Few anime studios carry as much clout as Madhouse, a legendary company that has been around for nearly half of a century. Founded by Masao Maruyama, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Rintaro, and Osamu Dezaki, Madhouse is responsible for some of the greatest anime films and series of the last five decades.

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Still not convinced about Madhouse's pedigree? Well, how about the fact that GungraveParanoia Agent, One OutsKiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu, and Perfect Blue all fail to crack the studio's ten highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList? If that is not impressive, then nothing is.

Without further ado, here are Madhouse's top 10 best anime, according to MyAnimeList!

10 No Game No Life: Zero (8.53)

Riku and Shuvi in No Game No Life Zero.

A prequel to the anime series, No Game No Life: Zero expands upon the history of Disboard. Earning a higher rating than the fantastic No Game No Life, the prequel tells a more mature and ambitious storyline, one that benefits from the higher budget afforded by its movie format.

The main conflict centers around humanity's struggle to survive a perpetual war between the Old Deus, as they seek to obtain a device capable of electing the true ruler of Disboard. Riku and Schiwi are just as likable as Sora and Shiro, while Zero eliminates most of the fanservice that hinders the original series.

9 Rainbow (8.55)

A guard terrorizes a prisoner in the Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin anime

Generally, anime seeks to entertain and delight. After all, fiction often serves as an escape from reality, a way to temporarily break free from ordinary life's woes. Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin is not one of those anime.

Set in the 1950s and focusing on a reform school for troubled kids, Rainbow is harrowing. The teenagers are "disciplined" by a cruel staff who strive to break their spirit through countless inhumane and atrocious acts. While the story is not without its uplifting moments, the journey is permeated with pain. Additionally, Ishihara is one of anime's most detestable villains.

8 The Tatami Galaxy (8.62)

Initially coming across as directionless and perhaps even a touch unengaging, The Tatami Galaxy takes a while to truly reveal its brilliance. However, once the unnamed protagonist's preconceptions begin to truly be challenged, this short series transforms into a visually and intellectually stimulating masterpiece.

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Craving the "perfect" campus life, an unnamed protagonist lives through multiple timelines, as he searches for that one social club that holds the key to his happiness. If only life was so simple.

7 A Place Further Than The Universe (8.63)

The main cast from A Place Further Than The Universe smiling

A relatively new release, Sora yori mo Tooi Basho presented a rather convincing case for being 2018's best anime. In recent years, Madhouse's content has suffered from inconsistency; however, the studio pulled out all the stops to ensure this touching adventure series was a complete success.

Following four teenage girls who embark on a journey to Antarctica, A Place Further Than The Universe is a principally character-driven affair. Comedy dominates the majority of the series, although that does not mean the anime lacks emotional weight.

6 Death Note (8.66)

Light Yagami from Death Note

Rightfully hailed as a classic, Death Note has cemented itself as an entry-level anime. Due to its popularity and cultural impact, Death Note tends to be among the first anime series watched by many people. Luckily, there are worse places to start.

Light finds a shinigami notebook that automatically kills someone who has their name written in it. Seeking to create the ultimate form of justice, Light becomes the criminal Kira and starts dropping bodies of those deemed worthy of death. In response, the Japanese police force turns to a super detective to hopefully solve the case.

5 One-Punch Man (8.69)

Another one of those anime that transcends the medium, One-Punch Man was inescapable for a number of years, and a degree of that fame can be credited to Madhouse's fantastic adaptation of ONE's manga. Please note, Madhouse had nothing to do with Season 2, so this entry only refers to the far superior first cour.

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A hero for fun, Saitama only needs a single punch to defeat any opponent. Unsurprisingly, this quickly renders all fights boring for the bald protagonist. Along with some stellar animation and countless hilarious moments, One-Punch Man covers themes of depression and disillusionment.

4 Monster (8.69)

Kenzo Tenma from Monster.

When it comes to thriller manga, Naoki Urasawa exists in a league of his own. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the mangaka's works have been adapted into anime, with Monster being comfortably the best.

Kenzo Tenma is an extremely talented and ethical surgeon who ignores a request by his bosses to operate on the mayor instead of a child who should have been next. Long story short, Tenma's life is ruined and the saved child grows up to be a serial killer. Actually, considering Monster lasts for 74 episodes, there is a lot more story to uncover.

3 Hajime No Ippo (8.77), New Challenger (8.69), & Rising (8.62)

Takamura and Kimura laugh at Aoki in Hajime no Ippo

Fitting three seasons into one entry, Hajime no Ippo is a classic sports anime that follows a timid high school student who learns to express himself through the art of boxing. As tends to be the case with great sports anime, an appreciation for the central activity is not a requirement to enjoy Hajime no Ippo.

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The fights are dynamic, intense, and decently paced. That said, Hajime no Ippo's shines the brightest outside of the ring. The cast is universally delightful, even if Mamoru Takamura tends to steal every scene he is in.

2 Legend Of The Galactic Heroes (9.04)

Legend of the Galactic Heroes

Madhouse cannot claim all the credit for Legend Of The Galactic Heroes' incredible score on MyAnimeList, as the studio only worked on the opening 26 episodes out of a total of 110. Nevertheless, Madhouse is associated with arguably the greatest sci-fi anime of all time, even if Legend Of The Galactic Heroes tends to improve as it progresses.

While rather slow-paced, Legend Of The Galactic Heroes rewards viewers with an epic tale that truly feels to expand beyond the universe. Pitting two ideologically-conflicted empires against each other, the anime delves deep into the political natures of both entities, while also allowing time to explore the lives of those who are caught in the middle.

1 2011's Hunter X Hunter (9.11)

Gon and other characters from Hunter x Hunter (2011).

Coming as a shock to nobody familiar with Madhouse's work, Hunter x Hunter (2011) is the studio's highest-rated project on MyAnimeList. Starting out as a typical shounen battle series, Hunter x Hunter lulls viewers into a false sense of security before pulling the rug from underneath their feet. This is a series that needs to be watched by everyone and anyone, particularly those who appreciate a bit of action with their anime.

Seeking to follow in his father's footsteps, Gon decides to become a hunter by taking the profession's associated exam. During the event, Gon makes some life-long friends and one rather noteworthy enemy. The first arc is arguably the weakest of the entire series, although Hunter x Hunter is never anything less than very good.

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