Interviewing Jujutsu Kaisen Animator on MAPPA Meltdown

[@Yiman]

Catch me and Licree reacting to Ep. 1 of Kaiju No. 8: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iInFmWWNp8ypf5o

[@ActuallySatan6]

It was eye opening and inspiring knowing a personal story of a animator.

[@Yiman]

yup, its good sometimes to hear directly from the source of what its like working for mappa

[@Woodsaras]

She sounds completely American. So how the fk shes relevant about japanese animation, culture? Americans are fkng need to stop crying over this subject, makes me nauseous.

[@MistyTheCat-n9j]

EYE opening?

[@lorenzpehlingjr.5922]

I am an old man of 79 who spends a loooottt of time watching Anime and a big fan of many story telling aspects of it. I had to make note of how great Yiman's output. This interview was so great, both how impressive Licree is and since the only Japanese I know is my sister in-law, so thank you for hearing English and being able to understand all the explanations. Wow it is like as much as I enjoy Anime you have opened up my little world.

[@-lord1754]

A nearly 80 year old man loving anime is extremely wholesome. You are awesome

[@littleantukins4415]

Nice to see old folks liking anime

[@culsud]

@@-lord1754 whats so surprising?

[@Cookie_Joe]

@@culsud what's surprising is that it's uncommon for old people to watch anime since it is not the usual target audience. Yet here we have an 80 year old gentleman :)

[@ffenixrising]

@@Cookie_Joe It's really not that uncommon for 40, 50, 60+ year old people that watches anime. We just seldom reveal our age and love for anime on the Internet.

[@nicole-ruggiero]

Omg Li Cree's comments at the end were so beautiful. I love her enthusiasm and passion. I'm a 3D animator, not a 2D animator, but likewise always had the obsession since I was young but never the resources. I'm in a professional position now but it's still difficult at times to gain visibility and traction. Hearing her experience was really encouraging and I related to all the industry ups and downs as well. Thank you two for this video.

[@DareToEntertain]

What an amazing interview. So much just insane information here. As a huge Jujutsu Kaisen fan to hear from an animator on the process is just so eye opening.

[@afujimoto3843]

It is true that the cost of living in Japan is much more reasonable than the US (speaking as someone who has lived in both countries). Japan has socialized health care and a (slowly dwindling) pension system, both of which are automatically deducted from your earnings. However, even in Japan it's fairly well-known that the animation industry pays crap, and it's a field that only people who are passionate for anime/art/animation will get into. But in light of the recent scandal regarding MAPPA's exceptionally brutal working conditions (even by industry standards), there has been some discussion on what can be done to force Japanese animation studios to raise their wages (unionizing, government subsidies, etc.).

[@martsuha]

Wow what a fantastic interview! I was always really intrigued by the production pipeline in anime and having artist lil Li Cree on social media and being open to interviews like this really open your eyes in getting a better idea of what it's like. The working conditions, the passion, the process, and everything! I'll be graduating in animation this semester and I've heard from a lot of peers that unfortunately the animation industry is dry on jobs rn. But, I still aspire to create art and add better pieces to my portfolio in the hopes to break it into the industry and work on fun stuff like this one day!

[@SanguchitoPapa]

YEAAAAAAAAAAAH, i need more animation videos. loved this

[@Yiman]

appreciate the love! I hope you got some value form it

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

I'm new to your channel . Are you Chinese, Korean or Japanese ?

[@dbantr4071]

Nice video! I love interviews like this and hope there will be more of it on your channel!

[@konojereda1993]

Great interview! Really inspiring to hear Li Cree talk about powering through that production and still come out with lots of positivity and motivation

[@kausthita11]

Just completed this whole thing, and this was great!!!

[@Yiman]

haha this might of been my longest vid ive dropped, thanks for the love like always!

[@henoji777]

Wow excellent interview! Great questions asked an maddd props to Li.cree for learning that level of japanese + technical ability in the arts on their own. Also liked the takeaway of some hope for the future that anime studios are now reaching out to foreigners, so hopefully there'll be a slow opening to workflows from other cultures that will make the industry healthier. Good luck on the potential director position!

[@ScribblemouseScribbles]

That video was really good! I clicked on it with a pit in my stomach back when it was released (There was so many negative and bad things coming out about Anime, I was starting to feel guilty watching them). But it was very elucidating and really looking forward to the part 2 (if it ever comes out, I can understand with the stress of part 1 that it will never be released.. but still I have hopes.)

