"Jujutsu Kaisen" Crushes Competition in Asia, Propelling MAPPA to Market Leadership

In just six months, the studio's share of total anime viewing time nearly tripled.

The analytical company Media Partners Asia (MPA) has released a new report, "The Anime Economy," which recorded a change in leadership among Japanese animation producers.

In the first half of 2026, "Jujutsu Kaisen" became the most-watched anime in seven out of eight key Asian markets. Against this backdrop, MAPPA's share of total viewing time grew from 6.1% at the end of 2025 to 17.3% in the first six months of 2026. The studio surpassed TMS Entertainment with 16.6%, Toei Animation with 13%, and Aniplex with 12%.

MPA also notes that the success of major anime franchises influences the strategy of streaming services. Instead of simply purchasing licenses, platforms are increasingly seeking direct participation in franchises. Analysts cite the strategic partnership between Netflix and MAPPA, concluded in early 2026, as one such example.