A new trailer for an original anime work titled “ZENSHU“, produced by the studios MAPPAhas generated not only curiosity about the upcoming series but also many comments about its story and main character.
MAPPAthe anime studio behind “Jujutsu Kaisen“, “Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season” and “Chainsaw Man“, has been at the center of much controversy in recent months. Numerous animators have spoken publicly about the terrible working conditions during the production of the second season of “Jujutsu Kaisen.” While public protests had been seen before this, the studio drew particular attention for its labor practices in October 2023 and throughout the rest of the year. Workers accused MAPPA of drastically overloading its entertainers to the point of pushing them to their physical and mental limits.
Well-known figures in the industry, such as Vincent Chansard, who worked on the infamous episode 17 of the second season of “Jujutsu Kaisen,” said it was the last time he would work for the studio. Additionally, MAPPA’s December announcement of a “Jujutsu Kaisen” sequel was overshadowed by fans continuing to reference the studio’s brutal workloads.
Similar statements have seen a renewed resurgence after MAPPA released their trailer for the upcoming “ZENSHU,” which follows the main character Natsuko Hirose after she graduates from high school and begins working as a cheerleader.
Her natural “genius” talent soon allows her to advance up the career ladder and make her directorial debut, a romantic comedy film about first love. However, as someone who has never experienced love firsthand, Natsuko struggles to understand the concept and create a satisfying story, stalling the production of her supposed masterpiece. In the trailer, her character can be seen roughly ordering the animators working under her to “repeat everything” without providing any further instructions or guidance.
On Twitter, many responses to the trailer point out the irony of such a realistic anime project, with Japanese and English-speaking fans participating. «MAPPA told the animators: you can’t talk about your struggles on social media. They can talk through our new anime. Now go animate that damn thing», says one of these comments.
«An anime about MAPPA animators animated by MAPPA animators. It’s like a cry for help», says another. Other comments have been more forceful, including things like “Exploit your employees: the anime” and “How about you not overexploit your animators instead?», as well as the simple but direct «Shameful».
“ZENSHU” is being directed by Mitsue Yamazaki (director of Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun, episode director of Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Bleach and Mawaru Penguindrum), with the script written by Kimiko Ueno (Carole & Tuesday, Yurei Deco, Delicious in Dungeon). The series will feature character designs adapted by Kayoko Ishikawawho also serves as lead animation director (Sarazanmai, Maboroshi), with music composed by Yukari Hashimoto (Toradora!, March Comes in Like a Lion, Komi Can’t Communicate).
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