Since its founding in 2011, the animation studio MAPPA has grown exponentially, becoming a benchmark within the anime industry, thanks to its innovative approach to production and licensing management, the studio has captured the attention of both domestic and international fans. And in a recent interview by Real Sound, with Hiroya Hasegawa, vice president of MAPPA, he shared his vision on the evolution of the studio, the importance of original projects and adaptations, and the opportunities it offers for young creators, as well as the problems in the anime industry.
Hiroya Hasegawa reveals how MAPPA has become a benchmark in the anime industry
In an exclusive interview conducted and published by Real Sound, Hiroya Hasegawa, vice president of MAPPA, shared his vision about the studio and its role in the anime industry. Since its founding in 2011, MAPPA has grown rapidly, becoming one of the most respected and watched studios both in Japan and internationally. Hasegawa, who is also a producer of works such as Oblivion Battery and the remake of Ranma 1/2, explained how he came to MAPPA and what makes this studio unique:
How did you come to MAPPA?
Hasegawa recalled that his arrival at MAPPA was thanks to a suggestion from director Shuhei Yabuta, with whom he worked on Vinland Saga. “When I left my previous company, Yabuta suggested that we work on the second season of Vinland Saga at MAPPA. Although I was hesitant at first, a meeting with the president, Manabu Ohtsuka, and Yabuta convinced me. MAPPA already handled an impressive volume of productions, and that appealed to me,” he explained.
What makes MAPPA different?
Hasegawa stressed that MAPPA offers many opportunities, especially for young people. “If you have an idea and the ability to appeal to people, you can take on producer or desk roles, even if you’re young. Also, there is a strong focus on how to excite fans, which is key to the whole process.” He also highlighted MAPPA’s unique structure, which includes marketing, events, distribution and promotion departments, allowing for comprehensive management of productions.
Original works vs. adaptations
Hasegawa explained the differences between original projects and adaptations. “In adaptations, a fan base already exists, and our job is to meet their expectations. In contrast, original works require clearly defining the target audience and attractive features. The most important thing is that the director’s vision is at the core of the project.”
The challenge of remakes
On the Ranma 1/2 remake, Hasegawa admitted that it was a big challenge. “We had to decide whether to use new actors or keep the original ones. The key thing was not to deny the original, but to respect it and find the right way to approach it.”
The problems facing the anime industry in modern times.
As for how the industry is doing as of today, he referred to it as follows: “There are many issues to address, not just at MAPPA, but one of them is that, unlike when we joined, the number of people who casually come into contact with animation has increased in recent years. And when they get involved in animation production, they often find that the world is different from what they had imagined.”
He also talked about how to solve this, “However, it’s no use actively appealing that animation is hard work,” Hasegawa continued, “and I’m thinking about how to fill this gap. In terms of work styles, I have the impression that there are more people in the production field who want to separate their work life from their private life and strike a balance between the two, more than before. I think it’s important for a company to take a stance where it doesn’t allow individuals to work in a way that prevents them from maintaining this balance.”
Quality and budget
Hasegawa also talked about how MAPPA handles quality and budget. “Not all projects need the same level of quality. The crucial thing is to align expectations with the production team. Manabu Ohtsuka and others constantly review quality to make sure that everything we release represents MAPPA well.”
The interview with Hiroya Hasegawa offered an insight into the inner workings of the studio, a studio that continues to innovate and set trends in the anime industry, its focus on quality, fan satisfaction and support for young talent positions it as one of the most important studios on the scene today.
Founded in 2011 by Masao Maruyama, MAPPA (Maruyama Animation Produce Project Association) is a Japanese animation studio recognized for its innovative approach and high production quality, over the years, it has gained prestige with titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Chainsaw Man and Vinland Saga Season 2. It is characterized by taking on ambitious projects, both adaptations of popular manga and original productions, its accelerated growth and its focus on marketing and distribution have made it one of the most important studios.
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