MAPPA: A Tale of Criticism, Crunch... and Hope? ft @animangasis

Summary

The video script delves into the evolution of MAPPA, a leading Japanese animation studio, highlighting its rapid growth and impact on the anime industry. It explores the studio's challenges, including financial struggles, tight deadlines, and poor working conditions that have affected employees. The script also discusses the broader industry issues, such as production committees' influence and the need for sustainable practices to ensure quality and support for animators, concluding with a call for recognition and improvement in the industry.

Takeaways

• 🎨 MAPPA's rapid growth since its inception in 2011 reflects the studio's commitment to high-quality animation and innovation in the anime industry.
• 📚 The studio was founded by Masayo Maruyama, who was also a co-founder of Madhouse, and was created in response to Madhouse's financial struggles.
• 🌟 MAPPA's breakthrough hit 'Yuri on Ice' gained international popularity, highlighting the studio's ability to produce globally successful anime.
• 🕊️ Despite success, MAPPA's work environment has been criticized, with reports of tight deadlines, poor working conditions, and low pay for animators.
• 📈 The increase in MAPPA's size and number of projects has led to a reliance on freelance animators and outsourcing, which is unsustainable and stressful for employees.
• 💼 Production committees, which fund anime projects, often prioritize low investment and quick returns, leading to constraints on the studio's management and creative freedom.
• 💰 Low pay for animators is a significant issue, with some receiving as little as 3,800 to 7,000 yen per cut, affecting the quality of work and animator retention.
• 🛠️ The lack of proper training and development for in-house animators, coupled with a focus on meeting deadlines, results in a cycle of constant rework and dissatisfaction.
• 🚫 MAPPA's management has been criticized for not addressing the issues raised by employees, leading to a lack of trust and a negative work culture.
• 🌐 The global success of anime and the influx of investors, including China, is changing the landscape of the industry, with potential implications for production practices and quality.
• 🏗️ MAPPA has made efforts to improve the workplace environment, such as creating a studio annex, but challenges remain in balancing production demands with employee well-being.

Q & A

What is the significance of MAPPA's establishment in the anime industry?

MAPPA's establishment is significant as it quickly became a notable force in the anime industry, reflecting innovation and dedication to high-quality animation. It was founded by Masayo Maruyama, who was also a co-founder of Madhouse, another renowned anime studio.

Why was MAPPA created by Masayo Maruyama?

MAPPA was created because Madhouse, where Maruyama was a co-founder and producer, was facing financial difficulties that hindered his plans to produce a movie called 'In This Corner of the World.' He believed moving to a new studio would provide the opportunity to work on the film.

What was MAPPA's first debut work and when did it air?

MAPPA's first debut work was an adaptation of the manga 'Kids on Slope,' which aired from April to June of 2012.

How did Yuri on Ice contribute to MAPPA's success?

Yuri on Ice was a breakthrough hit for MAPPA in 2016, gaining not only popularity in Japan but also becoming an international sensation, with its theme song being widely recognized and appreciated.

What changes in the work environment did MAPPA's employees start to notice after the studio's success?

After MAPPA's success, employees began to notice tighter deadlines and less than ideal working conditions, indicating a shift in the studio's work environment.

What is a production committee in the context of anime production?

A production committee is a group of companies that fund an anime project. The studio making the anime often holds little to no stake in the committee, which can lead to issues such as lack of control over their own projects.

How has the increase in MAPPA's size and number of ongoing projects affected its operations?

The increase in size and projects has led to a reliance on freelance animators and outsourcing, which is unsustainable and puts additional strain on employees, affecting the quality of work and working conditions.

What are the implications of low pay for MAPPA's animators?

Low pay for animators at MAPPA, especially when working on high-profile projects like those with Netflix, leads to dissatisfaction and challenges in maintaining a motivated and skilled workforce.

Why did MAPPA's director Ryu Nakayama leave to create his own studio?

Ryu Nakayama left MAPPA to create his own studio with the aim of building a better working environment free from harassment and unnecessary stress, with financial and time stability, indicating dissatisfaction with MAPPA's work conditions.

How did the production of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 highlight issues within MAPPA?

The production of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 brought to light issues such as impossible deadlines, low pay, and poor working conditions, as animators expressed their frustration on social media and requested improvements.

What steps has MAPPA taken to improve the workplace environment and animator retention?

MAPPA has made efforts to improve the workplace environment by creating a studio annex building equipped with quality drawing tools and an animator's village, and has increased pay for full-time animators to be more competitive with industry standards.

What is the broader context of the anime industry's impact on its workers?

The anime industry as a whole faces issues such as poor working conditions, tight deadlines, and low pay, which affect the well-being of its workers and the quality of the final product. Studios like Kyoto Animation are highlighted as exceptions with better practices.