Toho Acquires Animation Distributor GKIDS
Toho announced that they have reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity shares of the North American animation producer and distributor, GKIDS.
Toho's acquisition of GKIDS is part of the "TOHO Group Management Corporate Strategy Vision 2032," which outlines the company's plans for "growth and expansion beyond Japan" as well as efforts to connect Japanese production, creators, and studios with international creators and fans "more directly and broadly."
The founder and CEO of GKIDS, Eric Beckman, along with president Dave Jesteadt, provided a full statement regarding the acquisition on the company's official Twitter account.
Toho had previously acquired the Japanese animation studio Science SARU and also made an equity investment in the Los Angeles-based production and distribution company Fifth Season, known for works such as Severance and Tokyo Vice.
Toho and GKIDS have collaborated for many years, bringing numerous anime films to North America, including Weathering With You, Promare, Spirited Away: Live on Stage, and many more.
Toho also serves as the domestic distributor in Japan for many of the same properties that GKIDS handles in North America, including works from Studio Ghibli, Mamoru Hosoda, Makoto Shinkai, and others.
