Top 25 Best Madhouse Anime of All Time

The first time I watched “Trigun,” I couldn’t help but wonder which anime studio was behind it, so when i discovered that it was Madhouse anime, and from then on, I made it a point to seek out anime series produced by the same studio. I was amazed by the wide range of titles they had to offer, each one showcasing top-notch animation styles. From “Black Lagoon” to “One Punch Man,” Madhouse has animated a plethora of series that have left a lasting impression on the anime community and will forever be remembered in the history of anime. If you’re looking for the best anime series animated by Madhouse, this list is a great place to start.

25. Loving Yamada at Lv999

Let’s kick off our list of the best Madhouse anime series with Loving Yamada at Lv999, which is a new series of 2023. The show follows the story of Akane Kinoshita, a young woman who has been betrayed by her boyfriend. To cope with her pain, she turns to a game where she can take out her frustrations on virtual monsters. But her virtual world takes an unexpected turn when she meets a guildmate named Akito Yamada. Despite his unsociable and distant demeanor, Akane finds herself drawn to him. As she gets to know him and makes new friends, she sets out on a journey to win over the heart of this “final boss-level” high school boy. Can she succeed in this quest, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles?

24. Needless

Produced by Madhouse, Needless” is an action superpower anime series that takes place in post-apocalyptic Japan, where World War III has had a devastating effect on the country. Mysterious areas known as “Blackspots” have appeared, filled with the contaminated ruins of cities and countryside, trapping those inside and causing their powers to mutate. These individuals, known as the Needless, possess extraordinary abilities such as shapeshifting, pyromancy, and controlling gravity. The story follows Adam Blade, a Needless with remarkable regenerative abilities and incredible strength, as he and his allies fight to restore peace to a war-torn Japan by taking on the nefarious research group known as Simeon.

23. Highschool of the Dead

22. Btooom!

Spanning genres of survival, romance, and action, Btooom! is a really good anime from Madhouse studio. The story focuses on Ryouta Sakamoto, an unemployed young man who is a top player of the popular online video game Btooom. However, when he wakes up on a deserted island with no memory of how he got there and a small green crystal embedded in his hand, his reality turns out to be very different from his virtual world. As he starts to explore the island, he discovers that someone has recreated the game in real life and that the stakes are life or death. Although initially hesitant to use violence, he soon realizes that in order to survive and uncover the truth behind this deadly game, he needs to fight against other players who are not friendly. Along the way, he meets a fellow Btooom player named Himiko and they team up, in hopes of not only surviving but also escaping the island alive.

21. Oda Nobuna No Yabou

Oda Nobuna No Yabou by Madhouse studio is a historical time travel anime that takes place in the Sengoku period of Japan. The story starts with high school student Yoshiharu Sagara waking up and finding himself in the middle of a raging battle. He is saved by the legendary Hideyoshi Toyotomi but at the cost of the hero’s life. In honor of Hideyoshi’s dying wish, Yoshiharu pledges to become a feudal lord and keep the timeline from diverging any further. However, after rescuing Nobuna Oda – whom he discovers is actually the female counterpart of the fabled Nobunaga Oda – Yoshiharu realizes that he has been transported to an alternate reality where most of Japan’s historical warlords are now cute girls!

In an effort to set things right and find a way back home, Yoshiharu agrees to become one of Nobuna’s retainers and assist her in the conquest of Japan. So, as soon as Nobuna initiates her campaign, Yoshiharu discovers that his knowledge of the video game “Nobunaga’s Ambition” allows him to predict future events and turn the tide of war. Using this invaluable gift to aid the Oda clan’s beautiful generals, Yoshiharu hopes to help his new lord fulfill her dream and win the hearts of women everywhere,

20. Shigurui

If you are into those bloody samurai series, then Shigurui is the best anime, which is considered one of the best productions of the Madhouse studio. The story takes place at the beginning of the Edo Era, a time of peace in Japan. Lord Tokugawa Tadanaga organizes a fighting tournament where matches will be fought with real swords instead of wooden swords. The main characters, Fujiki Gennosuke and Irako Seigen, are both disciples of Iwamoto Kogan, who is considered Japan’s greatest swordsman. They both want to prove themselves as the successor of Iwamoto’s school, but there can only be one champion.

The story follows the journey of these two fighters as they face each other in the tournament and their intertwined fates, conflicts, and strange destinies. It’s a story of determination, rivalry, and the search for personal glory in a deadly tournament.

