Unveiling MAPPA Controversies: A Dive into Jujutsu Kaisen and Beyond

MAPPA Studio is currently in the midst of a controversy, with a history of similar situations in the past and possibly more to come. Whenever a highly anticipated series is released by MAPPA, fans consistently express concerns regarding production schedules, alleged working conditions resembling sweatshops, and the overall quality of episodes.

The recent Jujutsu Kaisen controversy has escalated the allegations, as fans now have evidence supporting their longstanding concerns. Animators speaking out, furious responses from fans on X/Twitter, and uncertainty surrounding popular series like One Punch Man and Jujutsu Kaisen have brought attention to MAPPA Studio's major controversies.

A brief history of MAPPA

To first understand the issues surrounding MAPPA, we first have to understand the history of the studio.

Established in 2011 by renowned Madhouse producer Masao Maruyama, the animation studio, based in Tokyo, has emerged as a dominant force in the world of anime. Known for creating blockbuster series and movies such as Vinland Saga season two, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Attack on Titan's final season, MAPPA has successfully made a mark on the global platform.

However, its path to success has been anything but easy. So, let’s now take a look into the past, present, and future of MAPPA.

2016-2020: MAPPA’s first cracks show

MAPPA began to exhibit signs of weakness in 2016, revealing its first cracks.

Established by the renowned figure, Masao Maruyama, MAPPA originally arose as a means to break free from the corporate pressures and constraints he had encountered at the eminent anime studio, Madhouse.

During the early years, MAPPA showcased its potential through groundbreaking LGBTQ series Yuri!!! On Ice and the poignant World War II film In This Corner of the World. Both productions received numerous accolades in Japan and internationally. However, the studio's newfound success also resulted in an overwhelming workload, raising concerns among fans regarding the ability of its animators to cope.

In 2016, founder Maruyama made the decision to step aside from MAPPA and establish a new company, Studio M. He placed his trust in CEO Manabu Otsuka (remember the name), sparking a transformative phase for the studio and laying the groundwork for the controversies witnessed today.

In 2017, after the launch of various new series such as Kakegurui, Zombie Land Saga, and Dororo, there was a surge of fringe fan blogs inquiring about the undisclosed work formula behind MAPPA's overwhelming workload. Then, in 2010, the initial authoritative information on the anime studio's working conditions came to light through a news article that has since been deleted:

With news articles, studies, and exposés shedding light on the anime industry's association with MAPPA for its alleged substandard conditions in recent years, the accumulation of today's challenges becomes unmistakably evident.

2020-2021: Attack On Titan’s “factory-like” conditions

In 2023, Maruyama voiced apprehensions regarding the state of the anime industry, warning that it placed greater emphasis on creating repetitive genres that appeal to the masses, rather than fostering the growth of emerging animation talent. Considering the allegations of excessive anime production surrounding MAPPA, one could interpret Maruyama's remarks as a subtle critique of his former studio.

Now that we have discussed the early history of MAPPA, let's delve into the Attack On Titan era.

Following Masao Maruyama's departure as president in 2016, MAPPA faced criticism from anime enthusiasts who believed that the studio had strayed from its original principles. However, it was in 2020 that this new era, marked by rapid and substantial expansion, began to draw significant negative attention regarding the working conditions for staff.

Widely hailed as a legendary anime, Attack On Titan has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Initially brought to life by the talented team at WIT STUDIO, the series boldly took a new direction in 2020, entrusting the reins to the scorching production house of that moment – MAPPA.

Fans expressed their concerns regarding the variations in production, animation quality, and other typical apprehensions one might have about their beloved series. Nevertheless, tensions escalated in late 2020 when a faction of fans initiated a string of cyber-attacks targeting the MAPPA staff due to their dissatisfaction with the animation's overall quality. Consequently, an unidentified staff member was compelled to release a statement in January 2021 addressing the demanding production timetable, which has since been removed.

While we no longer have access to the statement, several reaction tweets and Reddit posts are still available:

MAPPA criticized for underpaying animators

Months later, in July 2021, veteran animator Ippei Ichii criticized MAPPA and Netflix for underpaying animators. This came after Mushiyo, a former Attack on Titan animator, made a series of now deleted tweets on May 14, 2021. Mushiyo alleged that the studio subjected animators to "factory-like conditions" and made them work "until the sun came up." Another animator also expressed concerns about the company's unsustainable workload.

July 2021: A director speaks up in favor of MAPPA

Despite these accusations, MAPPA has consistently maintained that it provides creators with compensation that is both reasonable and in line with the project's budget. Furthermore, the studio adamantly denies any claims of forcing or coercing creators to work unwillingly. Despite initial setbacks, the situation appeared to be improving.

