Madhouse anime business profile: Nippon TV-backed studio
Madhouse is a respected animation studio with a long history, operating as part of Nippon TV's anime and IP strategy.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Madhouse Inc. is a private Japanese animation studio headquartered in Nakano, Tokyo. It was founded as Mad House in Suginami and has capital of JPY 100 million. As of the latest available company profile, Madhouse had approximately 70 employees including contract staff and is led by President Sanae Tashiro. Nippon TV is the largest shareholder. Madhouse does not publish standalone financial results. Its parent, Nippon TV Holdings, reported anime-related net sales of JPY 6.1 billion for the fiscal year ended March 2025, down 9% year over year, with international anime-related sales of JPY 3.2 billion accounting for about 52% of the total.
What Madhouse is and who owns it
Madhouse Inc. is a Japanese animation studio based in Nakano, Tokyo. It was founded as a limited company called Mad House in Suginami and later became a kabushiki gaisha. The studio has capital of JPY 100 million and approximately 70 employees including contract staff. Sanae Tashiro serves as Representative Director and President.
The studio's major shareholders include Nippon TV Holdings, Dentsu Group, Vap, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Hakuhodo, WOWOW, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. Nippon TV is the largest shareholder, making Madhouse effectively part of the Nippon TV group.
Madhouse's notable works and production approach
Madhouse's credits include Ninja Scroll, Perfect Blue, Death Note, Paprika, Summer Wars, Hunter x Hunter, One-Punch Man, No Game No Life Zero, A Place Further Than the Universe, Sonny Boy, The Vampire Dies in No Time, and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. The studio has a reputation for high-quality animation across both television series and feature films.
The studio has historically worked on a mix of original projects and adaptations. Its ability to produce critically acclaimed films and series has made it one of the better-known names in the industry, despite its relatively small headcount.
How Madhouse fits into Nippon TV's anime segment
Madhouse's results are consolidated into Nippon TV Holdings, which reports anime-related net sales as part of its broader media business. For the fiscal year ended March 2025, Nippon TV Holdings reported anime-related net sales of JPY 6.1 billion, a 9% decrease year over year. International anime-related sales fell 22% to JPY 3.2 billion, accounting for about 52% of total anime-related sales.
The decline was attributed to the absence of the prior year's dual success of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and The Apothecary Diaries. Nippon TV's anime-related sales are small relative to the broader group but are disclosed as a thematic line item.
Where public evidence stops: Madhouse does not publish standalone revenue or profit. The JPY 6.1 billion figure is Nippon TV Holdings' total anime-related net sales, not Madhouse's standalone revenue. Madhouse's exact contribution is not broken out.
How Madhouse makes money
Madhouse earns revenue primarily from animation production fees, theatrical and home video distribution, streaming rights, and merchandise and licensing tied to its works. As a studio with a strong creative reputation, it also attracts high-profile projects from publishers, platforms, and production committees.
Because Madhouse is a private subsidiary, its revenue mix is not public. Its ownership by Nippon TV gives it access to broadcast and distribution channels, but the studio operates as a separate production entity rather than a vertically integrated rights holder.
Strategy and where Madhouse fits in anime
Madhouse's strategy has historically emphasized quality over volume. The studio takes on a limited number of projects and invests in strong creative teams. This has produced both award-winning films and commercially successful series.
As part of Nippon TV, Madhouse benefits from access to financing, broadcasting, and distribution resources. The studio is best understood as a premium production house within a larger media group, rather than an independent rights owner. Its fortunes are tied partly to Nippon TV's anime investment decisions and partly to its own ability to attract external projects.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Madhouse?
Nippon TV Holdings is Madhouse's largest shareholder. Other shareholders include Dentsu Group, Vap, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Hakuhodo, WOWOW, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Does Madhouse publish standalone revenue?
No. Madhouse is a private subsidiary and does not publish separate financial results. Its business is included in Nippon TV Holdings' consolidated reporting.
How many employees does Madhouse have?
According to its company profile, Madhouse has approximately 70 employees including contract staff.
What is Nippon TV Holdings' anime-related revenue?
For the fiscal year ended March 2025, Nippon TV Holdings reported anime-related net sales of JPY 6.1 billion, down 9% year over year. International anime-related sales were JPY 3.2 billion, about 52% of the total.
Sources and methodology
- Company profile, Madhouse. Official company profile, including capital, employees, president, address, major works, and shareholder list.
- Anime companies report sales growth abroad, Animenomics. Trade newsletter covering Nippon TV Holdings' anime-related net sales of JPY 6.1 billion for the fiscal year ended March 2025, published May 2025.