CyberAgent Enters Business Partnership With MAPPA, Acquires Stake In Anime Studio’s Parent Company

CyberAgent is strengthening its foothold in the anime industry through a new partnership with MAPPA, the studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man.

The company has also acquired a portion of the shares in MHD Inc., MAPPA’s parent company.

The partnership will bring together MAPPA’s anime production capabilities with the CyberAgent Group’s expertise in media, gaming and advertising.

According to the announcement, the collaboration will span various aspects of the anime business, including project planning, animation production, broadcasting and streaming, game adaptations, merchandise and events. The companies also intend to develop new projects and entertainment experiences while exploring ways to connect anime titles with audiences across different countries and regions.

It was also noted that MAPPA’s management structure will remain unchanged, and the studio will continue creating works as an independent animation studio.

The two companies have previously worked together on anime project planning, broadcasting and streaming through ABEMA, as well as game adaptations.

Commenting on the partnership, CyberAgent President and Representative Director Takahiro Yamauchi expressed his respect for the anime culture built over the years and the dedication creators put into individual works.

He noted that both companies share a creative-first approach and will combine their expertise in anime, gaming and media to bring Japanese anime to audiences across the world.

“We have entered into a partnership with MAPPA and invested in its parent company, MHD Inc. We have deep respect for the anime culture that has been cultivated over many years, as well as the passion and dedication that creators put into each individual work.

As business leaders of the same generation working in the anime industry, we share a commitment to putting creativity first. By combining MAPPA’s strengths with the expertise our group has developed through its anime, gaming and media businesses, we will work together to realize diverse initiatives that bring the appeal of anime to audiences across national and regional boundaries. We will devote ourselves to this challenge from a medium- to long-term perspective so that anime originating in Japan can create even greater value around the world.”

MAPPA President and Representative Director Manabu Otsuka said the studio has long focused on finding better ways to create and deliver its works to audiences.

He emphasized the importance of collaborating with partners with different strengths to develop better experiences for viewers, adding that MAPPA would continue to prioritize production quality while maintaining an appropriate pace.

“We have consistently sought to understand how we should create and deliver our works so that audiences can enjoy them more deeply. Through this process, we have come to recognize the importance of working closely with partners who bring different strengths to the table and thinking together about what constitutes a better experience for audiences, beyond the individual interests of each company.

CyberAgent shares this vision and recognizes the possibilities that can emerge from our collaboration, which has led us to deepen our partnership. We will continue to prioritize the quality of our works while maintaining an appropriate pace in production, ensuring that audiences around the world can enjoy and experience their appeal.”

CyberAgent established its Anime and IP Business Division in February 2024 to strengthen its presence in the anime industry.

The division focuses on developing original anime, adapting manga into anime and expanding popular intellectual properties through merchandise and other initiatives.

Source: CyberAgent