10 Best MAPPA Anime

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Over the years, from the 2016 figure skating sports hit that captured the hearts of many anime enthusiasts (otaku), to the 2020 supernatural school success that charmed even non-anime fans (normies) into embracing the anime trend, to some lesser-known titles that truly deserve appreciation, MAPPA has produced some exceptional series. Titles like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man have gained immense popularity, and the studio has even taken on animating sequels of other well-known series such as Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga. However, among their impressive lineup, which MAPPA series are the finest?

If you’re in the mood for humorous and absurd content, or something deeply emotional, MAPPA has a series to satisfy your cravings! Known for their exceptional visuals, music, and artistic touch, MAPPA brings stories that will make you laugh, cry, and discover a new favorite anime. Even if you’ve dismissed these titles in the past or haven’t heard of them before, it’s definitely worth giving MAPPA’s picks a try!

1) Dororo

In a state of distress, the ruthless samurai lord Daigo Kagemitsu strikes a bargain with twelve demons for wealth and strength, paying the heavy price of his newborn son. Born without limbs, eyes, nose, ears, or skin, the child was cast into a river to perish. However, a healer named Hyakkimaru rescued him, equipping him with mechanical prosthetics that allowed him to survive and fight back. Not only could he live despite being blind, deaf, and insensate, but he also defended himself against the demons seeking him as a sacrifice. One day, an orphan named Dororo chose to join forces with Hyakkimaru on his quest to eliminate each demon, hoping to reclaim the parts of his body that had been cruelly withheld at birth.

Revamped from Osamu Tezuka’s 1967 four-volume manga, MAPPA masterfully breathes life into Dororo as if Pinocchio was set amidst Japan’s Sengoku era, brimming with action, historical authenticity, and a chilling fantasy spin. Hyakkimaru and Dororo grapple not only with demons who threaten to dismember them but also the inner demons of the people they encounter on their perilous journey.

Dororo can be streamed on Prime Video, Hulu, and HIDIVE.

2) Terror in Resonance

During my excursion to Tokyo Metropolitan office as part of a school trip, I found myself unwittingly embroiled in turmoil when a terrorist inadvertently implicated me as an accessory while saving me from his and his cohort’s bombing. Fleeing with them, I discover they were the culprits behind the city’s chaos, planting bombs, disseminating cryptic riddle videos, and instilling widespread fear. They identify themselves as Nine and Twelve, the masked figures in the videos known as “Sphinx.” In defiance of the authorities, their terrorist acts and riddles serve a purpose: to broadcast a message, one aimed at unmasking the government’s hidden truth—the tragic backstory of Nine and Twelve.

Some dystopias aren’t focused on obvious pain and corruption, nor do they always portray extremely advanced or dilapidated societies. MAPPA’s series offers a more relatable take, showing a contemporary society that conceals hidden, unsavory aspects beneath its surface.

Terror in Resonance can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Tubi.

3) Lazarus

In the year 2048, renowned scientist Dr. Deniz Skinner invented a groundbreaking painkiller called Hapna, which quickly became known as a daily miracle drug around the world. However, a year after its launch, Dr. Skinner mysteriously disappeared without a trace. It wasn’t until 2052 that he re-emerged, revealing a startling secret: Hapna was designed to transform into a deadly toxin, eventually killing anyone who had taken it. To make matters worse, Skinner claimed to have the antidote but would only share it if found within 30 days. With humanity’s survival hanging in the balance, Axel Gilberto is reluctantly enlisted by an unconventional organization called Lazarus to locate Dr. Skinner before time runs out.

With MAPPA at the helm, Lazarus soars to greatness thanks to a stellar crew, boasting collaborations from visionary directors like Shinichirō Watanabe, renowned for his work on shows such as Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, and Chad Stahelski, the mastermind behind the John Wick action sequences.

Lazarus can be streamed on Max where available.

4) Yuri!!! on Ice

23-year-old figure skater Yuuri Katsuki, once seen as Japan’s greatest prospect, grapples with his future following a disheartening loss at the Grand Prix Finale. His chances of success in skating appear to be fading. However, a video of him performing a routine similar to that of five-time world champion Victor Nikiforov unexpectedly becomes popular online. This newfound fame catches the attention not only of figure skating enthusiasts but also Victor himself, who surprises Yuuri by visiting his home and offering coaching. Excited as a fan of Victor, Yuuri agrees, finding hope for his skating career once more. Yet, he faces tough competition when Yuri Plisetsky, a formidable Russian rival, sets out to defeat Yuuri and reclaim Victor’s guidance.

For those yearning for a critically acclaimed sports anime, you should definitely check out the 2016 sensation, Yuri!!! on Ice. This series captured the affection of countless fans due to its fresh perspective on men’s figure skating, lovable characters, and captivating soundtrack.

Yuri!!! on Ice can be streamed on Crunchyroll or Hulu where available.

