Masao Maruyama (film producer)

Masao Maruyama
Maruyama in 2011
Born (1941-06-19) June 19, 1941 (age 83)
Shiogama, Japan
EducationHosei University, Faculty of Letters
Occupations
Years active1963–present
Known for

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[1][2][3] and Board member of N LITE Japan.[4][5]

Maruyama has been involved in the Japanese animation business for more than 50 years. He has worked with many well-known and up-and-coming animators, established several animation production companies, worked on dozens of series, films, planned and produced various works.[1][6][7]

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.[8] Among the talents he picked up were Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Hosoda, and Sunao Katabuchi. He also gave Masaaki Yuasa and Mitsuo Iso the chance to direct an animated television series early in their directing careers.[6][8] 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.[9][10] Yuichiro Hayashi, Munehisa Sakai 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.[8] He was also the one who inspired manga artist Katsuhiro Otomo to become an animated film director.[11]

Maruyama is a regular guest at Otakon, having attended or been confirmed to attend 15 times since 2001. In 2009, the convention named him an honorary staff member.[12]

Masato Marukawa, the president of the fictional animation studio Musashino Animation, in the TV animation series Shirobako, which depicts the inner workings of the animation industry, is modelled on Maruyama.[8]

In recognition of his contribution to the industry, he received the Special Award at the 7th Animation Kobe in 2002 and the Encouragement Award at the 23rd Fujimoto Award in 2003.[13][14][15]

  1. ^ a b "アニメ界のレジェンドが語る、日本アニメの50年。名プロデューサー・丸山正雄さんに聴く!" (in Japanese). PR TIMES. July 21, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "10 Best Studio Mappa Anime (Ranked by IMDb)". Screen Rant. July 29, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "アニメ業界ウォッチング第24回:今年75歳、やぶれかぶれのアニメ人生! 丸山正雄インタビュー! (1/2)". アキバ総研 (in Japanese). Kakaku.com. August 20, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  4. ^ "N LITE's 'Afro-Anime' Film MFINDA Reveals More Staff, Preview at Annecy". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  5. ^ "Gkids, N Lite Set to Unveil First Afro-Anime Pic 'Mfinda' at Annecy (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Masao Maruyama, producteur : « Pour moi, l'âge d'or de l'animation japonaise, c'est tous les jours »" (in French). Le Monde. July 7, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  7. ^ "丸山正雄のアニメバカ一代記【第7回】" (in Japanese). アニメ ビジエンス. October 9, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d "『鬼滅』『呪術』の次は『チェンソーマン』だ! ジャンプ史上最もアブないダーク・ファンタジーをアニメ化する＜MAPPA＞とは?". BANGER!!! (in Japanese). ジュピターエンタテインメント株式会社. February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  9. ^ "「1億人の大質問!?笑ってコラえて!」2021年7月14日（水）放送内容". テレビ紹介情報 (in Japanese). Kakaku.com. July 14, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "『サマーウォーズ』の前と後、「チーム・細田守」に起こった「決定的な変化」(2/5)". マネー現代 (in Japanese). Kodansha. July 16, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  11. ^ "大友克洋がアニメ制作に関わったきっかけ、そして『AKIRA』の革新性とは" [How did Katsuhiro Otomo get involved in animation production and what was the innovation of AKIRA?]. IGN JAPAN (in Japanese). Sankei Digital. March 22, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Manry, Gia (July 30, 2010). "Opening Ceremonies". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  13. ^ "『時をかける少女』、アニメーション神戸賞を受賞!" (in Japanese). Madhouse. October 20, 2006. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  14. ^ "The 20th ANIMATION KOBE archive第7回アニメーション神戸". アニメーション神戸 (in Japanese). Kobe. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  15. ^ "藤本賞（第30回-第21回）" (in Japanese). 映画演劇文化協会. Retrieved September 12, 2021.