Tuesday, 7 July 2026
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MAPPA

MAPPA is in its 15th anniversary year, with a strategic partnership with Netflix, a merger with subsidiary Contrail, and a slate of new productions including Beat & Motion, Fall in Love, You False Angels, Jimoto Saiko!, and Dorohedoro Season 3, alongside ongoing work on Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Ranma 1/2.

Synthesized from 28 Yomimono stories · updated 1d ago

MAPPA entered its 15th anniversary year in June 2026 with a coordinated slate of announcements. The studio released a 15th anniversary music video set to a new PEOPLE 1 song, opened a special website, and announced a fall exhibition at the Yurakucho Museum in Tokyo. A June 19 lineup livestream revealed multiple new projects, including the television anime adaptations of Beat & Motion, Fall in Love, You False Angels, and Jimoto Saiko!, all set for 2027 releases. The stream also delivered new trailers for Chainsaw Man: Assassin Arc, Dorohedoro Season 3, and Ranma 1/2 Season 3, and confirmed that MAPPA will produce the opening animation for the Attack on Titan 3 game.

The studio's business structure shifted significantly in early 2026. MAPPA announced in March that it would absorb its subsidiary studio Contrail through a merger effective April 1, consolidating operations while maintaining the Contrail brand. In May, Netflix and MAPPA announced a strategic partnership giving Netflix exclusive streaming rights to a slate of original MAPPA-produced titles, structured on a cost-plus basis that bypasses the traditional production committee system. The deal was described by an industry analyst as a pivot toward sustainability for the studio.

MAPPA also secured a high-profile game collaboration, producing all animated cutscenes for Atlus's Persona 4 Revival, set for a February 2027 release. The studio continued recruiting new graduates for the 2027 fiscal year, reporting 562 employees as of April 2026. The anniversary key visual project began with a Chainsaw Man Reze illustration, and the studio exhibited at Anime Expo 2026 with exclusive merchandise. A short anime for Kenshi Yonezu's World Cup theme song Karasu was released in June, marking the third collaboration between the musician and the studio.

Key facts

Netflix partnership
Netflix and MAPPA signed a strategic partnership giving Netflix exclusive streaming rights to a slate of original MAPPA-produced titles, structured on a cost-plus basis. ↗
Contrail merger
MAPPA absorbed its subsidiary studio Contrail through a merger effective April 1, 2026, consolidating operations while maintaining the Contrail brand. ↗
Persona 4 Revival cutscenes
MAPPA will produce all animated cutscenes for Persona 4 Revival, set for release on February 18, 2027. ↗
Beat & Motion anime
MAPPA will produce the Beat & Motion anime for a worldwide Netflix release in 2027, with Yuki Komada directing. ↗
Fall in Love, You False Angels anime
MAPPA is producing a television anime adaptation of Fall in Love, You False Angels, set for a 2027 release, with Yasutomo Okamoto directing. ↗
Jimoto Saiko! anime
MAPPA announced an anime adaptation of Jimoto Saiko! for worldwide Netflix release, directed by Tokio Igarashi. ↗
Dorohedoro Season 3
MAPPA released a teaser trailer for Dorohedoro Season 3 during its 15th anniversary livestream, with Yuichiro Hayashi returning to direct. ↗
Employee count
MAPPA employed 562 people as of April 2026. ↗
15th anniversary exhibition
MAPPA will hold a 15th anniversary exhibition at Yurakucho Museum in Tokyo from September 16 to December 7, 2026. ↗
Kenshi Yonezu collaboration
MAPPA produced a short anime for Kenshi Yonezu's song Karasu, the 2026 NHK Soccer Theme, marking their third collaboration. ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Announced
exhibition at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles from July 2 to 5 · 2026-06-30
Announced
selling convention-exclusive merchandise including happi coats, T-shirts, keychains, skateboard decks, and Mappa caps · 2026-06-30
Announced
MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary exhibition (MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary exhibition) · 2026-06-20
Announced
lineup presentation for June 19 on YouTube (15th anniversary) · 2026-06-16
Announced
15th anniversary projects including a special website, a lineup presentation stream, and an exhibition · 2026-06-15
Announced
15th anniversary lineup presentation (June 19 stream) · 2026-06-05
Announced
strategic partnership with Netflix · 2026-05-30
Announced
absorption of subsidiary studio Contrail through a merger effective April 1, 2026 · 2026-05-30
Release
music_video · 2026-06-20 · 2026-06-20
Release
short_film · 2026-06-19 · 2026-06-19
Release
short_film · 2026-06-16 · global · 2026-06-16
Noted
The video, titled "MAPPA 15th Anniversary Movie," was first shown during the studio's anniversary lineup presentation, which streamed on MAPPA's official YouTube channel. · 2026-06-19
Noted
MAPPA's 15th anniversary key visuals for Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan placed third and ninth, respectively. · 2026-06-19
Noted
MAPPA president and CEO Manabu Otsuka, speaking when the partnership was announced, emphasized the importance of independence for Japanese animation studios as they court global audiences. · 2026-05-30

