There are a lot of TV shows out there and in this golden age of TV streaming, the choices have never been greater. So how do you cut through the noise and find the “Best of” for any chosen topic? Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest, and unforgettable shows through the years.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, our attention this time turns to anime animated by Studio Madhouse. From Hunter X Hunter to the Place Further From The Universe, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite.
Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
Hunter X Hunter (2011)
Hunter X Hunter (2011) is not only a grand remake but it features some of the best characters Shonen Jump offers. With some stellar animation and gripping storytelling to back up its cast, you’re sure to fall in the love with this adventurous world. In it, we follow a young boy named Gon. He leaves his home of Whale Island to pursue his absentee father, Ging.
He enters the Hunter Exams in hopes of becoming an excellent hunter like Ging. He’ll befriend many colorful people and make enemies with some heartwrenching individuals. It features several impactful story arcs that tackle numerous mature themes. The anime’s battle system is highly complex, though. You’ll want to pay close attention to when it gets brought up in the narrative.
If you’re looking for an incredible action-adventure series to watch from Studio Madhouse, this one’s worth your time.
Monster
Monster is thrilling seinen series. It features a well-written storyline, a brilliant cast, and a gritty yet familiar setting. You’ll be astounded by how well-written its characters are. Everyone in this show receives great development and screen time, even characters who only appear in one episode of the show.
In the anime, we follow a doctor named Kenzou. He must choose to save the life of a boy or his town’s mayor. Faced with guilt, Kenzou chooses to save the boy’s life instead, resulting in the mayor’s death. To make matters worse, the boy, named Johan Liebert, grows up to become a serial killer and besmirches Kenzou’s career.
To redeem himself, Kenzou resigns from his physician position and plans to bring Johan to justice. Despite it’s slow-pacing, Monster delivers enough satisfying twists and turns to keep you hooked. Some characters will infuriate you while others will make you cheer proudly. With its mind-numbing plot developments, Monster is an essential series to add to your watch list.
Hajime No Ippo
Hajime No Ippo is a phenomenal shonen series. It captures the spirit of what makes shonen anime great in many fans’ eyes. With its powerful dialogue, brilliant storytelling, and fabulous action set pieces, you’ll be astounded by this anime’s rich world. In it, we follow a kind-hearted boy named Ippo. He struggles to take care of his mother and always gets picked on by bullies.
One day, he bumps into a talented boxer named Takamura, who impresses Ippo. After several individual training sessions, Ippo proves himself worthy of Takamura’s time. Takamura invites Ippo to train under his coach at his gym. Ippo accepts Takamura’s offer and we examine his journey to becoming a fantastic boxer.
Like other shonen works, Ippo will meet many skilled boxers that’ll push him to his limits. He’ll develop news skills and techniques over time and none of them feel forced or unearned. The battles can get intensely realistic, despite some characters demonstrating some supernatural-like feats. If you’re looking for a boxing anime with a well-rounded plot and cast, Hajime No Ippo is worth your time.
Death Note
This is one of anime’s finest supernatural crime thrillers. It contains excellent twists and turns that’ll leave you pumped. With its well-articulated plot, gloomy visuals, and multiple mysteries, you’ll find it hard to leave it on hold. In this anime, we explore Light’s quest to rid his universe of every criminal.
He’ll do so using the power of the Death Note. This supernatural artifact gives Light the ability to murder anyone he pleases. All he has to do is write their name in the book and the cause of their death. He adopts the alias Kira and goes on a killing spree. Despite earning himself a great following, Light catches a talented detective named L’s eye.
Therefore, a battle of wits between L and Light ensues. The battles between Light and L will entertain you in every way. Both characters harbor strong intelligence and you’ll be left questioning who will walk away the winner. Check this out if you’re in need of an adrenaline-pumping show that doesn’t need action to keep you entertained.
You can read our thoughts on Death Note in our full-season review here!
Wolf Children
Wolf Children is a wholesome family anime. It features a relatable protagonist named Hana who faces issues that will resonate with a large audience. After having wolf-like kids with a werewolf, Hana finds herself in a pickle when her spouse loses his life. This forces Hana to flee with her kids to the countryside in hopes of living a peaceful existence.
