Recent findings reveal 'Jujutsu Kaisen' has significantly bolstered MAPPA's position in the anime industry, coinciding with shifts in global streaming dynamics.
Recent findings from a report by Media Partners Asia (MPA) reveal that the popular anime series Jujutsu Kaisen has propelled studio MAPPA to the forefront of Asia’s anime landscape. The report highlights significant trends in how anime is consumed across streaming platforms, marking a notable shift from traditional licensing models to more ownership-oriented approaches in the industry.
According to the MPA’s report titled "The Anime Economy," anime has attracted a larger monthly audience than any other genre on Asian streaming platforms between July 2025 and August 2026. Notably, viewership on Netflix has increased at a rate nine times faster than the platform’s overall growth during the same period. The report analyzed audience data across eight Asian markets, affirming that between 31% and 47% of premium video-on-demand (VOD) users tuned into anime in a typical month, significantly outpacing figures for other genres.
Jujutsu Kaisen ranked as the top anime title in seven of the eight markets tracked in the first half of 2026, which contributed to MAPPA’s surge in market share. The studio’s portion of regional anime hours climbed from 6.1% in the latter half of 2025 to 17.3% in the first half of 2026. This achievement positioned MAPPA just ahead of competitors TMS Entertainment and Toei Animation, who held 16.6% and 13%, respectively.
The report also scrutinized the competitive landscape in Japan, where streaming services like Prime Video and Netflix are fiercely contesting for dominance. In the first half of 2026, both platforms nearly tied, with Prime Video holding a 43% share and Netflix at 42% of the anime viewing market. This strengthens the notion that the Asian market, especially Japan, is critical for the future of anime streaming and production.
A significant insight from the report is the shift in how anime is financed and produced. MPA points towards a model where platforms are increasingly financing the production of shows while retaining ownership rights, suggesting a move away from mere licensing. A strategic partnership between Netflix and MAPPA, announced in January 2026, is expected to be pivotal in this transition. This partnership reflects a broader industry trend towards owning franchises rather than relying solely on acquired content. MPA forecasts that worldwide anime expenditure could grow by around 10% annually until 2030, largely driven by platforms and studios that secure ownership of successful properties.
The rise of MAPPA thanks to Jujutsu Kaisen underscores the changing dynamics of the anime industry, where ownership models are rapidly gaining traction. With significant viewership numbers and the potential for industry growth, this development is crucial for anime creators and streaming platforms alike, as they navigate the complexities of content ownership and audience engagement. Moving forward, companies that can adapt quickly to these changes and those with popular franchises may emerge as key players in the anime landscape.
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