Baltimore, MD (June 23, 2009) – The founder and creative director of the award-winning Madhouse Studios, Masao Maruyama, a recurring guest and longtime friend of the convention, will make his seventh appearance in Baltimore at Otakon 2009.

The founder of Madhouse Studios, Maruyama has had a hand in the Japanese animation industry for almost forty years. Maruyama was born in 1941 in the Miyagi Prefecture. After graduation from Hosei University in 1963, he went to work as an animator for Mushi Production. He later went on to help produce Unico, based on a story by Osamu Tezuka, of Astro Boy fame. In 1972, Maruyama had a direct hand in the establishment of the burgeoning new animation studio Madhouse, and in 1980 he was inducted into the board of directors.

Maruyama brings a high level of quality to every production, whether television, OAV, or theatrical release. Regardless of the subject matter, Madhouse always brings something new to the table, and is internationally known for exceptional animation. Maruyama is also acknowledged for his eye in finding young talent to bring into Madhouse; under his creative guidance, talents like Satoshi Kon and Atsuko Ishizuka have flourished.

Since Madhouse’s inception, Maruyama has produced an impressive library of animation, including Barefoot Gen, Dagger of Kamui, Record of Lodoss Wars, Urusei Yatsura, Vampire Hunter D, Ninja Scroll, Cardcaptor Sakura, Trigun, Perfect Blue, X, Boogiepop Phantom, Chobits, PitaTen, Abenobashi Maho Shotengai, Ninja Scroll, Dragon Drive, Gungrave, Gunslinger Girl, Black Lagoon, Kiba, Nana, Tokyo Tribe 2, Beck, Monster, Highlander: Search for Vengeance, Devil May Cry, Death Note, and Red Line. Currently Madhouse is producing a project very close to Maruyama’s heart, Stitch! Another of Maruyama’s more recent projects is another animated short for Otakon, following the success of last year.

For more information about Madhouse, visit www.madhouse.co.jp.
Otakon 2009 will be held July 17-19 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.