Chainsaw Man fans have eagerly awaited news about a second season ever since the conclusion of Season 1. While the anime garnered some criticism for the studio’s heavy use of CGI, fans were excited to see the next installment and delve deeper into Makima’s role in the series.
Disappointingly, no new updates were provided during the Chainsaw Man Festival held in April 2023, leaving fans hopeful for an official announcement about the anime’s return.
However, with Studio MAPPA not meeting these expectations, viewers have started coming up with various theories to understand why the popular series appears to be sidelined for this season.
MAPPA Stage 2023 Let Down Chainsaw Man Fans with Official Merch Info Instead of Season 2 Updates
The Chainsaw Man MAPPA Stage 2023 primarily centered around a discussion panel with the main cast of the anime, which included Kikunosuke Toya (Denji), Ai Fairouz (Power), and Shougo Sakata (Aki).
They shared their favorite moments from Season 1. Unfortunately, Makima’s voice actor, Tomori Kusunoki, couldn’t join due to testing positive for COVID and feeling unwell.
As a special surprise, a giant Pochita made an appearance on stage as a guest during the Studio MAPPA event. The event also featured giveaways and promoted the sale of figurines and official merchandise available at online stores.
Why MAPPA Stage 2023 is Holding Off on Updates on Season 2
Chainsaw Man fans have been speculating about why Studio MAPPA has not yet confirmed a second season, with some even fearing the show might be canceled. One major concern stems from a recent interview with the CEO of Studio MAPPA, Manabu Otsuka.
In the interview, Otsuka mentioned that while the anime was financially successful, it didn’t have the same impact as other dark fantasy series, citing Jujutsu Kaisen as an example.
Otsuka explained that Chainsaw Man fell into a category where it gained viewership through distribution but didn’t sell as many DVD and Blu-ray packages. They are currently exploring ways to target a demographic willing to pay for Chainsaw Man content.
Another reason for the delay might be the mixed emotions among fans regarding the hyper-realistic animation style and extensive use of CGI, which gave the series a cinematic aesthetic.
This led to rumors that the MAPPA CEO is considering a change in the director for Chainsaw Man Season 1, potentially causing the delay in confirming the series.
Lastly, the workload on animators at Studio MAPPA has been extensive, with high-profile series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, Hell’s Paradise, and Vinland Saga in their lineup. This workload has led to concerns about the studio’s ability to handle multiple projects effectively.
Given the history of delayed updates from Studio MAPPA in the past, the absence of significant announcements for the upcoming season of Chainsaw Man at MAPPA Stage 2023 is not entirely surprising, especially coming just a few months after the completion of Season 1.