19. Chihayafuru

Chihayafuru is a slice-of-life anime series that tells the story of Chihaya, a girl who discovers the world of competitive Karuta, a card game that requires excellent memory, agility, and endurance. She joins a club with her childhood friends and classmates and embarks on a journey to become the top-ranked female player. As she progresses through high school, she faces challenges in her relationships and in the sport, but ultimately decides to create her own Karuta club to achieve her goal. The series is a coming of age story that highlights the importance of friendship, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence in the sport of Karuta.

18. My Love Story!!

My Love Story!! is an anime that is sure to bring a smile to your face. It tells the story of Takeo Gouda, a high school student who is quite tall and muscular but has a kind and gentle heart. Though his peers admire him for his courage and chivalry, his intimidating appearance often scares away the girls. Unfortunately, Takeo is usually overshadowed by his handsome best friend, Makoto Sunakawa, who effortlessly captures the hearts of the female students, including those that Takeo likes. Later, Takeo will end up saving Rinko Yamato from being molested and instantly falls for her. However, he is unsure if she has feelings for him or his friend. Despite this, Takeo decides to help Rinko find love, even if it means not being with her. Throughout the series, Takeo faces various obstacles and challenges in high school romance, friendship, and self-discovery

17. Death Parade

One of the best anime series of all time is Death Parade, a dark series produced by the well-known studio, Madhouse. The story takes place after death, where most humans go to either Heaven or Hell, but for a select few, death brings them to Quindecim, a mysterious bar where only pairs of people who die at the same time can enter. The bar is run by an enigmatic figure known as Decim, who acts as the judge and decides the fate of the souls that arrive at Quindecim.

Decim challenges people to deadly games, which determine whether they will be reincarnated or sent into the void, never to be seen again. The games range from darts and bowling to fighting games, as the true nature of each patron slowly comes to light. However, Decim’s methods are challenged when a black-haired amnesiac arrives at the bar, causing him to reevaluate his own judgments. The story follows Decim as he navigates this new development, questioning his own beliefs and the nature of life and death.

16. Kaiji

Kaiji” is a gambling anime story that centers around Kaiji, a man who has fallen into debt. He is given the chance to board the luxurious ship Espoir, where he is told that one night on the ship will be enough to pay off all his debts. However, the night turns out to be more than just a simple gambling experience, it becomes a game of strategy and deceit. Those who lose are forced into a life of debt servitude, forcing Kaiji to be careful with his actions and choices of allies as he faces a series of life-threatening gambles. The story follows Kaiji as he tries to outsmart his opponents and escape his debt.

15. Diamond No Ace

Diamond No Ace is a baseball anime that tells the story of Eijun Sawamura, a middle school baseball player who, after losing his final game due to a stray pitch, is determined to improve his skills and reach the national tournament in high school. However, his journey takes an unexpected turn when a scout from Tokyo’s prestigious Seidou High School invites him to join their team, recognizing the potential in his unique pitching style. Although Eijun accepts the offer and joins the team, he finds it challenging to fit in among the more skilled players.

Determined to prove himself, Eijun declares that he will become the team’s ace, but he faces fierce competition from fellow first-year player Satoru Furuya, who has a powerful fastball and earns a spot on the starting roster. With the addition of these talented new players to an already strong team, the Seidou baseball team aims to become the best in Japan and overcome the challenges they face from their rivals. The anime follows Eijun’s journey as he strives to improve his skills, find his place on the team, and ultimately achieve his goal of becoming the ace of the team.

14. Rainbow

Madhouse’s Rainbow is a great mature anime that reminded me of the popular tv show Prison Break. Set in Japan, 1955: the story follows Mario Minakami and five other teenagers who have been arrested on serious charges. They will together share the same cell, where they will meet up with an older prisoner Rokurouta Sakuragi—a former boxer—with whom they establish a close bond. From then on, they will start following his advices, and promises each other that they will meet again on the outside after serving their sentences. However, these seven cellmates find themselves undergoing brutal suffering and humiliation inflicted upon them by Ishihara, a bad guard, and the weird doctor. Facing such hellish conditions, the friends must scrape together all the strength they have to survive until their sentences are up; but even if they do, just what kind of lives are waiting for them on the other side?

