Ryū Nakayama, director of Chainsaw Man anime, is receiving hate from some members of the CM fandom over his alleged ‘realistic’ approach of the adaptation. A number of fans took to Twitter their complaints about the series, commenting about its muted color palettes and the lack of expressiveness among the characters, creating an overall ‘live-action’ feel that is far from the manga. Unfortunately, the criticisms were quick to turn into threats and harassments, prompting Nakayama to turn off the comments on his Twitter.
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Execution Differs from that of the Manga
Most of the criticisms directed against Chainsaw Man anime stem from the adaptation’s realistic take. Some viewers observed that the series lacked the luster, energy, and expressions the characters in the manga display.
Twitter user @IReallyLoveJJK posted a screenshot of a scene taken from the anime, commenting that the same appears “boring” compared to the manga panel.
The tweet now has over 7,000 likes and over 400 retweets. Many were quick to disagree, but some also echoed the same sentiments, like the one shown below.
Another user, @FreyjaErlings, also pointed out how the anime differs from the manga’s over-the-top art style.
Twitter user @Red_Abitbol, on the other hand, was quick to turn the blame to Nakayama. In a tweet, the account posted a summary of the animator’s earlier interview, adding that the latter “didn’t understand Chainsaw man’s appeal at all.”
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Nakayama Receives Harassments
Concerns over the anime’s creative approach however took a serious turn as some fans, mostly Japanese, flocked Ryū Nakayama’s Twitter account and harassed the animator with hate comments.
One user specifically replied to one of Nakayama’s tweet, calling the director the “worst garbage animator.”
Another account also replied to the animator’s tweet, telling Nakayama to step down from his position as he was “ruining” the adaptation.
Other hate tweets that Nakayama recieved include:
More Fans Defend Nakayama, Support the Animator’s Creative Choice
Despite the hate, more fans were quick to back up Nakayama, saying the director should be given the freedom to explore and become creative.
Copies of the advise given by Tatsuki Fujimoto himself, creator of Chainsaw Man manga, to Nakayama were also posted and circulated online. Many fans used this to back up the director, explaining that the author himself allowed Nakayama to enjoy creative freedom in adapting the manga into TV anime.
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