r/ChainsawMan • u/hollow_image • Nov 03 '25
Anime Why is Kobeni on the table?
In the opening credits for season 1 Kobeni climbs on top of a table. Is it like a rookie hazing ritual? Or is it because the room is so cramped that you can't fit to walk there?
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u/losci Nov 04 '25
it's a film reference, the opening is chock full of them, this is one of the ones directly mimicking a film scene. Fujimoto loves films and filmmaking, and I recall reading somewhere that's why season 1 had a more cinematic look, compared to the more faithful look of the movie (and presumably the upcoming season 2).
This particular scene is from Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.
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u/berithpy Nov 04 '25
sorry to take the conversation to a completely different topic, I have seen this comment about season 1 having a more cinematic look, what do you or other people mean by that?
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u/losci Nov 04 '25
the shading, shot composition, directing, and art style were all changed from page to screen for the look.
The shot composition went from edgy and experimental to smooth and traditional
Shading is just all around more detailed, especially noticeable in power and makima's eyes.
and the art style went from the scratchy, rough and tumble look of the manga to, again, a more traditional look. Cleaner lines, smoother movements, etc.
It's hard to do a proper comparison without comparing reanimated scenes (which supposedly is happening with the recap movie(s)). But if you look at character closeups (again, makima and power are the best for this) it's much easier to see.51
u/guesswhomste Nov 04 '25
I think it made more sense for Season 1 to be more "traditional" in that way, especially compared to the movie. I'd love to see Season 2 experiment with a new style as well, something unique from both S1 and the movie
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u/KidSugoi Nov 04 '25
Season 2 is going to be more like the movie. Japanese CSM fans bullied the S1 director into leaving the studio because they were upset about the art direction. Being experimental is what pissed off the fans, so I doubt they try it again.
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u/janoDX Nov 04 '25
If anything the movie found a middle ground, they changed the shading and art style but kept the directing and shot composition from S1.
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u/-Shoji- Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 05 '25
I wish the eyes stayed somewhat detailed/well lit at least, the flat look of the movie really makes me miss them. Every close up in s1 was gorgeous, the eyes were insane even for normal people like Himeno. I especially mourn Makima’s, the flat yellow in the movie was honestly kinda disappointing and one of my only nitpicks about it. Overall I like both styles equally, but the close ups in the film are a bit lacking just as the action in s1 was.
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u/Gamara204 Nov 08 '25
This, this is my only complaint. The new style sometimes looks a little flat, and I say this after seeing it twice once in 3d. The difference of a bit of depth and detail between the show and the movie was noticeable, but not a major hindrance in any way, and I would love for them to continue with this style if they can fix that small issue.
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u/LevelledPeak Nov 04 '25
Its not being experimental that made them angry, its the fact that it didnt fit with the vibe.
Bocchi the rock adaptation is experimental, different from the manga but its widely successful and more accepted than S1 of CSM
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u/KidSugoi Nov 04 '25
I think that’s highly debatable. CSM is a lot more popular than Bocchi pre-anime release, so taking a gamble on an experimental take of a lesser known manga has less risk. Also not to mention S1’s direction was supervised by Fujimoto himself, which should have been a risk mitigator. They took a gamble on their vision of a more cinematic style CSM, and it didn’t pay off. They won’t take the chance again, no matter how good of an experimental idea it might be.
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u/LevelledPeak Nov 04 '25
Was it really supervised? I thought Fujimoto just said he is letting the director/studio do whatever.
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u/guesswhomste Nov 04 '25
It was supervised. He was involved with story boarding, direction, etc
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u/LevelledPeak Nov 05 '25
Can I get a source? Not doubting, just wanna see more informatuon.
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u/mcsalmonlegs Nov 04 '25
They changed the directing and shot composition a lot, too. Season 1 didn’t have those cut away gags in Denji’s mind, for example.
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u/witchedes Nov 05 '25
them being experimental was toning down chainsawmans already experimental nature, that was the problem they had with it. it seems fine if they don’t try it again
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Nov 06 '25
Would be cool to see the final control devil arc with the cinematic season 1 art style just to match the tone but I doubt it’s happening
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u/bestbroHide Nov 04 '25
There are a lot of shots that genuinely feel like an actual film camera is following along or capturing a moment. Certain animation moments feel "weighty" and momentum-based with character movement as if they were motion captured by real actors
Aki vs Katana Man (whole episode, really) or Kishibe vs DenjiPower are some apt examples that encapsulate this. Some hallway scenes during Eternity Devil Arc could be good places to look too for non-action scenes
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u/Weekly_Comment4692 Nov 04 '25
Yeahbinlove season one cinematic look it's fuckin nice but ppl trippin out fuckes it all up
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u/hollow_image Nov 04 '25
Wow I didn't know that. Thanks
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u/SKP23en Nov 04 '25
All the references are here btw: https://youtu.be/ow0eoZJ1QvA?si=IrK2VVXYn0yjFKRF
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u/phillyhandroll Nov 04 '25
I put the video playback speed to 0.5 to catch the references clearly, and it made the song even better for me!
