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Attack on Titan may be ending, but the rumbling continues for overworked MAPPA animators 

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Ayaan Paul
Ayaan PaulNov 03, 2023 | 08:30

Attack on Titan may be ending, but the rumbling continues for overworked MAPPA animators 

With Attack on Titan's epic story nearing its much-anticipated conclusion, series creator Hajime Isayama took a moment to express his gratitude to the fans who have been with the series for the past ten years since its anime adaptation began. 

Isayama apologises

In his message shared on X, three days before the release of Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2, Isayama thanked fans for their unwavering support.  However, he also shed light on the difficulties faced by the anime staff at MAPPA, the studio responsible for bringing the series to its conclusion.

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  • Isayama's message was a mix of appreciation and acknowledgment of the challenges associated with animating the concluding chapters of the iconic anime series.

He revealed that he himself had encountered significant challenges while drawing the manga's climax during its serialisation. This time, Isayama had a more direct role in the creation process, as MAPPA had requested him to provide rough drafts for the ending.

  • Given the complexity of the source material, he empathized with the animation team at MAPPA, acknowledging that they must be facing a strenuous and demanding task.
  • As a gesture of goodwill and recognition of the pressure placed on MAPPA, Isayama issued a sincere apology to the studio for the hardships his work had inadvertently imposed upon them.
  • He recognized that the animation process for the final season was particularly challenging, and he expressed his anticipation for the anime's conclusion. 

Isayama's involvement in the animation process served as a bridge between the original creator and the studio, and it offered some insight into the collaborative efforts that go into adapting a complex story like Attack on Titan. His hope was that fans would stay engaged with the series until its very end.

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The breakdown

While Isayama's message conveyed his gratitude and understanding of the challenges at MAPPA, it also raised concerns about the studio's working conditions, which have come under scrutiny as of late. 

  • In addition to Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan, MAPPA was responsible for producing Vinland Saga, Hell's Paradise and other fan-favorite series.

In particular, the quality of the animation in episodes of the ongoing second season of Jujutsu Kaisen - another popular anime produced by MAPPA - had drawn criticism from fans. 

The director of its latest set of episodes, Hokuto Sadamoto, responded to these criticisms in a disheartened breakdown on X, sharing details about the tough conditions he and his colleagues had worked under.

Sadamoto's breakdown shed light on the working conditions at MAPPA, which has gained a reputation for taking on more projects than they can handle.

MAPPA culture

The issue at the heart of the controversy is MAPPA's tendency to operate on tight schedules and undertake a heavy workload. 

Sadamoto’s case highlights the immense pressure faced by animators and directors. 

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  • He was tasked with completing 250 cuts of animation in just two weeks, an incredibly demanding workload. 
  • To make matters worse, he was initially led to believe that he would not be credited for the episode, allowing him to save face. 
  • However, a leak revealed his involvement, leading to criticism from fans who scrutinized the episode's animation and storyboarding.

Faced with this backlash, Sadamoto issued an apology to the fans and vowed to take responsibility for the episode's quality. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the work he had released and promised to make amends through future projects.

At the time, he was willing to accept the label of "the worst animator who had ruined a masterpiece."

Remarkably, fans were no longer harsh on Sadamoto after his sincere apology and acknowledgment of the challenges he faced. Instead, they redirected their criticism toward the studio, expressing their disappointment with the poor working conditions experienced by MAPPA employees.

MAPPA animators open up

Sadamoto's revelations sparked further discussions within the anime community. 

Other staff members, not just from Jujutsu Kaisen but also from various MAPPA productions, began to share their own experiences and complaints about the studio's working environment.

  • Some animators reported issues with delayed payments due to the loss of contact information for the production team, while others highlighted the challenges posed by multiple directors working on a single anime series, with one person responsible for each episode.
  • What's particularly distressing about these revelations is the fact that animators and other staff members felt compelled to respond to criticism online, even though they had limited control over the conditions they worked in. 

Unfortunately, MAPPA's initial response was to have employees sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent further leaks or public discussions about the working conditions. This decision was met with significant backlash from both fans and the staff members who had received support on social media.

MAPPA studio asked animators to sign NDAs to not divulge information about Jujutsu Kaisen S2 bad production. Animators in respose, unveiled the truth about the hellish production of the new season.
by inanime

As Attack on Titan's epic tale draws to a close, the situation at MAPPA, the studio responsible for the series' final season, has become a focal point of discussion. The industry's focus on tight schedules and the sheer volume of projects has faced immense backlash, with fans increasingly understanding that it's the senior executives, rather than the animators themselves, who bear responsibility for these conditions.

Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2 drops on November 4.

Last updated: November 04, 2023 | 12:53
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