To provide a method for manufacturing a succinimide copolymer or a succinimide copolymer composition as the case may be, which has excellent heat resistance and rigidity, as well as processability, transparency, etc. that are applicable to many uses such as various optical parts, electric/electronic parts, illumination parts, automobile parts, medical parts, food containers, miscellaneous goods, building materials, etc.

A succinimide copolymer is manufactured by reacting a maleic anhydride-olefin copolymer with an amine compound via the steps of (1) making a copolymeric amide compound solution from a copolymeric amide compound; (2) removing the solvent from the copolymeric amide compound solution to recover the copolymeric amide compound; and (3) carrying out dehydrating and ring-closing imidization to form a succinimide copolymer.