Allegations of poor working conditions for its animators have recently gained credibility, casting a shadow over the anime adaptation of “Whisper Me a Love Song,” a popular Yuri series.
The series’ official website revealed the airing schedule for June, disclosing that on June 8 and June 15, recaps of previous episodes will be broadcast instead of new content.
Episodes 9 and 10 are set to follow in the subsequent weeks, but the release dates for the final two episodes of Season 1, Episodes 11 and 12, remain undetermined.
These announcements raise concerns among fans about the production’s status and quality, especially in light of the ongoing allegations regarding the treatment of animators.
The decision to air recaps instead of new episodes further fuels speculation about potential production issues behind the scenes. As the situation unfolds, viewers await clarification on the future of Whisper Me a Love Song and hope for improvements in working conditions for its production staff.
Whisper Me a Love Song Poor Working Conditions Allegations
Before the June schedule announcement, rumors about poor working conditions for the animators behind Whisper Me a Love Song circulated online via X in late May.
It’s worth noting that these allegations remain unconfirmed by the production team. However, the abrupt decision to air episode recaps and the uncertainty surrounding release dates lend credibility to these reports.
@/Patstar_1999, an X user, claimed production troubles dating back to AnimeJapan 2023 in March, where a promised trailer only resulted in a brief teaser.
In November 2023, the series premiere was pushed from January 2024 to April 2024, and director Cai Xinya was replaced by Akira Mano due to health reasons.
Since its April debut, Whisper Me a Love Song has faced criticism for animation errors, notably missing microphones in Episode 7’s concert scene.
@/Patstar_1999 attributed these errors to conflicting schedules and limited communication among two to four animators, leading to rushed production.
Outsourced studios, working within tight deadlines of 48-72 hours, further contributed to inconsistent quality and credited mistakes.
Despite the absence of official confirmation, concerns about Whisper Me a Love Song’s production linger. The sudden scheduling changes and previous delays fuel speculation about underlying issues within the production pipeline.
Fans, eager for clarity and improvements, await further developments regarding the series’ future and the welfare of its animators.
Whisper Me a Love Song Anime Staff’s Office Overnight Stays
According to a user on X, the entire team from Yokohama reportedly left the Whisper Me a Love Song project due to unfavorable working conditions.
Allegations include inconsistent team assignments from Episode 3 onwards, leading to uncredited work, mistreatment of staff, excessive overtime, and mandatory overnight stays in the office.
If substantiated, these claims highlight concerning practices within the anime industry, echoing similar issues faced by studios like MAPPA, known for Jujutsu Kaisen, and Shaft, associated with Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
Instances of animators experiencing high stress levels and pressure to meet deadlines are not uncommon within the industry.
A recent incident involved a prominent animator linked to Shaft, who was reportedly reduced to tears by stress and threats of being erased from the industry if work wasn’t completed on time.
These examples underscore the pervasive challenges faced by animation professionals, often exacerbated by tight production schedules and demanding work environments.
