Top 6 Best Anime from Madhouse Studio

Death Note is an anime produced by Madhouse, adapted from the manga of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata. This thrilling, psychological, and supernatural series has captivated audiences with its dramatic storyline and sharp visual effects, making it one of the most highly sought-after names in the anime industry.

The story revolves around Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student who excels in every field, even possessing a face as handsome as an actor. However, due to his seemingly perfect life, Light begins to lose motivation and often gazes out the classroom window with a bored expression, even after achieving the highest marks in exams.

One day, Light discovers a mysterious notebook titled "Death Note" that falls from the sky onto his school grounds. This notebook holds a powerful ability: anyone whose name is written in it will die, provided the writer knows the victim's face. Initially, Light uses the notebook to punish notorious criminals who have caused suffering worldwide. He believes he can become a "savior" by purging the world of undesirables and creating a better, more just society.

However, Light’s plan takes an unexpected turn when he is pursued by the genius detective known as "L." L is assigned the task of finding the identity of the so-called "savior" killer. Death Note follows the intense battle of wits between these two brilliant minds. While Light manipulates various "pieces" to conceal his plans and eliminate evidence, L must figure out how to identify the killer without implicating innocent people.

Some details about Death Note:

• Air Date: 2006 - 2007
• Number of Episodes: 36
• IMDb Rating: 8.9
• Watch Link: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/70204970

Wolf Children (Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki) is a Japanese animated fantasy film produced by Madhouse, directed and written by Mamoru Hosoda. It tells the deeply emotional story of a single mother and her two wolf-human hybrid children after their father’s death.

The story begins when a young woman named Hana falls in love with a wolf-man. They start a relationship and have two children, Yuki and Ame. However, after the death of her husband while hunting, Hana is left to face the challenges of raising two children with wolf-like traits.

Hana is a brave and determined mother who does everything in her power to protect and care for Yuki and Ame. At first, living in the city, Hana faces complaints from neighbors about the strange noises coming from her house, prompting her to move to the countryside. There, with the help of neighbors and friends, Hana learns to become a farmer and sustain her family despite the unique difficulties of raising children who can transform and possess extraordinary traits.

Throughout her journey, Hana often has to pause her farming work to deal with the troubles caused by her mischievous children. In one instance, while searching for Ame, Hana slips and begins to dream. In her dream, the father of Yuki and Ame reassures her that each child will find their own path in life, and that she can rest easy knowing she did everything she could.

Wolf Children is not just a captivating and emotional fantasy film, but also a journey of accepting life’s challenges and adapting to them. The film also conveys the message that the path to finding one’s true self is fraught with difficulties and societal judgments, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and eventually, everyone will find the path they are meant to walk.

Some details about Wolf Children:

• Release Year: 2012
• Duration: 117 minutes
• IMDb Rating: 8.1

If you’re a fan of anime with a haunting, melancholic storyline and unsettling imagery, then Perfect Blue is a top contender. Released in 1997, this psychological horror anime is based on the novel by Yoshikazu Takeuchi, quickly gaining significant attention for its intense and captivating narrative.

The plot follows Mima Kirigoe, a member of the popular girl group "CHAM." After deciding to leave her music career behind and pursue acting, Mima faces immense pressure and challenges from both the public and a stalker known as Me-Mania. Soon after, Mima receives a strange website containing what appears to be a public diary about her life. This triggers a series of bizarre events that plunge Mima into a state of mental instability, where she struggles to distinguish between reality and illusion.

In her acting career, Mima’s first role is in a crime drama called Double Blind. Eventually, the producers decide to give Mima a controversial role as a rape victim in a strip club, a part that risks destroying her carefully constructed public image, but Mima accepts it nonetheless.

Perfect Blue offers unpredictable, tension-filled twists with thrilling action scenes and spine-chilling psychological transformations. It raises questions about the nature of truth and consciousness, leaving viewers as disoriented and confused as the protagonist Mima. Not just a dark psychological thriller, the film is an artistic masterpiece, utilizing detailed animation and lighting to create an eerie, disorienting atmosphere where the line between reality and illusion becomes increasingly blurred.

