Masao Maruyama (Japanese: 丸山 正雄, Hepburn: Maruyama Masao; born June 19, 1941) is a Japanese anime producer and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Madhouse, as well as the founder of MAPPA and Studio M2 animation studios. He is the current Chairman of MAPPA and President of Studio M2 and Board member of N LITE Japan.
Over a career spanning more than 50 years, Maruyama has founded multiple animation production companies and produced numerous television series, feature films, and original video animations (OVAs). He is also noted for hiring and working with various directors early in their careers, including Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Hosoda, Sunao Katabuchi, Masaaki Yuasa, Mitsuo Iso, Yuichiro Hayashi, Munehisa Sakai, Sayo Yamamoto and Katsuhiro Otomo.
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Early life
Maruyama was born in Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, in 1941. After graduating from Hosei University in 1963, he spent approximately a year working in irregular jobs before an acquaintance introduced him to Mushi Production, which he joined in 1965. Although he did not initially intend to pursue a career in animation, his encounter with the studio's head, Osamu Tezuka, influenced his decision to remain in the industry. Maruyama later stated that he was fascinated by Tezuka, whom he described as someone who defied conventional norms.
Career
Madhouse (1972–2011)
In 1972, Maruyama left Mushi Productions to found Madhouse alongside his colleagues Osamu Dezaki, Rintaro, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri. He became the studio's president in 1980, overseeing project planning, production design, and directorial assignments.
In 1987, Maruyama and director Rintaro invited manga artist Katsuhiro Otomo to make his directorial debut with the short film Construction Cancellation Order for the anthology film Neo Tokyo. Maruyama also produced Kawajiri's 1993 film Ninja Scroll, which achieved significant commercial success upon its home video release in North America.
During his tenure as studio head, Maruyama planned or produced numerous feature films, including all of Satoshi Kon's directorial works (Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika), Mamoru Hosoda's The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars, and Sunao Katabuchi's Mai Mai Miracle. Following Kon's death in August 2010, production was suspended on his unfinished film, Dreaming Machine, for which Maruyama served as producer.
In 2010, Maruyama served as the executive producer for an anime project based on the TV show Supernatural, entitled Supernatural The Animation, which was the world's first animated project from a Japanese anime studio based on an overseas drama series.
Between 2010 and 2011, Maruyama acted as a planner for Marvel Anime, an animated anthology series featuring Iron Man, Wolverine, X-Men and Blade.
MAPPA and Studio M2 (2011–present)
In June 2011, Maruyama left Madhouse to establish MAPPA (Maruyama Animation Produce Project Association), where Maruyama served as the company's first representative director. The studio was founded in part to produce Sunao Katabuchi's film In This Corner of the World, a project Maruyama had been developing since 2010 but which had faced fundraising delays.
In April 2016, Maruyama stepped down as president of MAPPA, handing leadership to founding member Manabu Otsuka. Maruyama then established Studio M2, a new company specializing in project planning and pre-production, to ensure the completion of his remaining long-term projects.
In 2023, Maruyama joined the board of N LITE Japan to produce the animated film Mfinda.
Works
Legacy and recognition
In recognition of his contribution to the industry, Maruyama received the Special Award at the 7th Animation Kobe in 2002 and the Encouragement Award at the 23rd Fujimoto Award in 2003.
Cultural Depictions
The character Masato Marukawa from the 2014 animated TV series Shirobako is modelled after Maruyama. In the series, Marukawa is depicted as president of the fictional studio Musashino Animation.
Public Appearances
Maruyama is a frequent guest at the American anime convention Otakon, having attended at least 15 times since 2001. The convention named him an honorary staff member in 2009.