Demon Slayer has been grabbing everyone’s attention through its fascinating animation. There has been no slowing down from Koyoharu Gotouge’s magnum opus. As the seasons progressed, the animation got better, and its popularity also increased. Ufotable did a great job with the animation, and fans are expecting more from them in the next season, which will take it one step toward the end.
While Ufotable has revolutionized the Japanese animation industry, MAPPA seems to have done the opposite. The MAPPA controversy was a massive issue in late 2023. The animation studio pressurized their employees to work for longer. With such problems, the animation should pay attention to what Demon Slayer producer had to say regarding the condition of animators.
Yuma Takashi Comments on Animators’ Well-Being
Demon Slayer producer Yuma Takashi gave an interview where he was asked several questions regarding the release of the Demon Slayer anime. There were several interesting questions, and Takashi answered them graciously. But there was a question surrounding the beautiful work done by Ufotable able how the company maintained its relationship with the animators.
During an interview, he said,
“We can’t ignore that the number one goal of the studio is to make the most entertaining and amazing-looking anime, but let’s be honest, the people working on these shows are only human. Please rest assured that they are taking breaks when they can, and Ufotable’s staff in particular are going about their work at a healthy pace. So please don’t worry about them too much, and feel free to enjoy the anime they create.”
Belonging to the safe industry, he was clear with his answer and laid down the basic rules for an animation studio to follow. The animators are the heart, and if the owners block it, it would ultimately lead to their demise.
Yuma Takashi’s answer had a lot of depth and cleared all the doubts surrounding the treatment of the animators. For beautiful animations, the animators need the best conditions to work under. Mental and physical health are equally important. Even though the animation studios are tasked to produce the best animations, the animators are still humans and need proper rest. MAPPA could have benefitted if it had listened to Yuma Takashi.
MAPPA Studios Became More Focused On Profit Maximising
Yuma Takashi’s comments were on par with the standards set by the animation studios. Following the success of Demon Slayer, it is clear that Ufotable provides an appreciable work-life balance alongside a better work environment than most animation studios. Demon Slayer is one of the few anime whose animation has become better with each season. Everyone remembers Uzui Tengei’s flashy fight sequences in season 2.
Unlike Demon Slayer, MAPPA is one of the few animation studios that has been suffering a lot recently. Due to the MAPPA controversy in the last few months, their reputation took a hit. Reportedly, animators were made to work under harsh conditions, and Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 suffered because of it. Takashi’s ideal condition for the animators could have prevented it from happening.
Demon Slayer has worldwide fame with its animation, and Ufotable is one of the main reasons for it. The animators are well-compensated, given leaves, and most importantly, they are allowed to focus on quality instead of quantity. MAPPA should take notes to improve the animation in Jujutsu Kaisen season 3.