Connections

Produces
persona 4 the revival, persona 4 revival, chainsaw man, beat motion, jimoto saiko, fall in love you false angels, dorohedoro, attack on titan 3, ranma 1 2, mappa expo 15th anniversary, koi seyo mayakashi tenshi domo, local high, chainsaw man reze arc, jujutsu kaisen, attack on titan, jujutsu kaisen modulo
Staff change
contrail

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/mappa. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about MAPPA was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed absorption of subsidiary studio Contrail through a merger effective April 1, 2026 May 31 · source
  • Confirmed strategic partnership with Netflix May 31 · source
  • Confirmed mappa produces dorohedoro May 28 · source
  • Confirmed mappa produces jujutsu kaisen modulo May 27 · source

All coverage

1d ago

MAPPA to Produce Anime Cutscenes for Persona 4 Revival

Atlus announced on July 4 that animation studio MAPPA will produce the anime cutscenes for the upcoming game Persona 4 Revival. The announcement was made via the official Persona public relations X account and the Atlus West account. MAPPA, known for Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen, will handle all animation cutscenes for the title. Persona 4 Revival is a full remake of Persona 4 Golden, retaining the original storyline while completely refreshing graphics, UI, and adding new elements to battles and events. Alongside the cutscene announcement, Atlus released an introduction video for the character Rise Kujikawa, which includes anime cuts of a swimsuit scene. Rise Kujikawa is a popular first-year high school idol who becomes a companion in the story. On social media, fans expressed excitement with comments such as 'Can we see the smooth-moving protagonist!?' and 'Too luxurious.' Persona 4 Revival is scheduled for release on February 18, 2027, for Xbox Series X|S, PC (Windows, Steam), and PS5. The standard edition is priced at 9,900 yen. A limited box edition with bonuses including a special binding box, art book, and DLC is also available.

1d ago

Studio MAPPA to Animate All Persona 4 Revival In-Game Cutscenes

Atlus announced on Saturday that Studio MAPPA will produce all of the animated cutscenes for Persona 4 Revival, the upcoming remake of the 2008 role-playing game. The news came during Anime Expo 2026 alongside two new character videos featuring the protagonist and Rise Kujikawa. Atlus also confirmed that Abby Trott will voice Rise in the English dub, part of a new English voice cast for the game. The remake is set to launch on February 18, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC with Xbox Game Pass, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders are open now. The original Persona 4 was released for PlayStation 2 in 2008 and later received an enhanced port, Persona 4 Golden, for PlayStation Vita in 2011. The new version is described as a distinct reimagining separate from Golden. The animation director reportedly played Persona 1 through Persona 4 before beginning work on the cutscenes. Persona 3 Reload, the previous Atlus remake, launched in February 2024 and featured animation from a different studio.

