TOHO TO ACQUIRE DISTRIBUTOR GKIDS

Toho Co., Ltd. announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire a 100% equity share of GKIDS, Inc.

GKIDS will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Los Angeles-based Toho International. GKIDS Founder Eric Beckman will remain as CEO, and Dave Jesteadt will remain as President of the company.

 Toho acquired Japanese animation studio  Science SARU (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, DAN DA DAN)  and also made an equity investment in Los Angeles-based production and distribution company Fifth Season (Severance, Tokyo Vice), formerly known as Endeavor Content.  Through GKIDS, Toho adds an established and highly regarded North American theatrical and home entertainment distribution, marketing, and sales operation to complement the licensing, merchandising, and e-commerce operations of its Toho International banner. In turn, GKIDS will be able to tap the synergies and capabilities of the larger Toho parent group, while maintaining its distinct brand, organization, and management team.

Our Take

Toho has just declared war on Sony. Sony has bad bookoo bucks on releasing Crunchyroll-licensed theatrical events in the United States with only really Gkids being the most consistent of competitors of releasing animated films. Toei’s got a big release coming in November with Dragon Ball Daima which just put it’s tickets on sale and Crunchyroll has the English dubbed adaptation of OVERLORD: The Sacred Kingdom on the way. With animated movies dominating the domestic box office comprising of all kids content, the adult-skewing sharks are starting to swirl.