With its incredible work on series like Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, WIT Studio has made a name for itself as an important contender in the anime industry. Founded in 2012 as a subsidiary of I.G. Port, this studio has gained acclaim for handling projects with mature and intense plots. However, their track record with big franchises additionally presents cause for concern, particularly in light of the One Piece remake.
Needless to mention, both Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga anime adaptations were produced by WIT Studio, but later they were handed over to Studio MAPPA at a later phase. This pattern can pose significant challenges for a remake of One Piece, a series with an extensive storyline.
WIT Studio’s Problem with Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga
Attack on Titan, adapted by WIT Studio, is often considered one of the greatest works of modern animation. The studio skillfully combined intense action with emotional depth to bring Hajime Isayama‘s dark, dystopian universe to life. As one of the most highly regarded anime series ever, the first three seasons produced by WIT established a high bar for the rest of the series.
However, following the third season, production rights were handed over to another well-known studio, MAPPA. Although MAPPA has kept the series’ quality intact, many have taken issue with the series’ shift across studios. There were noteworthy differences in tone and visual style as a result of this transfer, which led to debates over which studio handled the series best.
Similarly, WIT Studio delivered another groundbreaking work through Vinland Saga, another popular series in 2019. But following the same pattern, the production rights of the series were handed over to MAPPA in 2023. This approach has led to noticeable shifts in tone, style, and pacing, particularly in long-running series where consistency is key to maintaining a cohesive narrative.
To fully analyze this pattern, it’s essential to examine the reasons behind their decisions to step away from Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga. According to the president of WIT Studio, George Wada, the studio’s original contract called for it to animate Attack on Titan‘s first season, with the choice to make more seasons depending on DVD sales.
Wada was unfortunately forced to reschedule other studio projects as a result of the delayed sales numbers. He has accepted responsibility for the result, admitting that it was difficult to proceed with such a demanding project given the studio’s tiny staff at the time and its limited resources. Attack on Titan was a prime example of this, with the second season premiering four years after the first due to an immense workload.
Potential Challenges for the One Piece Remake
The extent of One Piece is massive, both in terms of the storyline and the emotional commitment of its viewers. The plot of Eiichiro Oda‘s masterpiece has been developing for more than twenty years. In addition to preserving the spirit of the earlier narratives, a remake would also have to convey the darker and more complex ideas that arise later in the show.
WIT Studio is a great option for the upcoming One Piece remake because of its proven record of managing complex storytelling and delivering stunning visuals. But the history of the studio; focusing on a series for just a few seasons before handing it off to another studio indicates a possible problem. Although this pattern is quite common in the industry, One Piece might encounter difficulties with it.
The switch from WIT to a different studio can cause an abrupt shift in tone or style, especially if the series undergoes major story progress like Attack on Titan and possibly Vinland Saga. Any inconsistency has the potential to make things worse and sabotage the plot, especially considering the long-term dedication needed to properly portray One Piece.
You can watch Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga and One Piece on Crunchyroll.
