The stunning box office success of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reza Arc, the anime feature about a man who co-exists with the demonic spirit of a chainsaw, caught the attention of the whole industry last fall — including Netflix. The film earned $43 million in North America and $160 million worldwide, further cementing even the most offbeat anime as a major mainstream commercial genre. And lo and behold, last week Netflix quietly revealed a new strategic alliance with Mappa, the Tokyo-based anime studio behind the feature, as well as many of global anime fans’ other favorite titles.
On Tuesday, Netflix’s Kaata Sakamoto, head of content for the streamer in Japan, shared a few comments on the shape the partnership will take during a content presentation in Tokyo.
“Building on the strong relationships we’ve cultivated with Japan’s leading creators and studios, we are evolving these partnerships into deeper, more collaborative creative ventures,” Sakamoto said. “Our recently announced partnership with Mappa reflects this direction. Multiple projects are already underway, spanning story development through merchandise, as we work together to create worlds that fans can engage with beyond the screen.”
Netflix framed the partnership as a natural next step for anime on the platform, where the genre has become a core driver of engagement. More than half of Netflix members now watch anime, the company said, and overall anime viewership on the service has tripled over the past five years.
Mappa president and CEO Manabu Otsuka, speaking when the partnership was first unveiled on Jan. 21, emphasized the importance of independence and end-to-end control for Japanese animation houses as they court global audiences — a message that seemed crafted to reassure fans that the company will retain its independent creative spirit under the Netflix alliance.
Sources close to the deal also tell The Hollywood Reporter that Mappa’s pact with Netflix will work outside the production committee system that usually governs Japan’s anime industry, whereby multiple companies — studios, publishers, TV stations, advertisers, and toy makers — typically pool funds to produce a series or film to diffuse risk. In theory, the new deal will give Mappa greater creative control over the destiny of its titles (but also a greater voice for Netflix).
“We have worked with Netflix on various projects in the past, but this expanded partnership is based on MAPPA’s core belief in being an independent studio — both creatively and in business,” Otsuka said. “Japanese animation studios must proactively lead every stage, from understanding global audience needs and developing projects, to reaching viewers and expanding related businesses. MAPPA is committed to deepening our collaboration with Netflix, aiming for a long-term, win-win partnership.”
Those past collaborations have included bringing distinctive Mappa productions such as Ranma 1/2 and Kakegurui Twin to Netflix’s global audience. With multiple new anime efforts already in planning and production, the partners suggested the goal is not only to scale original Japanese anime worldwide, but also to push into new creative territory as the medium’s reach continues its seemingly relentless expansion.
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