© TOHO, GKIDS
North American animation distributor GKIDS announced on Tuesday that Jap leisure firm TOHO has reached an agreement to attach 100% of GKIDS for an undisclosed amount. GKIDS, which has offices in Original York and Los Angeles, will turn into a totally-owned subsidiary of TOHO Global, which is based in Los Angeles.
TOHO goals to develop and amplify exterior of Japan, connecting its Jap and global productions extra immediately with creators and fans overseas through its “TOHO VISION 2032 TOHO Group Management Corporate Strategy.” With this acqusition, TOHO adds a North American theatrical and home leisure distribution, advertising and marketing, and sales firm to complement TOHO Global‘s licensing, merchandising, and e-commerce operations. GKIDS can then make basically the most of synergies and capabilities with the increased TOHO parent neighborhood, while putting forward its administration crew.
GKIDS Founder Eric Beckman will remain as CEO, and Dave Jesteadt will remain as President. They said referring to 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 talked about:
“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.”
Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. acted as the unusual financial advisor to TOHO. Nishimura & Asahi (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo) acted as its correct advisor. Meanwhile, ACF Investment Monetary institution acted as an unusual financial advisor to GKIDS with Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP as correct advisor.
TOHO and GKIDS like worked together on extra than one movies, together with Makoto Shinkai‘s Weathering With You and Studio Impartial off‘s Promare. TOHO is the Jap home distributor for several properties that GKIDS handles in North The US, together with Studio Ghibli movies.
TOHO got all shares of the anime studio Science SARU on June 19, and made it its consolidated subsidiary. With this acquisition, TOHO goals to relieve its capacity for excessive-quality anime production and shuffle the growth of its anime replace. TOHO got a controlling stake in the TIA (TOHO Interactive Animation) studio in 2022 and made it a subsidiary firm under the unusual name TOHO animation STUDIO.
GKIDS is the distributor of diverse anime movies in North The US, together with movies by Studio Ghibli, Makoto Shinkai, and Mamoru Hosoda. The firm has additionally released Watch Serve by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto, The First Slam Dunk, Evangelion: 3.0+1.01: Thrice Upon A Time (Shin Evangelion Gekijō-ban :||) and old movies, Blue Giant, and Studio Impartial off‘s PROMARE. The firm will display cover cover Science SARU and Naoko Yamada‘s The Colours Within (Kimi no Iro) anime characteristic movie, as effectively as Shinei Animation and France’s Miyu Productions‘ Ghost Cat Anzu 2D-engaging movie, will play in North American theaters in winter 2024. GKIDS additionally has the theatrical, videogram, and digital transactional rights to the DAN DA DAN television anime adaptation.
Provide: GKIDS
