is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1972 by ex–Mushi Pro staff, including Masao Maruyama, Osamu Dezaki, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri.
Madhouse has created and helped produce many well-known shows, OVAs and films, starting with TV anime series Ace o Nerae! (produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha) in 1973, and including Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, Perfect Blue, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Trigun, Di Gi Charat, Black Lagoon, Death Note, Chi's Sweet Home, Paprika, Parasyte: The Maxim, the first season of One-Punch Man, the second adaptation of Hunter × Hunter, Overlord, and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. Unlike other studios founded at this time such as AIC and J.C.Staff, their strength was and is primarily in TV shows and theatrical features. Expanding from the initial Mushi Pro staff, Madhouse recruited important directors such as Morio Asaka, Masayuki Kojima, and Satoshi Kon during the 1990s. Their staff roster expanded in the 2000s to include Mamoru Hosoda, Takeshi Koike, and Mitsuo Iso, as well as many younger television directors.
The studio often collaborates with known manga artists, including Naoki Urasawa and Clamp. Madhouse produced adaptations of Urasawa's Yawara!, Master Keaton, and Monster, with Masayuki Kojima helming the latter two. The company has animated a number of CLAMP's titles, including Tokyo Babylon, two versions of X (a theatrical movie and a TV series), Cardcaptor Sakura and its sequel Clear Card, and Chobits. In the 2000s and 2010s, Madhouse and its subsidiaries, Madbox Co., Ltd and South Korea–based DR Movie, animated for various companies, including Imagi Animation Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, Marvel Animation, Studio Ghibli, TMS Entertainment, Production I.G, Sunrise, Pierrot, DNA Productions, Hanna-Barbera, Film Roman, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Capcom, and HBO, among others.
History Madhouse was established in 1972 by ex–Mushi Production animators, including Masao Maruyama, Osamu Dezaki, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri, with funding from Yutaka Fujioka, the founder of Tokyo Movie, and co-produced its earliest series with Tokyo Movie. In February 2004, Madhouse became a subsidiary of Index Corporation. On February 8, 2011, Nippon TV became Madhouse's primary stockholder (replacing Index Corporation), via a third-party allocation of new shares. NTV bought 128,667 new shares (each ¥7,772) issued by Madhouse for ¥999,999,924 total (about $12.4 million), raising its stake in the company from 10.4% to 84.5%. Index Corporation's stake in Madhouse fell from 60.91% to 10.54%. In January 2012, Madhouse announced their acquisition of the animation rights to the Peanuts comic strip. In March 2014, NTV bought all the shares belonging to Index Corporation, increasing its stake in Madhouse to 95%.
Representative staff Current Sanae Tashiro (Seventh president and CEO, 2021–) Yuuzou Kuwahara (Board member, 2024–) Toshiya Gotou (Board member, 2024–) Hidetoshi Tomonari (Auditor, 2024–)
Former Yasuo Oda (First president and CEO, 1972–1980) Masao Maruyama (Second president and CEO, 1980–2000; COO, 2000–2011) Jungoo Murata (Third president and CEO, 2000–2009) Masami Ochiai (Fourth president and CEO, 2010–2011) Hiroyuki Okada (Fifth president and CEO, 2011–2015) Masahiro Takahashi (Sixth president and CEO, 2015–2020; also chairman of the board) Akira Shinohara (Managing director, ?–2024) Tsuneo Takayama (Board member) Kako Kuwahara (Board member, ?–2024) Hitoshi Nishioka (Board member, ?–2024)
Business The studio employs approximately 70 employees, with employment levels varying depending on the number of productions currently underway. Additionally, the company has invested in the animation studio DR Movie. Madhouse has a subsidiary, Madbox Co., Ltd., that mainly focuses on computer graphics.