13. One Outs

One Outs is a masterpiece sports anime about a baseball player named Toua Tokuchi. He’s really good at both baseball and gambling, he’s made a name for himself by winning 499 games in a one-on-one game called “One Outs.” Later, a famous baseball player named Hiromichi Kojima sees Toua’s skills and thinks he can help his team win. So he challenges Toua to a game of “One Outs” and beats him. This means Toua has to join Hiromichi’s team, the Saikyou Saitama Lycaons. But, Toua and the team’s owner don’t agree on money. So Toua comes up with a special deal where he gets paid a lot if he pitches well, but loses money if he doesn’t. Now Toua must outsmart people who try to stop him from making this deal work.

12. Nana

Nana is a shoujo anime series produced by Madhouse based on the manga of the same written by Ai Yazawa. It tells the story of two young women, both named Nana, who embark on a journey to fulfill their dreams in Tokyo. One, Nana Komatsu, is a cheerful and friendly girl who longs for love, while the other, Nana Osaki, is a solitary punk vocalist with a passion for music and a broken heart. The two Nanas’ paths cross unexpectedly and lead them to live under the same roof, where they develop a close friendship and support each other through the struggles they face as they pursue their dreams. The series is known for its strong character development and serious dramatic romantic themes.

11. Parasyte

Parasyte is an action horror anime series produced by Madhouse that sets the bar high with its compelling story and visually stunning animation. The series follows the story of parasitic aliens that have infiltrated humanity by burrowing into the brains of vulnerable hosts. Sixteen-year-old high school student Shinichi Izumi falls victim to one of these parasites, but it fails to take over his brain and instead ends up in his right hand. The parasite, now named Migi, has no choice but to rely on Shinichi to survive and the two are forced into an uneasy coexistence. Together they must defend themselves from other hostile parasites that want to eradicate this new threat to their species while navigating the challenges of their unusual partnership.

10. No Game No Life

No Game No Life is a fantasy anime series that follows the story of two smart sibling gamers, Sora and Shiro, who are transported to the world of Disboard, a place where everything is decided through games. The world is inhabited by sixteen sentient races and overseen by the master Tet. The lowest of the sixteen is Imanity, a race of humans with no affinity for magic. Sora and Shiro, known as Blank online, are known for dominating online games and see life as just another dull game. But when they are transported to Disboard, they encounter an emotional girl who’s trying to regain her father’s throne and kingdom. Therefore, the siblings decide to help her in getting the land back on its feet, ultimately aiming to become the new rulers of the enigmatic realm.

9. Claymore

Claymore is a really good fantasy madhouse anime that you should check out. The story is about a powerful female character with white hair and silver eyes who is part human, part demon, known as a “Claymore.” She’s on a mission to kill shapeshifting demons, called “youma,” who prey on humans and eat their flesh. After his family is killed, Raki, a villager, is luckily saved by the Claymore Clare and decides to join her on her journey to rid towns of youma. As they travel and fight together, Raki learns more about Clare’s past and her organization of other Claymore warriors. Together, they journey closer to avenging the specific demon that Clare has been seeking revenge on.

8. Mahouka Koukou No Rettoussei 

Mahouka Koukou No Rettoussei is a magic anime series that is set in First High School, an institution for magicians. Here, the students are divided into two groups based on their exam scores. The students who receive high scores, known as “Blooms,” are assigned to the First Course, while “Weeds” are reserved students assigned to the Second Course. The story follows the overpowered character Shiba Tatsuya and his sister Miyuki, who are both enrolled in First High School. Miyuki, who is a prodigious magician, is placed in the First Course while Tatsuya, who is considered to be magically inept, is relegated to the Second Course. However, Tatsuya possesses extraordinary technical knowledge, physical combat capabilities, and unique magic techniques that make him an irregular at the magical high school. Despite being considered a “Weed,” Tatsuya proves to be a powerful force in the magical world and the story follows his journey as he faces challenges and obstacles, both academically and in battle, to prove himself and his abilities.

7. Trigun

Trigun is a western-themed anime about a man named Vash the Stampede who has a high bounty on his head. People say he’s a ruthless villain who enjoys destroying cities and killing anyone who gets in his way, earning him the nickname “The Humanoid Typhoon.” But in reality, Vash is a kind-hearted person who avoids violence at all costs and claims to have never taken a life. Yeah, he has a love for doughnuts and a silly personality as he roams the planet Gunsmoke. Meanwhile, he’s followed by two insurance agents, Meryl and Milly, who are trying to minimize the damage he causes. But their journey becomes dangerous as a group of skilled assassins is hired to take them down. Therefore, Vash’s past is revealed and his beliefs and values are tested.

