One of the best animators of 2023 will never work with MAPPA again after Jujutsu Kaisen

The maestro behind some of the most dazzling animations in 2023, veteran animator Vincent Chansard, has declared a resolute sayonara to MAPPA Studios, marking a significant turning point in the ongoing controversy surrounding the treatment of animators within the industry.

What

Recognised for his exceptional work on anime classics such as Boruto and Fate/Grand Order, as well as his pivotal role in animating the Wano arc of One Piece, the seasoned French animator took to social media to declare his decision never to collaborate with MAPPA again.

The timing of Chansard's announcement is crucial, given that he had just delivered some of the most captivating animations of 2023 in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2. 

READ MORE: Jujutsu Kaisen just dropped ‘Episode of the Year’ but animator burnout might cancel rest of the season

Episodes such as Satoru Gojo vs Toji Fushiguro, Ryomen Sukunu vs Jogo as well as the latest Ryomen Sukuna vs Mahoraga had garnered widespread acclaim for their fluidity and visual brilliance.

SUKUNA VS MAHORAGA FULL FIGHT

THANK YOU JJK TEAM ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6fcUOmInfS

— Jujutsu Kaisen (@JJKcontents) November 16, 2023

However, amidst this praise, a discernible dip in animation quality in certain episodes raised eyebrows and set the stage for the unfolding drama involving MAPPA Studios.

Chansard breaks silence

Chansard's hiatus from X (formerly Twitter) spanned two months, with his last notable contribution being the conclusion of the epic Luffy vs Kaido showdown in One Piece's Wano arc in September. 

I did a small sequence on today's episode of One Piece directed by Michibata-san.
Shigetsugu-san did the storyboard and AD of the part I was on, he had a lot of very inspiring ideas.
We were also able to depend on Shiraishi-san's help once again! pic.twitter.com/YecbGJ17zt

— Chansard Vincent (@Sparkleredpanda) September 3, 2023

His return to the platform, marked by a candid revelation and coupled with his contemplation of sharing raw drafts of his Mahoraga paintings, hinted at the underlying discontent with MAPPA's working conditions.

2 years ago i said iwould never work for mappa again. Hakuyu Go-san was the only one who made me reconsider,but this was the last time. Will see if i get permission to post genga. Here are some photos i took when i was working on the cut of mahoraga in the pool
Watercolor+colorex pic.twitter.com/LTZMg47Y8L

— Chansard Vincent (@Sparkleredpanda) November 16, 2023

Chansard disclosed that a couple of years prior, he had vowed never to work with MAPPA again, a promise he had reluctantly reconsidered upon the request of Hakuyu Go - the director of Jujutsu Kaisen. This time, however, he declared it to be the final straw.

A stalwart in the animation industry, Chansard's portfolio boasts iconic scenes such as Monkey D Luffy vs Kaido and Big Mom vs Trafalgar D Water Law and Eustass Captain Kidd in One Piece. 

TVアニメ『#ONEPIECE』
9月17(日)朝9:30より放送
第1076話「ルフィの目指す世界」

ルフィVSカイドウの戦い
いよいよ決着🔥

第1074話よりChansard Vincentさん
（@Sparkleredpanda）の原撮を特別公開‼️

配信中の過去話もぜひチェックしてください👀https://t.co/9bfnkxSu7O pic.twitter.com/XuQ9a1FPRk

— ONE PIECE.com(ワンピース) (@OPcom_info) September 15, 2023

ALSO READ: How Hanuman inspired Luffy’s Gear 5 in One Piece

His decision to sever ties with MAPPA is not merely a personal stance but serves as a poignant commentary on the wider issues afflicting animators within the industry. The move echoes the sentiments of other animators who have expressed concerns about MAPPA's labour practices.

a while back when gear5 debuted, I watched a vincent chansard one piece interview on mont corvo channel. After I finished it I made short edits of parts of the interview that I really liked. One of which was the workplace segments they showed, vincent was cooking! pic.twitter.com/Zn03yCInwP

— itmorph (@itmorph1) November 15, 2023

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 17, in which Chansard was a key animator, became a focal point for his grievances. He publicly decried the working conditions, citing a coercive atmosphere that compelled animators to meet stringent deadlines. 

Here's my genga for JJK 41.
Managed to find a bit of time in between french work and my return to Toei to help a bit my King Hakuyu Go-san.
Sakkan Hakuyu-go
Thanks also to Lise legier, they did all the end frames of Mahoraga in the cut where he is falling down while being cut pic.twitter.com/lvuvmA3KGe

— Chansard Vincent (@Sparkleredpanda) November 19, 2023

Chansard's revelations amplify the ongoing chorus of discontent surrounding MAPPA Studios. The studio, despite receiving accolades for its handling of the Attack on Titan finale on short notice, now finds itself at the epicentre of a storm of allegations.

READ MORE: Attack on Titan may be ending, but the rumbling continues for overworked MAPPA animators 

Animators, including Chansard and Hokuto Sadamoto, have publicly aired grievances about excessive overtime and the untenable demand for a massive number of animation cuts within unreasonably tight timeframes.

The broader implications of Chansard's departure from MAPPA Studios cast a shadow over the future of projects like Jujutsu Kaisen. The question looms large: Can MAPPA right its animated ship, or will it face a filler arc of talent departures and dwindling project enthusiasm?