Jujutsu Kaisen Creator Gege Akutami Addresses Animator Allegations Against MAPPA's Working Conditions

Following the release of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 episode 14, fans expressed criticism towards the episode's animation quality. This led to a controversial situation where employees from MAPPA, the studio behind the anime, opened up about their experiences. In response, the manga creator Gege Akutami emerged to commend the series' animators.

The ongoing Jujutsu Kaisen anime is currently adapting the Shibuya Incident Arc. This arc depicts multiple battles taking place throughout Shibuya after Satoru Gojo is sealed away in the Prison Realm by Pseudo Geto. One of these battles focuses on the confrontation between Jujutsu Sorcerers and Dagon. The episode highlighting this particular battle sparked a significant controversy involving MAPPA.

Jujutsu Kaisen creator praises animators amid MAPPA controversy

On October 28, 2023, Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, expressed his appreciation for the animators' efforts on the latest episode of the anime. He specifically commended the skillful outlining, timing, and artistry. In light of this, he expressed his hope for the talented animators to receive better compensation.

Following the release of the recent episodes, multiple staff members involved in the production spoke out against MAPPA, alleging harsh working conditions and problems with payment for the employees.

The image above showcases Mei Mei's appearance in episode 14 of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, which was produced by MAPPA.

Although the manga creator has not openly expressed their stance on MAPPA, it is likely that they support the animators and have gained knowledge of the controversy through online sources.

How fans reacted to the Mangaka's comment

MAPPA had gained a notorious reputation for subjecting its employees to harsh working conditions. It was evident that the anime studio needed to promptly address this issue and treat its employees fairly. Gege Akutami's comment could potentially serve as a subtle hint or suggestion directed towards the studio.

Fans expressed their adoration for Gege Akutami by appreciating the Mangaka's commendation. They were pleased with the genuine praise the series creator bestowed upon the animators, acknowledging their relentless efforts. Observing the Mangaka's own admiration for the anime episode, the fans recognized their sole intention of ensuring the animators' excellence.

However, there existed specific factions of fans who displayed ingratitude towards the animators, criticizing the animation of the series despite its high quality.

Likewise, the comments on the post exhibited a parallel attitude. Devotees voiced their discontentment with the anime, asserting that its animation quality fell short of the widespread acclaim it received. Consequently, this sparked a heated exchange between supporters of the animators and detractors of MAPPA.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I was deeply moved by the recent controversy surrounding the working conditions at MAPPA, the studio responsible for animating the series. The allegations made by animators regarding harsh working conditions and payment issues are deeply concerning and highlight the need for better treatment of workers in the anime industry.

I was also impressed by the response of Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, who expressed his support for the animators and acknowledged the challenges they face. His comments show that he understands the importance of fair compensation and working conditions for animators, and I hope that his words will help to bring about positive change in the industry.

Overall, I believe that the controversy surrounding MAPPA's working conditions has brought to light important issues that need to be addressed in the anime industry. I hope that studios like MAPPA will take steps to improve the treatment of their employees and that the industry as a whole will move towards more sustainable and fair practices.