Ultimately, Chainsaw Man—one of the leading anime series of the new generation—seems like an ideal candidate for a film adaptation. Its anarchic, bloody style and spectacular action scenes are ideal for a Hollywood production and, like One Piece, would be a hit in the West.
Even if that doesn't happen, Reedus can be confident that a Chainsaw Man sequel is just around the corner. A second season, adapting the manga's "International Assassins" arc, has been announced, though a release date has yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, Reedus appears to be saying goodbye to his longtime character on The Walking Dead after Season 4 with Daryl Dixon, which premieres later this year.
For more information, check out our complete guide to new anime in 2026, as well as all the latest news on Chainsaw Man season 2.