[@montenegroafro4454]

It’s quite a coincidence Li’s working in the Lazarus anime because that is on my most anticipated anime that I am desperately waiting to see. From the trailer’s animation and MUSIC…I play that at least 3 times a day because it’s that beautiful, really!

[@julian-bf5uz]

such a good interview!! i learned so much from Li Cree's insight on the industry and it was so meaningful to hear directly from a professional animator. every time i think of the original avatar i wonder how it must have been made, that show was ahead of its time for american animation fr. and frieren is gorgeouss i loved just listening to her responses cuz i felt her energy and honesty throughout the different arcs, if you will, of the interview?!! overall just really enjoyed this kind of video and i feel inspired to show support in more places bc animation is one of my fav things ever

[@Ax3l_Art]

Great Interview! very insightful and great questions :D

[@potatotatotatotatoes]

no way! need to check more of cree's work

[@smokeback]

This is great interview and insight into anime production

[@ivorydragon]

Can confirm, would work for peanuts just cuz I like the work itself. Trying to break out of this stupid habit. This was really informative, thank you for hosting this interview. I've been curious about the freelance side of things for ages especially since I've always been too scared or self conscious about going freelance. Between just not having enough skill at the moment and not knowing how to read communicate in japanese- yeah it's scary to make that transition.

[@nikugrill]

good interview but also i wanted to say the animation union in america doesnt cover the whole country unfortunately it mostly applies to studios in burbank/california. recently titmouse’s ny studio only recently unionized in the past few years and i dont think theyre part of TAG

[@licree]

Yes this was my mistake and didn't correct in the interview! Only within the past few months TAG has become a nationalized union in America so now other studios outside of California (Burbank specific) are able to join if they so choose to unionize. In fact, out of state studios like Powerhouse (Texas) have been able to join the union so hopefully more studios like Titmouse NY can join respectfully and receive the same benefits like the Burbank counterparts. TAG's nationalized status is still very new so it's going to take some time it to go in effect to cover more studios.

[@neonbvde2234]

Really good vid thanks 🙏

[@Honey_Storm]

wow its nice to find a interview on this topic!

[@snowqueen_8958]

Insightful 😮

[@theplaguedoctor6271]

S2 was better animated than S1

[@itsblitz4437]

Truly movie 🎥 Quality.

[@enjoyereheheh]

Truly nah I'd win moment

[@karc4]

Not only better animated but also more cohesive

[@Thundeclap]

Bro chose to spitting facts

[@KillerTacos54]

No doubt

[@vonmusel6158]

Wish all the animators to find happiness, fair pay and reasonable working conditions

[@O_Amaral]

Would like more videos like this in view of a working animation in big projects, would like to know if Europe artist have any chance of working for Japan/Usa industry’s

[@jbtrimar]

I always tell people to watch Shirobako to understand how things work behind the scenes.

[@WIDOMU]

I can't believe I misread the Mappa on the tumbnail as MatPat.

[@DimiArt]

ahh i visited Li Cree's youtube channel not knowing that i've been subbed to her for years.

[@almondy24]

at like 14:30 aren't you asking if she voiced her concern when okubo first asked her in dms? she started explaining why she couldnt say anything DURING production which makes sense why but im more curious about the first question. Was it just a "yes ill do it" then or "ill do it but what should my expectations be, what is production like" etc, was what he said match with what happened?

[@RexMadson2.0]

122 mins, one video

[@uc1gfhq6VgL7WVWuUJRT]

17 dollars for 8 hours of work is insane

[@snudoooftheweafwings2707]

I just watched her video about talking about working on Jjk season 2

[@SmthPositive_]

Can you make a video about how shaft has been treating their staff?

[@RecordToDeathToBoredom]

How they animated Avatar was because of Korean animators and I believe there should be some Japanese ones too. But it's just like Batman the animated series and other cartoons in similar states. Still really impressive for its time though. Superhero shows got all the skilled animators, but Avatar definitely did something unique that I don't think has been replicated to this day. Korra should be it, but I honestly can't remember clearly. I'm sure it was it though.

[@101touchapps]

If you sit for long hours, her chair is the best thing that can happen to your back

[@alexmehler6765]

29:00 is the info from the thumbnail .. 17$ for 8 hours of work

[@krono5el]

Im so jealous of that jacket : D

[@ed0s245]

What's that eva jacket she's wearing and where can i get it???

