If you spend more than five minutes on anime Twitter or Reddit, you’ve seen the "MAPPA-fication" of everything. It’s basically a meme at this point. People see a high-stakes, brutal, or visually complex series and immediately start asking if MAPPA—the studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man—is going to take over. Naturally, the conversation eventually turned toward Akihito Tsukushi’s masterpiece, leading to a swirl of Made in Abyss MAPPA rumors that just won't seem to die.
But honestly? Most of this is just wishful thinking or, frankly, a misunderstanding of how the industry actually works.
The Reality of Kinema Citrus and the Abyss
Let’s get one thing straight. Kinema Citrus has been the soul of Made in Abyss since the first episode aired in 2017. They didn't just adapt a manga; they built an atmospheric monster. When you think about the Curse of the Abyss or the terrifying beauty of the fourth layer, you’re thinking about the specific art direction and background work handled by Osamu Masuyama and his team.
Why would the production committee fix something that isn't broken?
Usually, studio changes happen because of scheduling disasters, collapsing budgets, or a falling out between the publisher and the animation house. Look at Attack on Titan. Wit Studio was burnt out and couldn't handle the massive scale of the final season on the committee's tight timeline. MAPPA stepped in because they have the infrastructure—and the questionable habit of taking on everything—to handle that pressure.
Made in Abyss doesn't have that problem. Kinema Citrus treats this project like their crown jewel. They’ve stuck with it through two seasons and the Dawn of the Deep Soul movie. They have a deep, symbiotic relationship with Kevin Penkin, the composer whose music is arguably 50% of the show's identity.
Why People Keep Bringing Up Made in Abyss and MAPPA
It’s about the "vibe." MAPPA has become the go-to brand for "Dark Shonen" and "Seinen-adjacent" hits. They do grit well. They do trauma well. Because Made in Abyss hides body horror and psychological devastation behind a "cute" art style, fans of Hell’s Paradise or Vinland Saga Season 2 assume MAPPA is the only studio capable of handling the "dark" stuff.
It's a weird logic.
"MAPPA would make it look so much more cinematic," is a common refrain. But would they? Kinema Citrus uses a specific, painterly aesthetic that mimics Tsukushi’s heavy use of cross-hatching and watercolor textures. MAPPA tends to favor high-contrast, digital-heavy composting. If you moved Made in Abyss to MAPPA, you’d likely lose that soft, deceptive "storybook" feel that makes the eventual gore so much more impactful.
There is also the "Leaker Culture" problem. We live in an era where "leakers" on X (formerly Twitter) post cryptic emojis and fans lose their minds. A single person posting a picture of Nanachi next to a MAPPA logo can spark a week-long news cycle. But if you look at actual production registries or Kadokawa’s financial reports, there is zero evidence of a shift.
The Production Committee and the Long Game
We have to talk about Kadokawa. As the publisher and a massive player on the production committee, they hold the leash.
- Kinema Citrus is partially owned by Kadokawa (they have a capital alliance).
- Maintaining a consistent staff is cheaper and more efficient for long-running franchises.
- The pacing of the manga is glacial.
That third point is the kicker. Akihito Tsukushi is notorious for his slow release schedule. There simply isn't enough material for a third season yet. If a studio swap were to happen, it would usually be announced during a period of high activity. Right now, Made in Abyss is in a "wait and see" phase while the manga builds up enough chapters for the next arc.
Switching to a powerhouse like MAPPA would likely be a lateral move at best and a disaster at worst. MAPPA is currently juggling Chainsaw Man movie production, Jujutsu Kaisen’s inevitable return, and a dozen other projects. They are stretched thin. Kinema Citrus, meanwhile, has the luxury of waiting for the source material because Made in Abyss is their primary "prestige" brand.
What Would a MAPPA Version Actually Look Like?
Suppose the unthinkable happens. Let's say MAPPA takes the reins for the next arc.
You’d probably see more fluid, high-frame-rate action sequences. Think of the fight between Reg and Bondrewd, but with the kinetic, slightly shaky-cam style used in Jujutsu Kaisen. It would be flashy. It would be "cool."
But Made in Abyss isn't supposed to be "cool" in a traditional action sense. It’s supposed to be oppressive. The current staff understands the "ecology" of the Abyss—how the creatures breathe, how the light filters through the vegetation. A new studio would have to rebuild those assets from scratch. You’d risk losing the specific DNA that won the Anime of the Year awards in the first place.
Common Misconceptions About Studio Switches
People think studios "own" the anime. They don't. They are contractors. If MAPPA were to take over, they wouldn't necessarily bring their "A-team" either. Most animators in Japan are freelancers. If the schedule is bad, a MAPPA version of Made in Abyss could actually look worse than a Kinema Citrus version.
Also, consider the director, Masayuki Kojima. His vision is the reason the show feels so cinematic. Directors rarely jump studios just to stay with a single project unless they are specifically requested by the committee. Without Kojima, it’s not the same show.
What Should Fans Actually Expect?
Instead of hunting for Made in Abyss MAPPA rumors, look at the manga's progress. We are currently in the midst of the "Doni" or "Soul" related developments in the manga's latest chapters. There is enough for maybe half a season.
We are likely two to three years away from any meaningful animated content. When it does return, expect the Kinema Citrus logo to be front and center. They’ve proven they can handle the intensity of the "Golden City of the Scorching Sun" arc. They’ve proven they can handle the theatrical scale.
The "MAPPA taking over" narrative is mostly a symptom of MAPPA's current market dominance. It’s the anime equivalent of saying "Disney should buy this" every time a cool indie movie comes out. Bigger isn't always better. In the case of the 6th layer and beyond, "consistent" is much more important than "trendy."
Actionable Insights for Fans Tracking the Series
Stop checking for "leaks" from unverified accounts. If you want to know what's actually happening with the Made in Abyss animation:
- Follow the Manga: The manga is the bottleneck. Until there are at least 15–20 new chapters since the end of Season 2, an anime announcement is physically impossible unless it’s an original story (which is unlikely).
- Watch the Kadokawa Investor Reports: These documents often list "Key Franchises" and the studios attached to them for the upcoming fiscal year.
- Monitor Kevin Penkin’s Socials: He is often the first person to hint at being back in the studio for recording sessions, and his involvement is a huge indicator of production health.
- Appreciate the Current Staff: Instead of wishing for a swap, look into the work of the current art directors at Kinema Citrus. Their ability to translate Tsukushi’s "sketchbook" style into a 2D animated environment is a technical miracle that MAPPA's standard pipeline isn't necessarily built for.
The Abyss is a place of longing and sacrifice. For now, the best thing fans can do is settle in for a long wait. The next descent won't be fast, but if Kinema Citrus stays at the helm, it will at least be beautiful.