Masao Maruyama

Producer, also writer and actor · Born June 19, 1941 (85) · Shiogama, Miyagi, Japan

Masao Maruyama (丸山正雄, born June 19, 1941) is a Japanese anime producer and anime entrepreneur, the co-founder of Madhouse, as well as the founder of MAPPA and Studio M2. He is the current chairman of MAPPA and president of Studio M2. Maruyama has been involved in the Japanese animation business for over 50 years. He has worked with many well-known and up-and-coming animators, established several animation production companies, worked on dozens of series and films, and planned and produced various works. Maruyama is one of the most experienced producers in the Japanese animation industry and has given opportunities to individuals who went on to become accomplished directors in their own right. Among the talents he picked up were Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Hosoda, and Sunao Katabuchi. He also gave Masaaki Yuasa and Mitsuo Iso a chance to direct at a very early stage. He also gave Mamoru Hosoda, who was thinking of returning to his hometown to change careers after he was forced to drop out of directing Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle, a chance to direct his first theatrical film after resigning from Toei Animation. Yuichiro Hayashi, Munehisa Sakai, and Sunghoo Park, who became MAPPA's main directors, and Sayo Yamamoto, his direct protégé at Madhouse, are also people whose talents were discovered by Maruyama. His ability to find talented people helped Madhouse and MAPPA to make great strides.

Biography from TMDB.

Born: June 19, 1941 (85)
From: Shiogama, Miyagi, Japan
Works as: Producer, also writer and actor
Titles: 54 on MovieCove · 99 credits in all
Links: IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 56% in 30 days

What are Masao Maruyama's films like?

Across their 43 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight

Self

31%

Bonds

20%

Morality

14%

Survival

12%

Power

10%

Ideas

Society

Identity12 Friendship9 Survival9 Ambition9 Justice6 Family bonds6 Romantic love4 Power6

What they feel like to watch

their average across 33 films

ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

Earnest

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

Ironic 0 · Wry 1 · Earnest 32

Serious

Tone · Weight

lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 9 · Dark 15

Heightened

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 2 · Stylized 16 · Heightened 15

Charged

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 6 · Charged 8 · Intense 19

Shifting

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 16 · Whiplash 5

Straight-faced

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

Straight-faced 25 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 2

Even-paced

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 20 · Relentless 6

Engaged

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 19 · Full focus 7

Affecting

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

Easy watch 7 · Affecting 21 · Heavy 5

Resolved

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

Resolved 27 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense

Thrilling

Melancholic

Warm

Dread

Other

How their films linger

Bittersweet18 Thought-provoking13 Hopeful13 Rousing11 Fun7 Haunting9

How their films end · 6 with a twist

Happy13
Bittersweet22
Tragic1
Ambiguous5
Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Masao Maruyama's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 54 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Crunchyroll (15).

Also on these channels

RetroCrush6 titles, show their 6 titles on RetroCrush
HIDIVE4 titles, show their 4 titles on HIDIVE
Cineverse2 titles, show their 2 titles on Cineverse
Midnight Pulp1 title, show their title on Midnight Pulp

Subscription and free streaming for Masao Maruyama's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

