MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary: Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Attack on Titan Exhibition Highlights Revealed
If you’ve been following anime over the last decade, you’ve probably noticed one thing: it’s almost impossible to escape MAPPA. Whether you’re talking about Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, or Attack on Titan: The Final Season, the studio has been behind some of the biggest conversations in the anime community. Love their style or criticize their impossible production schedule, one thing is certain—MAPPA knows how to create moments that dominate the internet.
Now the studio is preparing something that feels much bigger than a typical anime exhibition. MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary, running from September 16 through December 7, 2026 at Tokyo’s Yurakucho Museum, looks like the kind of event fans dream about for years. After reading everything that’s been revealed, I honestly think this isn’t just another display of artwork behind glass. It feels more like walking through the history of modern anime itself.
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More Than an Anniversary Celebration
What immediately caught my attention wasn’t the merchandise or even the exclusive artwork. It was the fact that MAPPA isn’t treating this exhibition like a museum full of old memories. Instead, the entire event seems designed to celebrate where the studio came from while teasing where it’s going next.
The new anniversary visual perfectly reflects that idea. Rather than placing one famous character at the center, MAPPA introduced an original blue-eyed boy who first appeared in the studio’s special anniversary short film. It’s a subtle reminder that behind every legendary anime are artists constantly creating something new instead of simply repeating past successes.
As someone who’s spent way too many nights watching production documentaries and animator interviews, I love that approach. It’s refreshing to see an event focusing on creativity itself instead of only nostalgia. Another smart decision is splitting the exhibition into two separate periods, with displays rotating halfway through the schedule. That’s exactly the kind of move that makes hardcore fans debate whether they should visit twice.
Chainsaw Man Is Clearly One of the Main Attractions
Let’s be honest—if there was one series guaranteed to pull enormous crowds, it had to be Chainsaw Man. Everything surrounding the franchise feels like it’s gaining momentum again. The exhibition reportedly dedicates an entire section to Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, showcasing exclusive illustrations featuring Denji and Reze that fans haven’t seen before.
From everything that’s been described, MAPPA isn’t simply hanging promotional posters on a wall. Visitors can expect material that usually stays locked inside the studio, giving fans a chance to appreciate just how much work goes into every episode and movie frame.
Highlights From the Chainsaw Man Area
- Original storyboards
- Key animation drawings
- Production sketches
- Behind-the-scenes creative notes
That’s the kind of content anime fans rarely get access to outside of collector art books. The biggest surprise, though, is how naturally this connects with the announcement of Chainsaw Man Season 2, adapting the explosive Assassins Arc. That story completely changes the scale of Fujimoto’s world, introducing some of the franchise’s most unpredictable characters.
Seeing early production materials before the season premieres is exactly the sort of exclusive experience fans travel across the world for. Personally, I can’t wait to see how MAPPA handles some of those notoriously insane action scenes because they’re among my favorite moments in the manga.
Jujutsu Kaisen Keeps Building the Hype
If Chainsaw Man delivers pure chaos, Jujutsu Kaisen brings the kind of energy that practically owns social media every time new artwork appears. MAPPA recently completed a beautiful set of anniversary visuals featuring key characters, and Nobara’s new illustration immediately became one of my favorites. It’s detailed without feeling overdesigned, and it perfectly captures the confidence that made her such a standout character.
The exhibition itself promises to walk fans through the production process almost step by step. For anyone interested in animation—not just anime—this could easily become one of the most educational parts of the entire event.
What Visitors Will See
- Character design evolution
- Background artwork
- Digital coloring process
- Animation layouts
- Visual development concepts
Of course, the headline everyone is talking about is the confirmation of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4, which will continue adapting the Culling Game storyline. The release date remains a mystery, but showing concept material months ahead of release is a clever way to keep excitement alive without revealing major spoilers.
Attack on Titan Refuses to Fade Away
It’s funny how people kept saying Attack on Titan would disappear once the anime ended. Instead, it somehow feels as relevant as ever. MAPPA is giving Attack on Titan: The Final Season a dedicated tribute featuring brand-new artwork celebrating the conclusion of one of anime’s biggest modern stories. Even years later, the emotional weight of that finale still sparks debates online.
One thing I’m especially interested in is the production material from the final episodes. Those chapters demanded cinematic animation, massive battle sequences, and emotional performances that pushed everyone involved to their limits. Getting a chance to see rough sketches and animation keys makes me appreciate the finished product even more.
The exhibition also looks beyond the anime itself. Fans will get an early look at production work connected to the upcoming Attack on Titan 3 video game, including animation created specifically for the game’s opening sequence. That crossover between anime production and game development is something we don’t often get to see explained in detail.
What Visitors Can Expect
Besides the artwork itself, the event appears designed with collectors in mind. Every visitor receives an exclusive admission gift featuring authentic key animation artwork packaged in a commemorative envelope. Fans can choose their favorite franchise, although the specific postcard design remains randomized.
Then there’s the merchandise store. Based on previous anime exhibitions, I fully expect people to spend almost as much time shopping as viewing the displays. If history tells us anything, many of these exclusive products will probably become impossible to find outside Japan only weeks after the exhibition opens.
Exclusive Merchandise
- Acrylic keychains
- Art prints
- Clear files
- Anniversary apparel
- Limited-edition collectibles
Event Features Overview
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Rotating exhibits | Encourages repeat visits with different artwork throughout the exhibition. |
| Original production materials | Offers a rare opportunity to explore MAPPA’s creative process. |
| Exclusive anniversary illustrations | Features artwork unavailable anywhere else. |
| Franchise-specific admission gifts | Provides collectible souvenirs for dedicated fans. |
| Event-only merchandise | Includes products likely to become highly sought-after collectibles. |
MAPPA Isn’t Slowing Down Anytime Soon
One thing I appreciate about this anniversary celebration is that it doesn’t focus exclusively on the studio’s biggest hits. MAPPA is also highlighting projects like Ranma 1/2 Season 3, Dorohedoro Season 3, and Oblivion Battery Season 2, reminding fans that the studio’s future extends well beyond its blockbuster titles.
That matters because the anime industry changes incredibly fast. Studios can become overnight sensations just as quickly as they fade from the spotlight. MAPPA has somehow managed to stay at the center of the conversation for years despite taking on ambitious productions that many studios wouldn’t even attempt.
Yes, discussions surrounding animator workloads and production schedules haven’t disappeared, and they’re still an important part of any conversation about the company. But looking purely at the artistic side, it’s hard not to admire how consistently MAPPA delivers visually unforgettable moments.
After seeing everything planned for this exhibition, I honestly think MAPPA EXPO feels less like a birthday party and more like a snapshot of modern anime itself. Whether you’re obsessed with Denji’s chaotic world, can’t stop arguing about Gojo versus Sukuna, or still get emotional thinking about the Survey Corps, there’s something here that celebrates why these series became global phenomena in the first place. For fans lucky enough to visit Tokyo this fall, this might end up being one of those anime events people will still be talking about years from now.