Works Television 1979–2000
The Adventures of Marco Polo (1979–1980, co-animated with MK) Yawara! (1989–1992) DNA² (1994, co-animated with Studio Deen) Azuki-chan (1995–1998) Trigun (1998) Cardcaptor Sakura (1998–2000) Master Keaton (1998–2000) Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden (1998–1999) Super Doll Licca-chan (1998–1999) Pet Shop of Horrors (1999) Jubei-chan: The Secret of the Lovely Eyepatch (1999) Di Gi Charat (1999–2001) Reign: The Conqueror (1999) Magic User's Club (1999) Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden V (1999–2000)
2000s
Boogiepop Phantom (2000) Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran (2000) Hidamari no Ki (2000) Sakura Wars (2000) Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! (2000–2002) Beyblade (2001) Galaxy Angel (2001–2004) Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars (2001) Chance Pop Session (2001) Magical Meow Meow Taruto (2001) X (2001–2002) Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution (2002) Chobits (2002) Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (2002) Pita-Ten (2002) Dragon Drive (2002–2003) Hanada Shōnen Shi (2002–2003) Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat (2002) Rizelmine (2002, co-animated with IMAGIN) Mirage of Blaze (2002) Ninja Scroll: The Series (2003) Texhnolyze (2003) Gungrave (2003–2004) Gunslinger Girl (2003–2004) Uninhabited Planet Survive! (2003–2004, co-animated with Telecom Animation Film) Di Gi Charat Nyo! (2003–2004) Gokusen (2004) Jubei-chan: The Counter Attack of Siberia Yagyu (2004) Paranoia Agent (2004) Tenjho Tenge (2004) Monster (2004–2005) BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad (2004–2005) Black Jack (2004–2006) Sweet Valerian (2004) Strawberry 100% (2005) Akagi (2005–2006) Paradise Kiss (2005) Oku-sama wa Joshi Kōsei (2005) Kiba (2006–2007) Strawberry Panic! (2006) NANA (2006–2007) The Story of Saiunkoku (2006–2008) Black Lagoon (2006) Yume Tsukai (2006) Otogi-Jūshi Akazukin (2006–2007) Kemonozume (2006) Death Note (2006–2007) Tokyo Tribe 2 (2006–2007) Claymore (2007) Oh! Edo Rocket (2007) Princess Resurrection (2007) Dennō Coil (2007) Devil May Cry: The Animated Series (2007) Shigurui (2007) Gyakkyō Burai Kaiji (2007–2008) Neuro: Supernatural Detective (2007–2008) Mokke (2007–2008) MapleStory (2007–2008) Ani*Kuri15 (2007–2008) Chi's Sweet Home (2008–2009) Allison & Lillia (2008) Kamen no Maid Guy (2008) Top Secret ~The Revelation~ (2008) Kaiba (2008) Ultraviolet: Code 044 (2008) Casshern Sins (2008–2009) Kurozuka (2008) Mōryō no Hako (2008) One Outs (2008–2009) Stitch! (2008–2010) Chaos;Head (2008) Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger (2009) Rideback (2009) Sōten Kōro (2009) Needless (2009) Kobato (2009–2010) Redline (2009) Aoi Bungaku (2009)
2010s
Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin (2010) The Tatami Galaxy (2010) Highschool of the Dead (2010) Marvel Anime (2010–2011) Gyakkyō Burai Kaiji: Hakairoku-hen (2011) Hunter × Hunter (2011–2014) Chihayafuru (2011–2020) The Ambition of Oda Nobuna (2012, co-animated with Studio Gokumi) Btooom! (2012) Photo Kano (2013) Sunday Without God (2013) Hajime no Ippo: Rising (2013–2014, co-animated with MAPPA) Ace of Diamond (2013–2016, co-animated with Production I.G) Magical Warfare (2014) The Irregular at Magic High School (2014) No Game No Life (2014) Hanayamata (2014) Parasyte -the maxim- (2014–2015) Death Parade (2015) My Love Story!! (2015) Overlord (2015) One-Punch Man (2015) Prince of Stride: Alternative (2016) Alderamin on the Sky (2016) All Out!! (2016–2017, co-animated with TMS Entertainment) ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. (2017) Marvel Future Avengers (2017) Overlord II (2018) A Place Further than the Universe (2018) Overlord III (2018) Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card (2018) Okko's Inn (2018) Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues (2018) Boogiepop and Others (2019) Ace of Diamond Act II (2019–2020) Afterlost (2019) No Guns Life (2019–2020)
2020s