5) In This Corner of the World

As Suzu Urano matures, she is pure-hearted, gentle, and frequently lost in reverie. However, her tranquil existence is about to be disrupted when she embarks on a journey beyond her new married life. Her husband, Shuusaku Houjou, is largely unfamiliar to her, leading to challenges as she adjusts to living with his family. To make matters worse, Suzu misses her old home on the outskirts of Hiroshima terribly, and the hardships escalate when the war encroaches upon her new life, making its way into their very backyard.

Besides being known for its exceptional hardcore action, groundbreaking isekai, chilling supernatural suspense, and pioneering work in industry-leading anime, MAPPA additionally breathes life into the emotional depth found in Fumiyo Kōno’s historical slice-of-life movies.

In This Corner of the World can be streamed on Tubi, Prime, or Pluto where available.

6) Jujutsu Kaisen

Yuuji Itadori typically enjoys a laid-back lifestyle, either participating in pastime paranormal pursuits with the Occult Club or tending to his bedridden grandfather at the hospital. However, his ordinary high school life is turned upside down when he unwittingly comes across an authentic cursed artifact, setting off a sequence of supernatural events. Encountering a genuine entity born from human hatred and darkness, Yuuji finds himself inexplicably drawn into the realm of Curses after ingesting the item, which happens to be a finger belonging to Sukuna Ryoumen, also known as the King of Curses. Subsequently, he’s enrolled at Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School and must now learn to master his new abilities.

The animated series “Jujutsu Kaisen,” produced by MAPPA, has been widely admired for its innovative portrayal of a cursed protagonist, a school of sorcerers, and enticing supernatural abilities. As a result, it has become an engaging anime that even those outside the norm (often referred to as “normies”) have found enjoyable.

Jujutsu Kaisen can be streamed on Netflix, Prime, Hulu, or Crunchyroll where available.

7) Zombieland Saga

Despite the unexpected end to Sakura Minamoto’s natural life, her ambition to be an idol continues post-resurrection in the Saga Prefecture, ten years later. With no recollection of her former existence, Sakura finds that Koutarou Tatsumi brought her back among six others for a peculiar purpose: to establish an idol group. Taking on the role of their manager, Koutarou organizes events for the rebranded Franchouchou idol group as the girls gradually recall their previous lives, all while concealing their zombie identities.

In a somewhat unique fashion, series like “Oshi no Ko” deviate from the typical idol genre norms, offering a fresh twist. However, “Zombieland Saga” takes the entire idol genre by surprise with its outrageous humor that seems to be hit by Truck-kun, metaphorically speaking.

Zombieland Saga can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

8) Zenshu

Natsuko Hirose bursts onto the animation scene as a brilliant artist, swiftly climbing the ranks to become a highly respected director. In her subsequent endeavor, a romantic comedy based on first love, Natsuko encounters an unprecedented hurdle in her profession – she doesn’t fully grasp the idea herself. Struggling to map out the storyboard, her life takes a tragic turn. However, instead of meeting her end, she is reborn and finds herself not in any world, but within the anime movie she cherished as a child, “A Tale of Perishing“.

As an ardent anime enthusiast, you’d think getting isekai’d into any anime world I fancy would be the pinnacle of dreams realized. However, MAPPA masterfully delves into this notion in Zenshu. It appears to be a perfect scenario, but this series exposes the harsh realities that these worlds and their inhabitants would face as if they were genuine.

Zenshu can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

9) Banana Fish

Following Aslan Jade Callenreese, also known as Ash Lynx, being taken off the streets of New York City and brought up under the notorious mafia godfather Dino Golzine, he ascends to become the head of his own gang at only seventeen years old. However, when he starts probing into the origin of the cryptic term “Banana Fish”, a phrase his brother Griffin has been repeating ever since coming back from the Iraq War, Ash finds himself in a more complex web of intrigue than initially anticipated.

If you’re in search of an engaging suspense-thriller blended with action and adventure, consider giving Banana Fish a try. Unlike most anime that are set in imaginative realms or Japan, this series offers a unique twist by unfolding on the bustling streets of New York City, courtesy of MAPPA’s innovative storytelling.

Banana Fish can be streamed on Prime.

10) Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill

Tsuyoshi Mukouda, an ordinary office worker, is suddenly whisked away to another realm, chosen as a hero for the Kingdom of Reijseger. However, when it’s disclosed that his unique ability is “Online Grocery Shopping”, he manages to escape the role since this non-combat skill is deemed virtually worthless. To Mukouda’s surprise, his skill unexpectedly becomes invaluable, as he can procure items and food from Japan, considered luxuries in this new world at affordable prices. When his culinary talents attract the attention of the legendary wolf Fel, they forge a contract that makes Fel Mukouda’s companion. As they traverse the land together, Mukouda and Fel pass their days exploring, trading goods, and, you guessed it, cooking!

This show, called Campfire Cooking, blends elements together much like MAPPA might roll up a sushi: it incorporates the traditional Japanese ingredients, magical fantasy world aspects from games, economic insights during travel, and a wolf companion – all in a single, enticing series. This is similar to merging Delicious in Dungeon, Isekai Izakaya, and Spice and Wolf.

Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2025-07-23 06:11