Masao Maruyama (film producer)
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese film producer, animation developer, the co-founder, board of directors member, and producer of Studio Madhouse
, one of the leading animation production companies in the world. Born in Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture
, he is a 40-plus year veteran of the animation business.
While he is the studio head, Maruyama's expertise remains on the artistic end of the company. Business and financial matters are delegated to company president Jungo Maruta.
His business card identifies him as "Chief Creative Officer".
in 1963, and soon after, he found work at Mushi Production
as an animator. It was here that he met many of Madhouse's future staff members. In October 1972, this core group of artists (who included Osamu Dezaki
, Rintaro
, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri
) left the company and founded Studio Madhouse
. Since that time, Maruyama has focused mainly on producing and planning Madhouse's upcoming projects. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he also did production design on several films. In 2002, Maruyama was awarded the "Special/Lifetime Achievement" Award at the 7th Animation Kobe
in recognition and honor of his contributions to the industry. He was the first producer to be given the award.
In recent years, thanks in large part to his frequent attendance at anime convention
s, he has become well-known in America among Madhouse's fanbase. Not simply wanting to emulate past successes, Maruyama frequently says at these events that his goal as a producer is to seek out new challenges that will allow the production staff to keep experimenting. This attitude in part has been the reason why he has encouraged the studio to take on projects that may not seem like sure-fire commercial hits. In addition, Maruyama has long been a supporter of bringing new talents into the animation business, and continues to encourage young people to work in anime.
At his numerous convention appearances, he has joked that he hopes he will live long enough to see Madhouse's latest project through to completion.
In 2010, Maruyama served as the executive producer for an anime project based on the TV show Supernatural
, entitled Supernatural The Animation, and is the world's first animated project from a Japanese anime studio based on an overseas drama series.
Madhouse (company)
is a Japanese animation studio, founded in 1972 by ex–Mushi Pro animators including Masao Maruyama, Osamu Dezaki, Rintaro, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri. It has created and helped to produce many well known shows, starting with TV anime series Ace o Nerae! in 1973, and including western favourites Ninja...
, one of the leading animation production companies in the world. Born in Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture
Miyagi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan in the Tōhoku Region on Honshu island. The capital is Sendai.- History :Miyagi Prefecture was formerly part of the province of Mutsu. Mutsu Province, on northern Honshu, was one of the last provinces to be formed as land was taken from the indigenous Emishi, and became the...
, he is a 40-plus year veteran of the animation business.
Role within Madhouse
As the main producer and studio head, Maruyama is personally responsible for green-lighting new projects. As a result, projects are often directly pitched to him by outside interests or brought to him by creators within the company. He also has a significant amount of influence in determining the staff of these new projects, particularly in the assignment of directorial duties. In addition, he is frequently involved in the planning phase of major studio productions.While he is the studio head, Maruyama's expertise remains on the artistic end of the company. Business and financial matters are delegated to company president Jungo Maruta.
His business card identifies him as "Chief Creative Officer".
Personal history
Maruyama graduated Hosei UniversityHosei University
is a private university based in Tokyo, Japan.The university originated in a school of law, Tōkyō Hōgakusha , established in 1880, and the following year renamed Tōkyō Hōgakkō . This was from 1883 headed by Dr. Gustave Emile Boissonade, and was heavily influenced by the French legal tradition...
in 1963, and soon after, he found work at Mushi Production
Mushi Production
Mushi Production , or Mushi Pro for short, is a Japanese animation studio headquartered in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan....
as an animator. It was here that he met many of Madhouse's future staff members. In October 1972, this core group of artists (who included Osamu Dezaki
Osamu Dezaki
, also known as , , or , was a Japanese director of anime born on November 18, 1943, in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. His older brother, Satoshi Dezaki, is also an anime director....
, Rintaro
Rintaro
is the pseudonym of , a well-known director of anime. He works frequently with the animation studio Madhouse , though he is a freelance director not employed directly by any one studio. He began working in the animation industry—at age 17—as an in-between animator on the 1958 film Hakujaden...
, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Yoshiaki Kawajiri
is a critically acclaimed writer and director of Japanese animation. He is the creator of titles such as Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.-Career:...
) left the company and founded Studio Madhouse
Madhouse (company)
is a Japanese animation studio, founded in 1972 by ex–Mushi Pro animators including Masao Maruyama, Osamu Dezaki, Rintaro, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri. It has created and helped to produce many well known shows, starting with TV anime series Ace o Nerae! in 1973, and including western favourites Ninja...
. Since that time, Maruyama has focused mainly on producing and planning Madhouse's upcoming projects. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he also did production design on several films. In 2002, Maruyama was awarded the "Special/Lifetime Achievement" Award at the 7th Animation Kobe
Animation Kobe
The is an event created by Kobe city in 1996, to promote anime and other visual media. In the event, the are awarded annually by Kobe and the Organizing Committee of the event, to creators and creations.-Event:...
in recognition and honor of his contributions to the industry. He was the first producer to be given the award.
In recent years, thanks in large part to his frequent attendance at anime convention
Anime convention
An anime convention is an event or gathering with a primary focus on anime, manga and Japanese culture. Commonly, anime conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels or college campuses. They feature a wide variety of activities and panels...
s, he has become well-known in America among Madhouse's fanbase. Not simply wanting to emulate past successes, Maruyama frequently says at these events that his goal as a producer is to seek out new challenges that will allow the production staff to keep experimenting. This attitude in part has been the reason why he has encouraged the studio to take on projects that may not seem like sure-fire commercial hits. In addition, Maruyama has long been a supporter of bringing new talents into the animation business, and continues to encourage young people to work in anime.
At his numerous convention appearances, he has joked that he hopes he will live long enough to see Madhouse's latest project through to completion.
In 2010, Maruyama served as the executive producer for an anime project based on the TV show Supernatural
Supernatural (TV series)
Supernatural is an American supernatural and horror television series created by Eric Kripke, which debuted on September 13, 2005 on The WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they...
, entitled Supernatural The Animation, and is the world's first animated project from a Japanese anime studio based on an overseas drama series.