Ranking the Top 10 Anime Titles Produced by Studio MAPPA

MAPPA has been in the news lately, but for all the wrong reasons. Let's turn back time and remember the best anime created by Studio MAPPA. Established in 2011 by anime mogul Masao Maruyama, who also co-founded Madhouse, MAPPA rose swiftly to become one of the greatest anime studios in history.

Despite its success, controversy surrounds the studio due to behind-the-scenes production issues. Let's take a closer look at the series that propelled Studio MAPPA to fame, from sports dramas to historical fantasies. Here are the top 10 anime of all time from Studio MAPPA.

Top 10 best anime from Studio MAPPA

MAPPA is known for producing hit after hit. Let’s take at look at some of the studio’s most captivating, colorful and entertaining anime of all time.

10. Hell’s Paradise

Hell's Paradise, like many other popular anime in recent years, is set in feudal Japan and follows the story of a ninja named Gabimaru. He is given the opportunity to avoid execution for his crimes if he embarks on a quest to find the elixir of life. The anime is based on Yuki Kaku's ongoing manga series and the first season was released in April 2023, with a second season currently in production.

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll

9. Kakegurui

Based on Homura Kawamoto’s manga of the same name, Kekegurui takes place in a prestigious school for the offspring of the powerful and wealthy Hyakkaou Private Academy.

However, this school operates in a unique way. At Hyakkou, students' societal standings are determined by their prowess in gambling.

Packed with high-stakes gambling scenes, this exciting anime delves into the students' struggles as they compete against one another to maintain their positions within the school's social hierarchy.

Available to watch on: Netflix

8. Dorohedoro

Dorohedoro is not just another post-apocalyptic story.

Follow Caiman, a man with a reptilian head who suffers from amnesia, as he sets out on a journey to discover his true identity with his best friend Nikaido, a sorceress and restaurant owner. Experience their adventures in a perilous world with intense battles, vibrant characters, and plenty of dark humor.

Available to watch on: Netflix

7. Terror In Resonance

The psychological thriller, also known as Terror in Tokyo, unfolds in an alternate universe where three teenagers named Nine, Twelve, and Lisa successfully steal a prototype atomic bomb.

The plot revolves around their plan to detonate a bomb in Tokyo unless a cryptic riddle is solved to reveal hidden secrets. Despite being nearly a decade old, the series remains timeless due to its compelling action sequences and thought-provoking storyline that challenges the traditional notions of heroes and villains, while delving into the dark realities of the modern world.

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll

6. Yuri!!! On Ice

Yuri!!! On Ice is one of the series which put MAPPA on the anime industry map.

The story follows Yuki Katsuki, a professional figure skater who decides to retire after a devastating defeat. However, his passion is reignited when he is approached by world champion Russian skater Victor Nikiforov, who offers to coach him after seeing a video of Yuki performing his routine. Their mentor-mentee relationship develops into a beloved rivals to lovers story, cherished by fans globally.

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll, Funimation and Amazon Prime Video

5. Dororo

Dororo is set in feudal Japan and revolves around an orphaned boy named Dororo and a wandering ronin named Hyakkimaru. Hyakkimaru's samurai father traded away his body parts to 48 demons in order to gain control of Japan.

Stream Osamu Tezuka’s popular 1960s manga adaptation, which chronicles Hyakkimaru's quest to defeat the demons and reclaim his missing body parts. Watch on: Amazon Prime Video and HIDIVE.

4. Chainsaw Man

The anime adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s popular manga, Chainsaw Man, by MAPPA became one of the most highly anticipated series of 2022. The story revolves around Denji, a young man navigating a world overrun by bloodthirsty creatures known as Devils. His life takes a dramatic pivot when he forms a bond with Pochita, a devil with the appearance of a part-dog, part-chainsaw creature.

Watch as Denji's life takes a bizarre turn after being murdered by gangsters. Fusion with Pochita's soul saves him and transforms him into Chainsaw Man. Join Denji on his journey as he hunts other Devils in hopes of good fortune. Now streaming on Crunchyroll.

3. Hajime no Ippo: Rising

The anime series, also known as Fighting Spirit: Rising and based on George Morikawa's Fighting Spirit manga, was produced by MAPPA as the third part of the series, taking over from Madhouse. Despite initial fan concerns, the studio successfully did justice to the inspiring story.

Continuing the journey of Ippo Makunouchi, a young boxer rising through the ranks in the ring, MAPPA's third part portrays his dedication and support from his coach Kamogawa Genji as he works towards the championship title. The series also explores Ippo's personal challenges and his growth as a person and a fighter.

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll

2. Jujutsu Kaisen

It goes without saying that Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most popular anime series of all time.

Derived from Gege Akutami’s popular manga series, this gripping dark fantasy tale revolves around Yuji Itadori, a high school student thrust into the enigmatic realm of curses after ingesting the cursed finger of an incredibly potent sorcerer.

As Yuji becomes the vessel for Sukuna, he teams up with fellow sorcerers Fushiguro and Kugisaki at Jujutsu High, where they seek to master the art of combatting formidable curses. However, deeper, more sinister truths await within the world of jujutsu.

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll

1. Attack On Titan: Final Season

Unsurprisingly, the final season of Attack On Titan claims the top spot on this list. Adapted from the highly praised manga by Hajime Isayama, this acclaimed anime series originally aired with Wit Studio, before transitioning to MAPPA for its concluding season.

The conclusion of the final season wraps up the story of Eren Yeager and Mikasa and marks the liberation of Paradis Island from the titans' control. The finale of Attack on Titan is number one for its ability to "break" the internet, making it one of the only anime specials to achieve this level of impact. After months of anticipation, speculation, and fan worry about the new studio, the final season is poised to become the most significant anime series of 2023, and possibly of all time.

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime Video

So there you have it, the top 10 anime series produced by Studio Mappa. Were any of these on your list?

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Connect to any location within the US with Express VPN, providing access to 24 different spots ranging from New Jersey to Santa Monica. Visit Crunchyroll online to start streaming your favorite animes, as well as discovering new ones you may have never seen before.

Accessing Crunchyroll’s US lineup offers a significant advantage; for instance, Hong Kong users can only access less than 100 titles, whereas the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have grown up watching anime produced by Studio MAPPA. From the intense action sequences of "Attack on Titan: Final Season" to the captivating sports drama of "Yuri!!! On Ice," MAPPA has consistently delivered some of the most visually stunning and emotionally resonant anime of the past decade.

One of the things I appreciate most about MAPPA's anime is their willingness to take risks and experiment with different genres and styles. From the dark and gritty "Dorohedoro" to the heartwarming and hilarious "Kakegurui," MAPPA has shown that they are not afraid to push the boundaries of what is possible in anime.

Overall, I am incredibly grateful for the work that Studio MAPPA has done in the anime industry. Their anime has brought me countless hours of joy and inspiration, and I look forward to seeing what they create in the years to come.