 TOHO Co., Ltd., the renowned Japanese entertainment company, has announced its acquisition of GKIDS, Inc., a leading North American animation producer and distributor. The acquisition was executed through TOHO International, the company's Los Angeles-based subsidiary, furthering TOHO's strategic international expansion. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of the agreement, GKIDS will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of TOHO International. GKIDS founder Eric Beckman will continue as CEO, while Dave Jesteadt will remain President. Together, the two have grown GKIDS from a small, two-person operation in 2009, when they released The Secret of Kells, into a powerhouse of US animation. The company has garnered thirteen Academy Award nominations and celebrated a win in 2024 for Hayao Miyazaki's Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka (The Boy and the Heron). TOHO's acquisition of GKIDS is aligned with its broader corporate initiative, "TOHO VISION 2032," which focuses on expanding the company's international presence and prioritizing animation and intellectual property (IP) creation. This move follows TOHO's recent investment in other animation and production entities, including the acquisition of animation studio Science SARU and a stake in Los Angeles-based Fifth Season, known for producing Severance and Tokyo Vice. Strengthening Distribution Synergy By acquiring GKIDS, TOHO adds a highly respected North American distribution, marketing, and sales operation to its existing licensing and merchandising activities under the TOHO International banner. GKIDS' established brand, along with its robust infrastructure for theatrical and home entertainment distribution, will complement TOHO's ongoing efforts to bring Japanese content to global audiences. For GKIDS, this partnership opens new doors to leverage TOHO's vast resources while maintaining its distinct identity. The two companies have already collaborated on several successful projects, including the North American distribution of Makoto Shinkai's Tenki no Ko (Weathering with You) and Studio Trigger's Promare, as well as the stage adaptation of Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away). TOHO serves as the Japanese distributor for many of these titles, which GKIDS handles in North America. In December 2023, GKIDS released Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka (The Boy and the Heron) in the US, achieving record box-office success for both Studio Ghibli and the distributor. Accelerating Global Reach TOHO President and CEO Hiro Matsuoka emphasized the strategic importance of the deal, noting that GKIDS' deep integration into the US market aligns with TOHO's goals to expand its international footprint. "This partnership accelerates TOHO's goals to prioritize animation, develop international markets, and support IP creation, while bringing exceptional Japanese and animated content to global audiences," Matsuoka said. Echoing that sentiment, Beckman and Jesteadt of GKIDS shared their enthusiasm for the new collaboration. "GKIDS will continue to operate as we always have—with the same team, the same passion, and the same mission—but now with the backing of a highly complementary and legendary parent company," they said in a joint statement. Looking Forward GKIDS is set to become a fully consolidated subsidiary of TOHO by early 2025. Although the impact of the acquisition on TOHO's fiscal performance for the period ending February 2025 is expected to be minor, the long-term benefits of integrating the two companies' capabilities could prove substantial. Through this partnership, both TOHO and GKIDS aim to strengthen the global animation industry by expanding their reach and offering high-quality content to a broader audience. Source: Press Release, Nikkei |
VindstotOct 15, 2024 8:49 PM
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| Accelerating Global Reach TOHO President and CEO Hiro Matsuoka emphasized the strategic importance of the deal, noting that GKIDS' deep integration into the US market aligns with Toho's goals to expand its international footprint. "This partnership accelerates Toho's goals to prioritize animation, develop international markets, and support IP creation, while bringing exceptional Japanese and animated content to global audiences," Matsuoka said. when are they going to realize that we DON'T want this shit? |
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EcchiGodMamster said: when are they going to realize that we DON'T want this shit? What is it that you don't want? From what I understand of this article, and the part you quoted, they're going to release more anime in North America. As someone who lives there, I'm pretty happy about that. I just have to ignore my vague concern about industry consolidation into giant conglomerates... |
| no complaints for me, at least right now. it is indeed a strategic move to tap into the NA market especially when considering anime's exponentially increasing popularity these past few years if this means i can watch JP movies in NA theatres within just a couple weeks of JP release dates (and is later accessible on streaming platforms), then im all for international expansions |
Reply to EcchiGodMamster
Accelerating Global Reach
TOHO President and CEO Hiro Matsuoka emphasized the strategic importance of the deal, noting that GKIDS' deep integration into the US market aligns with Toho's goals to expand its international footprint. "This partnership accelerates Toho's goals to prioritize animation, develop international markets, and support IP creation, while bringing exceptional Japanese and animated content to global audiences," Matsuoka said.
when are they going to realize that we DON'T want this shit?
