The recent release of the film Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc It is an unstoppable financial success, especially because of the model with which its production was financed. With 7 weeks leading the top of films in Japan and breaking box office results in State United and Chorea, the animation studio tape Mappa has officially passed the $139 million (over 20 billion yen) globally and it is expected to achieve 200 million dollars. This figure already competes face to face with a proposal for HollyWord of high caliber and has even obtained better results than projects led by Disney, as is the case with Tron: Ares.
Even if we are honest, this is not the real news, it is just the tip of the iceberg of the real news of “because it is an unprecedented success”. What really is surprising is how the production of the tape was carried out, such a risky idea that it could put the financial stability of the studio at risk behind. Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc. The real novelty is that the studio of the anime was responsible for producing the film completely solo 100%, in a bet that the industry described as “suicide”.
this expert analysis Explain why Mappa He won this bet and how the turning point could be that finally breaks the model of “anime does not generate money” to the studios behind his production.
The old model of how to make anime: why it is not profitable
For decades, anime has been funded by famous “Production Committee” (製作委員会方式). In this model, it contemplates several companies (the publisher, some television network, some company that manufactures figures) who organize themselves to divide investment costs and risks.
- The problem (expert analysis): The animation studio (as Mappa) Despite doing 100% of the work, it is limited to being treated as a simple Subcontractor (下請け). Receive a fixed payment for animating the series, but if the anime is a global success (like Jujutsu Kaisen), the study does not see an extra cent of the earnings of Merchandise or box office. As he said himself CEO of Mappa, is a system where “study cannot win” and consequently generates that large anime studios are in a state that constantly threatens to declare bankruptcy.
MAPPA’s bet: lonely investment
Unlike what we were used to, as we mentioned above, the anime studio Mappa proposed to the publisher Shueisha finance 100% of Chainsaw Man. This means that Mappa He assumed 100% of the risk, but would also keep 100% of the profits.
- The initial “defeat” (industry analysis): Despite enjoying an overwhelming success in the West, revenues did not immediately reflect and in fact the franchise suffered great criticism and little sales in Japan. While we saw the franchise as a new Titan, in Japan they did not stop criticizing the series.
- The actual strategy (Demon Slayer Formula): Just when it seemed that everything was a failure, although in the end the production costs could be recovered, the CEO of Mappa, , Otsuka, decided to bet on something bigger that would really bring benefits. I was copying the strategy Demon Slayer When using the film (Reze Arc) as the true source of income. With a reported cost of 600-1 billion yen (4 to 6.5 million dollars), I managed to achieve a profit of 20 billion, meaning that Mappa won the overwhelming way.
didWhy do MAPPA earn so much money? Total control allowed quality
The most interesting thing about this strategy is that the solitary investment of the animation studio Mappa It was not just a financial move to secure more income; It was a creative strategy that will ensure great quality.
- Production Analysis: Being the only investor, Mappa He had total control. They were able to obsess over Details that a committee would have rejected for costly: the 12 endings of the first season of Chainsaw Man, an animation with large doses of action, and collaboration with Kenshi Yonezu for the theme “Iris out“.
- The Virtuous Circle: This obsessive quality generated the “word-of-mouth” (word-of-mouth). The quality was not luck; It was a direct investment of Mappa to protect your financial bet.
The movie is expected Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc Present a background that motivates more animation studies to change your business model to maximize your income and really see reflected a remuneration according to the hours and the quality of your work.
My verdict as an analyst is that this is a turning point. Mappa (along with Ufotable) is demonstrating that studies can take the risk, control quality and, finally, be the owners of their own success. They have shown that the study can stop being the employee and become the boss.
