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Founded in 2011 by major anime producer Masao Maruyama, the studio is loved for its track record of shows with top-notch animation and captivating stories. These shows are diverse in look and subject matter, showing off MAPPA’s great skills applied across a wide range of endeavors. From sports anime to historical stories, here are the ten best anime made by MAPPA Studio.
10 Dorohedoro
Dorohedoro first premiered on January 2020, immersing viewers in a grim, post-apocalyptic world known as “The Hole”. The story centers around Caiman, a reptilian-headed man with amnesia on a quest to uncover his true identity. Alongside him is his best friend, Nikaido, a sorceress who runs a small restaurant in The Hole.
The series has a unique blend of dark humor, action, and fantasy, showing how Caiman and Nikaido navigate the treacherous world of sorcerers and powerful organizations. Fans love this show for its vivid and imaginative depiction of the post-apocalyptic world, as well as its thrilling fight sequences and special effects.
9 Kids On The Slope
MAPPA’s coming-of-age animation series Kids on the Slope is based on the jazz music industry. The show, which debuted in April 2012, centers on Kaoru Nishimi, a transfer student who settles in a tiny village in the 1960s and makes friends with Sentar Kawabuchi, a young man who loves jazz. The show explores the relationship between Kaoru and Sentar, along with how they learn from one another as they fall in love with jazz music.
The show is notable because of its compelling characters, poignant themes, and portrayal of the passion, beauty, and challenges of jazz music and 1960s culture.
8 Banana Fish
In this crime thriller anime, a young gang boss named Aslan Jade Callenreese, or Ash Lynx, is caught in a risky plan involving a mysterious substance called “Banana Fish”. The show digs into Ash’s connection with Eiji, a Japanese photographer who joins him in the fight against the conspiracy. With this thrilling story, the show examines issues of family, power, and corruption.
Banana Fish is a fan favorite thanks to its intricate plot, strong action, and varied cast of characters as well as its accurate portrayal of the feel and high stakes of New York City.
7 Yuri!!! on Ice
Yuri!!! on Ice follows Japanese skater Yuuri Katsuki as he struggles with self-doubt and a losing streak. Victor Nikiforov, a five-time world champion, offers him mentoring after he suffers a painful setback and a video of him goes viral. The show covers Yuuri’s quest to rediscover success as well as his rivalry with Yuri Plisetsky, a rising Russian celebrity.
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Yuri!!! on Ice is a must-watch for anime fans because of its notable same-sex representation, realistic figure skating, and strong character development. The animation also beautifully captures the elegance of figure skating.
6 Dororo
Dororo is a historical fantasy show written by Osamu Tezuka. Set in feudal Japan, the show follows the journey of a young orphan, Hyakkimaru, who was born without limbs, nose, eyes, ears, or skin because of a deal his father made with demons.
With a blend of fantasy and historical elements, the story follows Hyakkimaru’s quest to reclaim his body and seek revenge on the demons that took it from him. Along the way, he forms an unlikely friendship with an orphan boy named Dororo as they fight to survive a world overrun by demons.
5 Chainsaw Man
The anime series Chainsaw Man is based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga series of the same name. It tells the story of Denji, a young man who obtains the ability to merge with evil spirits, known as devils, after his untimely death. Denji uses his newfound powers to become a weapon against devils. What he wants most is a peaceful life and a beautiful partner by his side, and this desire drives him. Although his dreams are naive at best, he dedicates himself fully to making them come true.
The long-awaited show dives deep into the minds of the characters to explore humanity’s dark side and the themes of power and responsibility. Chainsaw Man is not an easy watch for viewers who are not a fan of violence, but the show has several merits that make every second worth watching.
4 Jujutsu Kaisen
Yuji Itadori, the main character of this striking show, inadvertently falls into the adventurous world of jujutsu sorcerers after swallowing a cursed item. With impressive animation and special effects, Jujutsu Kaisen tells the exciting story of Yuji on his journey to protect humans from the evil of cursed spirits.
Based on the manga series written by Gege Akutami, the show is packed with diverse characters who are well-written and relatable. With enthralling action sequences and emotional scenes, the show is both thrilling and thought-provoking, guaranteed to grab the attention of every viewer.
3 Fighting Spirit: Rising
Fighting Spirit: Rising, also known as Hajime no Ippo: Rising, is the third season of the sports anime centering Ippo Makunouchi. Moved from Madhouse to MAPPA, the show continues the story of Ippo, now a featherweight champion, as he faces more challenges and discovers the true meaning of strength. Because of his tenacity and willingness to always keep fighting, Ippo is a true inspiration for all fans.
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Every bit as riveting as the previous seasons, MAPPA’s take on the show presents the interior world of boxing with great animation and character development, setting Fighting Spirit apart from other boxing shows.
2 Vinland Saga Season 2
This adaptation of Makoto Yukimura’s award-winning manga of the same name had its first season created by Wit Studio and was widely loved by viewers. However, for the second season, MAPPA has taken over the reins. Although it is only in the early stage of release, Vinland Saga Season 2 is already highly rated.
After the long wait, MAPPA brings a second season starting off with an eye-catching episode, promising a season with the same violence, brutality, and attention to detail that originally seized the hearts of several viewers worldwide.
1 Attack On Titan: The Final Season
Based on the award-winning manga by Hajime Isayama, Attack On Titan is an incontestable favorite among anime viewers. Initially adapted by Wit Studio, the show was transferred to MAPPA for its final season. In this season MAPPA continues the story of Eren Yeager and other characters in their intriguing post-apocalyptic world where the ongoing conflict between humans and titans continues to deepen and develop difficult contexts.
Although full of action-packed scenes, Attack on Titan was never just about the thrill. The final season is no different. MAPPA delivers the story with a balance of combat and philosophical pursuits, all with beautifully animated scenes.
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