Renowned Director Departs MAPPA for Exciting New Project

MAPPA is experiencing a significant loss of employees, largely attributed to the toxic work environment. Some animators have left for this reason, while a well-known director departed for other reasons. In 2022, Chainsaw Man Season 1 was released and quickly captured the hearts of fans with its impressive animation, courtesy of MAPPA's animators and Ryu Nakayama's direction.

After the finale episode of Chainsaw Man Season 1 was released, the anime community eagerly anticipated news of a Season 2. Instead, the creators announced a movie at JUMP FESTA 2024 before confirming the renewal of the series. Although Nakayama was initially set to direct the upcoming movie, recent news about him suggests otherwise.

Chainsaw Man’s director, Ryu Nakayama, starts his own animation studio

After working on several massive projects like Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, and more, Nakayama heads toward a new journey.

The talented director has announced on his X account that he is leaving MAPPA to launch his own animation studio, Andraft Co., Ltd. He aims to create a superior animation production system and produce top-notch work for the global audience. Nakayama is excited to explore new genres and expand the horizons of animation. Thank you for your ongoing support!

We are pleased to announce the establishment of Andraft Co., Ltd. We aim to establish a better animation production system and deliver high-quality works to the world. We are committed to challenging various genres without discrimination and are eager to explore new possibilities. Your support is greatly appreciated!

In addition to the announcement, we received a sneak peek of the animation that Andraft will bring to the industry. While Nakayama directed the studio's first animation, it also involved Fumika Ito, the animator for AoT, and Kenji Segawa, the animation director of Oshi No Ko. Andraft's official website has revealed that the studio will encourage its employees to think outside the box and be unique, rather than confining them to traditional animation methods.

Recently, several well-known figures in the Japanese animation industry have left their prestigious positions to pursue their dreams. For example, before Nakayama's new venture, Yusuke Murata, the author of One-Punch Man, surprised fans by announcing his animation studio on January 1, 2024.

We are eagerly awaiting to see what project Nakayama’s newly established studio will take on. They may choose an underrated manga series for an anime adaptation, or they might surprise us with a highly popular or anticipated project. For more coverage, you can visit our Chainsaw Man coverage and the rest of our anime coverage.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled to hear about renowned director Ryu Nakayama's departure from MAPPA and the establishment of his own animation studio, Andraft Co., Ltd. Nakayama's exceptional talent and creative vision have been instrumental in the success of popular anime series like "Chainsaw Man" and "Jujutsu Kaisen," and I am excited to see what groundbreaking projects he will bring to life with his new studio. The prospect of a superior animation production system and the exploration of new genres holds immense promise for the future of the anime industry.

However, I cannot ignore the underlying issue of the toxic work environment at MAPPA, which has led to the departure of several talented animators. It is disheartening to learn that such conditions exist within the industry, and I hope that Nakayama's move will inspire positive change and encourage other studios to prioritize the well-being and creative freedom of their employees. The anime community deserves high-quality content, but it should never come at the expense of the artists who bring these stories to life.