[@Raff-Yuku]

How much do they pay for Sakuga Animator like Yutaka nakamura ,vercreek, vincent ...?

[@almondy24]

how was 2006 the height of pokemon craze... the mania for it was when it first came here late 90s/early 00s

[@wiiwii8885]

1:42:19 Spiderman show?

[@shayoko6]

why the title change?

[@cryptorial]

Where did you get the background you're using

[@morrning_group]

🌟 Wow, thank you so much for this amazing interview! 🙌🎨 It was incredibly inspiring to hear about your journey from childhood inspiration to working on high-profile anime. Your dedication, hard work, and passion truly shine through in every word you shared. 😊👏 Now, as an aspiring animator, I would love to ask you: What advice do you have for someone starting out in the animation industry, especially in terms of building a good reputation and seizing opportunities? 🚀✨

[@AnastasijaSladojevic]

Off topic but why does the man have so glass clear skin

[@seaayareteeeearezedejayohe1401]

Oil up before an interview 🥶

[@johnbandadesigns4605]

what's her art station or IG? I can't seem to see it

[@m.j.mcintear793]

If animators are the ones making it all happen why not just make it on their own? Sorry if its that kind of question but I'm willing to boot strap to make 100%. I want people to be able to be paid what they are worth. Also whats 3d layouts?

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

Japanese Studios: "Wait, we've exploiting our own animators so much it's like drawing blood from a stone now. OH, WAIT! We've got weebs from around the world that we can exploit!"

[@lastnamefirstname8655]

nice!

[@Quanxiayase]

Animated better than s1 Jujutsu best anime 💙

[@Edward_Ardy4671]

$20 for a 10 second cut? Idk but is that high or low

[@andyzhang7890]

Not sure if this is the norm in Japan but that is miserably low… To put it in perspective, that’s like working for a couple cents or a dollar or two at most an hour- 10 secs should be around 12 frames (individual drawings you have to sketch, shade, and clean/line) per second x 10 would be $20 for however long it takes to draw 120 finished line drawings- For references in Toronto Canada, my weekly quota in my animation studio back in 2019 was ~30 secs a week and my weekly salary was around $1K

[@famimame]

very low, not sure this is common for 2D animator because I left 2D long time ago but I do know some 3D freelance job pays around $10 per second where I am.

[@koppii2]

very low, I can make something that's not as great as they do in just a frame and make 30 USD

[@MEMEMEME-dl8ii]

1sec is like 24 frames of drawing that means 10sec will be 240 frames

[@WieldMyWord]

@@andyzhang7890 they don't do the full process in those frame, depending on how its done you have cleanup artist, etc. Some just sketch 12 frames and probably add lineart to it, but colors and shading might be done by another artist. Still its crazy low payment

[@mrstroodle4717]

THE SPIDER-MAN SHOW SHE IS TALKING ABOUT IS CALLED YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOORHOOD SPIDER-MAN

[@decentmortal3789]

timestamp?

[@mrstroodle4717]

@@decentmortal3789 1:42:15

[@hollowedboi5937]

I'm glad to learn that people working internationally works both ways, as an American things can get pretty skewed and echo chamber-y if you don't look hard enough

[@XAVIERCUERVO]

take a shot of tequila every time she says ''like '''

[@WildVoltorb]

You must be fun at parties

[@freaky_sugar]

​@WildVoltorb I mean yeah if he's drinking that much tequila

[@Mcng2343]

an American does not include the working conditions of Japanese animators

[@HiHi-oc3gh]

It doesn’t but she’s still a JJK animator. Not once do they say they know what the in-house Japanese animators are going through. At most it’s “if I’m going through this, how bad is it in Japan?”

[@anzzy]

​@@HiHi-oc3ghshe's a freelancer hired from internet, her condition is by default worse than the staff member in studio. Her main complaint is she's not paid hourly (what?!) in a field that is strictly aimed at a concrete result.

[@HiHi-oc3gh]

@@anzzy her main complaint isn’t that she’s paid by cut (which is bad and why she said pay them hourly or per second), it’s a complaint but not her main one. Her main complaint is too much work in such little time. She was asked to do stuff a week before the airing date (which means everyone after her has less time) and she has a 24h deadline. Mappa’s schedule was managed so poorly she was over the deadline because she hadn’t yet received the necessary materials to proceed on her work. THATS her main complaint. It seem like you hadn’t actually listened to the interview and only just want to argue for the sake of arguing. Side note: what does this have to do with my original comment?

