Highlights

• MAPPA has established itself as one of the best animation studios, delivering excellence in every project they take on.
• The diverse range of shows produced by MAPPA, from fantasy to sports anime, showcase their skills and storytelling abilities.

MAPPA is no stranger to the pressure that comes with taking on series previously produced by other studios and maintaining their excellence. In both circumstances, whether with a show beginning with them or one transferred after many seasons, MAPPA delivers an experience that leaves a mark.

Founded in 2011 by major anime producer Masao Maruyama, the studio is loved for its track record of shows with top-notch animation and captivating stories. These shows are diverse in look and subject matter, showing off MAPPA’s great skills applied across a wide range of endeavors. From sports anime to historical stories, here are the ten best anime made by MAPPA Studio.

Updated January 15, 2024, by Emedo Destiny: Animation studios have very long shelf lives due to the immense difficulty of successfully establishing themselves as one of the best for animation projects. MAPPA, however, has come around and completely dispelled this myth. In under just a decade, they have more than cemented their place as one of the best and arguably the best animation studios on the scene for animation projects. The studio, founded in 2011 by Masao Maruyama, has made it a habit to leave outstanding marks on every project they get involved in. Be it projects the studio takes up from the beginning or one they continue, MAPPA has a habit of leaving a trail of excellence in these works, making instant hits within the anime community. Known for their diversity, from action-packed visuals to tear-jerking and delicately moving narratives, MAPPA delivers colorful and visual excellence in every project they take up. So, in examining projects the studio has taken up, here are some of the best of the best.

20 Takt. Op Destiny

• Where To Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Prime Video
• Release Years: 2021
• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Music melds beautifully with science-fiction in this tale of extra-terrestrial invasions. Takt. Op Destiny tells a story of life without music in the United States of America following the sudden invasion of an alien species called the D2s, originating from a black meteorite that fell to Earth. The government bans the public from playing any melodies to combat the presence of the D2s and their immense hatred for music. The series' protagonist, Takt Asahina, a piano prodigy and an orphan, suddenly becomes a Conductor of a Musicart during an unexpected D2 attack.

A Musicart is the only thing capable of destroying the D2s, and it requires the life of a young woman who holds the power of music to create a pact. The incident also takes the life of Anne Schneider's younger sister, Cossette, the family Takt lived with. Cossette's death catalyzes the pact between Takt and his Musicart, Destiny. To stabilize the pact between Takt and his musicart, the trio must now make the dangerous D2-ridden journey to New York's Symphonica Headquarters before either or both Takt and Destiny die due to their pact.

19 Rage Of Bahamut: Genesis

Rage of Bahamut: Genesis takes place in the fantastical and ancient land of Mistarcia. A land home to all of the Gods, Demons, and Humans together. The old and powerful dragon, Bahamut, wreaked havoc on the land of Mistarcia and threatened the world's destruction. With the destruction of the world staring at them in the face, the rival races of Demons and Gods band together, with the humans having no sort of power capable of helping and are just barely able to seal off Bahamut, with the two races agreeing to split the key imprisoning the dragon between themselves to ensure Bahamut is never released.

With the world safe from the rage of Bahamut and two thousand years later, life is relatively easy for the series' central characters, the amoral Favaro Leone, a self-serving and selfish bounty hunter, and the righteous and upright Kaisar Lidfard. With the two sharing a rather complicated relationship and co-dependent lives, their lives are thrown into chaos when Favaro encounters Amira, a mysterious woman with half the key protecting the world's fragile peace.

18 Altair: A Record Of Battles

• Where To Watch: Prime Video
• Release Years: 2017
• Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

Altair: A Record Of Battles tells a tale of conquest and war, and the seventeen-year-old teenager is stuck at the center. The series is centered around the young Tughril Mahmut, the youngest military leader in the history of the Turkiye Stratocracy. With the country of Turkiye faced with an aggressive neighboring state in the Balt-Rhein empire, hellbent on expanding its empire, war drums are already beating on the horizon.

Mahmut finds himself in a council torn between warmongers and pacifists, with time not on his side. Mahmut, having experienced the true nature of war after being orphaned and losing his village to a massacre, is on the side advocating for peace. However, the march of war has begun and will not cease until blades clash. Mahmut must now find a way to build an alliance strong enough to defend his nation should the quest for peace fail and is no longer an option.

17 Garo

• Where To Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
• Release Years: 2014-2015
• Genre: Action, Fantasy

Garo is set in the fantasy land of the Valiante Kingdom, where an intense hunt to exterminate the users of witchcraft has begun under the name of the King. Fast forward to seventeen years later, the extermination is still ongoing and keeps growing both in size and intensity. However, unknown to citizens of the Valiante Kingdom, the real targets of the witchhunt are the Makai Knights and Alchemists, who are secret protectors of humanity granted immense powers to fight against demon horrors. The central character is one of these Makai Knights, the seventeen-year-old Leon Luis, who inherited the legendary armor of the Golden Knight, Garo, from his mother.

