Chainsaw Man anime rights and licensing: who owns what
Crunchyroll acquired broad global streaming rights for the Chainsaw Man anime, while MAPPA handles animation and Shueisha controls the original manga.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: The Chainsaw Man anime is produced by MAPPA and streamed globally by Crunchyroll, which acquired the rights to simulcast the series subtitled and dubbed in more than 200 countries and territories. The original manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto is published by Shueisha, which holds the underlying literary rights.
Who owns the Chainsaw Man anime?
The Chainsaw Man manga is written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto and serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump. Shueisha therefore controls the source material and the underlying intellectual property.
The anime adaptation is produced by MAPPA, the studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan Final Season. MAPPA's official works list identifies Chainsaw Man as a TV animation project released in 2022. The studio owns the animated production but not the original manga.
How Chainsaw Man is licensed for streaming
Crunchyroll announced that it acquired the global streaming rights for the Chainsaw Man anime series. The platform simulcast the series both subtitled and dubbed in more than 200 countries and territories, making it one of Crunchyroll's largest single-title acquisitions.
Global rights in this context means Crunchyroll holds the streaming license across most major markets. It does not mean Crunchyroll owns the anime outright. Physical media, merchandise, and adaptation rights are handled separately.
Publicly disclosed Chainsaw Man rights structure.| Party | Role | Rights layer |
|---|
| Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha | Original manga creator and publisher | Underlying manga and character rights |
| MAPPA | Animation studio | Anime production |
| Crunchyroll | Global streaming licensee | Streaming rights in 200+ countries and territories |
What Crunchyroll's global rights do and do not cover
A streaming-rights acquisition covers digital simulcast and catalog streaming in the contracted territories. It typically excludes theatrical distribution, home video, merchandise, games, and future remakes unless those rights are explicitly included.
Crunchyroll has not publicly disclosed whether its Chainsaw Man deal includes physical media or merchandise. The safe assumption is that streaming is the core right acquired, with other categories licensed separately by Shueisha or its agents.
Ownership uncertainty note: The exact terms of Crunchyroll's global streaming deal are confidential. Public sources confirm worldwide streaming in more than 200 territories and MAPPA as the animation producer, but the contract duration, exclusivity scope, and revenue split are not disclosed.
Why Chainsaw Man rights are relatively streamlined
Unlike decades-old franchises with layered legacy agreements, Chainsaw Man is a recent hit with a single manga publisher and a single animation studio. This makes the rights picture cleaner: Shueisha owns the source, MAPPA produces the anime, and Crunchyroll streams it globally.
The main complexity lies in the breadth of Crunchyroll's deal. A global streaming license across more than 200 territories still has carve-outs and must be renewed, so the long-term availability of the series depends on contract renewals.
How Chainsaw Man compares to other Shueisha-MAPPA titles
Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man share a similar shape: a Shueisha manga, a MAPPA anime, and Crunchyroll as the global streaming home. This pattern reflects how Shueisha and Crunchyroll have aligned on high-profile simulcasts.
The practical implication for licensors is that Crunchyroll is the first stop for streaming rights outside Japan, while Shueisha remains the gatekeeper for manga, merchandise, and adaptation rights.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the anime rights to Chainsaw Man?
The anime is produced by MAPPA, but the underlying manga rights belong to Tatsuki Fujimoto and Shueisha. MAPPA owns the animated production, not the source material.
Who licenses Chainsaw Man for streaming?
Crunchyroll acquired the global streaming rights and simulcast the anime subtitled and dubbed in more than 200 countries and territories.
Does Crunchyroll own Chainsaw Man outright?
No. Crunchyroll holds streaming rights. The manga is owned by Shueisha, and the anime production is handled by MAPPA.
Which studio animates Chainsaw Man?
MAPPA animates the Chainsaw Man television series, which premiered in 2022.