Manga.Tokyo criticized Atsushi's characterization in the film Dead Apple, compared with his stronger portrayal in the second season of the anime series. On the other hand, Anime News Network described Atsushi's journey as the strongest appeal of the film. With the villains being regarded as weak, Atsushi's central conflict was said to have a major impact on the plot due to his realization of having killed one of the orphanage's abusers in a fit of rage, which suppressed the trauma. Once Atsushi accepted being the tiger, Anime News Network felt that he participated, alongside Akutagawa, in one of the most interesting fight scenes. Retorno Anime stated that Atsushi's past is one of the most interesting parts of the film, which extends the original work while adding further depth.
