Streaming giant Netflix and acclaimed Japanese animation studio MAPPA Co., Ltd. have formally announced a strategic partnership designed to significantly broaden the global reach and development of anime content. The expanded alliance aims not only to co-produce original anime projects, but also to distribute them exclusively and simultaneously to audiences in more than 190 countries and territories via Netflix’s platform.
A New Model for Anime Production and Distribution
The partnership, outlined in a joint announcement from Netflix and MAPPA, marks a notable shift in how major streaming platforms and Japanese studios are aligning production and international release strategies. Rather than simply licensing finished works, both companies will work closely on new anime projects from early story development through global release and merchandise integration, with Netflix securing exclusive streaming rights worldwide.
According to Netflix, anime has become a central pillar of its content strategy, with anime viewership reportedly tripling on the platform over the past five years and now enjoyed by more than half of its global subscriber base. The company emphasized that this collaboration will help deliver fresh and original MAPPA works to fans across the world at the same time.
MAPPA’s portfolio includes some of the most globally recognized series of recent years, such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Attack on Titan: The Final Season. Under the new partnership framework, upcoming titles developed with Netflix will be strategically designed with global audiences in mind, blending creative storytelling with broad international accessibility.
Creative Independence and Global Ambition
MAPPA President and CEO Manabu Otsuka stressed that the studio’s core belief in maintaining creative and business independence is central to the expanded collaboration. Otsuka stated that Japanese animation studios must take a proactive role in every stage of project creation from understanding international audience needs to production and distribution and that the alliance with Netflix supports that vision.
Kaata Sakamoto, Vice President of Content Japan at Netflix, highlighted the synergy between MAPPA’s bold creative approach and Netflix’s global distribution capabilities. According to Sakamoto, the partnership aims to “further expand the possibilities of anime” by combining high-quality creative production with Netflix’s worldwide audience reach, enabling anime to resonate with fans across markets in real time.
Past Collaborations and What’s Next
Netflix and MAPPA have previously collaborated on bringing titles like Kakegurui Twin and Ranma ½ to international audiences. However, the newly announced strategic partnership elevates their relationship to a comprehensive co-development model, moving beyond licensing into joint creation and distribution of a slate of original anime projects that will premiere exclusively on Netflix.
While specific titles and release dates for forthcoming projects have not yet been revealed, fans and industry watchers alike anticipate a robust pipeline of high-quality anime that could reshape how Japanese animation is produced and consumed globally.
This agreement signals a continued trend of collaboration between streaming platforms and Japanese animation studios reflecting both the immense global demand for anime and Netflix’s commitment to positioning anime as a core pillar of its worldwide content offerings.
NETFLIX AND MAPPA ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC ANIME PARTNERSHIP
