Netflix has announced an expanded strategic partnership with MAPPA, the Japanese animation studio behind globally popular series such as Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen. The collaboration will see the two companies working closely on new anime projects designed for a worldwide audience, with Netflix set to exclusively stream a slate of original MAPPA productions to its members across the globe.
Under the agreement, Netflix and MAPPA will collaborate across multiple stages of production, ranging from early story development to broader business initiatives tied to each project. New anime titles produced by MAPPA as part of this partnership will debut simultaneously worldwide on Netflix, reinforcing the platform’s push to make anime releases accessible to global audiences at the same time.
MAPPA has built its reputation on a production model that emphasizes creative independence and flexibility. The studio has previously experimented with studio led approaches to intellectual property development and merchandising, most notably with Chainsaw Man, while Jujutsu Kaisen played a key role in expanding the international reach of modern Japanese anime. Netflix positions this partnership as a continuation of that philosophy, aligning MAPPA’s production style with its own global distribution network.
Anime has become a significant pillar of Netflix’s content strategy. The company says more than half of its members now watch anime on the service, with overall anime viewership tripling over the past 5 years. Netflix believes that exclusive, day and date global premieres will allow fans around the world to engage with new series simultaneously, strengthening the shared viewing experience.
MAPPA President and CEO Manabu Otsuka described the expanded partnership as a long-term collaboration built on the studio’s commitment to creative and business independence. He emphasized the importance of Japanese animation studios taking an active role in understanding global audiences, developing projects, delivering them to viewers, and expanding related businesses, noting that Netflix is a key partner in achieving that goal.
Kaata Sakamoto, Vice President of Content for Netflix Japan, highlighted MAPPA’s willingness to take creative risks and pursue new forms of expression. He stated that combining MAPPA’s production approach with Netflix’s global reach creates opportunities to further broaden the scope and possibilities of anime, with a shared focus on delivering new experiences to audiences worldwide.
Netflix has previously released MAPPA produced titles such as Ranma 1/2 and Kakegurui Twin to international audiences. With multiple new anime projects now in planning and production under the expanded agreement, both companies say they aim to bring more original Japanese animation to global viewers while exploring new creative directions for the medium.
