MAPPA Removes Chainsaw Man Season 1 Director from Compilation Film Credits
The studio MAPPA is at the center of a new controversy. A compilation film of Chainsaw Man, currently screening in Japan and released to recap the anime’s first season, has sparked attention because viewers noticed that the studio removed the director, Ryū Nakayama, from the credits.
MAPPA Removes Chainsaw Man Season 1 Director from Compilation Film Credits
The controversy began after the premiere of Chainsaw Man – The Compilation, a two-part project that revisits the first season.
According to claims by director Kazuomi Koga, known for works like Uncle from Another World, MAPPA credited only the new animators and directors responsible for the project, erasing the work of Nakayama and the entire original team.
Director Kazuomi Koga commented on Twitter that, in addition to new cuts and re-recorded audio, Nakayama’s name was completely removed:
“This shows that the anime’s director has no moral or integrity rights. A studio that does not protect its directors cannot be trusted.”
For many fans, this move by MAPPA shows a lack of respect for the original work. Along with Nakayama, several animators who brought the 2022 anime to life were not recognized.
In the credits, only the new director, Tatsuya Yoshihara, and the team responsible for edits and adjustments for the films appear.
This is not the first time MAPPA has faced criticism. During the production of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, the studio was already accused of poor working conditions for animators, reinforcing its reputation for having a problematic environment.
Context of the Chainsaw Man Adaptation
The Chainsaw Man anime premiered on October 12, 2022, and was praised for its animation quality. However, many fans criticized the first season’s “almost live-action” approach, which toned down the manga’s exaggerated expressions and altered the tone of some performances. Physical media sales also fell below expectations.
Now, with the release of the Reze Arc film, Yoshihara has revealed that he intends to return to the manga’s original style, aiming for greater fidelity to Tatsuki Fujimoto’s compositions.