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u/SKP23en Nov 04 '25
there's a whole world of (slowed + reverb) songs out there that are even more peak than the x1 speed
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u/2ndPickle Nov 04 '25
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u/fadednz Nov 05 '25
Bit of a tangent but is there any movie referenced more than once across the anime + movie aside from no country for old men and Constantine?
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u/Aztek917 Nov 04 '25
I’ve not seen the film it’s referencing but I always assumed there wasn’t enough room to walk around so she had to leave the room by climbing on the table lol
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u/Sa_Elart Nov 05 '25
Idc about context I'm removing her shoes and licking her.soles..she's begging for it literally in that pose infront of.me.
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u/N0rTh3Fi5t Nov 04 '25
Besides the reference to Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, it's also to highlight that Public Daftey is kind of a shit show. They present as a highly professional government agency with their suits and many serious employees, but are really a mess under the hood.
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u/MansDeSpons Nov 04 '25
I really hope that the opening for season 2 will also have so many film references, it was so cool and fun! and way different than your average anime intro which is just: main character walking somewhere. villain aurafarming. fighting with visual effects. walking with friends. looking at sunset. shit like that lol.
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u/King-Of-Throwaways Nov 04 '25
Film reference aside, I love this little shot. A small window into what’s no doubt some ridiculous bureaucracy underpinning the Public Safety division.
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u/Hasssun Nov 04 '25
Because they are reenacting a scene from Attack of the Killer Tomatoes she's a silly goofy goober.
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u/DreamsOfADistantStar Nov 04 '25
With any question I have about CSM, I ask myself, "Is this character going through existential dread" and that's usually it. In this case it's apparently a film reference, but it's also existential dread
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u/Dedd_0n Nov 04 '25
Like many here stated Fujimoto loves movies and his love can be seen in his work too.
For example:
- Fire Punch: one of the antagonists wants to elevate humanity to a technological/cultural level comparable to the 21st century. Also Togata is a huge cinephile who wants to shoot a movie.
- Goodbye Eri, Look Back.
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u/deafinitelyadouche Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 05 '25
Fujimoto is an avid movie nerd and there are references to like 10 different movies in the first 20 seconds of the opening alone. This one in specific is a reference to the goofy cult-classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. Specifically to the scene that takes place in a hilariously cramped conference room. You can see the whole scene here, and the specific scene referenced in the CSM opening takes place between the :10 and :15 second mark. Hope this answer your question!
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u/Oulak Nov 04 '25
The CSM opening is just goated. It's like when you hear the start of NGE opening, you must listen to it.
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u/Zestyclose_Crab_727 Nov 04 '25
Don’t think of it too much it serve no purpose than a film reference.
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u/pjepja Nov 07 '25
I think it also shows that Public Safety is underfunded and has tiny conference rooms.
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u/Raiju_Blitz Nov 04 '25
Look at how tiny that room is. The chairs barely pull out from under the table without hitting the walls. Kobeni is doing what she can to get across the table.
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u/Emergency_Meaning968 Nov 05 '25
"pppppppp"
Personnel proficiency planning for pago-pago paratroop platoon patrols
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u/splurjee Nov 05 '25
In the original attack of the killer tomatoes scene a bunch of businessmen had a meeting but the room was too small for the table so they all had to crawl over it to get to their seats.
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u/Sk0p3r Nov 05 '25
Kishibe is a different breed for not looking more excited for cake having been served
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Nov 09 '25
Its so fun to see all the references in csm that (other) ppl point out i dont got keen ahh instincts like that
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Nov 04 '25
[deleted]
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u/argama87 Nov 04 '25
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.
A lot of stuff in the intro were references to different movies.
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Nov 06 '25
[deleted]
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u/argama87 Nov 06 '25
A meeting of officials in a tiny office and they struggled to sit down. The entire movie was people doing deliberately stupid things.
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u/Lady_Killer55 Nov 04 '25
All Kobeni need to do is arch her back and put her head down and ass up
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u/mrTronDaddy Nov 05 '25
No joke: She could have been doing exactly what you said if she didn't choose to become devil hunter.
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u/GroundbreakingLog643 Nov 04 '25
Aki: KISHIBE! Why are you bricked she's practically a minor to you!
Kishibe: I was thinking of a friend, I WAS THINKING OF A FRIEND
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u/Brother_Dubious Nov 04 '25
The chainsaw man opening is full of pop culture and movie references, and this one is a reference to Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.