TOHO Acquires GKIDS Films

Over the past 15 years, GKIDS Films have been animation fans' best friend in North America. They have brought more animation from around the world to the big screen (and small) than anybody else. Serving both adult and family audiences, their films have earned a sackload of Oscar nominations, culminating in this year's win for Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy And The Heron. As well as being the custodians of the Studio Ghibli filmography in the US, their releases include the likes of The Secret Of Kells, Belle, Wolfwalkers, Mirai, Boy and The World, Children Of The Sea, Ernest & Celestine, Funan, The Breadwinner, Ride Your Wave, Lupin III: The First and many more.

Now, the company is to enter a new era with the news that it has been acquired by TOHO, The Japanese media company, probably best known as the home of the Godzilla franchise. GKIDS will become a wholly owned subsidiary of TOHO International, which is based in Los Angeles.

GKIDS founder Eric Beckman will remain as CEO and David Jesteadt will stay on as President. Commenting on the acquisition:

For all GKIDS' filmmakers, content partners, distribution partners, and especially the fans, this is truly great news. 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. We are truly thrilled to be joining forces with the esteemed and storied TOHO, home to Godzilla and Akira Kurosawa, as well as blockbuster anime franchises like My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen. This partnership will empower us to bring even more amazing films to North American and global audiences, while we continue to champion animation as a cinematic artform and push the limits of what the medium is capable of. We could not be more excited about the opportunities in front of us. The best is yet to come.

TOHO President and CEO Hiro Matsuoka said

Through their hard work, vision, and integrity, GKIDS has built a unique position in the US market, which dovetails perfectly with TOHO's own strengths and strategic mission. 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. We are honored to be working together with Eric, Dave and the entire GKIDS team and welcoming them into the TOHO family

TOHO and GKIDS have collaborated several times on the US release of films including Weathering With You and Promare. TOHO is also the Japanese domestic distributor for the Studio Ghibli films.

TOHO is looking to use the deal to help expand their operations beyond Japan. This does raise the possibility that they may look to expand GKIDS beyond North America. Could we see them open local offices in the UK, Australia and elsewhere? It would definitely be an exciting development for animation fans not based in the United States.

As for how this will affect GKIDS future, it's too early to say. But hopefully with additional corporate backing, as long as TOHO pretty much leaves them to operate as before, they will be able to take it to the next level. We'll be keeping an eye on this story as it develops.

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