Nothing is looking good for MAPPA right now. The internet is already criticizing the animation studio for the way it’s treating its employees and now with Hakuto Sadamoto, Jujutsu Kaisen Director hospitalized with heart-related issues, the internet is firing up against MAPPA.
Now what really happened? Was MAPPA the complete cause? The director took to X(Twitt0er) to clarify any misconceptions. Continue reading to find out.
If you don’t know about the Mappa controvery and melt down at the renowed studio, read about it here!
Why is Jujutsu Kaisen Director Hospitalised
At around noon (22 November 2023) Hakuto took to X, telling his current condition after being admitted to hospital. He mentioned that his heart condition began to grow on him and that’s the reason he got himself admitted.
Hakuto whose recent work includes Episode 13 of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, apologized for ruining the masterpiece of the episode it was. While many understood that there was no time for them to work on it, he felt the need to apologize.
Today he tweeted out about his hospitalization and has been keeping his followers constantly updated on his current situation and some were quite disturbing for us. He expressed his current mental and emotional state as quite distressed.
死にたくねぇなあ
— 貞元北斗 Hokuto. S (@azureoekaki) November 21, 2023
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“It’s already too late, I don’t want to die”
A tweet said and his followers were shocked by it. Understanding the seriousness of his health condition, thousands sent their thoughts and wished for his health. Now this was only the starting. He started how he felt all these days and how he couldn’t get time to visit for a checkup.
Fans started to blame MAPPA, well that never actually stopped but this was a completely new reason now. What happened next outraged the fans. Just as he explained his work conditions and how he has to stay up during the night to meet the deadlines, he began to increase his caffeine consumption resulting in his heart getting slightly bloated. As soon as this news was out, X broke out pointing out MAPPA.
Not even a few minutes later, he tweeted out again saying that MAPPA is not the one to blame. “This look’s like a forced tweet” a fan tweeted, which many agreed. The tweet said this:
流石に俺の入院までMAPPAのせいみたいに言われるのは可哀想だな。
これに関しては100%自己責任。スケジュールと給料は確かにヤバだったけど、スケジュールが潤沢だったら病院行けたってわけでもないし……元から体調は悪い方だったからさっさと断ればよかっただけだし。— 貞元北斗 Hokuto. S (@azureoekaki) November 22, 2023
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“It’s pitiful that people are saying it’s MAPPA’s fault that I was hospitalized. I am 100% responsible for this. The schedule and salary were certainly crazy, but it’s not like I would’ve been able to go to the hospital if I had had a generous schedule…I was in poor health to begin with, so I should have turned down the appointment quickly.”
Although the director issued the above tweet saying it wasn’t MAPPA’s fault, he also mentioned that he was worried that he might lose his job. With his social status and fear of his job security, he was scared to take some time off to focus on his health. What happens next is still unknown. MAPPA is yet to make an official statement amid the ongoing accusations.
Will MAPPA Change Its Ways
Well for starters, everyone was against the working conditions of MAPPA, the latest issue only adds fuel to the fire. With MAPPA being silent on the issue and working behind the scenes, it isn’t helping them. With news getting like the animators from Attack on Titan being worked for almost 72 hours, and other disturbing news against the studios, it isn’t going well for them.
Right now, fans are urging episode director Hakuto to take care of himself and focus on his health rather than worrying about the current status of the episode.
Jujutsu Kaisen Will Not Be Delayed
Well for starters, they have reschedule not only the airing slots. They have to book slots again and if they cancel right now, the given slot will be empty resulting in a loss for both MAPPA and the channel. Not only this, but they have to postpone the schedule of Blu-ray release. Since it’s a dud move to do, MAPPA has no choice but to move forward.
MAPPA is not the only body behind decisions, since the animation board has big companies like TOHO and others. We all know that the big companies aren’t going to back out from profits, the negotiations will have to wait until the end of the season. In other words, MAPPA might be on the verge of disbanding.
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-Written by Rishwik Talluri
