Over the past few hours, there has been an outpouring of distress and frustration from animators working on the popular anime series Jujutsu Kaisen. On Twitter, many of these overworked animators have been openly talking about the intense production pressures they are facing and the poor working conditions they are having to endure.
Specifically, the animators have revealed that despite their requests for a delay in order to catch up, the production committee overseeing the anime has refused to push back airing deadlines.
As a result, animation teams have to work right up until the last minute, with some episodes still incomplete just hours before they are set to be broadcast.
This refusal to accommodate a delay stems from the complex web of stakeholders that make up the production committee, which includes major players like TOHO and Shueisha.
Unless a majority of these stakeholders vote in favor of a delay, the intense production schedule continues unchecked.
Furthermore, from a business perspective, delays can be costly in terms of reworking marketing plans, securing airing slots, rescheduling Blu-Ray releases, and more.
So in short, even though overworked animators are begging for more time, the financial and logistical factors involved in an anime production are stacked against allowing any breathing room in the schedule.
The animators airing their grievances publicly on social media reflects their lack of agency in a system that places business interests first.
JJK Animators Face Challenging Year Despite Criticism
Chainsaw Man fans have cause to celebrate as MAPPA announced a new anime film entering production on Sunday. Titled “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc,” this follows season 1’s conclusion, chronicling Denji’s encounters with the enigmatic Reze after the Katana Man arc.
However, this exciting news comes even as the very same MAPPA animators working on Jujutsu Kaisen face tremendous production crunches.
Despite desperate pleas from overworked staff for schedule delays, the Jujutsu Kaisen production committee has denied any changes. With another cour for Jujutsu Kaisen slated in 2023, these animators face yet another punishing year ahead.
In contrast, MAPPA steams forward in expanding the Chainsaw Man anime universe to build on season 1’s popularity.
While no official release date has yet been unveiled, more details about the Reze Arc film will likely emerge later in 2023. So at the same time, Jujutsu Kaisen creatives brace for an uphill struggle, Chainsaw Man offers a bright spot, hinting at MAPPA’s growing adaptation ambitions.
The irony is that the same MAPPA animators tasked with realizing the highly-anticipated Chainsaw Man film will continue shouldering extreme pressures on Jujutsu Kaisen.
This illustrates how even within a single studio, some productions flourish as others wring staff dry. Still, MAPPA charges ahead on both fronts, with Jujutsu Kaisen animators paying the price for the studio’s burgeoning adaptation slate.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 in Production Amidst Rising Pressure on MAPPA’s Animators
With Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 having just wrapped, MAPPA has wasted no time in confirming season 3 is now in production.
This next installment promises to adapt the hugely popular Culling Game arc from the manga for anime fans. However, a specific release window is still under wraps.
This announcement comes on the heels of season 2’s epic finale that brought the chaotic Shibuya Incident arc to a fitting close.
And in a post-credits scene hinting at future events, an homage to Yuta appeared to tease what’s to come next.
But while anticipation builds for season 3, this positive news is tempered by the ongoing production crunch faced by MAPPA’s overworked Jujutsu Kaisen animators.
Despite desperate pleas from the same staff tasked with realizing season 3 for schedule delays, the production committee has denied any changes.
With another intense cour now in the pipeline, these animators face increasingly demanding workloads to keep pace with the anime’s runaway success.
So at the very moment MAPPA rides high on growing hype for the next phase of the anime, the animators bringing Jujutsu Kaisen to life must continue struggling under extreme pressures.
As the studio expands the franchise to capitalize on its popularity, the human toll for animators goes overlooked. For these creatives, season 3 marks not a new beginning but the extension of a crushing status quo.