99 credits, 54 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

Pluto(2023)
Show 8 episodes · Executive Producer
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows
Nezumikozo Jirokichi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Producer
One Arm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
Producer
Onihei (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Show 13 episodes · Producer
In This Corner of the World(2016)
Producer
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Punch Line(2015)
Show 12 episodes · Production Supervisor
Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows
Rage of Bahamut: Genesis(2014)
Show 12 episodes · Production Supervisor
Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows
Terror in Resonance(2014)
Show 11 episodes · Production Supervisor
Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows
Hunter X Hunter: Phantom Rouge(2013)
Producer
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Kids on the Slope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)
Show 12 episodes · Creative Producer
Chihayafuru(2011)
Show 50 episodes · Creative Producer
Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows
Supernatural: The Animation(2011)
Show Producer
Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows
The Princess and the Pilot(2011)
Producer
Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films
Planet Hulk(2010)
Producer
Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films
Death Note Relight 2 - L's Successors(2008)
Producer
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
Summer Wars(2009)
Producer
Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films
Batman: Gotham Knight(2008)
Producer
Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films
Mokke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Show 24 episodes · Producer
Highlander: The Search for Vengeance(2007)
Producer
Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films
Den-Noh Coil(2007)
Show 26 episodes · Producer
Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows
Claymore(2007)
Show 26 episodes · Producer
Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows
Death Note Relight - Visions of a God(2007)
Producer
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor(2007)
Show Producer
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows
The Piano Forest(2007)
Producer
Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films
Death Note(2006)
Show 37 episodes · Producer
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows
Black Lagoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
Show 24 episodes · Development Producer
Nana(2006)
Show 47 episodes · Producer
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time(2006)
Producer
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Paradise Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Show 12 episodes · Producer
Last Order: Final Fantasy VII(2005)
Producer
Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films
Akagi(2005)
Show Producer
Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows
Monster(2004)
Show 74 episodes · Producer
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows
Tenjho Tenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Show 24 episodes · Producer
The Gokusen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Show 13 episodes · Producer
Aquarian Age Saga II: Don't Forget Me...(2003)
Executive Producer
Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Nasu: Summer in Andalusia(2003)
Producer
Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films
Hitsuji no Uta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Show 4 episodes · Producer
Texhnolyze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Show 20 episodes · Producer
Fighting Spirit: Champion Road(2003)
Producer
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
The Animatrix(2003)
Producer
Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films
Tokyo Godfathers(2003)
Producer
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Millennium Actress(2001)
Executive Producer
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Trava: Fist Planet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Show 4 episodes · Producer
X(2001)
Show 24 episodes · Producer
Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows
X: An Omen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Producer
Metropolis(2001)
Producer
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
Chance Pop Session (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Show 13 episodes · Producer
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust(2000)
Producer
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
WXIII: Patlabor(2001)
Producer
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
Reign: The Conqueror Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Producer
Fighting Spirit(2000)
Show 25 episodes · Creative Producer · Producer
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows
Sakura Wars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Show 25 episodes · Producer
Boogiepop Never Laughs: Boogiepop Phantom(2000)
Show 12 episodes · Producer
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows
Galaxy Angel(2000)
Show Producer
Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows
Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie(1999)
Executive Producer
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
Pet Shop of Horrors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Show 4 episodes · Producer
Master Keaton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
Show 39 episodes · Producer
TRIGUN (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
Show 26 episodes · Executive Producer
Perfect Blue(1997)
Producer
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Satanika (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
Producer
Twilight of the Dark Master(1997)
Producer
Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films
X: The Movie(1996)
Producer
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Azuki-chan the Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
Producer
Memories(1995)
Producer
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Bio Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
Producer
Street Fighter: The Animated Series(1995)
Show 26 episodes · Producer
Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows
DNA² (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
Show 12 episodes · Producer
Bronze: Cathexis Koji Nanjo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
Producer
Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
Show 4 episodes · Producer
A-Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Producer
Kiss Me on the Apple of My Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Producer
Pops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Producer
Singles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Producer
Ninja Scroll(1993)
Producer
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Desperate Love 1989 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Producer
Zetsuai 1989 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Show 3 episodes · Producer
Doomed Megalopolis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
Show 4 episodes · Producer
Urusei Yatsura: Terror of Girly-Eyes Measles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
Producer
Urusei Yatsura 6: Always My Darling(1991)
Producer
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films
Jû-kyû(1990)
Producer
Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films
Record of the Lodoss War(1990)
Show Producer
Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows
Urusei Yatsura: Goat and Cheese (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Producer
Neo Tokyo(1987)
Producer · Writer
Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films
Fairy King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)
Producer
Girls in Summer Dresses: Hiroshima, August 6, 1945 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)
Producer
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: My Conquest is the Sea of Stars(1988)
Producer
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Phoenix: Space Chapter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Producer
Junk Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Producer
The Running Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Producer
Time Stranger(1986)
Producer
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films
The Phoenix (Chapter of Ho-o)(1986)
Producer
Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
Bobby's Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)
Producer
The Dagger of Kamui (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)
Producer · Production Design
Lensman(1984)
Producer
Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films
Jetter Mars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Show 27 episodes · Series Composition
Aim for the Ace(1973)
Show 8 episodes · Writer
Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows
Kunimatsu-sama no Otoridai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Show 46 episodes · Settings
Mfinda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Producer
The Dream Machine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Producer

Career shape

A full career of 77 titles, 75 of them dated from 1971 to 2023.

Biggest box office

In This Corner of the World (2016)

$19M worldwide

Highest rated

Perfect Blue (1997)

Midcredits 99^th

By role

only this rolewith another role

Writing5 of 77Producing68 of 77 · 88^thOther crew5 of 77

By decade

1970s3 · crew1980s11 · crew1990s22 · crew2000s28 · crew2010s9 · crew2020s2 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Masao Maruyama's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 86^th percentile, the median of all 34; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 86^th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

86^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 33

Approval · how many liked their films

82^ndpercentile

Typical film, the median of 33

Reach · how many have seen their films

83^rdpercentile

Typical film, the median of 33

Midcredits score across 54 titles, by percentile

75^th and up33
50^th to 74^th13
25^th to 49^th5
Below 25^th3

Shape of the crowd

25 of their 54 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

Universally Loved18
Crowd Pleaser25
Mixed11

Most divisive · producer

Aquarian Age Saga II: Don't Forget Me... (2003)

79^th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · producer

Perfect Blue (1997)

Midcredits 99^th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the dialogue 47/100 and the plot and story 51/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a writer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Masao Maruyama's work okay for kids?

Across up to 14 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles

Violence & Gore13 titles32–91 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most films

Sex & Nudity14 titles18–81 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all films

Profanity13 titles21–53 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all films

Alcohol & Drugs12 titles10–61 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all films

Frightening / Intense14 titles33–87 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most films

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.