6d ago

MAPPA to Exhibit at Anime Expo 2026 With Exclusive Merchandise

MAPPA will exhibit at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles from July 2 to 5, showcasing production materials for Chainsaw Man - Reze Arc, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Attack on Titan: The Final Season, and Dorohedoro Season 2. The booth will also sell convention-exclusive goods including happi coats, T-shirts, keychains, skateboard decks, and Mappa caps.

Jun 25

Kenshi Yonezu and MAPPA Release Short Anime for Soccer Theme 'Karasu'

Kenshi Yonezu and animation studio MAPPA have released a short anime for the song "Karasu," the 2026 NHK Soccer Theme. The video, published on YouTube on June 25, 2026, was produced by MAPPA and marks the third collaboration between the musician and the studio, following the Chainsaw Man opening theme "KICK BACK" (2022) and the theme for the Chainsaw Man - Reze Arc film "IRIS OUT" (2025). The short anime matches the first chorus of the song and uses a pencil-drawn visual style, showing a person earnestly chasing a ball while a crow soars overhead. The song itself was released digitally on June 15 and achieved six chart crowns in its first week, including No. 1 on the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100 and Oricon's weekly streaming and digital single rankings. It is Yonezu's 20th overall No. 1, the most for a solo artist in history. The short anime is timed to the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the song scheduled to air on NHK's soccer broadcasts.

Jun 20

MAPPA Releases 15th Anniversary Music Video

MAPPA released a 15th anniversary music video on Friday, set to the song "Seikatsu" by PEOPLE 1. The video blends animation with production elements like key drawings and storyboards. The studio also announced the MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary exhibition, running from September 16 to December 7 at the Yurakucho Museum in Tokyo, featuring pieces from Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc, Attack on Titan The Final Season, Jujutsu Kaisen, and more.

Jun 19

MAPPA Releases 15th Anniversary Movie With New PEOPLE 1 Song

MAPPA released a 15th anniversary movie on June 19, accompanied by a new song from the band PEOPLE 1. The video, titled "MAPPA 15th Anniversary Movie," was first shown during the studio's anniversary lineup presentation, which streamed on MAPPA's official YouTube channel. The anniversary song is "Seikatsu" (Life), a track newly written by PEOPLE 1. The full song will be distributed at midnight on June 20. The commemorative video uses original drawings and storyboards to depict the studio's scenery and staff involved in anime production. PEOPLE 1 previously performed the 10th episode ending theme "DOGLAND" for the TV anime "Chainsaw Man," which MAPPA produced. The band formed in December 2019 around musician Deu, along with Takeuchi and Ito. MAPPA was founded in 2011 and has produced series including "Jujutsu Kaisen," "Attack on Titan The Final Season," "Chainsaw Man," "Dorohedoro," and "Ranma 1/2." The studio has opened a special website with the anniversary logo and details on commemorative projects.

Jun 19

Fight Class 3 Live-Action Tops Comic Natalie Weekly Ranking

Comic Natalie's weekly access ranking for June 11-17, 2026, was led by coverage of the Netflix live-action series Fight Class 3, which included its opening footage and a character relationship chart. MAPPA's 15th anniversary key visuals for Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan placed third and ninth, respectively. A special feature on Shinchosha's Comic Bunch 25th anniversary also ran.

Jun 19

MAPPA Produces Beat & Motion Anime for Netflix in 2027

MAPPA will produce the anime adaptation of Naoki Fujita's Beat & Motion manga, with a worldwide Netflix release scheduled for 2027. The announcement came during the studio's 15th anniversary livestream on June 19, which also revealed a teaser visual, a first trailer, and the main staff and cast. Yuki Komada directs the series, with Misaki Morie handling series composition and scripts. Kazunori Aoki is the character designer and chief animation director. Shuichiro Umeda voices protagonist Tatsuhiko Hirayama, a former aspiring animator who reconnects with his craft after meeting indie musician Nico Kashiwagi, played by Aya Gomazuru. The manga ran in Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ from February 2023 to January 2025, spanning six volumes. It originated as the grand prize winner of Shueisha's Million Tag competition, which guaranteed the winner a serialization and an anime adaptation. Viz Media and MANGA Plus publish the manga in English. The livestream also included new information on Chainsaw Man, Attack on Titan, and other MAPPA projects.

