Japanese animation studio MAPPA has a busy schedule for 2026, with several high-profile projects either already airing or deep in development. Following a major partnership announcement with Netflix in January 2026, the studio behind global hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man is positioning itself for another dominant year in the anime industry.
Viewership data from Japanese streaming services and recent release announcements provide a clear picture of which MAPPA titles are generating the most excitement among fans. From returning favorites to mysterious new collaborations, here is how the studio’s upcoming anime stack up based on audience anticipation.
The Strategic Partnership with Netflix
Before diving into specific titles, it helps to understand the bigger picture at MAPPA. On January 21, 2026, the studio officially announced an expanded strategic partnership with Netflix . This agreement goes beyond simple licensing deals. Netflix is now involved in the entire production process for several new MAPPA projects, from the early stages of story development all the way to creating international merchandise .
MAPPA CEO Manabu Otsuka explained the reasoning behind the move.
“This strengthened partnership is rooted in one of MAPPA’s core philosophies: being a studio that is independent in both creative and business aspects. By committing more deeply to Netflix’s distribution and business ecosystem, we aim to achieve a long-term, win-win partnership.”
The deal means multiple new anime projects are already in production, and they will stream exclusively on Netflix across more than 190 countries . This gives MAPPA a massive global platform for its upcoming slate.
Ranking MAPPA’s Upcoming Anime
By combining current streaming rankings, confirmed release dates, and online fan discussions, we can rank MAPPA’s upcoming projects from the least to the most anticipated. The list starts with titles that have solid fan bases but less mainstream noise, building up to the absolute heavyweight that is dominating the Winter 2026 season.
The New Partnership Projects (TBD)
At the base of the anticipation ladder are the unannounced projects under the new Netflix deal. While the partnership itself made big news in January 2026, the specifics of what MAPPA is actually producing remain under wraps . Netflix Vice President of Content Kazutaka Sakamoto expressed excitement about the collaboration.
“By combining MAPPA’s original storytelling with Netflix’s global reach and our shared ‘courage to take risks,’ we want to expand the possibilities of anime. I am truly looking forward to walking this path with MAPPAโbringing new stories and expressions that will surprise and move viewers worldwide.”
Fans are certainly curious about what these secret projects could be. Given MAPPA’s track record with Chainsaw Man and Kakegurui, expectations are high. However, because there are no titles, trailers, or release windows attached yet, the anticipation for these mystery shows is more of a general buzz than a focused hype. They are definitely on the radar, but they lack the immediate urgency of confirmed sequels.
Hell’s Paradise: Season 2 (January 2026)
Landing in the middle of the pack is Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku. The second season premiered on January 11, 2026, bringing the dark fantasy story back after a three-year wait . The show airs every Sunday in Japan, with international streaming available on Crunchyroll .
The new season adapts the “Lord Tensen” and “Hลrai” arcs from Yuji Kaku’s original manga . This is where the story escalates significantly. Protagonist Gabimaru and the Yamada Asaemon executioners finally confront the immortal Tensen, the true rulers of the mysterious island.
MAPPA released a striking main visual featuring eleven characters, hinting at the large-scale conflict to come . The studio also introduced four new characters: Shugen, Jikka, Kiyomaru, and Isuzu, who join the bloody battle on the island .
The first season of Hell’s Paradise was a hit when it debuted in 2023, praised for its violent action and philosophical questions about life and death . Season 2 carries that momentum forward. It is highly anticipated by fans of the manga and those who enjoyed the first season, making it a solid contender. However, it faces stiff competition from a certain other MAPPA giant that also returned in January.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Season 3 (The Culling Game) (January 2026)
Without a doubt, the most anticipated MAPPA project of 2026 is Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3. The new season, which adapts the intense “Culling Game” arc, premiered on January 8, 2026 . It quickly became the dominant topic in the anime community.
The proof is in the numbers. According to rankings released by the popular Japanese streaming service Niconico on January 29, 2026, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is currently the number one anime of the Winter 2026 season . It topped major contenders like Oshi no Ko Season 3 and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 to claim the top spot based on viewer views and comments.
This season picks up where the devastating Shibuya Incident arc left off. The story follows Yuji Itadori and his fellow jujutsu sorcerers as they are thrust into a lethal battle royale called the Culling Game. This deadly competition was created by the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku to force an evolution of humanity . The stakes could not be higher, as the sorcerers must fight to survive and find a way to free Satoru Gojo from the Prison Realm.
The hype for Jujutsu Kaisen has been building for years. Since the series rose to fame alongside Chainsaw Man as a defining modern dark fantasy, expectations for Season 3 were enormous . MAPPA has delivered, and fans have responded by making it the most-watched show of the season. The combination of a beloved manga arc, MAPPA’s high-quality animation, and the continuation of a massive story makes this the clear leader in terms of fan excitement.
Where Fans Are Watching
For viewers looking to catch these MAPPA titles, the streaming platforms are mostly set.
- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is available on Crunchyroll .
- Hell’s Paradise Season 2 is also streaming on Crunchyroll for regions outside of Asia .
- The upcoming Netflix partnership projects will, of course, be exclusive to Netflix worldwide .
Also Read:
The Winter 2026 Anime Season Snapshot
The current anime season highlights just how strong MAPPA’s position is. With Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 sitting at number one on Niconico and Hell’s Paradise Season 2 providing intense action every week, the studio holds two of the most talked-about shows right now. The top ten rankings also show the competitive landscape, with other studios’ hits like Fate/strange Fake and Frieren Season 2 (produced by Madhouse) rounding out the list .
The industry data from Netflix further explains why MAPPA is investing so heavily in this partnership. The streaming giant reported that over 50% of its global membersโroughly 300 million peopleโnow watch anime, with viewership tripling over the last five years . In 2024 alone, anime titles on Netflix were viewed more than 1 billion times .
This global hunger for anime, especially for high-quality productions from studios like MAPPA, sets the stage for a massive 2026. While fans wait for details on the secret Netflix projects, they can enjoy the intense battles of the Culling Game and the dark journey in Hell’s Paradise right now.
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