Anime Fans Eager to See MAPPA's Bold Pursuit of Quality in Line with Kyoto Animation and Ufotable

MAPPA, known for producing popular anime series such as Attack on Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen, aims to reach the same level of quality as prestigious animation studios like Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) and ufotable. Anime fans are urging for improved working conditions for MAPPA's animators as a result.

Renowned for their works like Clannad and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Kyoto Animation and ufotable are highly respected animation studios in Japan. They consistently create high-quality projects that attract a large fan following. According to an article on Japanese entertainment site Natalie, MAPPA's representative director, Manabu Otsuka, recently discussed the studio's strategy to compete with these top studios: "Trying to catch up with Kyoto Animation and ufotable in a short period of time is quite challenging... so, I contemplated how I could quickly enter the race among the best studios by producing a substantial amount of work and gaining experience, all while maintaining top-notch quality." Otsuka explained that this decision was influenced by the release of In This Corner of the World in 2016, which received critical acclaim but did not achieve significant financial success.

Otsuka acknowledged the recognition that MAPPA had received under the esteemed name of MAPPA. However, he believed that in order to effectively compete with other studios, MAPPA needed to undertake more projects and invest in resources that would yield profit. Otsuka clarified that the funding received for outsourced production work was inadequate compared to the scale of their projects. Consequently, the studio's income was insufficient, posing a threat to their survival and growth. Consequently, starting from 2016, MAPPA would prioritize production conditions that would generate more revenue.

Manga Mogura RE, an anime-focused Twitter account, shared Otsuka's statement, which drew attention from followers. Many followers, such as SeoeuN (@seouena), highlighted that KyoAni typically produced only one or two anime series per year. SeoeuN suggested that in order to catch up with studios like KyoAni and ufotable, MAPPA needed to avoid overburdening their employees with tight schedules. They emphasized the importance of producing a limited number of anime series with healthy production processes that did not overlap with other projects. This viewpoint was echoed by others, including Akasmik, who also raised concerns about MAPPA's past payment controversies and compared them to KyoAni's well-regarded treatment of their employees through salary positions.

The majority of commentators strongly reject MAPPA's nonchalant approach to anime production. They find it unreasonable to expect animators to consistently deliver high-quality productions without proper working conditions. Emka (@Deformed Monkey) goes as far as calling it "insane" to expect his team to reach the same standards as KyoAni while being mistreated by their employers. Other observers, like @BeyondH54335672, believe that matching KyoAni's level is simply "impossible" due to the unique quality and style of their work.

MAPPA seems to be struggling to satisfy its audience. Last month, Jujutsu Kaisen fans on X heavily criticized the poor-quality animation in Season 2, Episode 14. Staff animator Hokuto Sadamoto, who worked on the episode, publicly apologized to the show's fan base after his involvement was leaked online. However, many viewers placed the blame on MAPPA rather than the animation team. Sadamoto revealed that he was given an unrealistic deadline of only two weeks to create 250 animation cuts for the episode, which is an excessive workload for a single animator. This story aligns with previous allegations made by members of Attack on Titan's animation team, who also claimed that MAPPA enforced "unhealthy" work conditions on their staff.

Sources: Natalie, X (formerly Twitter)

Editor's P/S

As an anime fan, I have mixed feelings about MAPPA's bold pursuit of quality in line with Kyoto Animation and Ufotable. On one hand, I appreciate the studio's ambition and drive to improve the quality of its work. On the other hand, I am concerned about the potential impact on the working conditions of MAPPA's animators.

Kyoto Animation and Ufotable are two of the most prestigious animation studios in Japan, renowned for their exceptional quality and attention to detail. It is understandable that MAPPA would want to emulate their success, but I believe it is important to do so in a sustainable way that does not compromise the well-being of its employees.

I urge MAPPA to prioritize the health and welfare of its animators by providing them with reasonable deadlines and workloads. The anime industry is notorious for its poor working conditions, and I hope MAPPA will set a positive example by treating its employees fairly.