Norman Reedus has revealed how one anime recommendation from Death Stranding collaborator Hideo Kojima gave him "street cred" – and may prove the catalyst for a live-action adaptation.
When asked by GQ Hong Kong whether he was into anime, Reedus offered, "There's Chainsaw Man, which Hideo Kojima told me about. He said it was his favorite."
From there, Reedus revealed he "went around Tokyo looking for the [manga], 'cause I have a production company and I was looking for cool things to make. I got a lot of street cred for knowing Chainsaw Man."
The Walking Dead actor later watched Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc, but it's Reedus' admission about actively looking for the source material with an eye to adapting it for his bigbaldhead company that might raise a few eyebrows.
After all, Chainsaw Man – one of this fresh anime generation's leading lights – feels ripe for a live-action adaptation. Its anarchic, gory sense of style and blockbuster action scenes are tailor-made for the Hollywood treatment and would join the likes of One Piece in finding favor out west.
Even if that doesn't come to pass, Reedus can rest assured that more Chainsaw Man is on the way. The second season, an adaptation of the manga's International Assassins arc, has been announced, though no release date is forthcoming.
Reedus, meanwhile, is seemingly saying goodbye to his longstanding The Walking Dead character after Daryl Dixon season 4, which is releasing later this year.
For more, check out our complete guide to 2026's new anime, plus all the latest on Chainsaw Man season 2.
