What MAPPA does

MAPPA Co., Ltd. (株式会社MAPPA) is a privately held Japanese animation studio founded on June 14, 2011 by President Manabu Otsuka, with veteran anime producer Masao Maruyama serving as Chairman. Headquartered in Nakano, Tokyo (relocated October 2024), the company operates additional studios in Sendai (established 2018) and Osaka (established 2023), employing 562 people as of April 2026. Approximately 160 of those staff work in an integrated CGI Division, the company's largest department, with the broader organization running around 10 concurrent production teams across a full pipeline spanning planning, 2D animation, 3DCG, background art, coloring, compositing, editing, and rights management.

The studio's product surface is centered on TV anime and theatrical films spanning action, dark fantasy, historical, sports, comedy, and original genres. Active and upcoming franchises include Jujutsu Kaisen (Season 3 broadcasting in 2026, Season 4 slated for 2027), Chainsaw Man (Season 2 'Assassins Arc' plus the Reze Arc theatrical film), Dorohedoro (Seasons 2 and 3), Attack on Titan: The Last Attack, Ranma 1/2 (Season 3 October 2026), Hell's Paradise, Vinland Saga, Oblivion Battery, plus originals such as LAZARUS, Zenshu, JIMOTO SAIKO!, and BEAT & MOTION. Production runs on a multi-software stack (3dsMax, Blender, CLIP STUDIO PAINT, Houdini, AfterEffects, ZBrush, RETAS, Flow Production Tracking/ShotGrid) and the studio owns or co-holds rights to most of its major IP, enabling downstream revenue capture.

Commercially, MAPPA generates revenue through animation production services contracted via production committees, IP licensing and rights participation managed by an internal Rights & Licensing Division, direct-to-consumer merchandise sales through the MAPPA Online Shop (relaunched July 2025), and music production/distribution via the 'mappa records' label launched April 2025. Distribution is anchored by enterprise partnerships with Netflix (exclusive streaming for select titles from January 2026) and Crunchyroll (primary international partner for Jujutsu Kaisen and Dorohedoro), with theatrical films released through Sony/Crunchyroll — a channel mix demonstrated by the $108 million global opening of Chainsaw Man: The Movie - Reze Arc. In April 2026, MAPPA completed an absorption merger with group company CONTRAIL, which continues production under its own brand from MAPPA's Tokyo headquarters.

Name

MAPPA

Legal name

株式会社MAPPA (MAPPA Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://mappa.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

MAPPA is a privately held Japanese animation studio founded in 2011, producing TV anime, theatrical films, and music across 50+ franchises including Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Attack on Titan for global streaming platforms (Netflix, Crunchyroll), theatrical distributors, and direct-to-consumer merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Animation Production Services: TV anime, movies, commercials, and online video production. MAPPA produces content across various genres and formats, operating as both production studio and rights holder.
2. IP Licensing & Rights Business: Licensing of owned IP for merchandise, overseas distribution, events, and e-commerce. The Rights & Licensing Division manages production committee participation and global business development.
3. Merchandise & Goods Sales: Sale of official MAPPA merchandise through the MAPPA Online Shop, including Blu-rays, DVDs, books, acrylic art, film collections, and character goods.
4. Music Label (mappa records): Music production and distribution including worldwide content distribution, CD and LP releases, and live event operations. Launched April 2025.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MAPPA is a Japanese animation production studio that produces TV anime series, theatrical anime films, commercials, in-game and online video animation, and original anime projects. The studio operates approximately 10 production teams managing the full pipeline from planning through delivery, supported by an integrated in-house CGI division of over 160 specialists. Beyond production, MAPPA holds IP rights for its major franchises, operates the mappa records music label (launched April 2025), and sells official merchandise through the MAPPA Online Shop.