Despite inheriting immense power to help people, Luis finds it challenging to let go of the hatred he holds against the Valiante Kingdom for the death of his mother. Still training under his father, German, Leon's life takes a turn when he and his father are expected to investigate the frequent Horror incidents in the Kingdom's capital, and he encounters Crown Prince Alfonso San Valiente, who is on the quest to retake his kingdom after being backstabbed and exiled. Their fated meeting will forever change both their lives.

16 Inuyashiki: Last Hero

• Where To Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Netflix
• Release Year: 2017
• Genre: Drama, Action, Sci-Fi

Inuyashiki: Last Hero examines the contrasting lives of two individuals living in the same city and impacted by the same incident and the decisions they make following the incident's aftermath. The series revolves around Ichirou Inuyashiki, a fifty-eight-year-old man experiencing a difficult patch in his life. Living through physical pain due to his constant back aches, the real pain in his stems from the indifference and disdain his wife and children have for him. Ichirou's life further worsens when he learns he has stomach cancer and has only three months left to live.

In the same city, the series' other central character, Hiro Shishigami, is a high schooler who, although his family very much cherishes him, has an indignant attitude to life. The lives of both characters collide when, coincidentally, they are both present when an alien light hits the Earth, and both of them are killed. Both are restored to life by the aliens and, in the process, are granted superhuman abilities, forever changing their lives. With vastly contrasting personalities, their use of their newfound abilities ensures that the two will meet again in a matter of life and death.

15 Days

• Where To Watch: Crunchyroll
• Release Years: 2016
• Genre: Sports

Days is a sports anime series that revolves around Tsukushi Tsukamoto, a shy high school student that is unexpectedly scoured by the school’s soccer team. The series follows his journey as he embarks on a path of self-discovery, camaraderie, and growth through his involvement in the world of soccer.

Days showcase passion, dedication, and teamwork while capturing the spirit of soccer, delivering thrilling match sequences, and offering an enjoyable viewing experience for soccer enthusiasts and anime fans alike. MAPPA successfully brings the manga to life with vibrant animation and expressive character designs.

14 Kakegurui

is an extremely thrilling and intense anime series based on the manga written by Homura Kawamoto, which takes place at Hyakkaou Private Academy, an elite school where students’ social status is determined by their gambling skills and their ability to triumph in the face of extremely high stakes.

Kakegurui comes to life with its dynamic animation, colorful visuals, and intense atmosphere. The series accurately captures the tension and the suspense of the gambling matches with the characters’ expressions accurately conveying their excitement, determination,

and cunning tactics.

13 The God Of Highschool

The action-packed world of The God of Highschool, based on the popular webtoon by Yongje Park, was brought to life in the anime series. Jin Mori is a high school student and martial artist who is invited to participate in a nationwide tournament called “The God of High School.”

In this tournament, participants from various schools and martial arts backgrounds compete in intense battles to determine the strongest fighter. As the story progresses, Jin Mori forms alliances, faces formidable opponents, and unravels the mysteries surrounding the tournament and his powers. The anime showcases breathtaking martial arts action sequences, combining hand-to-hand combat, supernatural abilities, and incredible feats of strength.

12 Hell’s Paradise

Hell’s Paradise is set in feudal Japan and follows the story of Gabimaru, who is a notorious ninja in service of the Iwagakure. He is captured and sentenced to death for treason by the village chief. Instead of being executed, he, like all other criminals, is given an opportunity to gain his freedom by embarking on a mission to find the elixir of life by order of the shogunate.

The criminals are assigned to a group of executioners called the Yamada Asaemon Clan, who oversee their actions. Gabimaru and Sagiri, his overseer, embark on a journey where they encounter an array of formidable opponents and god-like individuals with unique abilities.

11 Terror in Resonance

The plot revolves around two enigmatic teenagers known as Nine and Twelve, who orchestrated a series of terrorist attacks. Using their intelligence and advanced knowledge of technology, they leave clues behind in the form of cryptic messages challenging the authorities to uncover their true motives.

Terror in Resonance captivated viewers with its complex characters, psychological depth, and thought-provoking narrative. The series featured stunning animation that captures the atmospheric and gritty nature of the story and accurately depicts life in modern-day Tokyo.

10 Dorohedoro

first premiered on January 2020, immersing viewers in a grim, post-apocalyptic world known as "The Hole". The story centers around Caiman, a reptilian-headed man with amnesia on a quest to uncover his true identity. Alongside him is his best friend, Nikaido, a sorceress who runs a small restaurant in The Hole.

The series has a unique blend of dark humor, action, and fantasy, showing how Caiman and Nikaido navigate the treacherous world of sorcerers and powerful organizations. Fans love this show for its vivid and imaginative depiction of the post-apocalyptic world, as well as its thrilling fight sequences and special effects.

