Netflix has strengthened its position in the anime market through an expanded partnership with Mappa, the acclaimed Tokyo animation studio responsible for hit series like Jujutsu Kaisen and the recent box office phenomenon Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
The collaboration, announced January 21 and detailed further this week by Netflix Japan content chief Kaata Sakamoto, represents a shift toward deeper creative partnerships in the anime space. Several projects are already in development, covering everything from initial storytelling to merchandising opportunities.
The timing aligns with anime's explosive growth on Netflix, where viewership has tripled over five years. The platform now reports that more than half its subscribers watch anime content.
Netflix's Kaata Sakamoto and Mappa CEO Manabu Otsuka
What makes this deal particularly notable is its structure. According to industry sources, the partnership will bypass Japan's traditional production committee model, where multiple stakeholders share both risk and creative control. This approach promises Mappa greater autonomy while giving Netflix a more direct voice in development.
Mappa CEO Manabu Otsuka framed the expanded alliance as consistent with the studio's commitment to independence, stating that Japanese animation companies need to "proactively lead every stage" from understanding global audiences to distribution and business expansion.
The partnership builds on previous collaborations including Ranma 1/2 and Kakegurui Twin, with both companies signaling ambitions to push anime into new creative directions as the medium continues its worldwide expansion.