Sonny Boy (2021) The Vampire Dies in No Time (2021–2023) Takt Op. Destiny (2021, co-animated with MAPPA) Overlord IV (2022) Police in a Pod (2022) Bibliophile Princess (2022) My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 (2023) The Gene of AI (2023) Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2023–2024) Trillion Game (2024–2025) Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (2024–2025) The Dinner Table Detective (2025) Wandance (2025, co-animated with Cyclone Graphics) Frieren: Beyond Journey's End 2nd Season (2026) Liar Game (2026) Scenes from Awajima (2026) Frieren: Beyond Journey's End 3rd Season (2027)
Television specials Natsufuku no Shōjo-tachi (August 7, 1988) Hiroshima ni Ichiban Densha ga Hashitta (August 6, 1993) Yawara! Special - Zutto Kimi no Koto ga (July 19, 1996) Di Gi Charat - Summer Special 2000 (August 22, 2000 – August 23, 2000) Di Gi Charat - Christmas Special (December 16, 2000) Di Gi Charat - Ohanami Special (April 6, 2001) Di Gi Charat - Natsuyasumi Special (August 2, 2001 – August 3, 2001) Di Gi Charat - Tsuyu Special (August 25, 2001) Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road (June 25, 2003) A Spirit of the Sun (September 17 – 18, 2006) Ani*Kuri 15 (May 7 – December 10, 2007, animated two of the fifteen segments, "Sancha (The Aromatic Tea) Blues" and "Good Morning", respectively) Death Note: Relight - Visions of a God (August 31, 2007) Death Note: Relight 2 - L's Successors (August 22, 2008) Megumi to Taiyō: Kajū Gummi Tweet Love Story (May 11, 2011) Megumi to Taiyō II: Kajū Gummi Tweet Mystery (February 24, 2012, co-animated with MAPPA) Megumi to Taiyō III: Kajū Gummi Tweet Fantasy (June 12, 2012, co-animated with MAPPA) Stitch and the Planet of Sand (June 16, 2012) Stitch! Perfect Memory (August 7, 2015) Transformers 40th Anniversary Special Movie (September 12, 2024) (co-production with Takara Tomy, Hasbro, Production I.G., Studio Trigger, Studio Colorido, Studio Kai and Production +h)
Film Madhouse's early theatrical work included assistance on the Barefoot Gen films, and Lensman, an anime movie based on the space opera series by pulp science fiction author E.E. "Doc" Smith.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, director Yoshiaki Kawajiri produced a string of action films including Wicked City, Demon City Shinjuku, and Ninja Scroll.
In the late 1990s, the studio aimed at a younger female audience with Morio Asaka's two Cardcaptor Sakura films, based on the popular television series.
In the early 2000s, an ambitious collaboration with Tezuka Productions resulted in Metropolis, directed by Rintaro and adapted from the manga by Osamu Tezuka. Earlier collaborations with Tezuka productions included two feature-length films made for Sanrio starring Tezuka's unicorn character Unico.
Director Satoshi Kon produced all four of his films with the studio: Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, and Paprika, as well as his TV series Paranoia Agent. Kon was also making his fifth film the Dreaming Machine with Madhouse, although it was left incomplete at his death in 2010.
In 2003, Madhouse produced Nasu: Summer in Andalusia, which was adapted from the seinen manga Nasu by Iou Kuroda and directed by Studio Ghibli veteran Kitarō Kōsaka. Nasu was the first Japanese animated film ever selected for screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Kōsaka followed up his film with an OVA sequel in 2007.
In 2006, director Mamoru Hosoda began his career with the studio by directing The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
Recent productions included Masayuki Kojima's theatrical debut Forest of Piano (2007), Hosoda's acclaimed Summer Wars (2009), Sunao Katabuchi's Mai Mai Miracle (2009), the company's first CG animated film, Yona Yona Penguin (2009), Takeshi Koike's feature film debut Redline (2009), a theatrical version of the Trigun series, Trigun: Badlands Rumble (2010), and The Tibetan Dog, a co-production with China (2011).
The first film in the Hunter × Hunter franchise, Hunter × Hunter: Phantom Rouge premiered on January 12, 2013.
After producing and animating Mamoru Hosoda's The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars, Madhouse co-produced Wolf Children (2012) with Hosoda's newly-founded Studio Chizu.