TOHO President and CEO Hiro Matsuoka emphasized the strategic importance of the deal, noting that GKIDS' deep integration into the US market aligns with Toho's goals to expand its international footprint. "This partnership accelerates Toho's goals to prioritize animation, develop international markets, and support IP creation, while bringing exceptional Japanese and animated content to global audiences," Matsuoka said.
when are they going to realize that we DON'T want this shit?
| @EcchiGodMamster We? Speak for yourself buddy. You only represent yourself |
Reply to perseii
EcchiGodMamster said:
when are they going to realize that we DON'T want this shit?
when are they going to realize that we DON'T want this shit?
What is it that you don't want? From what I understand of this article, and the part you quoted, they're going to release more anime in North America.
As someone who lives there, I'm pretty happy about that. I just have to ignore my vague concern about industry consolidation into giant conglomerates...
perseii said: What is it that you don't want? i DON'T want anime to be globalized, i want anime to be what it has always been, everytime something goes global, it slowly starts losing what made it popular in the first place, how man fucking examples of this shit to we have??? if you don't care about potenial censorship, well idk what to say then deg said: japanimation going more global so more profit welp i can already hear the complains that woke aka censorship will spread more is that NOT what usually happens? |
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Reply to amarcioz
@EcchiGodMamster Are you living in a cave? It seems you haven't realized it yet, but Japanese animation has been a global thing for a long time now.
amarcioz said: @EcchiGodMamster Are you living in a cave? It seems you haven't realized it yet, but Japanese animation has been a global thing for a long time now yes, but it has always primarly focused on the domestic Japanese market and should remain that way |
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| I don't quite understand, did they buy American creators or just producers and licensors? |
 |
Reply to amarcioz
@EcchiGodMamster What are you afraid of? That there won't be any more anime with ecchi and anime that sexualizes children? LOL
| @amarcioz i never said theyre going to "stop" doing anything, but there will be increased censorship but it seems as though some people just don't care |
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| Wow man all these studios and corps making moves on each other trying to up each other or team up. Its a wild west out there. |
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| It seems to have become a common thing for anime studios to buy each other out, with all the news lately. |
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| This is a win for me since I own multiple Blu-ray discs from them. To my knowledge, the worst thing GKIDS has done is to not include Fly Me to the Moon in the Evangelion release. |
Reply to EcchiGodMamster
perseii said:
What is it that you don't want?
What is it that you don't want?
i DON'T want anime to be globalized, i want anime to be what it has always been, everytime something goes global, it slowly starts losing what made it popular in the first place, how man fucking examples of this shit to we have???
if you don't care about potenial censorship, well idk what to say then
deg said:
japanimation going more global so more profit welp i can already hear the complains that woke aka censorship will spread more
japanimation going more global so more profit welp i can already hear the complains that woke aka censorship will spread more
is that NOT what usually happens?
