If fans have watchedJujutsu KaisenorAttack on Titan’slast seasons, then they know MAPPA for its hyperkinetic fight animation and gorgeous, gritty visuals. But MAPPA’s legacy isn’t limited to shōnen bloodbaths. Over the years, the studio has produced a remarkable range of anime, many of which fly under the radar despite their emotional depth, creativity, or pure entertainment value.
From grounded war dramas to trippy dystopias and stylish musical dramas,MAPPA’s lesser-known catalog is packed with underrated gems.Whether viewers are a longtime anime fan or just want to expand beyond the battle-heavy hits, these 10 underrated MAPPA shows deserve every anime fan’s full attention.
While most isekai stories chase power fantasies and world-saving quests,Campfire Cookingkeeps things cozy, delicious, and absurdly charming.The protagonist, Mukouda, doesn’t wield a sword, he has a magical online grocery delivery app. Yes, really. And he uses it to whip up gourmet dishes that entrance even the most powerful monsters.
MAPPA brings a delightful polish to every sizzling cut of meat and bubbling pot of stew. The food animation is mouthwatering, but it’s the show’s laid-back tone and unexpected character chemistry, especially with the gluttonous Fenrir, Fel, that make it stand out. It’s not the typical fantasy anime, and that’s exactly what makes it so satisfying.
This quietly devastating historical drama may be MAPPA’s most emotionally affecting work.Set in Hiroshima before and during World War II,In This Corner of the Worldfollows Suzu, a gentle young woman navigating marriage, war, and survival with a spirit that refuses to break.The film doesn’t glorify war, it humanizes the people who lived through it.
MAPPA’s animation takes a watercolor-like approach, making even scenes of devastation feel poignant and poetic. The contrast between Suzu’s hopeful imagination and the harsh realities around her is portrayed with masterful subtlety. If fans thought MAPPA only did flashy action, this film will completely change your perception of the studio.
Lazaruswas an underrated 2025 gem that was directed byCowboy Bebop’sShinichiro Watanabewith action choreography byJohn Wick’sChad Stahelski.Lazarusis one of MAPPA’s most kinetic, genre-blending projects to date. Set in a future where a miracle drug hides a deadly truth, this original anime redefines sci-fi thrillers.
The fact that MAPPA is collaborating on such a Western-leaning, stylistically bold series speaks volumes about its artistic versatility. Though the anime received some backlash for not living up to the same level of hype asCowboy Bebop,the combination of philosophical cyberpunk themes and slick combat sequences madeLazarusinto one of MAPPA’s most daring ventures yet.
Before the studio was known for demons and decapitations, MAPPA made magic with jazz.Directed byCowboy Bebop’sWatanabe and scored by Yoko Kanno,Kids on the Slopeis a bittersweet coming-of-age story about friendship, love, and music in 1960s Japan.It’s as intimate and emotional as anything the studio’s ever made.
With its grounded story and melancholic nostalgia,Kids on the Slopeshows MAPPA’s ability to make fans' hearts swell without a single explosion.
The show’s piano and drum duets are animated with real-time accuracy, giving the musical performances a natural flow that’s both mesmerizing and raw. With its grounded story and melancholic nostalgia,Kids on the Slopeshows MAPPA’s ability to make fans' hearts swell without a single explosion.
MAPPA’s most chaotic masterpiece might just beDorohedoro. Set in a grimy, magical dystopia where humans are disposable and sorcerers are absurd,this series mixes ultra-violence with slapstick humor and surreal world-building.At the center is Caiman, a man with a reptile head and amnesia, searching for answers and revenge.
MAPPA fully embraces the grotesque charm of the source material. With a dirty color palette, inventive hybrid animation, and kinetic direction, the show never lets viewers get comfortable, and that’s the point. It’s weird, it’s wild, and it’s completely unforgettable. Fans will never look at gyoza the same way again.
Zenshufollows Natsuko Hirose, a prodigious young animator whose debut anime becomes a cultural phenomenon. Her success is meteoric, earning her praise as a genius director. But when tasked with creating a romantic comedy about first love, Natsuko hits a wall, because she’s never experienced love herself, and the story simply won’t come to life.
MAPPA uses this premise to explore the creative process, the emotional demands of storytelling, and the disconnect between personal experience and artistic ambition.As Natsuko grapples with her first real emotional struggle, the film delves into identity, vulnerability, and inspiration.Zenshuis not just about anime, it’s about what it takes to create something truly meaningful.
BeforeChainsaw ManandAttack on Titan,Yuri!!! on Icetook the world by storm with its elegant portrayal of competitive figure skatingand same-sex romance. It was revolutionary in 2016 and still holds up today, thanks to its detailed choreography and emotionally layered storytelling.
MAPPA went all-in on the skating scenes, hiring real-life choreographers and animating routines with breathtaking fluidity.But it’s not just about the sport,Yuri!!! on Iceis a deeply human story about performance anxiety, mentorship, and self-acceptance.Even years later, its impact on LGBTQ+ representation in anime remains significant.
This 2019 adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga brings a gritty, emotionally rich edge to an old-school samurai tale. The story follows Hyakkimaru, a warrior born without organs, limbs, or senses, offered to demons in exchange for his father’s power. As he slays each demon, he regains parts of his body and his humanity.
Dororois a powerful meditation on vengeance, identity, and survival that balances cruelty with compassion.
MAPPA’s animation gives the series a stark, haunting beauty.The fight scenes are visceral, but it’s the tragic relationship between Hyakkimaru and the young thief Dororo that gives the show its emotional punch.Dororois a powerful meditation on vengeance, identity, and survival that balances cruelty with compassion.
Terror in Resonanceasks a chilling question about what if terrorists were sympathetic?Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, this cerebral thriller centers on two mysterious teens who stage bombings across Tokyo, leaving cryptic riddles in their wake. But as their motivations unfold, what begins as a puzzle becomes a heartbreaking exposé on trauma and betrayal.
MAPPA’s sleek animation and Yoko Kanno’s haunting score create a somber, cinematic atmosphere. It’s a slower, more contemplative series compared to the studio’s modern blockbusters, but its social commentary and moral ambiguity hit just as hard. Don’t expect easy answers, just a quiet ache that lingers long after the finale.
Banana Fishis a raw, brutal crime drama set in the streets of New York City, blending gang wars, government conspiracies, and tender male friendship into a gut-wrenching emotional rollercoaster. MAPPA modernized Akimi Yoshida’s 1985 manga without sacrificing its bold themes of trauma, control, and queer intimacy.
The anime’s realism is striking, from its tight pacing to its unflinching depictions of violence and abuse. But at its heart is the bond between Ash Lynx and Eiji Okumura, a relationship as soft as it is tragic. Few series hit this hard emotionally while maintaining such tight narrative momentum. It’s a masterpiece of painful beauty.
