Tom Cruise Visits MAPPA EXPO in Japan and Explores the World of Anime
Tom Cruise and director Alejandro G. Iñárritu visited MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary in Tokyo while promoting DIGGER, touring exhibits for Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan and discussing the craft of animation.
Hollywood and anime came together in an unexpected way this week when Tom Cruise and filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu visited the MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary exhibition in Tokyo.
The two were in Japan promoting their new film DIGGER when they took time to explore MAPPA's celebration of 15 years of animation. During their visit, they were guided through the exhibition by Tadashi Hiramatsu, the character designer known for his work on Jujutsu Kaisen and Yuri!!! on ICE. Crunchyroll
And Cruise wasn't simply there for a quick photo opportunity.
The actor showed genuine curiosity about how anime is created, asking questions about the animation process while taking in MAPPA's original artwork, production materials and displays.
Tom Cruise Gets a Look at MAPPA's Anime Legacy
MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary celebrates the studio's history since its founding in 2011, bringing together artwork, production materials and immersive displays from some of the studio's best-known productions.
Among the featured works are Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and Attack on Titan Final Season. The exhibition also includes a wider selection of MAPPA productions from across the studio's history. MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary
During Cruise and Iñárritu's visit, the pair explored displays from several of MAPPA's major productions.
Cruise appeared particularly interested in the artwork and the techniques behind Japanese animation. At the Jujutsu Kaisen section, he asked about how much of the animation is created by hand and how modern animators work.
Hiramatsu explained that many younger animators now work digitally, while emphasizing the continuing importance of learning traditional drawing techniques.
That exchange offered an interesting connection between two very different forms of filmmaking: Cruise's world of large-scale live-action productions and MAPPA's highly detailed animation process.
From Hollywood Filmmaking to Anime
The visit also became a conversation about the similarities between animation and live-action filmmaking.
Iñárritu discussed how animation and filmmaking both depend on numerous creative elements working together to create a believable world, from the environments and visual composition to sound and other details.
For MAPPA, the visit offered an opportunity to introduce two major filmmakers to the amount of work that goes into creating an anime production.
For Cruise, it was an opportunity to see that process from a different perspective.
And considering his career has included some of the biggest action films ever produced, his interest in the mechanics behind anime made the visit particularly fun for fans watching the footage.
Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan
The exhibition gave Cruise and Iñárritu plenty to explore.
The pair encountered displays connected to Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and Attack on Titan: The Final Season, three of MAPPA's most internationally recognizable productions.
Iñárritu also stopped to admire artwork featuring Bomb Girl, while the pair later explored the Attack on Titan section, including imagery connected to the series' iconic Rumbling.
For anime fans, seeing Cruise standing in front of artwork from these productions was certainly an unusual crossover between Hollywood and the anime world.
MAPPA Gives Cruise a Special Digger Surprise
The visit wasn't just about Cruise seeing MAPPA's work.
At the end of the experience, Hiramatsu presented Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu with original illustrations of Digger Rockwell, the protagonist of their new film DIGGER. The artwork included the film's central phrase:
“There is TRUTH within a LIE.”
It was a fitting way to connect the Hollywood production that brought Cruise and Iñárritu to Japan with the anime studio they were visiting.
Why Tom Cruise Was in Japan
Cruise and Iñárritu were in Japan as part of the promotional tour for DIGGER, their new film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary.
The film stars Cruise as Digger Rockwell and was directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Cruise also serves as one of the film's producers. Digger
Japan served as the final stop of the film's international world tour, following stops in London, Mexico City, Los Angeles and Seoul.
Cruise's visit also coincided with Japan's “Tom Day” on October 6, marking the 20th anniversary of the date's recognition in Japan. The Japanese premiere brought approximately 700 fans to the event in Tokyo. 映画『DIGGER／ディガー』公式サイト
MAPPA's 15th Anniversary Celebration Continues
The timing of Cruise's visit was particularly fitting because MAPPA is celebrating its 15th anniversary throughout 2026.
The Tokyo exhibition opened September 16 at the YURAKUCHO MUSEUM and runs through December 7, with the exhibition divided into two periods. MAPPA has also announced plans for the exhibition to travel to other cities in Japan, with a Fukuoka stop planned for January through March 2027. MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary
The exhibition features artwork, production materials and displays covering 15 years of MAPPA's work, giving visitors an opportunity to see how the studio's productions have developed over the years. Nippon
MAPPA's official site describes the exhibition as a celebration of the works and worlds the studio has created since its founding.
A Hollywood Star Steps Into the Anime World
Tom Cruise visiting an anime exhibition isn't something you see every day, but the MAPPA EXPO visit felt like more than a celebrity appearance.
Cruise's questions about animation and the creative process showed an interest in understanding how another medium approaches storytelling, while Iñárritu's discussion of the similarities between animation and filmmaking made the visit a natural meeting between two different creative worlds.
For anime fans, meanwhile, the sight of one of Hollywood's biggest action stars examining Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan artwork alongside one of the industry's most respected filmmakers made for a memorable crossover.
And perhaps the best part is that MAPPA filmed the entire tour, allowing fans to see Cruise and Iñárritu experience the exhibition for themselves. Crunchyroll
Watch the MAPPA Tour
MAPPA released footage of Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu's visit, including their tour of the exhibition and conversation with Tadashi Hiramatsu.
