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The role of an animator is one of the most underrated jobs in producing an anime. The animator does most of the work of translating the story into a creatively designed flow of animations, making it look more pleasing and enticing. However, when this same creativity is used for designing adult content and s*xual parodies, it can spark a lot of controversy.
This was seen recently when a key animator who has officially worked on many prominent anime series likeOne Piecechose to leave the mainstream anime industry and use his talents for the R18 content, also known as h*ntai. This might feel like a shocking revelation, but it’s not unheard of, as another animator fromFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Enddid something similar, which was deemed contentious by the majority of the fanbase.
It was revealed that he helped in the creation of an adult parody ofFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Enditself featuring the characters Fern and Stark. Evidently, the h*ntai industry offers more creative freedom and opportunities that attracted these animators and motivated them to leave prominent anime works and move towards the controversial world.
One Pieceanimator leaves the mainstream industry
Hideki Araki, one of the most renowned names in the animation industry who has contributed to many major anime series and movies likeOne Piece, Inuyasha, Rurouni Kenshin, Sket Dance, Venus Wars, World Trigger, etc., has decided to change lanes and move towards the adult animation industry. According toAnime Galaxy, the animator had valid reasons behind it.
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Araki’s transfer to the R18 content was because of the creative freedom he can get in hntai, and evidently, it offers better opportunities in the form of roles he can take on, like director, character designer, storyboard artist, and animation director. Although the world of hntai is deemed controversial, it is quite in demand, and by the looks of it, has more flexibility.
Araki has contributed to eightOne Pieceepisodes, most of which were after the time skip. This means that his work became one of themain reasons whyOne Piecemanaged to lose the allegationsabout the animation quality being low compared to the hype around the series.
Hideki Araki is not the first animator to move towards h*ntai
While Araki’s actions might look contentious to anime fans, he is not the first animator to move toward the world of h*ntai and explore the multiple opportunities that it offers. Before him,Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endanimator Yuuta Suzuhana has already dipped his toes in the water by working on aFrierenparody along with MapleStar, a prominent R18 anime creator.
MapleStar is evidently a big name in the adult animation industry and is known for creating R18 anime parodies of many prominent anime series. His most recent project,Fern and Stark Need to Warm Up, was a parodyofFrieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and it involved the contributions of Suzuhana, who talked about iton his official X account.
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Suzuhana revealed that it was his first time contributing to h*ntai content, and he was satisfied with it. And while it is rare for mainstream animators to change lanes like that, one cannot omit the fact that the R18 anime industry supposedly offers better opportunities and creative freedom.
One PieceandFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Tarun Kohli
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2958
Tarun Kohli is the Senior Anime Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,900 published articles. He currently specializes in critiquing One Piece and other Shonen anime. A passionate fan of the genre, his love for thoughtful analysis reflects his genuine appreciation for the art of anime. His deep understanding of anime culture has earned recognition from industry figures such as Adi Shankar and the creators of Blood of Zeus.
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Frieren Beyond Journey’s EndOne Piece