Product overview

MAPPA is a Japanese animation studio established in 2011, producing TV anime, theatrical films, commercials, web content, and music. The company operates a multi-platform production model with major active titles including Jujutsu Kaisen (broadcasting Season 3 in 2026 with Season 4 announced for 2027), Chainsaw Man (Season 2 Assassins Arc in production), Dorohedoro (Season 2 streaming, Season 3 confirmed), and Attack on Titan (with new game project announced). The studio has expanded into original content with projects like LAZARUS and Zenshu (2025), and JIMOTO SAIKO! and BEAT & MOTION (2027). Beyond animation production, MAPPA operates mappa records music label and the MAPPA Online Shop for merchandise, while managing a workforce of approximately 560 employees across Tokyo, Sendai, and Osaka studios.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jujutsu Kaisen Battle shonen TV anime franchise based on Gege Akutami's manga, following high school student Yuji Itadori through the world of curses and Jujutsu sorcery. Multiple seasons broadcast and distributed globally via Crunchyroll, with the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 theatrical prequel film released December 2021.
• Chainsaw Man Dark fantasy anime franchise based on Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga, following Denji who merges with his devil dog Pochita to become Chainsaw Man. Includes TV anime (first season, plus Season 2 Assassins Arc in production) and the theatrical Reze Arc film.
• Attack on Titan: The Final Season Final arc adaptation of Hajime Isayama's Attack on Titan manga, with MAPPA taking over production and concluding the series in 2023. The franchise also includes the feature-length theatrical compilation film Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK.
• Dorohedoro Dark fantasy TV anime based on Q Hayashida's manga, with Season 2 streaming worldwide in April 2026 to critical acclaim (described as 'early frontrunner for anime of the year') and Season 3 confirmed in production.
• Ranma 1/2 TV anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi's classic martial arts romantic comedy manga. The second season premiered October 2024, and Season 3 is scheduled for October 2026 release on Netflix under the strategic partnership.
• Hell's Paradise Dark fantasy TV anime based on Yuji Kudo's manga, with a second season in production. Targets anime fans globally through streaming distribution.
• Vinland Saga Season 2 Second season of historical action TV anime based on Makoto Yukimura's Vinland Saga manga, produced by MAPPA.
• Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Isekai TV anime based on Satoru Yamamoto's light novel, with a second season premiering October 2025.
• The Rose of Versailles New theatrical anime film adaptation of Riyoko Ikeda's classic manga, released January 2025.
• LAZARUS MAPPA original TV anime project that premiered January 2025, representing the studio's in-house IP development outside of manga adaptations.
• Zenshu MAPPA original TV anime project that premiered January 2025.
• Bucchigiri?! MAPPA original TV anime project that premiered January 2024.
• Oblivion Battery Sports TV anime based on Shinetsu Kaguya's baseball manga, with a second season scheduled for 2027 broadcast.
• JIMOTO SAIKO! Original TV anime announced at MAPPA's 15th Anniversary Lineup Reveal on June 19, 2026. Based on usagi's manga published by Saizui Shuppan, distributed exclusively via the Netflix-MAPPA strategic partnership.
• BEAT & MOTION Original TV anime based on manga by Fujita Naoki serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, scheduled for 2027 release as part of the Netflix-MAPPA strategic partnership.
• Chainsaw Man: The Movie - Reze Arc Theatrical feature film adapting the Reze Arc from Part 1 of the Chainsaw Man manga, combining 2D and 3D animation techniques. Opened October 2025 with $108 million global opening weekend, distributed through the Sony/Crunchyroll theatrical partnership.
• Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK Feature-length compilation film of Attack on Titan's final chapters, bringing together events from Attack on Titan Final Season: The Final Chapters for theatrical presentation.
• Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise Theatrical feature film based on the Zombie Land Saga franchise, released October 2025.
• Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (Theatrical Film) Feature film prequel adapting the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 manga, centering on Yuta Okkotsu and Rika Orimoto. Released December 2021.
• mappa records Music label launched April 2025 to create music in collaboration with composers and artists, pursuing the possibilities of music and animation. Handles worldwide music content distribution, CD and LP releases, and live event operations for MAPPA franchises.
• MAPPA Online Shop Official MAPPA e-commerce platform for franchise merchandise including Blu-rays, DVDs, books, acrylic art, film collections, and character goods. Features product search by title and character, with credit card, convenience store, and QR code payment methods.
• Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club Animation production for Nintendo's Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club game, released August 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dorohedoro Season 2 described as 'early frontrunner for anime of the year' and critical acclaim