Jun 19

Dorohedoro Season 3 Teaser Trailer Debuts at MAPPA 15th Anniversary Event

MAPPA released a teaser trailer for the third season of the Dorohedoro anime during its 15th anniversary lineup livestream on June 19. The teaser opens with footage transitioning from the final scene of Season 2, episode 11, into a scene at a Chinese restaurant, where character Aikawa searches for "something interesting." Storyboard footage hinting at the start of Season 3 production is shown. The second season of Dorohedoro premiered on April 1, 2026, and streamed through May 27, 2026, on platforms including Crunchyroll and Netflix. Season 1 debuted on Netflix in Japan in January 2020 and later streamed worldwide. The anime adapts Q Hayashida's manga, which ran from 2000 to 2018 across multiple magazines and was compiled into 23 volumes. Viz Media publishes the English edition. Alongside the trailer, a "Best Pair Grand Prize 2026" voting campaign opened, running from June 19 to July 2. The winning character pair will receive an illustration by Hayashida.

Jun 19

MAPPA Produces Fall in Love, You False Angels Anime for 2027

MAPPA announced during its 15th anniversary lineup reveal livestream on June 19 that it is producing a television anime adaptation of Coco Uzuki's shojo manga Fall in Love, You False Angels, set for a 2027 release. Yasutomo Okamoto directs the series, with Mariko Oka handling character design, Yōhei Yamazaki as series script supervisor, and Yuriko Waki as animation producer. The manga, which debuted in Kodansha's Dessert magazine in April 2023, won the 49th Kodansha Manga Award in the shojo category in 2025 and was nominated for the Shogakukan Manga Awards that same year. Kodansha USA publishes the English version. The story follows high school class president Otogi Katsura, who maintains a perfect angelic image while hiding her brash true personality, and her vice president Toki Ninomae, who reveals a hidden side of his own. The seventh compiled volume shipped in Japan on June 12.

Jun 19

MAPPA Reveals Jimoto Saiko! Anime for Netflix Release

MAPPA announced an anime adaptation of usagi's manga Jimoto Saiko! during its 15th anniversary livestream. The series will stream worldwide on Netflix. The story follows Chanel and her friends in a hometown plagued by violence, drugs, and poverty. Staff includes director Tokio Igarashi and scriptwriter Ryō Takata.

Jun 19

Chainsaw Man: Assassin Arc PV Released, Smartphone Game Announced

MAPPA released the second teaser PV for Chainsaw Man: Assassin Arc on June 19 during the studio's 15th anniversary lineup stream on YouTube. The PV shows assassins from around the world moving to target protagonist Denji, with glimpses of new characters. Alongside the PV, MAPPA announced a smartphone game project for Chainsaw Man. The opening theme for the arc is a new song by Maximum the Hormone titled ALL THE LYNCH!! ALL THE MINCE!!. A 1-minute 29-second version of the song plays in an opening movie produced by MAPPA. Maximum the Hormone's Maximum the Ryo-kun said the full version is already complete at about 4 minutes 30 seconds, calling it a masterpiece and a future staple of the band's live performances. The smartphone game's official X account is running a follow-and-retweet giveaway to commemorate the announcement. The Assassin Arc was announced last year as the story following the Reze Arc. The theatrical film Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, released in September 2025, recorded 7.1 million domestic viewers and 10.8 billion yen at the Japanese box office, with a worldwide total exceeding 29.78 billion yen.