EcchiGodMamster said: i DON'T want anime to be globalized, i want anime to be what it has always been, everytime something goes global, it slowly starts losing what made it popular in the first place, how man fucking examples of this shit to we have??? OK, so it's about that... I still don't see this news to be about that. If it was the other way around, and it's a US company buying up a Japanese producer, I'd definitely be annoyed, but this isn't that. I only expect Toho to be more aggressive in releasing their anime movies over here, for some extra income. Gkids isn't a production company anyway, they do distribution, so they probably don't have much input on what gets made. Besides, looks like Toho and Gkids have been working together for some time, as stated in the article. I feel like they'll mostly stay "business as usual," as far as we're concerned. |
Reply to amarcioz
@EcchiGodMamster What are you afraid of? That there won't be any more anime with ecchi and anime that sexualizes children? LOL
| @amarcioz +1 bro That's what the casual MAL users want. |
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| As long as this doesn't change how GKIDS works... |
Bum Bum Dum Dum |
Reply to perseii
EcchiGodMamster said:
i DON'T want anime to be globalized, i want anime to be what it has always been, everytime something goes global, it slowly starts losing what made it popular in the first place, how man fucking examples of this shit to we have???
i DON'T want anime to be globalized, i want anime to be what it has always been, everytime something goes global, it slowly starts losing what made it popular in the first place, how man fucking examples of this shit to we have???
OK, so it's about that... I still don't see this news to be about that.
If it was the other way around, and it's a US company buying up a Japanese producer, I'd definitely be annoyed, but this isn't that.
I only expect Toho to be more aggressive in releasing their anime movies over here, for some extra income. Gkids isn't a production company anyway, they do distribution, so they probably don't have much input on what gets made.
Besides, looks like Toho and Gkids have been working together for some time, as stated in the article. I feel like they'll mostly stay "business as usual," as far as we're concerned.
perseii said: OK, so it's about that... I still don't see this news to be about that. If it was the other way around, and it's a US company buying up a Japanese producer, I'd definitely be annoyed, but this isn't that. I only expect Toho to be more aggressive in releasing their anime movies over here, for some extra income. Gkids isn't a production company anyway, they do distribution, so they probably don't have much input on what gets made. Besides, looks like Toho and Gkids have been working together for some time, as stated in the article. I feel like they'll mostly stay "business as usual," as far as we're concerned. i damn sure hope this is the case, as the word "globalization" isn't something many people like hearing about their hobbies |
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| More than the acquisition, I'm surprised TOHO has its office in LA. Are shorter flights really worth making your base of operations in the most expensive, highly taxed, crime-ridden state in the US where most of big city population is effectively retarded? Is it about networking with Hollywood cesspit? It's quite interesting. Wonder where other studios branching into US market have their offices. |
Ii tenki desu ne... |
Reply to RobertBobert
I don't quite understand, did they buy American creators or just producers and licensors?
| @RobertBobert They want to increase global market. |
 |
Reply to EcchiGodMamster
amarcioz said:
@EcchiGodMamster Are you living in a cave? It seems you haven't realized it yet, but Japanese animation has been a global thing for a long time now
@EcchiGodMamster Are you living in a cave? It seems you haven't realized it yet, but Japanese animation has been a global thing for a long time now
yes, but it has always primarly focused on the domestic Japanese market and should remain that way
| @EcchiGodMamster Gotta agree with you on this one. |
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| Where is that supposed Crunchyroll monopoly that I so often hear... EcchiGodMamster said: More anime movies on theaters is a good thing actually. when are they going to realize that we DON'T want this shit? Also I thought people wanted Japan to have their own licensors instead of us having to rely on American ones, isn't this exactly that? Taking away anime distribution from the Americans and giving it to the Japanese. |
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Reply to MadanielFL
Where is that supposed Crunchyroll monopoly that I so often hear...
Also I thought people wanted Japan to have their own licensors instead of us having to rely on American ones, isn't this exactly that?
Taking away anime distribution from the Americans and giving it to the Japanese.
EcchiGodMamster said:
when are they going to realize that we DON'T want this shit?
More anime movies on theaters is a good thing actually. when are they going to realize that we DON'T want this shit?
Also I thought people wanted Japan to have their own licensors instead of us having to rely on American ones, isn't this exactly that?
Taking away anime distribution from the Americans and giving it to the Japanese.
| @MadanielFL if all theyre doing is giving us easier access to anime by whatever means, then fine, but i wish "globalization" only meant that |
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