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CrunchyrollcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Primary international streaming partner for Jujutsu Kaisen (Seasons 1-4), Dorohedoro, and other titles. Crunchyroll continues as the official streaming platform for MAPPA's major shonen franchises globally.
• Koei TecmominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026MAPPA announced creation of opening sequence for Attack on Titan 3 video game. The game will be the largest entry in the IP to date, adapting the entire story from Eren's journey through the Rumbling.
• NCSoftminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026NCSoft partnered with MAPPA and Kadokawa for Limit Zero Breakers multimedia project - an anime-style ARPG. MAPPA providing animation for the project.
• KadokawaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Co-publishing partner with NCSoft for Limit Zero Breakers multimedia project alongside MAPPA animation.
• HoYoverseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Co-producing animation project with MAPPA for Honkai Star Rail. Released concept trailer 'Afternoon Death' on April 10, 2025. Fan speculation about potential full anime adaptation tied to game's third anniversary.
• Crunchyroll/Netflix (Dual)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2026Dorohedoro Season 2 premiered April 2026, expanding beyond its previous exclusive platforms to stream simultaneously on both Netflix and Crunchyroll globally.
• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Strategic partnership for exclusive streaming of MAPPA titles. Three titles announced: JIMOTO SAIKO!, BEAT & MOTION, and Ranma1/2 Season 3. This follows Netflix's investment in anime content and MAPPA's expansion of direct-to-platform productions.
• Sony PicturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Co-produced and distributed Chainsaw Man: The Movie - Reze Arc. The film achieved $108 million globally in its opening weekend, making it a major box office success for the partnership.
• Citizen WatchminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2025Co-produced CITIZEN TVCM 'UNITE with BLUE 2025' - a 15-second commercial featuring ocean imagery. MAPPA provided animation production for the promotional content.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ufotable: Renowned for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and the Fate series with industry-leading CG integration similar to MAPPA's 160+ specialist CGI division. Competes for top-tier shonen adaptations and global box office dominance.
• Bones: Major Japanese animation studio behind My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and Mob Psycho 100. Comparable in scale, genre (action/shonen), and tier-1 franchise positioning; a direct competitor for premium adaptation work and global streaming budgets.
• CloverWorks: Tokyo-based anime studio behind Spy x Family, My Dress-Up Darling, Bocchi the Rock!, and The Promised Neverland. Similar scale and tier-1 partnership model, with external board member Yuichi Fukushima serving as Vice President — creating direct industry linkage to MAPPA.
• Kyoto Animation: High-prestige Japanese animation studio behind Violet Evergarden, Clannad, and Sound! Euphonium. Comparable tier in terms of production quality and global fan recognition, though historically more selective on volume and more originals-driven.
• Wit Studio: Japanese animation studio that produced Attack on Titan Seasons 1-3 before MAPPA took over for the Final Season. Closely comparable scale and franchise profile (Spy x Family S1, Vinland Saga S1, Ranking of Kings), competing for the same tier of premium manga adaptations.
• Studio Trigger: Founded by Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Otsuka; known for Kill la Kill, Promare, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Slightly smaller scale but competes in the same high-action, premium animation segment with overlapping talent and platform partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Madhouse: Historic Japanese animation studio behind Death Note, One Punch Man Season 1, and Hunter x Hunter (2011). Founded by MAPPA Chairman Masao Maruyama, creating direct talent and lineage ties; broader catalog with longer industry history.
• A-1 Pictures: Subsidiary of Aniplex (Sony) behind Sword Art Online, Your Lie in April, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, and Solo Leveling. Larger portfolio with deeper Sony ecosystem integration, competing for the same tier of premium IP adaptations.
• Production I.G: Major Japanese animation studio behind Ghost in the Shell, Psycho-Pass, Haikyuu!!, and Eden of the East. Part of IG Port; larger and more diversified portfolio but comparable production model and global streaming distribution footprint.
• Studio Ghibli: Legendary Japanese animation studio behind Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and The Boy and the Heron. Much older and more theatrical-focused; broad incumbent in Japanese animation rather than a direct TV/streaming competitor, but the most globally recognized Japanese animation brand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MAPPA_Info
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MAPPACHANNEL
• Instagraminstagram.com/mappa_official_ig
• TikToktiktok.com/@mappa_anime_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MAPPA