Little does she know that moving to a different area comes with its own collection of issues. This anime addresses how difficult it can be to raise two children alone. It does an excellent job of delving into Hana and her kid’s psyche and will make you empathize with each of them. Each character receives enough screen time and depth.
The anime also undergoes a small time skip that fans will appreciate. If you’re looking for a film with great emotional story beats, give this one a shot.
Perfect Blue
Perfect Blue is a deep, thought-provoking film about the horrors of popularity. It contains a chilling atmosphere supplemented by some horrid visuals and nightmarish situations. In it, we follow Mima. She’s a popular idol who abandons her friends, idol career, and fans because she wants to pursue an acting career.
Her desire for fame catches up with her as she’ll discovers that with notoriety comes great hardship. Mima will endure psychological pain and misery during her acting career. From seeing weird delusions of herself to being chased by a menacing stalker, she’ll experience every horror you can think of regarding high celebrity status.
If you’re looking for an anime that’ll get the gears in your head turning, check out Perfect Blue.
Nana
Nana is a wonderful romance anime. It commentates on fame, music, and romance exceptionally well. It’s a unique Studio Madhouse work because of its gothic-like character design and setting. In it, we follow two girls named Nana. One wants to get into a beautiful relationship while the other pursues fame.
Both girls travel to Japan to achieve these goals and wind up meeting each other. What lies ahead for both Nana’ is a journey that will stay in their hearts for years. This anime contains excellent drama and you’ll adore seeing how each Nana interacts with each other and an environment unfamiliar to them. This anime provides viewers with great music and knowledge of the music industry.
If you’re looking for an anime with stellar musical performances and wonderfully written characters, check this one out.
One Punch Man
One Punch Man is one of Studio Madhouse’s finest works. Many prefer the first season over its second because of the care and attention this studio put into its production. This season contains immaculate fight scenes, great comedy, and a stellar lineup of colorful characters. In this world of heroes and villains, we follow Saitama.
He’s trained every day to become a formidable hero. He’s become so strong that he can defeat any foe with one swing of his fist. Unfortunately, having this tremendous power makes Saitama lose passion. He’ll gain a beacon of hope when he encounters a cyborg named Genos who informs him about the Hero Association.
Alongside Genos, Saitama enrolls in the association in hopes of becoming a hero many people will appreciate. This anime pokes fun at superheroes and various shonen works. It has incredible deadpan humor and jokes that will make you laugh. The animation is fluid and you’ll be amazed to see Saitama, Genos, and the other heroes fight in this show.
A Place Further From The Universe
A Place Further From The Universe is a character-driven work that will warm your heart. Fans of the whole “cute girls doing cute things” routine will admire this world and the characters who inhabit it. In it, we follow Mari. She can’t stop contemplating the future and what lies at the end of her world.
Despite being adventurous, Mari suffers from severe anxiety. She’ll find solace when she reaches her second year of high school. In high school, she meets Shirase, a girl who wants to find her missing mother in Antarctica. With some added help, Mari and Shirase embark on a shivering journey of discovery and companionship.
Each girl has a unique personality and goal they want to achieve. They’ll endure many mental and physical hurdles during their voyage that will excite fans. Viewers who enjoy narratives about personal growth, discovery, and companionship, will cherish A Place Further From The Universe.
Parasyte: The Maxim
Parasyte: The Maxim is a marvelous sci-fi horror series. It tackles the concept behind man vs monster well and features a well-rounded cast to back it up. The anime contains some great action segments that help our characters mature over time. By the end of the series, you’ll wind up understanding what it means to be human.
In it, we follow Shinichi. He’s a nerdy boy who wants to get by in life. One day, he finds himself fused with an alien known as Migi. Migi tells Shinichi that others like him plan to invade Earth to conquer humanity. With Migi’s help, Shinichi must set aside his weakness to save humanity from doom. Migi and Shinichi develop excellent chemistry throughout the series.
You’ll be astounded by both characters’ gradual maturation. This world offers great mysteries and twists to keep you invested. If you’re looking for a sci-fi horror series with great depth and well-rounded characters, give this one a shot.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best anime by Studio Madhouse through the years!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!