MAPPA Studios Faces Controversy: Animator Compensation Scandal in Jujutsu Kaisen Production

Amid ongoing MAPPA scandals, animators working on Jujutsu Kaisen are speaking out about payment problems. The highly anticipated Season 2 has garnered significant attention for its impressive art style and animation, but the studio's reputation continues to be marred by allegations of poor working conditions.

The studio is currently juggling multiple major projects, causing disruptions to the production of Jujutsu Kaisen. The pressure against MAPPA has reached new heights due to production delays jeopardizing the highly anticipated Shibuya Incident arc.

Adding to the studio’s troubles, an animator working on Jujutsu Kaisen has raised concerns about their payment, further fueling the scandal surrounding MAPPA.

Jujutsu Kaisen animator blames MAPPA for payment delay

Crunchyroll

CBR reported that an animator working on Jujutsu Kaisen expressed frustration on Twitter/X about delayed money negotiations and being overwhelmed with work requests. The freelancer, who collaborates with MAPPA, posted the complaint on November 18 but deleted it shortly after. The studio had recently raised animator compensation due to controversial alterations to the Japanese tax system.

This animator is facing an unusually heavy workload without much sign of additional compensation. This isn't the first time animators have had to remove social media posts discussing MAPPA's working conditions. Animators are struggling to meet tight production deadlines, and their requests for deadline extensions are being denied. Recent episode preview stills were delayed by 4-5 hours, indicating that animators are working on episodes up until the last minute before release. The workload continues to grow, leading to dissatisfaction among many animators.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I feel deeply concerned about the animator compensation scandal at MAPPA Studios, particularly in relation to the production of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2. The allegations of payment delays and poor working conditions for animators are disheartening and unacceptable. It is unfair for the talented individuals who bring our beloved anime to life to face financial struggles and overwork.

The fact that animators are speaking out about their experiences at MAPPA sheds light on a systemic issue within the anime industry. The tight production schedules and high workload demands placed on animators are not sustainable and can lead to burnout, affecting both the quality of the work and the well-being of the artists. It is crucial for studios like MAPPA to prioritize fair compensation and better working conditions for their animators to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the industry.