Polygon has published a list highlighting eleven anime from Studio MAPPA that showcase the studio's range beyond its two biggest hits, Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. Founded in 2011 by Madhouse co-founder Masao Maruyama, MAPPA was originally conceived as a creative refuge for veteran directors to pursue passion projects outside typical industry constraints, and the article argues this indie spirit still runs through its wider catalogue even as the studio has become a dominant force in mainstream anime.

The feature spans genres from sports dramas and psychological thrillers to historical epics and idol-industry satire, with entries such as Mari Okada's original film Maboroshi, the Osamu Tezuka adaptation Dororo directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi, and Terror in Resonance, an original series from Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe that took roughly five years to reach production. The piece frames these works as evidence of MAPPA's auteur-driven roots, distinct from the studio's recent blockbuster identity built on properties like Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga and its current flagship hits.