In July 2021, Ryu Nakayama, the director of Chainsaw Man, took to Twitter to address his commitment towards enhancing the working conditions for professionals in the anime industry. In response to a tweet featuring pictures of the upgraded MAPPA studios tailored to meet the needs of animators, he voiced his keenness to collaborate with young illustrators and foster an inclusive environment for collective anime production. Nonetheless, it is important to approach this statement with caution.

2022: Attack On Titan’s director worked for 72 hours straight

A year later, after the release of Part 2 of Attack On Titan's final season, the controversy regarding MAPPA's working conditions and production schedule persisted. What led to this?

The incident started when Teruyuki Omine, the former director of Attack On Titan, posted a tweet on February 7, 2022, saying, "I finally went home after three days." Although the tweets were removed shortly after, the damage had already been done as they had already spread rapidly across the internet.

Omine garnered affirming responses from fans of the series on Twitter. Nevertheless, his unassuming declaration insinuating that he had diligently devoted 72 consecutive hours to the series reignited conversations surrounding the anime industry's labor practices.

2023: Jujutsu Kaisen continues MAPPA’s struggles

You're probably reading this article because of the ongoing controversy surrounding the production of Jujutsu Kaisen, one of the most popular anime at the moment. We have already covered this series in detail, but here's a quick summary.

As expected, Jujutsu Kaisen, being an anime by MAPPA, is not immune to online discussions about the alleged poor working conditions. Once again, this season has brought forth more animators speaking up about their experiences.

September 30: NDA revelations

On September 30, rumors started circulating on Twitter that MAPPA had supposedly compelled its staff members to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) regarding the working environment, prompting behind-the-scenes informants to resonate with anime enthusiasts.

One of the most notable figures in the industry is Itsuki Tsuchigami, acclaimed for his work on Chainsaw Man and Mob Psycho 100. On September 30, he expressed his concerns about the unfavorable work environment through a tweet and confirmed the news about MAPPA's enforcement of a non-disclosure agreement in a subsequent post.

In this tweet, he says that MAPPA is essentially “a mess” and that “people who want to do their best shouldn’t get involved.”

He tweeted, questioning the effectiveness of making people sign a pledge to prevent complaints, suggesting the need for an environment where complaints wouldn't arise. This simple statement still exists, hinting at the ongoing poor working conditions at MAPPA. However, this sparked a major controversy, leading to fan accounts sharing unverified statements about the situation.

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November 1: Manabu Otsuka’s interview

Things took a turn for the worse when Comic Natalie, a popular Japanese website, published an interview with Manabu Otsuka. The interview delved into the foundation of Otsuka's studio, its remarkable success, and future plans. However, it also unveiled Otsuka's ambition to rival Kyoto Animation by undertaking more projects. This revelation evoked concerns from Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen.

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November 14 and the animator meltdown

MAPPA encountered further difficulties when several animators took to Twitter, expressing their concerns about the working conditions and admitting that they were reaching their breaking point. Among those who spoke out were directors Itsuki Tsuchigami and Kazuto Arai. Tsuchigami's tweet, which has since been deleted, acknowledged the discomfort of being praised on behalf of the company but expressed gratitude towards the tireless efforts and dedication of the production and filming staff, who continued to contribute significantly despite the challenging circumstances.

November 20: Production studio controversy

The latest development in the MAPPA meltdown involves animator HoneHone, who shared a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Jujutsu Kaisen’s latest episode.

In this playful tweet, he explained how he used the floor plan of MAPPA Studios’ office as inspiration for the destruction of an office building in the latest episode.

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Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding MAPPA Studios, this creative choice has garnered attention, despite its seemingly lighthearted nature.

MAPPA is not alone in facing such controversies within the anime industry. Over the years, allegations of subpar working conditions, inadequate wages, and unpaid overtime have plagued various anime studios. However, the current controversies surrounding MAPPA shed light on long-overlooked aspects of the industry. Could this signify the dawn of a new era for anime? Or is it simply the downfall of the decade's biggest studio?

You can check out more of our Jujutsu Kaisen coverage here. And more of our anime coverage here.

Editor's P/S

As a long-time fan of anime, I have mixed feelings about the recent controversies surrounding MAPPA Studio. On the one hand, I am deeply concerned about the allegations of underpayment, grueling work conditions, and NDA revelations. These issues are serious and should be addressed by the studio. On the other hand, I am also aware that MAPPA is a relatively young studio and that it is still trying to find its footing in the competitive anime industry.

Overall, I believe that MAPPA has the potential to be a great studio, but it needs to make some changes in order to improve its working conditions and treatment of employees. I hope that the studio will take these allegations seriously and work to create a more sustainable and ethical workplace.