11 Best MAPPA Anime That Aren’t Jujutsu Kaisen or Chainsaw Man

Image: MAPPA/Crunchyroll

It is nearly impossible to navigate the current anime landscape without encountering the massive influence of Studio MAPPA. For a vast legion of fans, the studio has become shorthand for a specific brand of modern, high-octane spectacle. Having solidified its status as an industry powerhouse through the global sensation Jujutsu Kaisen and the visceral intensity of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, MAPPA is now marking 15 years at the forefront of the medium.

Established in 2011 by industry veteran and creative maverick Masao Maruyama, the studio was born as a sanctuary for uncompromising artistry. Long before it was entrusted with gargantuan properties like Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, MAPPA served as a boutique hub—a place where visionary directors could escape the stifling constraints of corporate committees to pursue passion projects that mainstream studios wouldn’t touch. That independent spirit remains woven into the studio’s DNA, creating a fascinating tension between its current role as a blockbuster factory and its enduring urge to push boundaries.

To truly grasp the breadth of MAPPA’s contributions, one must look beyond its high-profile action hits. Strip away the supernatural battles, and you are left with a profoundly eclectic catalog: historical dramas, biting satirical comedies, and bold, avant-garde experiments that were once labeled “impossible to adapt.” From its initial jazz-soaked aesthetic to its latest tributes to the grueling craft of animation, here are 11 essential MAPPA titles that prove the studio’s creative soul runs deeper than any franchise.

1 Maboroshi (2023)

Mari Okada’s Maboroshi (also known as Alice and Therese’s Illusory Factory) serves as a testament to MAPPA’s willingness to take profound creative risks. The story follows the residents of Mifuse, a town trapped in an eternal loop following a 1991 industrial catastrophe—a setting where time has effectively halted, children cannot age, and the sky fractures whenever citizens confront the weight of their own emotions.

Okada masterfully wields this surreal, supernatural backdrop to explore the paralyzing nature of grief and the terror of outgrowing one’s environment. While it lacks the sheer commercial footprint of the studio’s tentpole series, Maboroshi is a stunning piece of auteur-driven filmmaking that recalls the experimental ethos of MAPPA’s foundational years.

2 Dororo (2019)

A reimagining of Osamu Tezuka’s timeless manga, Dororo is a standout entry that highlights MAPPA’s skill in breathing new life into legendary source material. By pairing Kazuhiro Furuhashi’s expert direction with a visceral, moody art style, the series transformed a classic tale into one of the most compelling narratives of 2019.

The plot follows the young wanderer Hyakkimaru, who embarks on a grim quest to reclaim his stolen body parts from demons. It is a grim, blood-soaked journey that balances pulse-pounding swordfights with genuine pathos, proving that MAPPA could modernize heritage titles without sacrificing their core soul.

Source: Polygon