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Answerman - MAPPA and Netflix

The problem with the binge model is that those who want to consume a story quickly often forget about it just as fast, so things like merchandise and home video sales decrease and the number of "why isn't anime good anymore" conversations increase. (Also, I'm of the opinion that binging as a general behavior is probably something that should not be viewed positively but that's way outside the scope of this website.)

I have no problem with MAPPA securing the bag, but it should come with increased scrutiny.

Not even Netflix fully believes in the binge model anymore. Look at the way they released the final season of Stranger Things, with batches of episodes released on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.) That was done specifically to prompt fan discussion, since those were days when people were sure to have lots of free time to watch the episodes and then talk about them.

So while Netflix is reluctant to do away with the binge model, I think it's slowly on the way out. Most other streamers don't use it, and there's no evidence that it benefits a show's popularity. Right now, Netflix seems to still use binge releases for most of its shows, but it varies based on the perceived audience reception. If Netflix is this adamant to get into the anime business, then hopefully they're also capable of doing some market research and figuring out that the core anime audience benefits more from weekly releases in order to sustain interest. Of course, they might still decide that they're more interested in reaching casual viewers who might respond more readily to having a whole season of Chainsaw Man or whatever ready to stream immediately. We'll see.

I have to say, if this month is any indicator, 2026 is going to be an absolutely relentless year in terms of anime industry news around partnerships, consolidation, investment and collapses.

Answerman Wrote:

Quote:

I have to say, if this month is any indicator, 2026 is going to be an absolutely relentless year in terms of anime industry news around partnerships, consolidation, investment and collapses.

And every time one of these changes is announced, there will be threads here with serious weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth as to the death of the anime industry. This in spite of the fact that the current model was obviously unsustainable. My question is, Just what do you propose to do about it?

As fans, all we can do is sit back and watch what happens. Worst case is that many of us may have to find a different hobby. Otherwise, be selective about what you watch and make the best of the situation.

I think anime fans should dial down their expectations of producers, creators, and studios, and learn more about the business of anime production. And to get some perspective.

The ANN reader survey on this subject has been educational to me. It shows that there is a massive knowledge gap between anime-watching audiences and the business decisions anime producers make. There doesn't seem to be any real understanding of the reality on the ground. You need to know where your food and your anime comes from.

AnswerJerome wrote:

I think anime fans should dial down their expectations of producers, creators, and studios, and learn more about the business of anime production. And to get some perspective. The ANN reader survey on this subject has been educational to me. It shows that there is a massive knowledge gap between anime-watching audiences and the business decisions anime producers make. There doesn't seem to be any real understanding of the reality on the ground. You need to know where your food and your anime comes from.

Can you elaborate on what you mean about the results of the survey?

This survey? animenewsnetwork.com/survey/991/result

I don't see what's wrong with the results of the survey. Which question is the one with the alleged huge knowledge gap between producers and audiences?

anime-prime wrote:

AnswerJerome wrote: I think anime fans should dial down their expectations of producers, creators, and studios, and learn more about the business of anime production. And to get some perspective. The ANN reader survey on this subject has been educational to me. It shows that there is a massive knowledge gap between anime-watching audiences and the business decisions anime producers make. There doesn't seem to be any real understanding of the reality on the ground. You need to know where your food and your anime comes from. Can you elaborate on what you mean about the results of the survey? This survey? animenewsnetwork.com/survey/991/result I don't see what's wrong with the results of the survey. Which question is the one with the alleged huge knowledge gap between producers and audiences?

Happily!

Firstly! There seems to be no acknowledgement from the fandom that MAPPA, like every other independently owned anime studio, is struggling to survive. Has it ever been any different? Studios struggle to stay afloat from one project to the next.

MAPPA's owners and management obviously want to keep the studio as an an ongoing concern, so they've decided to strengthen their partnership with NETFLIX. Why? Wouldn't the big production planning companies, and major manga publishers want to keep MAPPA on the board for their own projects? So! Why isn't anyone asking what's going on?

I suspect that MAPPA was in discussions with domestic partners who either didn't come to the table with an offer as lucrative as Netflix's or they baulked at the idea of a JV or co-ownership opportunity. Or MAPPA was asking for too much!. Either way. They have gone with Netflix and their future i assured for now. That is a good thing right?

That is what I thought, and then I read the survey and was dismayed to see how little support MAPPA was receiving from ANN's readers.

The business of anime isn't always about delivering exactly what the fandom wants, despite the fandom being incredibly demanding, and the industry being petrified of failing to deliver to it. Yes. You are very powerful, and very influential. even if you don't think you are.

My interpretation of the survey results are that the negative response is driven primarily by the fact that one of the most popular anime studios of the past two decades who have produced some of the biggest anime/manga adaptations of that time including (Attack On Titan - the latter parts, JJK, CHainsaw Man) have removed themelves from the Production Committee way of doing things. It means they will not be adapting any new Shonen Jump manga adaptations. I think that hurts for a lot of fans who love their adaptation work.

The other major development that I believe hurts fans, is that by going all in with Netflix, future MAPPA productions will probably not be distributed in a weekly, linear simulcast fashion. These productions will debut in Japan and everywhere else simultaneously, and as such, will likely be binge-dropped. That goes against what fans want. Apparently.

There has been more information was revealed today by NETFLIX in their 2026 Anime Slate announcement about the MAPPA partnership. As reported by Jamie Lang at Cartoon Brew...

"A key recent example is the company’s broadened partnership with MAPPA, which came into clearer focus today. The deal expands beyond traditional global streaming rights to include the platform’s involvement in early-stage development and production of MAPPA titles, with Netflix aiding in financing, marketing, and merchandising of co-developed properties, and serving as their exclusive global distributor.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, sources close to the deal say the companies will operate outside Japan’s production committee system. Anime production has historically relied on layered financing structures that spread costs and decision-making (as well as financial risk) across broadcasters, publishers, and merchandisers. By contrast, the Netflix-MAPPA deal concentrates authority in the hands of just two companies, giving MAPPA clearer ownership over its output, while also granting Netflix a stronger say in the creative and commercial trajectory of each project. For better or worse."

I was in a bad mood and feeling extra salty. But yeah! I stand by my opinion. Anime fans need to get more interested in the business of anime in order to better understand the decisions that are being made by the people who make the anime they love.

I hope this helps answer your question.

So Much for any more Blue-ray, When was the last time Netflick released a disc?

and home video sales decrease