Exploitative MAPPA? This is all they have pending
MAPPA studios, renowned for their impressive animation quality and rapid expansion in recent years, have once again been at the center of debate among Internet users due to the large number of anime projects they have on the agenda. Industry fans were quick to point out the overwork that seems to be piling up in studios, raising both expectations and concerns about the future of these projects.
Among the closest premieres are the remake film of "The Rose of Versailles", scheduled for January 2025, which has generated quite a bit of expectation due to the iconic position that this work occupies in the history of anime. In that same month, the premiere of the original anime "Zenshuu" is expected, a new project of which not many details are yet known, but which has captured the attention of fans for its mysterious premise.
The year 2025 will also see the release of "Lazarus," another original anime produced in collaboration with renowned filmmaker Shinichiro Watanabe, known for "Cowboy Bebop" and "Samurai Champloo." This project has sparked interest due to Watanabe's involvement and the promise of an innovative story. In addition to this, the compilation film "Jujutsu Kaisen: Kaigyoku/Gyokusetsu" and the long-awaited film "Inazuma Eleven the Movie: Prologue to the New Heroes", both scheduled for 2025 and December 2024 respectively.
On the other hand, MAPPA also has on its list a compilation film of "Attack on Titan" titled "Attack on Titan: The Last Attack", which will arrive in November 2024, and which will summarize the events of the last part of this popular series. This project has been much talked about among fans, especially because of the crucial role MAPPA has played in the final seasons of "Attack on Titan."
Despite the large number of projects that are in production and with confirmed release dates, many fans have expressed concern about several titles that have remained without recent updates, which has led to uncertainty about their future. Among these are the second season of "Hell's Paradise Jigokuraku", the long-awaited film sequel to "Chainsaw Man", which has generated high expectations after the success of its first season, as well as the third season of "Jujutsu Kaisen" and the sequel film to "Zombieland Saga", another of the projects that has remained in limbo. In addition, the sequel to "Dorohedoro", a title much loved by fans of dark-themed anime, has been mentioned as another of MAPPA's projects that continues without concrete progress.
This impressive number of productions has once again raised the debate about labor practices at MAPPA. It's not the first time the studio has been embroiled in controversies related to the exploitation of its animators. In recent years, several reports and complaints from former employees have come to light, alleging that MAPPA imposes long working hours with little compensation and that the studio has expanded at an unsustainable pace. The backlog of high-profile projects has raised concerns about the well-being of its workers, with many netizens fearing that the studio is sacrificing the quality of life of its animators to meet release dates.
Fan comments on social media reflect this concern: "MAPPA is taking more than it can handle, and that worries me about the quality of projects and the health of its employees," one user wrote on a forum. Another added: "They are putting out incredible series, but at what cost. If they continue like this, the entertainers are not going to stand it." In addition, some voices in the community highlighted that MAPPA's impressive animation quality could deteriorate if workers continue to be subjected to strenuous conditions.
MAPPA controversies have already been a matter of discussion in the past. Allegations of labor exploitation, pressure to meet deadlines, and precarious working conditions have come to light on several occasions, both from current and former employees of the studio. These concerns have resonated in the broader context of the Japanese animation industry, where animators are known for being paid low wages and facing long working hours.
Source: Twitter
