Studio MAPPA has faced longstanding criticism for its poor treatment of animators, with the recent production issues of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 bringing these concerns to the forefront. Animators have once again spoken out about inadequate pay and unreasonable deadlines, shedding light on the challenges faced by the production team.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2's production has been marked by disastrous conditions, and animator HoneHone from MAPPA has highlighted the unreasonable schedules and lack of support for the animators (via X). The problems intensified when Jujutsu Kaisen 0 had to be completed in just four months, underscoring the concerning state of affairs at MAPPA.
The revelation only confirms that MAPPA forces animators to work on unreasonable deadlines and with the intense expectations fans had for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, the studio reportedly put the pressure on its own animators.
MAPPA Reportedly Denied Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Delay Request from Animators
A key issue contributing to the recent turmoil among Jujutsu Kaisen animators is their denial of a delay by Studio MAPPA. The hectic production schedule has led to episodes being completed just hours before airing, prompting animators to request a delay, which was denied by the production committee. Reports have surfaced that animators were required to sign nondisclosure agreements to prevent discussion about Season 2's production.
Itsuki Tsuchigami, a prominent animator, has expressed disappointment with MAPPA, emphasizing the need to recognize the efforts of the individuals persevering under challenging conditions rather than the studio itself. The unsustainable nature of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2's production is evident, and the likelihood of intervention by Studio MAPPA remains uncertain.
The recent animators' meltdown raises concerns about the impact on the remaining episodes of Season 2. While Episode 17 managed to be released on time, recent revelations suggest it was not completed until the day it aired. The frustrations expressed by animators are likely to affect Episode 18 and subsequent episodes.
Despite the desire for each episode to meet high standards, the toxic work environment at Studio MAPPA continues to hinder the production quality. The ongoing challenges faced by Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 highlight the industry-wide concerns about modern anime production practices, and MAPPA's reputation appears justified based on the reported conditions surrounding the series.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 17 was titled Thunderclap, Part 2 ("Raimei -Ni-") and served as the 11th episode of the Shibuya Incident arc. It is now available on Crunchyroll.