Jun 19

New Ranma 1/2 Anime Season 3 Trailer Reveals October Netflix Premiere

MAPPA released a second trailer for the third season of the new Ranma 1/2 anime, confirming an October premiere on NTV and Netflix. Director Kōnosuke Uda and most staff return, with Riko Kaneda and Haruki Miura joining as chief animation directors and Atsuko Ishida and Yoshihiro Takeda added as main animators.

Jun 19

MAPPA to Produce Opening Animation for Attack on Titan 3

Koei Tecmo Games announced on June 19 that MAPPA, the studio behind the TV anime Attack on Titan The Final Season, will produce the opening animation for the upcoming tactical hunting action game Attack on Titan 3. The opening will be a completely new animation that depicts the story of Attack on Titan from beginning to end. The game is planned for release on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Further details, including the release date and the first look at actual gameplay footage, will be revealed during an official web program airing on July 2 at 19:00 JST. The program will feature voice actors Yui Ishikawa (Mikasa Ackerman) and Shiori Mikami (Krista Lenz), along with development producer Eisei Suzuki as a commentator. According to Game Spark, the opening animation will not be included in the main game at launch but will be added in a later update.

Jun 19

MAPPA Produces Koi seyo Mayakashi Tenshi-domo Anime

MAPPA is producing the television anime adaptation of Coco Uzuki's manga Koi seyo Mayakashi Tenshi-domo, with a teaser visual and teaser PV released on June 19 during the MAPPA 15th Anniversary Lineup Presentation. The romantic comedy follows Otogi Katsura, a student known as the perfect beautiful girl who hides her true self, and Toki Ninomae, a seemingly perfect classmate who also conceals his real nature. After Toki discovers Otogi's hidden side, the two form a secret accomplice relationship. The manga has been serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Dessert since 2023 and has cumulative circulation exceeding 2.25 million copies. The anime is scheduled to air in 2027. Director Yasutomo Okamoto leads the staff, with Mariko Oka handling character design and Yohei Yamazaki writing the series composition. Additional staff includes art director Takumi Hashimoto, color designer Kana Tanabe, photography director Shunsuke Taniguchi, editor Ayumu Takahashi, and animation producer Yuriko Waki. The teaser PV includes Otogi's character voice for the first time.

Jun 19

MAPPA 15th Anniversary Exhibition MAPPA EXPO Set for Tokyo This Fall

Animation studio MAPPA will hold a 15th anniversary exhibition titled "MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary" at YURAKUCHO MUSEUM in Tokyo from September 16 to December 7, 2026. The event is split into two periods: the first runs September 16 to October 25, and the second from October 28 to December 7, with some exhibits changing between them. Displays will focus on the worlds of "Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc," "Attack on Titan The Final Season," and "Jujutsu Kaisen." Original goods featuring newly drawn illustrations and original artwork will be sold, including visual acrylic panel sets tied to each of the three titles. Admission bonuses include art postcards in cut-bag-style envelopes, with five designs per title. The fastest advance lottery for first-period tickets opened June 19 at 10:00 PM via Lawson Ticket, with date- and time-specified entry to manage congestion. After the Tokyo run, the exhibition is planned to tour multiple regional cities. MAPPA was founded in 2011 and produces TV anime, films, commercials, and web videos, managing its own IP and licensing.

Jun 19

MAPPA to Produce Local Is Best! Anime for Netflix

MAPPA announced on June 19 during its 15th anniversary lineup presentation that it will produce an anime adaptation of the manga "Local Is Best!" ("Jimoto ga Saikō!") by usagi. The series will stream exclusively worldwide on Netflix. Alongside the announcement, a teaser visual and a teaser promotional video were released. The PV uses the song "milk" by singer-songwriter aiko, who is a fan of the original work. The manga, originally serialized on social media, is known for its cute art style contrasted with a story that has been described as a stew of all the world's evils. It follows girls who have never left their hometown and insist "Local is best!" no matter what misfortunes befall them. The director is Toshio Igarashi, the script is by Ryo Takada, and character design is by Rio. The original creator usagi commented on the announcement, expressing gratitude that the manga could be adapted into an anime, and noted that during serialization, when the creator went bankrupt, the editor lent 1 million yen out of pocket. aiko also shared her joy about the adaptation and the PV.

