Masao Maruyama
DirectorMasao Maruyama is a veteran Japanese anime producer and co-founder of Madhouse, the studio that produced the Death Note anime, where he served as producer.
Death Note Role
Maruyama produced Death Note, the anime adaptation that Madhouse released across 2006 and 2007 under director Tetsurō Araki. As one of the studio's founders and a senior producer there during that period, he helped steer Madhouse's slate of ambitious, adult-oriented television projects, of which the series became a flagship example.
Career and Notable Roles
Maruyama co-founded Madhouse in 1972 alongside Osamu Dezaki, Rintaro, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri after leaving Mushi Production, building it into one of Japan's most influential animation studios over the following decades. He left Madhouse in 2011 to found MAPPA, and later established the studio M2, continuing a career as one of the anime industry's most prolific producers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Masao Maruyama?
Masao Maruyama is a veteran Japanese anime producer, born in 1941, who co-founded the studio Madhouse and later served as producer on the Death Note anime. He built one of the longest and most influential careers in the anime industry.
Who is the owner of Mappa?
Masao Maruyama founded the studio Mappa in 2011, after leaving Madhouse, the company he had co-founded decades earlier. He went on to establish another studio, M2, continuing his run as one of anime's most prolific producers.
What was Masao Maruyama's role on the Death Note anime?
Maruyama produced Death Note for Madhouse, which released the series across 2006 and 2007 under director Tetsuro Araki. He was a senior producer at the studio during that period, helping steer its slate of ambitious, adult-oriented television projects.
What studio did Masao Maruyama co-found?
Maruyama co-founded Madhouse in 1972 alongside Osamu Dezaki, Rintaro, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri, after all four left Mushi Production. Madhouse grew into one of Japan's most influential animation studios over the following decades.
What other studio has Masao Maruyama established?
Beyond Madhouse and Mappa, Maruyama went on to establish the studio M2. He has continued working as one of the anime industry's most prolific producers even as he moved between studios.
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Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Death Note anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Nippon Television and Warner Bros. Japan.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to Konami and other publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha, Tsugumi Ohba, and Takeshi Obata.
Official resources:
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