Mappa, the renowned anime studio behind hit series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Attack on Titan’s final season, has recently seen another significant departure from its ranks.
Makoto Kimura, a producer who has worked on numerous successful projects at Mappa, announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he is retiring from the studio to establish his own company, BLUE RIGHTS Co., Ltd.
In his announcement, Kimura expressed his determination to share Japan’s extraordinary culture with the world and create an environment that fosters happy creators.
MAPPAの役員を3月末で退任して独立しました！会社名は株式会社BLUE RIGHTSです！これまでやってきたアニメ、音楽、商品、イベント、催事、海外展開などなど！日本初の素晴らしいカルチャーを世界に届け、作り手が幸せになるスキームを再構築すべく頑張っていこうと思ってます！
— 木村誠 (@Kimu777) April 3, 2024
よろしくお願いします！ pic.twitter.com/IH4G9HuJSA
This move comes amidst ongoing rumors about the challenging working conditions at Mappa, despite the studio’s immense popularity among anime fans.
Kimura’s impressive portfolio at Mappa includes his work as a producer on the final season of Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Dororo, Hell’s Paradise, and Your Lie in April.
His departure marks another significant loss for the studio, as he joins a growing list of key staff members who have left Mappa in recent years.
Also Read: Studio MAPPA Anime Ranked From Worst To Best
Prominent staff members have been departing from Mappa for years now
In 2021, Sunghoo Park, the director of Jujutsu Kaisen season 1 and Tower of God, parted ways with Mappa to form his own studio. Similarly, Ryuu Nakayama, the director of Chainsaw Man season 1, left the studio in 2023 to pursue his own ventures.
These high-profile departures have raised concerns among fans and industry insiders about the working conditions at Mappa. For some time, animators have been vocal about the challenging environment at the studio, with some describing it as a difficult place to work.
What do you think about this latest development at Mappa Studio? Is this a significant setback for the studio, or will they be able to adapt and continue delivering the anime series that fans have come to love? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
