Jujutsu Kaisen faces potential delays and fans fear a prolonged hiatus, echoing Zom 100's troubled journey

Since the beginning of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, fans have been hearing about production committee issues. It's become a regular occurrence for animators to face issues with MAPPA projects. It appears that the anime is headed for serious consequences due to poor production planning, potentially leading to a long hiatus similar to Zom 100.

Following the conclusion of Jujutsu Kaisen season 1 in March 2021, the anime studio released a movie in December 2021 and then premiered the second season in July 2023. However, the anime took a three-week break after the first five episodes, raising concerns about future developments.

Jujutsu Kaisen anime's first episode delay hints at a Zom 100's situation

Akira Tendou as seen in Zom 100 anime (Image via BUG FILMS)

The Zom 100 anime debuted in July 2023 with only 12 episodes, unlike the 23-episode Jujutsu Kaisen. Production studio BUG FILMS, known for collaborating with other studios, faced delays in releasing episodes due to poor production planning. This was their first time producing an anime series independently, leading to initial delays of one day.

Mikazuki Shizuka as shown in the Zom 100 anime (Image via BUG FILMS)

Subsequently, the issue of delayed releases seemed to worsen as the anime took a week-long break. Following this, the entire episode schedule was altered. Ultimately, after the release of Zom 100 episode 9 on September 24, the anime was forced to go on an indefinite hiatus.

The show has confirmed its comeback and is set to drop the last three episodes back-to-back on December 25, 2023.

Kugisaki Nobara as depicted in the animated series (Image via MAPPA)

Taking the current situation into consideration, it is likely that Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 could also be put on a lengthy and indefinite hiatus. Zom 100 initially experienced production issues with a one-day delay, which later escalated into a prolonged hiatus. With Jujutsu Kaisen already delaying the release of its upcoming episode in Japan by one day, it is possible that the MAPPA anime may face a similar fate to Zom 100.

Yuji Itadori from the anime can be seen in the image provided by MAPPA. The concerning issue is the clear lack of growth capability within the anime studio. Animators from MAPPA have voiced their concerns about the poor working conditions they are subjected to.

Additionally, the number of preview images being released before each episode is decreasing weekly. While the anime used to release up to 10 preview images, the number has now dropped to six for the previous episode and four for the upcoming one. This may indicate a potential long hiatus for Jujutsu Kaisen, so fans should be cautious.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I am deeply concerned about the potential delays and prolonged hiatus that the anime may face. The production challenges and issues faced by MAPPA animators are disheartening, and the similarities to Zom 100's troubled journey do not inspire confidence. The poor production planning and lack of growth capability within the anime studio are significant causes for concern.

The three-week break after the first five episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 has raised red flags, and the decreasing number of preview images being released before each episode further adds to the worries. The indefinite hiatus of Zom 100, which initially experienced similar production issues, serves as a stark reminder of what could potentially happen to Jujutsu Kaisen. I sincerely hope that MAPPA can address these challenges effectively and ensure a smooth production process for the anime. The fans deserve to enjoy the continuation of the story without enduring lengthy hiatuses or compromised quality.