The end of an era? The union of MAPPA and Netflix unleashes the fear of fans after the statements of its president

What many anime fans feared for years seems to have become an official reality in 2026. Manabu Otsuka, the president of MAPPAhas given statements that have shaken the foundations of the industry. The studio, responsible for hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Manwill shift its focus to prioritize a “global perspective.” For a large part of the community, this is considered “the worst news possible.” Since it marks a distancing from the local Japanese public to try to satisfy international tastes and standards. A move that could forever alter the identity of anime as we know it.

Manabu Otsuka's strategic turn

The authority This news comes directly from the top manager of MAPPAwho has been clear in his vision for the future of Japanese animation. Otsuka stated that Japanese studios “should lead with a global perspective.”

To support these words, MAPPA has signed an exclusivity contract with Netflix. This deal seeks to launch content under a “global first” strategy, ensuring mass distribution but under the conditions of the streaming platform. The studio appears to be prioritizing financial expansion and mass reach over the traditional production model focused on the Japanese domestic market.

Fear of censorship and “Westernization”

The experience of the average fan suggests that when a Japanese product tries to please everyone simultaneously, it often loses the unique traits that made it special. The concerns are divided into three pillars:

“The fear is not that anime will become global, but that it will stop being Japanese to achieve it.” — Generalized sentiment in forums MAPPA.

A necessary business or a creative mistake?

From the point of view of the reliability business, the movement MAPPA responds to the enormous demand for anime abroad, which today generates more income than Japan itself. However, fans question whether this short-term profitability will damage the loyalty of the most loyal fan base. The fact that MAPPA Whether the studio is leading this change is especially alarming, given that they had earned the public's trust precisely because of their raw, risky and visually innovative style.

A high-risk bet for the soul of anime

The decision of MAPPA of putting the global above the local It is an experiment that will define the future of the industry. If the studio manages to maintain its artistic quality under the wing of Netflix, it could be a new golden era; If you give in to the pressures of “politically correct” or generic content, it could be the beginning of your creative decline.

Fans have legitimate reasons to be worried. Anime has taken the world by storm precisely because it feels different from everything else. Yeah MAPPA If you start producing content designed in marketing laboratories to not offend anyone or to follow Western trends, you will lose that “spark” that made you stand out. Let's hope Otsuka understands that “global perspective” shouldn't mean “giving up your roots,” but rather sharing them with the world without filters.

Do you think that the agreement MAPPA with Netflix will help improve animation budgets, or do you prefer that the studios remain small and focused exclusively on the Japanese audience? We want to read your opinion in the comments!