Jun 16

MAPPA 15th Anniversary First Key Visual Features Chainsaw Man's Reze

MAPPA released the first of three planned 15th anniversary key visuals on June 16, featuring Reze from the Chainsaw Man Reze Arc movie. The illustration shows Reze walking from a dim alleyway toward a light source. The studio said it created the visual to mark its 15th anniversary with gratitude to supporters. The visual was illustrated by Shoichi, colored by Misaki Nakano, with backgrounds by Taichi Uchima and photography by Yusuke Awanowa. MAPPA celebrated its 15th anniversary on June 14. The Chainsaw Man Reze Arc film, based on Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga, was released last September with MAPPA handling animation production. The studio also announced a "MAPPA 15th Anniversary Lineup Presentation" on its YouTube channel for June 19 at 8:00 PM. The key visual project will include up to three installments, with new visuals released sequentially.

Jun 15

MAPPA Launches 15th Anniversary Projects With Lineup Stream and Exhibition

MAPPA celebrated its 15th anniversary on June 14 with a special website, a June 19 lineup presentation stream, and a fall 2026 exhibition. The studio, founded in 2011 by Masao Maruyama, has produced major hits including Attack on Titan The Final Season, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Chainsaw Man. The presentation will feature new title information and a commemorative movie with a song by PEOPLE 1.

Jun 12

Kayoko Ishikawa's First Art Collection 'TEATRO' to Release in July

Animator Kayoko Ishikawa, known for her design work on 'Aikatsu!', will release her first art collection 'Kayoko Ishikawa Design Works TEATRO' on July 15. The 184-page volume from BNN includes over 500 illustrations, covering her work on 'Aikatsu!', 'Sarazanmai', 'LUPIN the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine', and nine MAPPA titles including 'Yuri!!! on ICE', 'Chainsaw Man', and 'Zenshu.' It also features new drawings, an interview, and commentary.

Jun 5

MAPPA 15th Anniversary Lineup Presentation Set for June 19 Stream

MAPPA will stream a 15th anniversary lineup presentation on its official YouTube channel on June 19 at 20:00 JST. The event will reveal new information on works including Chainsaw Man and Dorohedoro, plus new projects. Kenjiro Tsuda will navigate, and Kotono Mitsuishi will narrate. An anniversary movie set to the song Seikatsu by PEOPLE 1 will debut. Segments include cast talks for Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan The Final Season, Oblivion Battery season two, and Ranma 1/2 season three.

May 31

Netflix and MAPPA Sign Landmark Anime Partnership

Netflix and MAPPA announced a strategic partnership that gives Netflix exclusive streaming rights to a slate of original MAPPA-produced anime titles. The deal was revealed alongside Netflix's semi-annual viewership report, which showed anime accounted for 8.9 billion hours watched on the platform in 2025, a 10.6% increase from the previous year. Anime viewership grew more than ten times faster than the rest of Netflix's catalog, which grew only 1.3%. The partnership is structured on a cost-plus basis, where Netflix pays for production plus a guaranteed margin. Industry analyst Jerome Mazandarani described the arrangement as a pivot toward sustainability for MAPPA, a studio that has faced production strain from major titles like Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan's final season. The deal allows MAPPA to bypass the traditional production committee model, which limited the studio's profit share on past hits such as Yuri!!! On ICE. Netflix's 2025 anime lineup included fewer than 20 exclusive new releases, with around half of its new global anime titles shared with competitors like Crunchyroll or Disney.

