Another member leaves MAPPA to start his own studio

The world of anime is constantly evolving, and one of the recent changes comes from Makoto Kimura, who most recently served as a producer and music producer on MAPPA's original action anime, "Bucchigiri?!." Kimura has taken a step forward by announcing the creation of his own company called BLUE RIGHTS, shortly after his departure from MAPPA at the end of March. In a post on his Twitter account, Kimura expressed his commitment to creating an environment where creators can be happy.

This announcement comes just days after MAPPA revealed changes to its management structure. Notable among these changes is the promotion of animation producers Hiroya Hasegawa and Keisuke Seshimo to the positions of executive vice president and executive officer, respectively. In addition, "Vinland Saga" director Shuuhei Yabuta now sits on the studio's board of directors.

Kimura has made a notable mark on MAPPA, with credits on several notable projects such as "Maboroshi," "Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2," "Hell's Paradise," "Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill," "Vinland Saga Season 2," and "Chainsaw Man", among others. His role as CEO and Director of Rights Management at Crunchyroll Expo 2022 was also highlighted.

However, Kimura's departure from MAPPA and the creation of BLUE RIGHTS are not isolated events in the anime industry. MAPPA studios have come under fire for "over-exploiting" their animators, imposing near-impossible deadlines, and taking on multiple simultaneous anime projects, resulting in an overwhelming workload. Despite trying to mitigate this by outsourcing foreign animators, this practice only increases the workload for Japanese animators, who must proofread and coordinate all this work remotely.

These reviews peaked with the release of the second season of "Jujutsu Kaisen," one of the standout hits of 2023. Despite its on-screen success, the anime was marked by behind-the-scenes drama, with animators publicly criticizing MAPPA for its harsh working conditions. From poor planning to mandatory overtime, the team behind the second season of "Jujutsu Kaisen" didn't hesitate to point the finger at MAPPA when necessary.

The recent changes in MAPPA's management could be a response to these criticisms and a sign that the anime industry is at an inflection point, where the well-being of creators and animators is receiving increased attention. Having lost Sunghoo Park ("Jujutsu Kaisen 0," "Jujutsu Kaisen 1st Season," "Tower of God") in 2021 and Ryuu Nakayama ("Chainsaw Man") in 2023, and with both founding their own animation studios, it seems that things aren't going very well for this relatively young studio.

Source: Twitter Official Account