Unveiling Disturbing Working Conditions: Insights into MAPPA Staff Exhaustion and Burnout

After the airing of season 2, episode 16 of Jujutsu Kaisen, it appears that the already poor working conditions of MAPPA employees have only deteriorated further. Speculation and rumors regarding the animators and their working environment began circulating online when it became clear that the preview for the next episode was delayed, indicating underlying issues. Despite the criticism received for the animation in episode 14 of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, the concerns raised by the animators about the studio and their production plans seem to have fallen on deaf ears, as evidenced by ongoing discussions on various online platforms.

MAPPA employees reveal terrible working conditions for Jujutsu Kaisen

MAPPA animators have spoken out about the appalling working conditions they experienced while working on Jujutsu Kaisen. However, it seems that the recent uproar was sparked by a tweet from animator Honehone. In the tweet, Honehone explained that the company's higher-ups only prioritized the final outcome and made no effort to improve the staff's working conditions.

This realization dawned upon the animator while working on the staff of Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Typically, it takes around 2 to 3 years to animate an average feature film. Surprisingly, the prequel story movie was animated in just four months.

An image displaying a tweet by Honehone, in which they criticize MAPPA, was shared on Our Website/X.

Subsequently, Arai Kazuto, the Director and Storyboard of episode 13 of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, disclosed that the production committee had been requested to postpone the release. However, their plea was denied. Furthermore, the episodes appeared to be animated mere hours before airing, indicating a significant flaw in the production planning.

Even the Director of episode 12, Ookubo Shunsuke, shared his concerns using a poignant image from Shirobako anime, a show centered around the production of anime. In the image, we see a character, an animator in the series, visibly fatigued as she contemplates hanging herself.

Animator Hakuyu Go shared his perspective on the situation, stating that MAPPA's desire to be seen on par with studios like Kyoto Animation and Ufotable was ironic. He noted that those studios had earned their reputation through years of hard work and treating their employees well, which was in contrast to MAPPA's approach of achieving success through poor production planning and unfavorable working conditions for its staff.

Furthermore, Director Shunsuke Ookubo's previous tweets hinted that the staff may have even considered abandoning the production due to the extremely challenging conditions.

Seeing all of this, animator Sakai from Attack on Titan took to X (formerly Twitter) to urge international animators to voice their grievances online. He believed that Japanese animators felt constrained from expressing their dissatisfaction on social media.

Screenshot of Itsuki Tsuchigami's criticism of MAPPA can be seen on our website/X.

Itsuki Tsuchigami, the Director of the latest episode of the anime, also expressed satisfaction upon hearing the positive reception from fans. Regrettably, MAPPA failed to compensate them adequately for their efforts. Despite working diligently within tight deadlines, their payment fell short compared to what they would have received in comparable projects. Given these criticisms, it is fair to say that the animators were desperately seeking a resolution, as if their very livelihoods depended on it.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I feel deeply concerned and empathetic towards the working conditions of MAPPA animators. The article unveils the disturbing reality behind the production of popular anime series like Jujutsu Kaisen, shedding light on the grueling hours, tight deadlines, and immense pressure that the staff has to endure. It is disheartening to learn that despite the criticism received for the animation quality, the studio has failed to address the underlying issues and improve the working conditions for its employees.

The situation described in the article, where animators feel compelled to voice their grievances online due to the lack of internal support, reflects a systemic problem within the anime industry. It is crucial for studios like MAPPA to recognize the value of their employees and prioritize their well-being. Providing fair compensation, reasonable deadlines, and a supportive work environment are essential steps towards creating a sustainable and thriving animation industry. As fans of anime, we should also be mindful of the challenges faced by the production teams and support their efforts in bringing our favorite stories to life. By raising awareness and demanding better treatment for animators, we can contribute to a positive change in the industry and ensure that the art of anime continues to flourish.