5 Most Underrated Anime From Jujutsu Kaisen’s Studio You’ll Fall in Love With

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Founded in 2011, MAPPA quickly rose to prominence as a leading animation studio. They became well-known for hit series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Attack on Titan (starting with Season 4), and Vinland Saga (from Season 2), among many other popular shows. The studio had a major breakthrough in 2016 with Yuri on Ice, which gained them international attention, and followed that success with the critically praised adaptation of Banana Fish in 2018. Despite facing criticism regarding working conditions and animator pay, MAPPA continued to grow, becoming a multimillion-dollar company and a significant force in the anime world.

While Jujutsu Kaisen is definitely MAPPA’s biggest hit, the studio has created many other fantastic anime and films that haven’t gotten as much attention worldwide. With sequels for Jujutsu Kaisen, Hell’s Paradise, and Dorohedoro coming next year, here are some of MAPPA’s other great shows you can enjoy in the meantime.

5) Days

The idea of never giving up is a common theme in anime, but each series finds its own way to portray it, and some depictions are particularly memorable. Sports anime, in particular, are great at creating exciting, motivating moments that make you root for the characters. Days tells the story of Tsukushi Tsukamoto, a shy and somewhat awkward high school student who is often picked on.

Tsukushi’s life changes when he meets Jin Kazama, a talented soccer player who stands up for him against bullies. Jin asks Tsukushi to fill in for a missing player on his futsal team, and to everyone’s surprise, Tsukushi scores the winning goal. This experience sparks a new passion in Tsukushi, leading him to join the school’s soccer club.

4) The Gymastics Samurai

One problem with original anime is that they often don’t get much attention because they don’t have a built-in audience like anime based on popular manga. Instead of the typical underdog story about someone rising through the ranks, this anime focuses on Joutaro Aragaki, a gymnast already at the top of his game, known as the ‘Samurai’ for his unique hairstyle.

Following his wife’s death, Joutaro sustained a serious shoulder injury, but continued training intensely for five more years. Despite being told to retire, he took his young daughter on a trip where he met a man calling himself Leonardo, a ninja. This meeting unexpectedly rekindled Joutaro’s love for gymnastics, and he demonstrated that he still had a place in the sport.

3) Terror in Resonance

This original anime from MAPPA is a suspenseful thriller about two teenage boys, known as Nine and Twelve, who are behind a string of bombings under the name “Sphinx.” Their actions are causing widespread chaos, and the police are struggling to track them down. The situation escalates when the boys start posting puzzling videos, daring the police to stop them from carrying out more attacks.

The video immediately sparked widespread panic, overwhelming the police and making the situation much harder to control. During the resulting chaos, the boys meet Lisa Mishima, a lonely high school student haunted by her past. She quickly becomes involved in their schemes. As the story unfolds, the boys’ history is revealed, and the truth about their experiences is far more disturbing than anyone could have guessed.

2) In This Corner of the World

The film is a visually stunning and dreamlike experience, but beneath its beauty lies a deeply moving and tragic story about the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing and the realities of war. It’s a powerful tale of how people find the strength to survive, maintain hope, and even find love in the face of unimaginable hardship. The story centers on Suzu Urano, a compassionate young artist who grew up near Hiroshima.

Growing up, she enters an arranged marriage with Shuusaku Houjo and works hard to fit into his family. But just as she settles into her new life, war breaks out, and she must find ways to help her family survive the difficult times.

1) Kids on the Slope

MAPPA created a truly special anime that beautifully blends romance, music, and the challenges of growing up – it’s a show that resonates with everyone. The story follows Kaoru Nishimi, a quiet and reserved high school student whose father’s job causes him to move schools frequently, making it difficult to build lasting friendships. Instead of connecting with others, he finds solace and expression through playing the piano.

During the summer of 1966, he moved to a small island in Kyushu and met Sentaro Kawabuchi, a rebellious drummer who loved jazz. Sentaro often practiced at a record store owned by the family of Ritsuko Mukae, his childhood friend and a well-liked student leader. At first, Kaoru kept to himself, but he gradually began to connect with them, experiencing both the joy of friendship and the beginnings of romantic feelings.

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2025-11-10 04:11