Ever since its debut, Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 has been receiving an overwhelming amount of positive feedback and is generating significant excitement with the ongoing Shibuya arc. The recent release of episode 17, featuring a stunning battle between Ryomen Sukuna and The Divine General Mahoraga, has left fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming episodes of the series.
Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, various animators from MAPPA Studios have spoken out about the dreadful working conditions they have been forced to endure. This situation has raised concerns about the future episodes of the season, as many animators are considering leaving the studio.
The whole situation has finally reached a point where people wonder if Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 will end at its scheduled date or if it will go on a hiatus.
When is Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 coming to an end?
The second season of Jujutsu Kaisen began its broadcast in July 2023 and spanned 2 cours, with the initial cours focusing on the Hidden Inventory arc and the second cours delving into the Shibuya Incident arc. Just like other Fall anime, Jujutsu Kaisen is anticipated to conclude its season by the final week of December 2023.
Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 comprises a total of 23 episodes, with episode 17 being the most recent one aired last week. This leaves six remaining episodes to be broadcast, with the final one scheduled to premiere on 28 December 2023. However, the smooth production of the season till then looks unlikely at the moment.
Yuji Itadori as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2(image via MAPPA)
MAPPA Studios is facing allegations of mistreatment towards their animators and production staff, sparking widespread discussion on social media. With several animators threatening to quit in the coming weeks if conditions do not improve, the fate of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 hangs in the balance. While there has been no official confirmation of a potential cancellation, many fans believe it is increasingly likely.
What is the controversy surrounding MAPPA Studios and their animators?
In recent weeks, Jujutsu Kaisen animators have voiced their distress over the working conditions at MAPPA Studios. Reports indicate that the animators have been given unattainable deadlines, resulting in public breakdowns on social media. The allegations have damaged the goodwill of fans towards MAPPA, with even the anime's voice actors showing support for the animators. According to one animator, episode 17 of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 was only 30% completed before its release, despite featuring a spectacular battle between Sukuna and Mahoraga.
Despite featuring top-notch action sequences and being hailed as one of the year's best anime episodes, animators are still expressing dissatisfaction with their work. What's more, some fans have criticized the production staff and animators for episodes with subpar animation, leading to a negative impact on the animators' morale as they vent their frustrations on social media.
The controversies have caused fans to worry that the rest of the season may be canceled or put on an indefinite hiatus. While some animators were rumored to have quit until the studio improved working conditions, there have been no official confirmations about the season's current status.
Presently, the scheduled conclusion for Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 is the final week of December 2023. It is advisable to refrain from making assumptions about the anime's future until there is official information about the status of MAPPA Studios and their animators. There have been suggestions for the anime to take a hiatus to ensure that the animators have reasonable deadlines and adequate working hours.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I am thrilled with the captivating Shibuya arc in season 2. The stunning battles and character development have exceeded my expectations, making this season a standout in the anime landscape. However, the recent controversies surrounding MAPPA Studios and the working conditions of their animators deeply concern me.
The allegations of dreadful working conditions and unattainable deadlines are disheartening and unacceptable. Animators are the backbone of the anime industry, and their well-being should be a top priority. It saddens me to learn that the production of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 has been marred by such issues, and I hope that MAPPA Studios will take immediate steps to address these concerns. The well-being of the animators and the quality of the anime should not be compromised.