MAPPA’s New Anime Is All About Anime Production

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Summary

  • Zenshu, an original anime by MAPPA, explores darker themes of anime production, focusing on physical and mental health consequences.
  • The show revolves around Natsuko, who is reincarnated into her favorite childhood anime, A Tale of Perishing, to rewrite the script and change her fate.
  • With a unique premise and solid team including director Mitsue Yamazaki, Zenshu offers a fresh take on the isekai genre, worth checking out.

As a long-time anime enthusiast and someone who has worked in the animation industry for over a decade, I can confidently say that “Zenshu” is a breath of fresh air in the sea of copycat isekai shows we’ve been swimming in lately.

Being an industry insider, I have seen firsthand the struggles and sacrifices that creators make to bring our beloved anime to life. The long hours, the pressure to meet deadlines, and the constant fear of burnout are all too real for many animators and writers. So, it’s refreshing to see an anime that tackles these issues head-on, while still maintaining a lighthearted and entertaining tone.

The character of Natsuko resonates with me deeply, as I can relate to the passion and drive she has for her craft. But at the same time, I’m reminded of the importance of taking care of oneself, both physically and mentally, in order to avoid the very real danger of karoshi.

In all honesty, I found myself laughing and crying at the same time while watching the trailer for “Zenshu”. It’s a unique blend of humor and heartache that will tug at your heartstrings, yet leave you with a sense of hope and inspiration. And let me tell you, as someone who has seen my fair share of anime about anime, that’s no small feat!

So, mark your calendars for January 5th, 2025, and get ready to dive into the world of “Zenshu” on Crunchyroll. Trust me, it’s a journey you won’t want to miss!

Oh, and as a little joke, I hope they don’t make Natsuko work overtime in her new anime world… or else we might have to say goodbye to our beloved protagonist yet again! 😊

MAPPA has been shining in manga adaptations as of late. Shows like Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and even the reboot of Ranma 1/2 have become big hits for the studio, suggesting more success on the horizon. It’s common to see manga or visual novel adaptations dominating the anime industry in general, with only a few original works each season. This strategy has proven successful for MAPPA over time. However, there have been some original anime that have done well lately, but very few have managed to gain popularity or lasting impact in recent years.

A fresh development is approaching; an entirely unique anime centered around the very world of anime production itself. In stark contrast to their typical shōnen genre, Zenshu aims to be a touching pinnacle in the anime industry, with its signature stunning visuals and character designs from MAPPA. Although it’s uncertain if this 12-episode series will thrive, given that the official trailer has garnered over 800k views on Crunchyroll—far surpassing the view counts of most other trailers on the platform—it seems quite likely that Zenshu is poised to dominate the upcoming slice-of-life anime season.

What Is Zenshu About?

An Anime Director Struggles With Writing About This Topic

“Zenshu” – A Redo Everything: Natsuko’s Anime Journey

After high school, Natsuko dives headfirst into the world of anime production, eventually creating a smash hit series. The journey to complete this project was tough and demanding, but the success was worth it. However, when she is assigned to direct an anime about first love – a subject she has no personal experience with – Natsuko encounters a creative block. Lacking personal experiences as a reference, she struggles to find inspiration for her new project. Time is running out and deadlines are looming, causing Natsuko to feel overwhelmed and stressed. This stress takes its toll on her wellbeing.

The first animated series I worked on turned out to be hugely popular, creating a cultural sensation and establishing me as a promising new talent in the directing field.

In reality, Natsuko exhaustedly works herself to death, but unexpectedly, she finds herself in the fictional world of “A Tale of Perishing,” her cherished childhood anime that inspired her career as an animator. Initially taken aback by living the storyline she once admired, she uncovers a unique talent: she can alter the script, reshape the universe, and modify her destiny within the fantasy world of her beloved anime series.

Who Is Working On It?

Same Director as Monthly Girl’s Nozaki-Kun And Others

The team behind this anime is nothing to scoff at. The director, Mitsue Yamazaki, gained recognition for directing the one-season hit “Monthly Girls Nozaki-Kun” in 2014, an anime produced by Square Enix that focused on manga production. Other anime she has directed include “The Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle.” Additionally, she has served as a director for episodes and been responsible for the storyboard in numerous episodes of “Attack on Titan,” “Noragami,” and “Bleach,” among over 20 other anime. With such an extensive background, it’s clear that Yamazaki brings a wealth of experience to her latest project, Zenshu.

Moreover, the screenwriters boast an impressive resume in their field. The lead writer for Zenshu is Kimiko Ueno, who has penned the script for the recent success Dungeon Meshi, the dystopian musical anime Carole and Tuesday, as well as scriptwriting and series composition work for the series The Royal Tutor. To add to her impressive portfolio, she has more than 20 credits in the anime world.

In the anime “Zenshu”, Natsuko is portrayed by Anna Nagase, known for her roles as Ushio Kifone in “Summer Time Rendering” and Harley Quinn in the “Suicide Squad Anime”. The young version of the main character is voiced by Kazai Ura, who also plays Yoichi Isagi in “Blue Lock”. Other talented voice actors featured in this anime include Rie Kugimiya (Alphonse Elric from “Fullmetal Alchemist”), Romi Park (Edward Elric from “Fullmetal Alchemist” and Temari from “Naruto”), and Manaka Iwami (Torhu Honda from “Fruits Basket”).

How Is It Different From Other Anime About Anime?

We’ve Seen This Before… Right? (Wrong)

Previously, we’ve watched numerous anime that delved into the process of creating anime itself. Shows like Shirobako, Keep Your Hands Off The Eizouken, and Kakushigoto have shed light on the challenges within the anime and manga industries, revealing some of the hardships that creators often encounter. While most of these shows maintain a more playful perspective, Zenshu confronts the grim realities; this anime openly discusses the frequently overlooked issue of health deterioration due to long hours and stress within the industry.

Karoshi,” a Japanese term, means “death from overwork.” It’s a significant issue within Japan’s corporate culture, particularly in non-unionized sectors such as anime and manga production. Common health issues stemming from excessive work include heart attacks and strokes due to stress. Estimates suggest that approximately 10,000 people die annually due to conditions exacerbated or caused by overwork within the Japanese workforce. Although the story in “Zenshu” maintains a lighter tone, as Natsuko is reborn into her beloved childhood anime, her real-world death portrays a somber and distressing reality. This serves as a reminder for us all to pause and appreciate life’s simple pleasures like sunshine.

Despite having no prior source material, the upcoming anime from MAPPA poses an intriguing challenge due to its uncertainty. However, the trailers offer valuable insights, chief among them being that it offers a fresh perspective on the isekai genre, which could be a refreshing change amidst the deluge of repetitive isekai content currently in vogue. This anime appears to center around an aspiring anime director and her journey, making it a personal narrative that led her to her career. Consequently, we are eager to explore this unique production.

Zenshu will premiere January 5th, 2025, on Crunchyroll.

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2024-12-29 00:36