9 Kids On The Slope

MAPPA's coming-of-age animation series Kids on the Slope is based on the jazz music industry. The show, which debuted in April 2012, centers on Kaoru Nishimi, a transfer student who settles in a tiny village in the 1960s and makes friends with Sentar Kawabuchi, a young man who loves jazz. The show explores the relationship between Kaoru and Sentar, along with how they learn from one another as they fall in love with jazz music.

The show is notable because of its compelling characters, poignant themes, and portrayal of the passion, beauty, and challenges of jazz music and 1960s culture.

8 Banana Fish

In this crime thriller anime, a young gang boss named Aslan Jade Callenreese, or Ash Lynx, is caught in a risky plan involving a mysterious substance called "Banana Fish". The show digs into Ash's connection with Eiji, a Japanese photographer who joins him in the fight against the conspiracy. With this thrilling story, the show examines issues of family, power, and corruption.

Banana Fish is a fan favorite thanks to its intricate plot, strong action, and varied cast of characters as well as its accurate portrayal of the feel and high stakes of New York City.

7 Yuri!!! on Ice

follows Japanese skater Yuuri Katsuki as he struggles with self-doubt and a losing streak. Victor Nikiforov, a five-time world champion, offers him mentoring after he suffers a painful setback and a video of him goes viral. The show covers Yuuri's quest to rediscover success as well as his rivalry with Yuri Plisetsky, a rising Russian celebrity.

Yuri!!! on Ice is a must-watch for anime fans because of its notable same-sex representation, realistic figure skating, and strong character development. The animation also beautifully captures the elegance of figure skating.

6 Dororo

is a historical fantasy show written by Osamu Tezuka. Set in feudal Japan, the show follows the journey of a young orphan, Hyakkimaru, who was born without limbs, nose, eyes, ears, or skin because of a deal his father made with demons.

With a blend of fantasy and historical elements, the story follows Hyakkimaru's quest to reclaim his body and seek revenge on the demons that took it from him. Along the way, he forms an unlikely friendship with an orphan boy named Dororo as they fight to survive a world overrun by demons.

5 Chainsaw Man

The anime series Chainsaw Man is based on Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga series of the same name. It tells the story of Denji, a young man who obtains the ability to merge with evil spirits, known as devils, after his untimely death. Denji uses his newfound powers to become a weapon against devils. What he wants most is a peaceful life and a beautiful partner by his side, and this desire drives him. Although his dreams are naive at best, he dedicates himself fully to making them come true.

The long-awaited show dives deep into the minds of the characters to explore humanity’s dark side and the themes of power and responsibility. Chainsaw Man is not an easy watch for viewers who are not a fan of violence, but the show has several merits that make every second worth watching.

4 Jujutsu Kaisen

Yuji Itadori, the main character of this striking show, inadvertently falls into the adventurous world of jujutsu sorcerers after swallowing a cursed item. With impressive animation and special effects, Jujutsu Kaisen tells the exciting story of Yuji on his journey to protect humans from the evil of cursed spirits.

Based on the manga series written by Gege Akutami, the show is packed with diverse characters who are well-written and relatable. With enthralling action sequences and emotional scenes, the show is both thrilling and thought-provoking, guaranteed to grab the attention of every viewer.

3 Fighting Spirit: Rising

, also known as Hajime no Ippo: Rising, is the third season of the sports anime centering Ippo Makunouchi. Moved from Madhouse to MAPPA, the show continues the story of Ippo, now a featherweight champion, as he faces more challenges and discovers the true meaning of strength. Because of his tenacity and willingness to always keep fighting, Ippo is a true inspiration for all fans.

Every bit as riveting as the previous seasons, MAPPA’s take on the show presents the interior world of boxing with great animation and character development, setting Fighting Spirit apart from other boxing shows.

2 Vinland Saga Season 2

This adaptation of Makoto Yukimura’s award-winning manga of the same name had its first season created by Wit Studio and was widely loved by viewers. However, for the second season, MAPPA has taken over the reins. Although it is only in the early stage of release, Vinland Saga Season 2 is already highly rated.

After the long wait, MAPPA brings a second season starting off with an eye-catching episode, promising a season with the same violence, brutality, and attention to detail that originally seized the hearts of several viewers worldwide.

1 Attack On Titan: The Final Season

Based on the award-winning manga by Hajime Isayama, Attack On Titan is an incontestable favorite among anime viewers. Initially adapted by Wit Studio, the show was transferred to MAPPA for its final season. In this season MAPPA continues the story of Eren Yeager and other characters in their intriguing post-apocalyptic world where the ongoing conflict between humans and titans continues to deepen and develop difficult contexts.

Although full of action-packed scenes, Attack on Titan was never just about the thrill. The final season is no different. MAPPA delivers the story with a balance of combat and philosophical pursuits, all with beautifully animated scenes.

MORE: Best Anime To Watch If You Love Attack On Titan