Mappa Studios Faces Backlash as Explosive Allegations of NDA Covering Up Work Condition Complaints Resonate with Fans and Animators Alike

With the current airing of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, fans of the series have consistently praised the remarkable adaptation by MAPPA studios. However, the studio has faced anger from anime fans following allegations that it has been silencing employees regarding the poor working conditions. This criticism towards MAPPA studios has been ongoing for some time due to their questionable choices in taking over various anime adaptations. These rumors now confirm what many fans have suspected all along.

MAPPA studios face fans' backlash after NDA rumors surface online

MAPPA studios allegedly required its animators to sign an NDA, preventing them from disclosing their negative experiences while working at the company. The information was initially leaked by @JMulli02, an animator known for their work on Wonder Egg Priority, Zombie Land Saga R, MagiReco, and Bocchi the Rock! Although the specific studio was not named, it was widely understood among fans that the allegations were directed at MAPPA studios. However, the original tweet has since been deleted.

Although a portion of fans believed the animator was referring to BUG FILMS and their association with Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, the consensus among fans leaned towards the animator referencing MAPPA studios. This speculation is substantiated by the animator's past involvement with MAPPA on Jujutsu Kaisen.

Fans were outraged by the working methods employed by MAPPA. Although they were aware of Japan's work culture, the conditions at MAPPA were even worse than they anticipated. With the number of series being animated by the studio, fans were convinced that its employees were being compelled to work overtime.

Furthermore, despite the studio earning millions in profits, it made no sense to the fans why MAPPA would exploit its workforce. Even if they were doing so, there was no justification for denying their animators the freedom to discuss their working conditions. Fans were certain that the studio executives were attempting to conceal how they treated their employees, hence resorting to legal restrictions to prevent information about the poor work environment from being shared.

Screenshot of an animator expressing their thoughts regarding the entire controversy surrounding the NDA at MAPPA (Image via Our Website/Twitter)

Not only were the fans affected by the nondisclosure agreement at MAPPA, but animators themselves also voiced their concerns. Though animator @JMulli02 has since removed their Tweet, the fact that other animators are also openly expressing their opinions about MAPPA only lends further credibility to the initial allegations.

Many fans believed that the working conditions imposed on MAPPA employees would be regarded as illegal in numerous countries, excluding Japan. Consequently, they sought to provide some form of relief for the employees and chose not to moderate their opinions online.

Although fans highly regarded Director Shōta Goshozono for his work on Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, they expressed concerns about his work environment. While the anime had consistently delivered episodes of top-notch quality thus far, fans were apprehensive about its sustainability in the long run.