Who isn’t familiar with MAPPA? This studio has a dedicated fan base, but has recently shifted its focus towards making profits at the expense of its employees.
Although they have been mass-producing anime for the past few years, their earlier works still shine among the plethora of average outputs. As a result, I have compiled a list of the top-rated MAPPA anime to highlight this fact.
Keep in mind that this list only includes one anime per franchise and is limited to TV anime only, so be aware of these restrictions before proceeding.
Without any more delay, let’s jump straight into the ranking of the ten best-rated MAPPA anime.
10 Terror in Resonance
Rating on MAL: 8.09
Rated by: Over 600,000 users
Despite the current landscape of MAPPA’s productions, Terror in Resonance stands out as a unique and captivating psychological mystery anime. It harkens back to the studio’s earlier days when they had a team of experienced creators, and remains their most highly acclaimed original work. Instead of simply discussing it, I urge you to watch and form your own opinion on whether its rating is well-deserved.
9. Hell’s Paradise
The MAL rating is 8.1.
Reviewed by: 361,000 users
Throughout the entire series, except for a few episodes, it was a terrible experience. The adaptation not only ruined a great shounen, but also seemed to contribute to the already prevalent “MAPPA disaster production”discourse. Giving it a 5 out of 10 is being too generous; an 8 out of 10? Save yourself the time and just read the manga.
Dororo
The MAL Rating for the show is 8.25.
Assessed by: 630,000 individuals
If I had to choose a favorite from MAPPA’s anime lineup, it would undoubtedly be Dororo. It is a sentiment shared by anyone who has seen the show. Similar to Kids on the Slope, MAPPA collaborated with Tezuka Productions to animate this anime.
This tale of revenge will help you recognize the privileges of life that we often overlook, like having a caring family and being able to experience the sight, sound, touch, and embrace of our loved ones. It’s no surprise that over five hundred thousand people have given it such a high rating.
Kids on the Slope
The MAL rating for this show is 8.33.
Reviewed by: 173,000 users
As a Josei anime, Kids on the Slope heavily incorporates music and romance as its main themes. Due to its target audience, a typical fan of MAPPA may struggle to relate to it.
If you’re not a member of the cult but enjoy anime focused on music, you may find this anime worth watching. Despite some shortcomings, such as certain parts not being adapted, Kids on the Slope offers a unique experience that may leave you wanting more. Its high rating suggests that there were more fans of the anime than I had anticipated.
6. Banana Fish
The MAL Rating for this show is 8.47.
As evaluated by: 375 thousand users.
I am pleased to see that Banana Fish has received high ratings as one of MAPPA’s top anime. In addition, it stands out as one of their most diverse works. Despite being targeted towards the Shoujo demographic, it tackles themes of delinquency and organized crime, with a delicate approach to sensitive and disturbing elements.
Despite having a history of choosing works like this, at some point MAPPA seems to have lost its touch and focused solely on mainstream shounen. However, this is a topic for another time. Banana Fish continues to be one of MAPPA’s most praised adaptations to date, without being overrated or overhyped. It remains a true testament to the quality of the anime.
Chainsaw Man
The MAL rating for this show is 8.5.
Evaluated by: 849,000 users
The immensely popular manga Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto was successfully adapted by MAPPA into an equally successful anime. While the anime faithfully followed the manga and had exceptional animation, some critics argue that it may be too flawless for a Fujimoto creation. Despite this, the ratings ultimately reflect the audience’s adoration and admiration for the character Makima.
Denji’s main goal is to pay off the debts that were left behind by his father, and he achieves this by becoming a devil hunter with the help of his chainsaw devil, Pochita. However, when his creditor betrays him and almost takes his life, Pochita fuses with Denji, transforming him into the powerful Chainsaw Man. This is when Makima comes into the picture, manipulating Denji into becoming her loyal pawn and carrying out her every command.
4-First Place
The MAL rating for this show is 8.6.
Evaluated by: 144,000 users
Despite having some noticeable flaws in comparison to its predecessors, which were solely produced by Madhouse, Hajime no Ippo: Rising earns a high ranking on this list due to its superbly executed boxing matches throughout the season. If you are a fan of boxing or enjoy watching the sport, this anime should be at the top of your must-watch list. The ratings are not exaggerated; this sports anime truly deserves all the love and recognition it receives.
The MAL Rating for this show is 8.79.
3 Attack on Titan
Evaluated by: 1.3 million users
Despite AOT S3 Part 2 being their highest-rated anime, Wit Studio still faced difficulties in producing it and ultimately made the decision to pass it on to MAPPA.
The anime’s final season caused a stir among fans, who were both angry and concerned about the significant changes that had been made.
Despite a noticeable drop in consistency and quality, the success of Attack on Titan: Final Season can be attributed to its popularity. It is possible that the ratings may be slightly inflated due to the fans’ strong appreciation for the story. Therefore, they were not entirely mistaken in their assessment.
2. Vinland Saga
The MAL rating for this show is 8.81.
Reviewed by: 322,000 users
It is no surprise that Vinland Saga is the second highest-rated anime from MAPPA, given that it is also the second highest-rated anime from Wit Studio. Fans were initially concerned about the quality of the sequel when it was transferred to MAPPA, but with the same team working on it, the consistent level of quality remained unchanged.
The fans’ excitement was not diminished as they waited four years for the Farmland/Slave Arc to be adapted into an anime, following its prequel’s release. Vinland Saga S2 lived up to expectations and accurately captured the essence of the arc, earning high ratings without being excessive.
Jujutsu Kaisen
The MAL Rating for this show is 8.83.
Evaluated by: 500K users
Despite facing major staff changes and the regular MAPPA schedule discourse, Jujustu Kaisen S2 has exceeded expectations from its first episode to the last. The animators’ dedication and hard work have allowed the second season to rise above its prequel and deliver exceptional quality, even with a demanding schedule.
One of the main reasons for its success as MAPPA’s highest-rated anime was not only the animation, but also the highly anticipated adaptation of the Shibuya Incident Arc. In this arc, Gojo’s sealing left the other sorcerers vulnerable to outside forces, adding to the intense and gripping storyline. Even after six months since its release, the anime continues to maintain its top position, demonstrating the immense popularity and appeal of this series.
Concluding Remarks
Despite the top 10 highest-rated MAPPA anime list being impressive, I can’t help but notice that Dorohedoro is missing while Hell’s Paradise is included. This raises the question of whether the ratings are still a dependable measure of quality. Do you personally read reviews before deciding on an anime? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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