MAPPA announced in a press release on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, that they will launch their third base in Osaka city, Japan which will specialize in CGI (Computer Generated Imagery). The Studio will be in charge of 6 departments namely-3DCG, background, finishing, shooting, editing, and design, and all digital works.

The installation location is not decided yet but it will be confirmed within this year. The company has also started recruiting CGI animators, production staff, and admin staff for the new studio.

The goal of the new base is to facilitate working with animators in Osaka and work together with MAPPA’s brand new Tokyo office as well as the studio’s Sendai facility, which also features a CGI department.

MAPPA’s Yusuke Tannawa, director and general manager of CGI department, and Keisuke Seshita, general manager of the second production department, both commented that the new studio will be set up for more remote work rather than working at the studio, allowing staff to live anywhere they wish rather than being confined to Tokyo.

“Since I am from Kansai, the establishment of this Osaka studio was my long-cherished desire. Many people from Kansai are also active in our company. 80% of the CGI department works from home, but due to the corporate culture employees have to come to the office sometimes, but this time, the decision to go to work is left to the individual. With the establishment of a new base, it will be possible to select a living area that suits their lifestyle in the future,” said Tannawa.

MAPPA Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio. “MAPPA” is an acronym for Maruyama Animation Produce Project Association.

The studio was founded on June 14, 2011, by Masao Maruyama, a co-founder and former producer of Madhouse, at the age of 70.

The studio has produced numerous popular anime works including Kids on the Slope, Terror in Resonance, Yuri!!! on Ice, In This Corner of the World, Zombieland Saga, Dororo, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Attack on Titan The Final Season.

Source: MAPPA press release, Animation Business Journal