Some details about Perfect Blue:

• Release Year: 1997
• Duration: 81 minutes
• IMDb Rating: 8

Hunter x Hunter (also known as Thợ săn tí hon) is an anime adaptation of the beloved manga by Yoshihiro Togashi, aimed at a young adult audience. One of the best-selling manga of all time, it has had a massive influence on the anime industry. The anime has also been highly praised by both critics and fans alike.

The story follows Gon Free, a young boy who aspires to become a Hunter — a daring adventurer who explores uncharted lands in search of treasures, monsters, and more, while also seeking to learn about the world. Gon’s main motivation for becoming a Hunter is to find his estranged father, Ging Free, a legendary Hunter whom he has never met.

The Hunter Exam is notoriously difficult, with odds as steep as 1 in 1000 or even 1 in 10000. Along the way, Gon meets and befriends other aspirants, including Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua. Each of them has their own personal goals and reasons for becoming a Hunter. As they journey together, they face countless challenges, some life-threatening. The story delves into themes of power, friendship, family, and morality.

Despite being one of the most iconic adventure-action anime series, Hunter x Hunter has faced significant production delays. Due to the health issues of the creator Yoshihiro Togashi, the manga often experiences interruptions, and the anime has not continued beyond the Chimera Ant arc, which concluded in 2014. Although this left many fans disappointed, Hunter x Hunter remains one of Madhouse’s standout works.

Some details about Hunter x Hunter:

• Release Years: 2011 - 2014
• Episodes: 148
• IMDb Rating: 9
• Watch here: https://vieon.vn/tho-san-ti-hon.html

You may know Monster as one of the most prominent names in the detective genre, and it also happens to be one of the masterpieces produced by Madhouse. The series is adapted from the manga of the same name by Naoki Urasawa. Monster blends several elements, including the political climate of late-20th-century Germany, detective work, and psychological drama.

The story centers around Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon. In 1986, while working at a hospital in Germany, Tenma is faced with a difficult decision. He must choose between saving a young boy who is the sole survivor of a murder with a gunshot wound to the head or saving the life of a more important person, the mayor, Roedecker. Tenma ultimately chooses to save the boy, and as a result, the mayor dies, causing Tenma to lose his social standing.

Soon after, a series of mysterious murders occur at the hospital where Tenma works, and he becomes the prime suspect. However, the police have no solid evidence, so they can only interrogate him. Nine years later, Tenma is now the director of a renowned hospital, still upholding his belief that all patients are equal and deserving of life-saving care. He saves a criminal named Adolf Junkers, but the man constantly mumbles about an unnamed monster. As the story unfolds, Tenma discovers a shocking truth: the boy he once saved, whom he risked everything for, is the very monster that even criminals like Adolf Junkers fear.

Not only was the manga adaptation already highly regarded, but Madhouse was also praised for its top-tier sound and visuals. The chaotic political atmosphere of Germany is vividly portrayed, and the film's dark colors mirror the inescapable paths each character must take. The psychological depth of each character is explored in detail through each episode, ensuring that despite the passage of years, Monster remains one of the most compelling psychological crime anime to watch.

Some details about Monster:

• Release Years: 2004 - 2005
• Episodes: 74
• IMDb Rating: 8.7
• Watch here: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/81409869

Not many manga or anime explore the world of boxing, but Hajime no Ippo took a bold new approach. Written and illustrated by George Morikawa, the manga has sold over 100 million copies by mid-2023, earning its place as one of the best-selling manga of all time. Madhouse adapted the series into an anime that aired on Nippon TV from 2000 to 2002.

The story follows Ippo Makunouchi, a shy high school student who has long been a target of bullying. His life takes a turn when he’s saved from a dangerous situation by Mamoru Takamura, a seasoned boxer. Moved by Takamura's bravery, Ippo decides to pursue a career in boxing and become a professional fighter. The series follows his journey from a novice boxer to a highly ranked champion, taking on various opponents along the way.

Throughout his journey, Ippo faces numerous challenges and difficulties, striving to become a top-tier fighter. Despite his initial hesitation and fear, especially when faced with stronger opponents, Ippo is determined and draws courage from understanding his foes’ strengths and devising strategies to overcome them. The phrase “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated” perfectly applies to Ippo. His path to becoming a world boxing champion is filled with intense matches, moments of camaraderie, and a deeper exploration of life's beauty.

Some details about Hajime no Ippo:

• Release Years: 2000 - 2002
• Episodes: 76
• IMDb Rating: 8.8