Streaming Growth Positions MAPPA as Leading Anime Studio, New Report Shows

Streaming services in Asia have seen a remarkable increase in anime viewership, according to a report by Media Partners Asia (MPA). Between July 2025 and August 2026, anime emerged as the most viewed genre on these platforms, highlighting its immense popularity among audiences. The report, titled "The Anime Economy," analyzed data from ampd audience panels across eight Asian markets. Findings indicate that Netflix experienced a nine-fold growth in anime viewership, far surpassing its overall growth rate. This spike has cemented anime's status not just as a niche genre, but as a dominant force in the streaming landscape. With the rise in demand for anime, studios like MAPPA are capitalizing on this trend. The studio is being recognized as a leading provider in the anime industry, especially with hits like "Jujutsu Kaisen," which has garnered substantial acclaim and viewership. As producers look to take ownership over their content in response to shifting market dynamics, success stories like MAPPA’s exemplify the changing nature of content creation in the anime sphere. As competition continues to heat up in the streaming sector, anime's growth is shifting the landscape. MPA's findings highlight a strategic movement away from merely licensing content to creating and owning original productions. This shift presents opportunities for studios to establish deeper connections with viewers and monetize their properties more effectively. In summary, the growth trajectory of anime not only reflects changing viewer preferences but also suggests a significant transformation within the streaming industry itself, with studios like MAPPA at the forefront of this evolution. As the appetite for anime continues to expand, it will be interesting to watch how both established and emerging studios adapt to these trends in an increasingly competitive environment.