May 31

Direct Distribution of Anime Films Widens in North America

Japanese film distributor Gaga will directly distribute the Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Beginning of A New Era film in North America starting in February through its Los Angeles office, following a similar move by Toho in 2024. The film, based on Cygames' mobile game franchise, earned ¥1.4 billion (US$8.9 million) in Japan and arrives two years after its domestic debut, as the English-language mobile game gained popularity after winning Best Mobile Game at the Game Awards in December. Gaga aims to replicate the success of its own direct distribution of a concert film by singer Ado across over 300 theaters last year. Meanwhile, MAPPA entered a strategic partnership with Netflix for exclusive distribution of multiple self-produced anime titles, as reported by Nikkei. Edia is ramping up anime production for its own light novel properties, developing at least five new titles for broadcast in 2028 and beyond, up from three in the prior period. The company, which owns publisher Hifumishobo, previously invested small amounts in production committees for Drugstore in Another World and The Aristocrat's Otherworldly Adventure.

May 30

MAPPA to Absorb Subsidiary Studio Contrail in April 2026

MAPPA announced on March 1, 2026, that it will absorb its subsidiary studio Contrail through a merger effective April 1, 2026. The merger is intended to consolidate operations and improve working conditions for staff. Contrail's brand will be maintained after the merger, and its team will continue producing current and future projects. The decision to merge was driven by MAPPA's plan to relocate Contrail's staff to its headquarters in Nakano, Tokyo, providing a better production environment. The company stated that the merger aims to allow staff from both studios, who have different cultures and technical backgrounds, to learn from each other and create animation that resonates with global audiences. MAPPA and Contrail will share the creative philosophies and production expertise they have each developed over time. The announcement did not specify any changes to Contrail's ongoing projects or leadership.

May 30

Netflix Details Anime Partnership With Chainsaw Man Studio MAPPA

Netflix has shared new details about its recently announced strategic partnership with MAPPA, the Tokyo-based anime studio behind *Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc* and *Jujutsu Kaisen*. During a content presentation in Tokyo on Tuesday, Netflix's Kaata Sakamoto, head of content for the streamer in Japan, said multiple projects are already underway, spanning story development through merchandise. The partnership, first unveiled on Jan. 21, is designed to operate outside the traditional production committee system that typically governs Japan's anime industry. Sources close to the deal told The Hollywood Reporter that bypassing the committee model, where multiple companies pool funds to spread risk, will give MAPPA greater creative control over its titles while also giving Netflix a larger voice in the process. MAPPA president and CEO Manabu Otsuka, speaking when the partnership was announced, emphasized the importance of independence for Japanese animation studios as they court global audiences. Netflix framed the deal as a natural next step, noting that more than half of its members now watch anime and that overall anime viewership on the service has tripled over the past five years.

May 29

Mappa Recruiting New Graduates for 2027 Fiscal Year, Deadline May 31

MAPPA is recruiting new graduates for the 2027 fiscal year, seeking CG creators, visual artists, and R&D personnel. Applications close on May 31, 2026. The studio, which employs 562 people as of April 2026, operates studios in Tokyo, Sendai, and Osaka. Upcoming works include 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 and 'Hell's Paradise' Season 2 in 2026.

May 28

Dorohedoro Anime Gets Third Season

TOHO has announced a third season of the Dorohedoro anime, following the finale of the second season on May 27. Director Yuichiro Hayashi shared a commemorative illustration of the demon Haru singing to mark the renewal. Studio MAPPA returns for animation production, with Hayashi again directing. The second season premiered on April 1 across multiple platforms including Crunchyroll and Netflix, running for 11 episodes. A music video for the opening theme "Zettai Must Danmen" by (K)NoW_NAME was also released alongside the finale. The first season debuted in January 2020 on Netflix Japan and later globally. The manga by Q Hayashida ran from 2000 to 2018 across 23 volumes. No release date or distribution details for the third season have been announced yet.

May 19

Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Gets New PV From MAPPA

A new promotional video for the Jujutsu Kaisen sequel manga Modulo was released, animated by MAPPA and directed by Shun Miyakawa. The PV commemorates the final volume's release on May 1. The spin-off, set 68 years after the Culling Game, follows an alien race seeking coexistence with jujutsu sorcerers.