Is A1 Pictures Trying To One-Up MAPPA?
A1 Pictures is one of the most recognizable studios in anime, and while their renown has always been quite high, it's been seen in a different light compared to a studio like Kyoto Animation. A1 produced works like Sword Art Online and Black Butler, and occasionally something different and out there like Shelter or Occultic;Nine, but they also gained a reputation for more «trashy» material.
For a time, a common nickname of A1 was the «McDonald's of Anime,» probably for the success the studio saw with admittedly popular but somewhat divisive and cheap-looking light novel adaptations.Around the time of Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale, this label was rebuked by analysts like The Canipa Effect on YouTube, who pointed out the studio's structure and how its priorities shift. Much of the studio is completely freelance, with the direction the studio takes dictated by the production committee at the top. Considering this, A1 Pictures' reach and ability to secure good talent for their productions is one of their best attributes. The perception of the studio is shifting as more of their productions have adopted higher quality visuals, like the newer SAO works and new ones like 86 and Lycoris Recoil.
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In light of the studio's seeming redemption in the eyes of skeptics, they have also begun announcing a lot of exciting high-profile adaptations to big properties. The announcements came throughout 2022, and it wouldn't be surprising if more were on the way, but having claim to such anticipated works is a huge win for the studio.
The first announcement that seemed to usher in a wave of excitement was the long-speculated anime for Korean webcomic Solo Leveling. While mostly just a display
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