CyberAgent has signed a business alliance agreement with anime studio MAPPA and acquired part of the shares of MAPPA's parent company, MHD, according to an Anime Anime report. The report does not give the size of the stake.
The deal pairs MAPPA's animation production with the experience CyberAgent Group has built in media, game operations and advertising. The stated aim is to strengthen the companies' ability both to create anime and to deliver it. They will consider cooperation in planning and production, broadcasting and streaming, games, merchandise and events, and they plan to connect works and fans across countries and regions.
The two companies have worked together before on anime planning, broadcasts and streaming on ABEMA, and game adaptations. CyberAgent's Anime & IP Division develops original anime, produces anime adaptations of manga and handles merchandising for popular IP. MAPPA, founded in 2011, is known for Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan The Final Season and Chainsaw Man.
In a statement, CyberAgent President and CEO Takahiro Yamauchi confirmed the investment in MHD. He said the company would take a "medium- to long-term view" (translated) so that anime from Japan can create even greater value worldwide. MAPPA President Manabu Otsuka said the studio will keep valuing the quality of its work while working "with an appropriate sense of speed" (translated), so that audiences around the world can enjoy its titles.