[@anzzy]

@HiHi-oc3gh she is a freelancer. They get paid on a piece-work basis. Period. Want hour pay? Get a staff job that requires you to be somewhere for the set amount of time. I mean some people draw fast and some twice as long but the later should be paid twice as much? Huh? JJK schedule was a mess and that's not the norm, it's a big deviation from the norm. The problems grow like a snow ball, no wonder there. If they are not stupid, considering labour deficit, they'll put the competent people in charge next time and try to attract animators with better conditions. But the single fact that she's even mentions hour-pay and being unsatisfied in California (!) by the average freelance payment from a Japanese studio... it's a laughable lack of self awareness.

[@Ekaroth]

@@anzzy Do you have.. some kind of grudge against freelancers? Shes a freelancer, doesnt mean shes less of an animator.

[@Jays_SketchPad]

She's from jersey!! Aye!

[@1brownhornet1]

16.50 wow

[@sagathekawaiikilla]

You should at least be getting 1000$ if u do more than 5 mins Anything less than 1 min at least 500$ for Christ sake LET THEM SURVIVE!!!!

[@annaroselarsen4218]

Ohh a nice chunky video!

[@-Medley-]

not being paid per hour is good for he animation industry AND you cant change my mind!

[@HiHi-oc3gh]

You’d rather them be paid breadcrumbs per cut? Anything other than cut is infinitely better. Per second? Yup. Per hour? Yup.

[@MEMEMEME-dl8ii]

I think American animator are already as good as Japanese animators because Castlevania is a American animation and have stunning animation

[@kingmanga8575]

ATP with how much freelancing is a thing in animation a lot of American artists work on anime now and vice versa. A lot of American animation is made overseas in places like South Korea. I don’t think American animation was ever necessarily worse they just have different goals/ focuses.

[@Jai_dinn]

w

[@animosity3771]

bro chose to be a slave again

[@jesus2639]

Way too long for my tiktok brain

[@aaaaaaaaaaaa9023]

Supply and demand. A lot of available animators. It's just pure capitalism. Why pay animators for more, if they can get them for cheap? Theres so many of them and theyre desperate for a salary, so if they quit, mappa can easily replace them.

[@soranin9017]

I hope you can see how that’s an inhumane line of thinking…

[@Sammysapphira]

@@soranin9017 If animators needed to be paid more, they wouldn't be taking the job paying them such low amounts. This is how all work works.

[@soranin9017]

@@Sammysapphira That logic is actually laughable bro LOL. You realize theres an animator shortage in japan right? Many quit after the first 3 years. They aren't taking jobs. Labor laws exist for a reason dude, people deserve to be paid adequately. Especially when the work that you do is a SKILL that takes years to acquire.

[@booboes0141]

@@Sammysapphirar u slow

[@blasianking4827]

@@SammysapphiraPeople need to make money to live; lots of people do not choose their work. You are either an idiot or privileged.

[@PARadoX_biXi]

Jjk s2 sucks 😢😢😢

[@GamerLegend223]

Why

[@solo4705]

simple then just don't animate and go work a normal job if u don't appericate the pay its not very difficult what did u expect ur replaceable

[@HiHi-oc3gh]

The majority of people are replaceable, you definitely are replaceable. So what if they are? Doesn’t mean that they can’t want good working conditions. Construction workers are replaceable but doesn’t mean they should be forced to work in poor conditions. Also, Mappa is an outlier in the industry, most animators are underpaid and overworked but this is over the top. Suggesting that they go into a different line of work isn’t gonna help. They don’t hate their job, they just don’t like the conditions they’re working in

[@solo4705]

to bad@@HiHi-oc3gh

[@xen0076]

the whole shibuya arc's animation was straight dodo

[@beholdenpie]

?????

[@imtrash2812]

first thing u sigh for it then u work for it, no one force u to sign . . . . it's all ur fault letting ppl treat u badly, it's funny that she accept to work for mappa just because there's some one she really look up to . . . .

[@booboes0141]

dumb ahh comment

[@Captain_Kid]

Your interview style is so blah…