Maxam

This article is about the Japanese company. For the American company, see Maxam Entertainment.

Credits

Compiled by
2K-tan

Video captures courtesy of
VHSlover

Background

Maxam Inc. is a Japanese home video distribution and production company.

1st Logo (1991-2001)

Visuals: On a black background, a dark purple diagonal line appears briefly, before four arched lines move from the sides to form an "X" at the center. The background changes color to white with a waving effect, the "X" turns purple, and the black letters "MA" and "AM" slide in from the sides of the "X", forming "MAXAM".

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: Clanging noises and a descending/ascending synth at the beginning, and a shutter-like noise with a gentle synth pad drone during the rest of the logo.

Availability: Seen on VHS and DVD releases by the company, mostly of horror genre and Chinese movies.

2nd Logo (2001-2012)

Visuals: On a black background, multiple particles zoom out while several bars emerge on the screen and rotate. The purple "X" from the previous logo appears spinning and the particles attract to it, and the bars shrink and turns into blurry lights near it. The X then flashes out and the particles move away, and the Maxam logo, now in white, briefly appears with a radial blur, before the letters appear rotating in a 3D silver material, with the outline of the logo flashing out, and the 3D parts of the "X" quickly moving towards the center, as the logo is formed. The logo slightly blurs and turns into 2D.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Descending-like metallic noises and a piano note at the end.

Availability: Seen on VHS and DVD releases by the company from the period, such as The Little Prince Vol.2 and Gun Frontier.

3rd Logo (2012-)

Visuals: On a white room, a blue sphere drops down and moves above three metal bars placed in a zigzag fashion, while the letters of "MA AM" are shown forming near the camera. As the camera turns, the sphere jumps from the second bar and places itself to the connection formed by the two A's, before it separates, causing the sphere to drop down and quickly jump back, floating for a while before settling at the center between the texts. The sphere then turns into the striped "X" in light-blue, and the background quickly turns black as the letters zoom out and the logo turns 2D. A light radial blur can be seen as it zooms out.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Machine noises at the beginning accompanied by a string note, with a whoosh once the logo is nearly formed. At the end, a beam-like noise is heard with a light, echoing synth string note.

Availability: Seen on recent VHS and DVD releases by the company, such as Kamari of Tsugaru.