Japanese cinema giant Toho Co. Ltd. has completed the acquisition of Anime Limited, the UK’s leading independent distributor of Japanese animation. As the primary buyer, Toho will utilize the company to establish its first official UK headquarters, ‘Toho International UK’. This deal gives Toho direct control over the distribution of its prestigious library, including the ‘Godzilla’ and ‘Your Name’ franchises, across the European and North American markets.

Anime Limited, known as the seller in this transaction, has built a strong reputation for bringing high-end anime titles like ‘Belle’ and ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ to Western audiences. The existing crew at Anime Limited is expected to remain in place to manage the transition and continue local operations. This vertical integration allows Toho to bypass third-party distributors, streamlining the supply chain for Japanese content in the West and maximizing theatrical and home video returns.

The acquisition was finalized on December 24, 2025, signaling Toho’s aggressive global expansion strategy. By owning its distribution network, the studio house can coordinate simultaneous global releases for its upcoming 2026 film slate. This move follows similar international expansions by competitors like Crunchyroll and Sony, highlighting the fierce competition for anime dominance in the global entertainment sector. (Japan)