6. Black Lagoon

If you are into those kinds of mafia-themed series, then Black Lagoon” is the best pick. This is a cool madhouse anime that follows the story of Rokurou Okajima, a salaryman who tries to move up in his company. During a business trip to Thailand, he gets taken hostage by a group of pirate mercenaries called the Lagoon Company. Instead of begging for release, he joins the crew when his managers refuse to pay the ransom. He now lives in Roanapur, a city filled with corruption and crime, and he must learn to navigate this dangerous new world. He is often at odds with his colleague Revy, who is a gunslinging troublemaker. Rokurou tries to leave his past behind and make tough decisions to survive and keep his humanity.

5. Hajime No Ippo

One of the best boxing anime of all time is Hajime No Ippo. This madhouse’s piece of animated art follows the story of Ippo Makunouchi, a boy who works hard to help his family. In school, he is someone who is relentlessly bullied all time. One day, and as usual, Ippo was getting punched by his classmates; Mamoru Takamura, a pro boxer, saves him and takes him back to the Gym for recovery. When Ippo grain his strength, he starts hitting a sandbag. His punches are so strong that it surprises pro boxers, Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura. This is because Ippo has developed strong muscles from working in his family’s physically demanding business.

Takamura takes notice of Ippo’s potential and starts training him. Ippo impresses everyone when he has a practice match against a prodigy boxer named Ichirou Miyata. Therefore, Miyata becomes Ippo’s rival and Ippo starts training with Genji Kamogawa, the gym owner and a legendary former boxer. As Ippo starts his official boxing career, he faces difficult opponents and goes through a cycle of training and matches. Despite the challenges, Ippo is determined to become a great boxer with his strong body and fighting spirit. He is determined to take on the world and prove himself as a boxer.

4. One Punch Man

Now we have One Punch Man, and who doesn’t know about such a masterpiece! Yeah, this series is so popular, and one of the things that stand out is the animation style that Madhouse has really excelled in. One Punch Man is a famous action comedy anime that depicts the story of an eccentric superhero named Saitama, who due to harsh training has turned into a powerful character that can defeat any enemy with a single punch. Despite his immense strength, Saitama is bored with his life as a hero and longs for a worthy opponent. The series follows Saitama as he becomes embroiled in a series of battles with powerful villains and other heroes, as he searches for a worthy opponent to fight.

3. Death Note

Many people have come to know anime through “Death Note,” a masterpiece that doesn’t need an introduction. The series will forever be one of the best anime produced by Madhouse and is something you should definitely check out. The show follows a boy named Yagami who is smart and fed up with the world he lives in. One day, he stumbles upon a Death Note thrown by a bored shinigami; the Death Note is a supernatural book that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. Yagami begins his journey of bringing justice to the world by killing criminals and bad people, which causes an uprising that brings detective L into the scene in order to reveal the one behind all those killings. Hence, a game of cat and mouse begins between the two genius characters.

2. Hunter x Hunter 2011

Hunter x Hunter” is a 90s anime series that has gained popularity over the years. The newer adaptation of 2011, produced by the studio Madhouse, takes the series to a whole new level. The anime features epic soundtracks, well-crafted fight scenes, and top-notch character designs that bring the beloved series to life. The story follows a young boy named Gon Freecss, who aspires to become a pro hunter in order to meet up with his father, a legendary hunter himself. Along the way, he befriends a diverse group of unique individuals with whom he shares both happy and sad moments. Together, they all walk the path towards becoming hunters while each has their own goal to achieve.

1. Monster

Monster is a psychological thriller madhouse anime that tells the story of an elite neurosurgeon and recent fiancé of the hospital director’s daughter, Dr. Kenzou Tenma is on the fast track to success. But one fateful night, a small event changes the course of his life forever. Forced to choose between performing surgery on a famous performer or a poor immigrant worker, Tenma’s choice leads to a crisis of conscience and the loss of his social standing. However, with the mysterious deaths of the hospital director and other doctors, Tenma’s position is restored. Nine years later, when he saves the life of a criminal, his past comes back to haunt him as he is forced to confront the monster he once saved and the havoc it has caused. Driven by a desire to make amends, Tenma embarks on a quest of pursuit and redemption.

Conclusion:

So, to sum it up, Madhouse is a really cool anime studio that has made some of the best anime shows ever. I’m talking about Trigun, One Punch Man, Death Note, and so many others. These shows have great animation, awesome characters, and stories that will stay with you forever. If you’re a fan of anime, you should definitely check out the shows Madhouse has made. We have mentioned some of the best out here!