If you were on X (formerly Twitter) earlier today and are on the side of anime Twitter, then you might have already heard about this one.
MAPPA, the studio behind the anime adaptations of ‘Attack on Titan: The Final Season,’ ‘Jujutsu Kaisen,’ ‘Yuri!!! On Ice,’ and ‘Vinland Saga Season 2,’ is currently under fire following posts that revealed the production studio denying the animators for ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Season 2 a break.
The said animation studio is already notorious enough for its harsh working conditions, with it being an open secret in the anime community. MAPPA had already been called out a number of times since the beginning of ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Season 2’s airing, with the most recent one for the studio’s performance with JJK’s S02E14 just over 2 weeks ago.
If you are currently watching ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Season 2 quite religiously every week and are aware of the upcoming events thanks to the manga, then you already know how its current arc—the Shibuya Incident arc, is at its peak. Thus, having a problem within the production brings the anime to a delicate situation.
On November 14, 2023 (Japan local time), ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Season 2 director Arai Kazuto (@/Barikios) posted this on X, “Bad news has arrived and I’m suddenly overwhelmed. The most boring ending I can think of. Ah, the festival is over. Yes, disbanded. Disbanded.”
バッドニュースが舞い込んできて急激に萎えぽよ。考えるうる限り一番つまらない結末。あーあ、祭り終了だね。はい解散解散。
— バリキオス (@Barikios) November 14, 2023
He later on followed up with another post saying, “I was really disappointed. This isn’t fun anymore. I wonder.”
まーじで萎えた。もう何も楽しくないよこれじゃ。おもんね〜。
— バリキオス (@Barikios) November 14, 2023
A Reddit thread titled, “Jujutsu Kaisen Production Meltdown continues.” reveals more animators publicly calling out the situation and expressing their grave sentiments. Some have already been deleted, while others are still up on social media.
The thread also gives 2 reasons as to why MAPPA may had denied delaying the upcoming episodes of the anime, which were related to the production committee being made up of various parties (including TOHO and Sheuisha), and that delays would cost a lot.
Of course, nobody is pleased with this situation. “MAPPA,” and “jjk” have become trending topics as soon as posts had surfaced on X. Other fans joined in the clamor against MAPPA, and some had sent their gratitude towards the animators working tirelessly to produce back-to-back episodes with excellent and crisp quality.
It's over for jujutsu kaisen season 2 from episode 18 . The production committee denied a break and a lot of animators are expressing their disappointment for their working conditions in mappa #jjk pic.twitter.com/Chgnkfzm3H
— Sam (@pirateking056) November 14, 2023
animators at mappa trying to carry JJK to the end line pic.twitter.com/ZoJdDb7YKX
— hgfdsahjkl (@Ahmedmedhat000) November 14, 2023
Streets saying mappa animators just quit and gave up on jjk…. pic.twitter.com/WWzsfpykZo
— Greg 🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹 (@vrogreg) November 15, 2023
MAPPA animators deserve sunlight after this JJK season bro pic.twitter.com/Fvz14kgpQ4
— Plathanos 🐝 🇩🇴 (@SavinTheBees) November 10, 2023
Frieren from Madhouse – Healthy Production
JJK from Mappa – Production Flatlined
Strange how the tables have turned pic.twitter.com/zzkS4vPhSQ
— Chibi Reviews (@ChibiReviews) November 14, 2023
Whatever happens with the Jjk anime after this week's ep, Thank you to the staff , they did their best. I never even expected the quality of animation that we got with jjk. I'm grateful for their work and effort, they love this series. As for mappa, the lesser said the better
— Ant (@ShamanUnholy) November 15, 2023
JJK production in shambles, we’ll be lucky if the episode Thursday looks presentable at all. Mappa needs to burn.
— Sean 🎰 (@HeianYuji) November 14, 2023
Just heard JJK season 2 is fucked cause all the animators decided to give MAPPA the middle finger… What a pleasant start to the day. pic.twitter.com/QaZWJJQ8zU
— FallenMaou (@TheMashStan) November 15, 2023
With all this mappa drama, I’m just waiting for the JJK hiatus announcement. pic.twitter.com/WahU9O9W7E
— Re:animated (@ReanimatedYT) November 14, 2023
Animators: 'Can we please have better working conditions?'
