Ogawa Mizue revealed the problem through her Twitter account. (Credit : POSSA Magazine)

Never changed, animator got ‘abusive practice’ from Studio Madhous

Siti Fatimah Adri
Scandal
Investigations
Jun 21, 2019
2769
As if they hadn’t learned from the chaos before, Madhouse's animation studio was hit again by of over-exploitation problem to their employees. Previously, in April, they were caught doing unnatural and unpaid overtime work practices. This time, one of their freelance animators named Ogawa Mizue revealed the problem through her Twitter account.

Ogawa said that one of the studio production assistants with the initials ‘M’ said to her to keep working in the early hours (overtime). Ogawa then reminded about the problem that occurred in April and asked him to change the condition. But M said that the case was only a claim from the former production assistant. In other words, nothing will change.

Previously, on April 5, a Madhouse production assistant, who joined a trade union there, protested about unnatural overtime hours and no compensation.

Quoted from Japanese magazine, POSSE, he had to work in a duration of 393 hours a month without any overtime pay. This made him feel exploited by one of the famous animation studios in Japan. This unnamed assistant not only demanded compensation for unpaid overtime, but also apologized for the abuse of power he received.

Madhouse animation studio is one of the most popular animation studios in Japan. This studio was created in 1972 by Maruyama Masao, Dezaki Osamu, Rintaro, and Kawajiri Yoshiaki, where they were all former animators from Mushi Production, one of the most famous animation studios in Japan.

Madhouse is famous for their anime productions, such as Cardcaptor Sakura, Death Note, and One Punch Man Season 1. In addition there are also Ace of Diamond Act II, which are airing this season, Chihayafuru 3 and No Guns Life which will air next season.

Some residents who live near the company dub Madhouse as 'The Night Castle' because the electricity is always on until midnight. They also often see young people passing by to supermarkets near the company at midnight. They often look exhausted, but still work again in the morning.

Source: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2019-06-20/madhouse-abusive-practices-havent-changed-says-animator/.148031