Established in 1972, Madhouse is one of the most well-known and highly rated anime studios in the business. From '90s classics such as Trigun and Cardcaptor Sakura to more recent outings like One-Punch Man and A Place Further than the Universe, Madhouse has been delivering excellence for decades.
The company has crafted some of the most beloved anime of all time, including the shounen epic Hunter x Hunter, the iconic sports series Hajime no Ippo, and the masterful thriller Monster. With a portfolio consisting of well over a hundred shows and movies, many of which are great, it is only natural that a couple of worthwhile anime would be overshadowed. Here are 10 lesser-known Madhouse productions worth seeking out.
10 The Story of Saiunkoku
Spanning two seasons lasting 39 episodes each, The Story of Saiunkoku is a gripping historical anime about a girl from a noble family with ambitions of influencing the nation's government.
Unfortunately, the anime takes place in an era when women are not allowed to assume governing roles, so Shuurei Kou ends up using her position as the emperor's concubine to pursue her dream. Blending politics and romance, The Story of Saiunkoku is an unexpectedly deep anime with a great protagonist.
9 Touhai Densetsu Akagi: Yami ni Maiorita Tensai
Madhouse has crafted the best gambling anime shows of all time, with One Outs, Death Parade, and Kaiji being the most popular. Although still relatively known, Akagi's complete focus on mahjong can be offputting for those completely unfamiliar with the game.
A basic understanding of mahjong is recommended but not vital, as Akagi can still be enjoyed as a captivating story about a genius gambler who is willing to put everything on the line to win (and survive). Featuring a cool protagonist and a memorable villain in Iwao Washizu, Akagi becomes difficult to put down once it gets going.
8 Barefoot Gen
Any anime revolving around children during World War II is destined to live in the shadow of Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies. Madhouse's Barefoot Gen does not quite reach the same heights as Isao Takahata's devastating masterpiece, but it is nevertheless a harrowing tale about the cost of war and the innocents who suffer the most.
Barefoot Gen's depiction of the Hiroshima bombing is graphic and uncomfortable to watch, therefore this movie is not for the faint of heart. Dealing with themes of discrimination, hopelessness, and death, Barefoot Gen threads some heavy ground and does it well.
7 Needless
A sci-fi action anime with a lot of comedy, Needless has been somewhat forgotten since its 2009 debut. Set 50 years after World War III, the attacks on Japan left many areas contaminated and led to the creation of the Needless, people with powers. The unpredictable and slightly deranged Adam Blade happens to be one of them.
Needless is a flawed show that suffers from terrible pacing, especially during the latter half of its solitary season. That said, Needless's slapstick humor, outlandish characters, and solid animation make it an above-average action series that is constantly amusing.
6 Chi's Sweet Home
A series seemingly designed specifically for cat people, Chi's Sweet Home is the anime equivalent of a comfort blanket. With each episode lasting only three minutes, Madhouse's anime is simple and wholesome, while also doing a great job of teaching the ins and outs of owning a pet.
Chi's Sweet Home does not try to be anything more than it is, and it is all the better for it. It is cute without being overbearingly so.
5 ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.
On paper, an anime about an auditor might not sound all that exciting, and in some ways, that holds true for ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. With rumors circulating that a coup could be in the works, the kingdom of Dowa's ACCA organization sends an inspector to each of the 13 states to carry out an audit while secretly seeking out any evidence of a revolt.
ACCA is a surprisingly relaxing show, primarily due to its charismatic and laid-back protagonist. Although there is an element of mystery, the coup is mostly left on the backburner as ACCA explores the social climates of the states.
4 Neuro: Supernatural Detective
Considering some of the great mystery anime featured in the studio's resume, the fact Madhouse can put together a fun detective show is hardly shocking. Neuro: Supernatural Detective follows a teenager who agrees to act as the surrogate for a demon detective, Neuro, who wishes to find and solve the greatest mystery in the human world.
Neuro is an episodic detective series with a fantastic roster of characters that undergo a decent amount of development. This anime is like Detective Conan mixed with Black Butler and Death Note, and it is about as entertaining as any of those shows.
3 Master Keaton
Another Madhouse adaptation of a Naoki Urasawa manga tends to steal the limelight, and for good reason, but 1998's Master Keaton also has a lot to offer. Centering around an archaeologist with a military past who now works as an insurance fraud investigator, Master Keaton uses its episodic format to play around with genres, offering something new with each entry.
In terms of animation, Master Keaton is not among Madhouse's greatest projects, but its realistic characters and grounded tone help it stand out even among '90s anime.
2 Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues
Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues is a difficult sell. As a Kaiji spin-off, some familiarity with the main series is recommended. However, while Kaiji is a nail-biting gambling anime with barely a moment of levity, Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues is an office comedy that occasionally ventures into parody territory. It is a weird series that should not exist or work.
Yet, Madhouse's 2018 series is frequently hilarious and also does a decent job of adding depth to the main series' minor characters. Its first few episodes are not great, but Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues hits its stride after that.
1 Boogiepop and Others
Based on Kouhei Kadono's long-running light novel series, Boogiepop and Others was Madhouse's second attempt to adapt this universe into an anime. Compared to Boogiepop Phantom, Boogiepop and Others sticks closer to the source material.
Split into four arcs, the anime revolves around a being known as Boogiepop who protects humanity from supernatural disturbances, although that is just the tip of the iceberg that is this anime. As a mystery show, Boogiepop and Others can be challenging and confusing at times, especially during its opening arc. However, the anime does eventually piece all of its pieces together to reveal a fascinating tapestry that sheds light on human behavior.