The Chainsaw Man saga is back in the spotlight, but this time not for its powerful story or animation. The controversy centers on a decision by MAPPA that has outraged much of the fandom: the removal of director Ryu Nakayama and his team from the official credits of the new compilation film, Chainsaw Man – The Compilation. This project, currently playing in Japanese theaters, revisits the events of the anime's first season, which premiered in October 2022.
What is Chainsaw Man – The Compilation?
This film adapts chapters 1 to 38 of the original manga and was released on Blu-ray and DVD between January and April 2023. It includes previously unreleased cuts and audio re-recordings, but the surprise feature is the complete absence of Ryu Nakayama and the original creative team responsible for the series. Only director Tatsuya Yoshihara and the current staff involved in the editing and adjustments for the film are acknowledged.
The Outrage of Fandom and Industry Professionals
The decision has sparked a wave of criticism, with many questioning the ethics behind the omission. Kazuomi Koga, renowned director of Uncle from Another World, expressed his concern on social media: "This shows that anime directors have no moral rights or integrity." The community rallied around the complaint, calling the move disrespectful to the original team that cemented Chainsaw Man's popularity.
MAPPA: A History of Labor Disputes
This controversy is not unrelated to the context of MAPPA, which had already been the subject of criticism during the production of the second season of Jujutsu Kaisen due to the harsh working conditions imposed on its animators. The decision to remove the original credits has only served to reinforce the image of a problematic work environment within the studio, generating even more distrust among fans and industry professionals. The reaction on social media has been overwhelming: The removal of Ryu Nakayama and his team raises a fundamental question: To what extent do they have the right to retain their credit on compilations or alternative versions of their works?
While some argue that the quality of the final product should be the sole criterion, others firmly defend the importance of recognizing the original work.
Silence and Uncertain Future
Tatsuya Yoshihara, now the only credited director for The Compilation, has remained relatively silent on the controversy so far. The future of Chainsaw Man and the trust placed in MAPPA are now under scrutiny.
What do you think? Do you think MAPPA made a mistake by removing Nakayama from the credits, or do you think it's valid to only credit the current team?
