The Japanese anime industry has long been considered the gold standard in global animation, producing icons like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Jujutsu Kaisen. But now, one of its most influential veterans, Masao Maruyama, founder of Madhouse, MAPPA, and Studio M2, is raising the alarm. In a recent interview, Maruyama voiced deep concern that Chinese animation, known as donghua, is on the brink of suring Japan’s anime legacy if given the right conditions.

At 81, Maruyama has a unique vantage point. As a producer behind major talent and titles, including the Pluto adaptation for Netflix, he has seen the full arc of anime’s global rise. But he warns that Japan’s current focus on marketable trends, like “kawaii” aesthetics and commercial genres, has come at the expense of cultivating fresh talent, according to Crunchyroll. Meanwhile, China is pouring resources into young animators, and it is only political restrictions, he claims, that are delaying an inevitable takeover.

The Creativity Crisis in Japanese Animation

Why Japan Is Losing Its Artistic Edge

According to Maruyama, the Japanese industry’s overreliance on commercial success is stifling creativity. Studios now chase viral hits rather than artistic innovation, and the training of future animators has fallen by the wayside. He argues this narrow focus has left Japan vulnerable, especially as platforms like Disney and Netflix raise the bar globally. Once famed for its storytelling depth and visual originality, Japanese anime risks becoming formulaic if it does not rekindle its creative core.

Maruyama laments that Japan has become complacent. With every new title expected to perform like Attack on Titan or Jujutsu Kaisen, there is little room left for risk-taking. He worries this mindset neglects the next generation, a concern that could have serious consequences in an increasingly competitive international market. If Japan does not reinvest in original talent and broaden its vision, its cultural edge could be lost.

China's Rising Animation Power

Donghua’s Growing Global Footprint Around the World

While Japan may be spinning its wheels, China is picking up speed. Maruyama emphasizes that Chinese animation is currently held back more by censorship than by lack of skill. Once that creative barrier is removed, he believes Chinese artists, already well-funded and eager to push boundaries, could leap ahead. Donghua titles like The Legend of Hei have even influenced Japanese directors such as Makoto Shinkai, revealing a growing two-way exchange of ideas.

The Chinese industry is also gaining traction internationally. Shows like All Saints Street, To Be Hero X, and Heaven Official's Blessing are not only well-received domestically but are finding audiences on platforms like Crunchyroll, where they compete directly with seasonal anime. With strong government investment, modern tools, and a new generation of ionate creators, China is positioning itself not just as a competitor, but as a potential leader in the global animation arena that could overtake even studios like Jujutsu Kaisen's MAPPA.