CyberAgent Takes Stake in MAPPA Parent MHD in Alliance

What Happened: A Formal Alliance and a Stake in MHD

On November 11, media and advertising company CyberAgent announced that it has entered into a business alliance agreement with animation studio MAPPA and has acquired a stake in MAPPA's parent company, MHD Co., Ltd. According to Anime Corner, the size of CyberAgent's stake and the value of the investment were not disclosed, and MAPPA President and CEO Manabu Otsuka also serves as President and CEO of MHD.

The companies previously worked together on anime planning, broadcasting and streaming on ABEMA, and game adaptations.

Why It Matters: A Hit Studio Aligns With a Media Giant

MAPPA is best known to fans for Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan The Final Season and Chainsaw Man, and it operates its own licensing business at home and abroad, handling merchandising, streaming and events in-house; it also launched the music label mappa records in 2025, as Animation Magazine notes.

CyberAgent, the parent of Cygames, brings media, game and advertising expertise. Anime Corner reports the deal fits CyberAgent's broader expansion, with its Anime & IP Division created in 2024 and Cygames Pictures — rebranded as Cypic — becoming a consolidated subsidiary earlier in 2026.

The 'Creative First' Pledge From Both Leaders

Both executives framed the deal around shared creative values. CyberAgent President Takahiro Yamauchi said he and Otsuka 'adopt Creative First as our shared value' and pledged long-term efforts 'to enhance the true value of Japan's anime worldwide.'

Otsuka responded that MAPPA has realized how important it is to work with partners who bring different strengths, thinking beyond the interests of any single company, and pledged to keep creating with care for quality and at the right pace so audiences worldwide can enjoy the works.

What the Alliance Covers — and What Isn't Yet Announced

Per the announcement, the companies plan to explore collaboration from planning and production to broadcasting and streaming, games, merchandise and events.

AUTOMATON reports that no specific project has been announced yet, with the two companies aiming to 'take on new challenges over the long term.'

Anime Corner adds that the agreement is intended to deepen the existing relationship and support longer-term collaboration, building on past anime planning, distribution through ABEMA, and game adaptation work.

The Timing: MAPPA's 15th Anniversary Momentum

The alliance lands as MAPPA marks its 15th anniversary. The studio is currently holding the MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary exhibition at the Yurakucho Museum in Tokyo from September 16 to December 27, with a Fukuoka stop planned for January through March 2027, according to Anime News Network.

ANN also reports that in January Netflix formed a strategic partnership making it the exclusive streamer for a number of future original MAPPA titles, working together 'from story development to merchandise' — meaning CyberAgent joins a studio already tying up with global platforms.

What Comes Next for Fans

AUTOMATON frames the partnership as combining MAPPA's animation capabilities with CyberAgent's media, game and advertising expertise to strengthen both creating anime and delivering it to audiences.

Watch for the first co-created project to emerge from a studio celebrating 15 years of Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man and more.

Sources

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