Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 1 hr ago
MAPPA says international audiences will not dictate its creative direction
Japanese animation studio MAPPA says global audiences will not dictate its creative direction as it marks its 15th anniversary.
The studio, based in Tokyo and Japan's Tohoku region, is known for series including Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man.
CEO Manabu Otsuka says MAPPA considers what it can learn from international viewers but wants to preserve qualities that make Japanese anime distinctive.
He says the studio carefully selects which outside influences to use rather than adopting everything.
Director Kaori Makita says adaptations should bring the original material to life for fans in Japan and overseas alike.
This matters as MAPPA's international following grows and the studio balances global reach with its creative identity.
Its upcoming projects include Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 2 and Chainsaw Man: International Assassins Arc.
MAPPA says international audiences influence the studio but will not dictate its creative direction.
President and CEO Manabu Otsuka said the studio aims to learn selectively from overseas markets while preserving what makes Japanese anime distinctive.
Anime director Kaori Makita said adaptations should stay faithful to their source material for audiences in Japan and abroad.
The comments came in an interview at Germany’s AniMagiC event as MAPPA marked its 15th anniversary.
MAPPA’s Fall 2026 slate includes Ranma 1/2 Season 3 and upcoming titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 2.
- Who
- MAPPA President and CEO Manabu Otsuka and anime director Kaori Makita.
- What
- They discussed the studio’s approach to international audiences and creative direction.
- When
- In a recent interview; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- At Germany’s AniMagiC event.
- Why
- MAPPA is balancing lessons from international markets with preserving what it sees as distinctive about Japanese anime.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Masao Maruyama founded MAPPA.
MAPPA President and CEO Manabu Otsuka and anime director Kaori Makita spoke with Anime Corner at Germany’s AniMagiC event.
MAPPA is releasing Season 3 of Ranma 1/2.
- Founded
- June 2011
- Anniversary
- 15th
- Interview location
- AniMagiC, Germany
- Fall 2026 release
- Ranma 1/2 Season 3
- Upcoming title
- Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 2
What people are saying
The international audience definitely has a big influence on us. But what we're very mindful of day to day is not letting ourselves be influenced by it too much, not bending too far because that can mean giving up, of our own accord, the particular appeal Japanese anime has -- the things that make us strong
We don't simply take everything in; we examine and select carefully
fans in Japan and fans abroad receive the works in the same way regardless of nationality