Mappa: pic.twitter.com/BJamSIA38S
— JJK 242 Jujutsu kaisen (@jjkleaker) November 15, 2023
The outing about JJK’s production pretty much crashing now is mad concerning, plus i’m moreso worried about the animators’ health.
Was looking into it and heard that MAPPA requested a delay bc they’re literally still ANIMATING 2 weeks before these ep release but Toho said nah… pic.twitter.com/GvGrVo6FxS
— DAL☯️ (@DallienceRNG) November 14, 2023
I'd rather see season 2 of JJK get canceled than continue to see these animators get treated like garbage. Their treatment of staff is unforgivable, not just at Mappa but the animation industry as a whole. There NEEDS to be a major change https://t.co/E0LHhoV0rp
— Ash (@SantanaelChan) November 15, 2023
i barely woke up and first thing i see os that jjk might be delayed because of how mappa is treating animators oh my god pic.twitter.com/GedHbvygwd
— ً judy 🌿 (@chosopilled) November 15, 2023
Idgaf if JJK goes on Hiatus. These animators need respect. Selfish people expecting these artists and animators to sacrifice their lives and health.. it’s not worth it. MAPPA, these are humans. Not slaves and robots.
— Nicholas Light TV (@NicholasLightTV) November 15, 2023
this is so fucked up jjk animators have been working terribly hard and mappa's shitty production didnt even provide their workers a DAMN BREAK that they genuinely deserve i would like a demand to get the season delayed please for the sake of their health atleast! https://t.co/ybhNFBzGZe
— Aira (@airasbleh) November 14, 2023
the amount of work mappas animators put on for this jjk season is INSANE the passion and love cant be replaced by ai, they deserve to rest, to see their families, to be paid what they put in to their work. wishing mappa CRUMBLES for the way they treat their workers
— yuuji itadori save jujutsu kaisen (@yuujiitadoris) November 15, 2023
The production of jujutsu kaisen has reached its breaking point. As of right now, apparently the episode ( Season 2 ep 17) isn’t even finished. Everything after this weeks episode is fucked. No animators are gonna want to come back and work on jjk unless they are given time
— Callate pendejo (@david86999301) November 14, 2023
Ep-17 airs in 24hrs. The animators have worked hard under hellish production issues to give us another stunning episode. Hope everyone will be grateful towards the JJK team pic.twitter.com/Gg8IgyrtwX
— JJK (Mya) (@JJK_Mya) November 15, 2023
jjk animators are fucking incredible and this is fucking vile how mappa is treating them
— ً judy 🌿 (@chosopilled) November 15, 2023
Read this comment that summarized the issues with MAPPA taking on so many simultaneous projects and really put the constraining timelines into perspective really well. Obviously don't take this as fact since we are not privy to the details but thought it was interesting to share. pic.twitter.com/iB5HkIALYQ
— Shabuya Incident (@ShaKing807) November 15, 2023
Mappa is facing backlash for the poor treatment of their animators and artists.
Currently, JJK anime faces hiatus due to the staff getting denied days off for rest.How do animation studios expect proper results when you neglect your own employees. They're not robots.
— Serena Klisch 🌸 🔜 AnimeNYC C2 (@TheRedUsagiVO) November 15, 2023
bringing this back https://t.co/7f7PLmfTvQ pic.twitter.com/zNJqfArFWJ
— amber ♡ (@tanijrou) November 15, 2023
Idgaf if JJK goes on Hiatus. These animators need respect. Selfish people expecting these artists and animators to sacrifice their lives and health.. it’s not worth it. MAPPA, these are humans. Not slaves and robots.
— Nicholas Light TV (@NicholasLightTV) November 15, 2023
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Season 2 can be delayed. Animators and the people behind the production of this anime deserve proper rest, pay, and a better management. Seriously, what is it with companies always taking credit for the work of their employees who spent their blood, sweat, and tears?
MAPPA, DO BETTER.
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