Jujutsu Kaisen just dropped ‘Episode of the Year’ but animator burnout might cancel rest of the season
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 17 has left fans in awe with its intense storytelling, spectacular animation, and monumental battle sequences. But it might just be the last bit of JJK we get for a while.
What
The fight between Megumi and Shigemo takes a surprising turn when Sukuna, the King of Curses, intervenes to confront a powerful creature unleashed during the confrontation.
The ensuing combat unfolds with lightning speed, as the two combatants wreak havoc on entire city blocks in Shibuya. The episode masterfully builds tension and scale, culminating in Sukuna's use of his domain expansion technique - Malevolent Shrine - resulting in a terrifying image of Shibuya in ruins.
'Episode of the Year'
The Shibuya Arc's climactic battle unfolds with a stunning fusion of dynamic movements and meticulous detail, thrusting viewers into a visceral experience that encapsulates the chaos and intensity of the massacre.
The animation seamlessly navigates between intimate, hand-to-hand combat sequences and sweeping, city-wide devastation, evoking a sense of both peril and awe.
Vincent Chansard. There is no doubt that he is easily one of the best animators currently working in the industry. Insane. Absurd, crazy. !
— 🇧🇷 (@Hatchofly_) November 16, 2023
pic.twitter.com/2PGTl4OgBk
With a masterful blend of fluidity and raw power, MAPPA's animators breathe life into every frame, elevating this episode to a pinnacle of artistic achievement in the world of anime, leaving audiences spellbound and clamouring for more.
Jujutsu Kaisen S2 Ep 17
— dre (@v2TokyoGhost) November 16, 2023
EPISODE OF THE YEAR
The biggest hitters in the anime industry when it comes to animation were brought together due to having such terrible scheduling and time management to give us fans the best action packed episode in jjk.#JujutsuKaisen #呪術廻戦 pic.twitter.com/1K84vpF8IQ
Internet reacts
Social media has erupted with enthusiastic reactions to the episode.
Fans express astonishment at the animation quality, with some declaring it among the greatest they have ever witnessed.
#呪術廻戦 #JujutsuKaisen
— dre (@v2TokyoGhost) November 16, 2023
LIKE YOU GENUINELY CAN’T TELL ME THIS ISN’T SOME OF THE GREATEST ANIMATION YOU’VE EVER WITNESSED pic.twitter.com/OHEmS3xpbp
The dedication of the MAPPA animators is acknowledged, with comments emphasising the evident effort, passion, and talent poured into each frame of animation.
#JujutsuKaisen #呪術廻戦
— touya 🌸🐉 (@DabiSpitRag) November 16, 2023
MAPPA animators really be pouring their blood, sweat and tears into every single frame of animation pic.twitter.com/NjPhIoyleK
Some viewers even go as far as to suggest that the episode deserves a theatrical release, hailing it as the “Episode of the Year”.
WTF DID I JUST WATCH !!!
— makiway galaxy 💫 (@konoraora) November 16, 2023
THIS NEEDS A THEATRE RELEASE!!
THIS IS THE GREATEST SHIT TO EVER GRACE MY EYES WTFF!!!
I'M IN FUCKING AWE!! #THANKYOUJJKSTAFF#JujutsuKaisen #呪術廻戦 pic.twitter.com/CUaUjhU3UA
However, all good things come at a cost.
Trouble at MAPPA
The deplorable conditions faced by MAPPA animators working on JJK Season 2 have become a growing concern, raising doubts about the future episodes of the highly anticipated anime.
Despite the initial success with the adaptation of the Hidden Inventory arc, the situation took a downturn after the Shibuya Incident arc, not in terms of animation quality, but due to the alarming discontent among the production staff.
Japan's overwhelmingly demanding work culture often discourages individuals from speaking out, but animators have been risking their jobs to shed light on their working conditions, primarily through X (formerly known as Twitter).
Animators revolt
Reports indicate that animators are facing worse conditions than before, with the possibility of substantial delays in the production of this second season.
Animator reveals he based Mappa studio as blueprint model while animating one of the building that gets wrecked during Sukuna & Mahoraga fight. Savage lmaooo https://t.co/upIG0GvaSR
— JJK (Mya) (@JJK_Mya) November 16, 2023
The animators' dissatisfaction is rooted in the intense workload and short production schedules imposed on them by MAPPA. Numerous industry veterans and animators have expressed concerns, suggesting genuine issues within the animation studio, particularly regarding how episode schedules are planned and executed.
Hakuyu Go, another animator has talked about this as well...
— eppy (@epppyyy) November 15, 2023
Mappa wants to be seen in the same light as KyoAni and Ufotable, which is ironic coz their reputations took years to build and are also the studios known for treating their employees well.https://t.co/G22FmvxFRM pic.twitter.com/arFJlr62i6
Fans who enjoyed the latest episode now fear that upcoming episodes might be rushed and compromised due to the animators' struggles.
Episode #17 of JJK S2 is not finished. I am happy so many people are liking It, but I wished the staff was able to finish it.
— RocciaNobili (@NobiliRoccia) November 17, 2023
As it stands right now, what is present on screen is 30% of the intended visione.
Prominent figures in the industry have taken to their social media accounts to voice their concerns, highlighting the overwhelming pressure faced by the animation team.
Animator Honehone played a pivotal role in bringing attention to the issue, stating that higher-ups at the company prioritise the end result over improving staff conditions.
It mostly from animator Honehone's tweet, where he opens up about the impossible and horrible schedule.
— eppy (@epppyyy) November 15, 2023
The higher-ups at MAPPA only care about the end result and neglect the staff improvements. https://t.co/oJ2w6oQvZ9 pic.twitter.com/6O5Gi5tJr7
Director and Storyboard Arai Kazuto revealed that the staff had requested a delay, but it was denied, and episodes were being animated mere hours before airing, exposing the flawed production planning.
Anxiety among animators is palpable, as evidenced by tweets from Barikios, who received "bad news" about the schedule, and Amphibi, who simply stated "Owarida" (It's over).
The staff has requested a delay but was denied a delay by the production committee. Episodes are being completed mere hours before being aired
— eppy (@epppyyy) November 15, 2023
This is what Arai Kazuto, director and storyboard of JJK S2 episode 13 said in recent tweetshttps://t.co/8hGQYWR9o9 pic.twitter.com/ohpUo1vg4s
Episode directors and animators, like Ookubo Shunsuke, have resorted to expressing their frustration through concerning self-deprecating images and artwork, reflecting the defeated state of the animators at MAPPA.
Ookubo Shunsuke, director of EP12, posted an image from Shirobako, an anime about producing an anime, trying to hang herself, while visibly tired. The character in question is an animator in the story of the show.https://t.co/gQiqydm0wi pic.twitter.com/eYklTJAKU9
— eppy (@epppyyy) November 15, 2023
The future
The recent meltdown has raised serious questions about the future of JJK Season 2.
OK GIVE THESE PEOPLE AT MAPPA WHAT EVER THEY WANT OR NEED CAUSE IF THEY MAKING THINGS LIKE THIS THEY DESERVE WHATEVER😳#呪術廻戦 #JujutsuKaisen #jjk pic.twitter.com/4N4R7DTQHB
— J👑BLEACHTYBW (@Animesempai0) November 16, 2023
The reputation of the studio, tarnished by the ongoing issues with JJK Season 2, is expected to linger for some time, casting a shadow over the industry's treatment of its animators. The possibility of further delays and even the cancellation of subsequent episodes is now a real concern for fans and industry observers alike.