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Toho Expands Global reach with New European Headquarters
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Japanese entertainment giant Toho is doubling down on international growth, establishing a European base in London and acquiring a key anime distributor.
- Toho will establish a European headquarters in London, UK, in 2025.
- the company is acquiring Anime Limited, a prominent UK-based anime distributor.
- A strategic alliance with German firm playon Pictures is also in the works.
- This move follows expansions into north America and Asia, solidifying Toho’s global strategy.
London, December 19, 2025 – Toho, the major Japanese film company behind hits like “Godzilla 1.0,” is making a significant play for the European market. The company announced today it will establish a European headquarters in London within 2025,a move that signals a serious commitment to expanding its international footprint. This expansion directly supports Toho’s stated goals of overseas growth and a greater focus on anime distribution.
Anime Limited Acquisition Fuels European Strategy
The new European headquarters will operate as a subsidiary of TOHO Global, Toho’s existing overseas business hub. Crucially, the headquarters will also include Anime limited, a leading UK-based distributor of Japanese anime. Toho will acquire all outstanding shares of Anime Limited from PLAION PICTURES GmbH, though the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Andrew Partridge, the founder and managing director of Anime limited, will continue to play a key role in managing the new European operations.
Alongside the acquisition, Toho is forging a strategic alliance with Playon Pictures, an self-reliant game and film company based in Germany.This partnership will broaden Toho’s reach across key European territories, including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, adding Western Europe to its existing North American distribution network.
A global Network Takes Shape
Toho has been strategically building its international presence in recent years. In 2019, the company considerably increased capital investment in Toho International, its North American headquarters. Then, in 2024, Toho Entertainment Asia began operations in Singapore, establishing a foothold in the Asian market. The London headquarters represents the next logical step in this global expansion plan.
Anime Limited,founded in the UK in 2012 by Andrew Partridge,a veteran of the French anime and manga company KAZE,has quickly become a respected name in the anime distribution world. The company specializes in theatrical releases and has gained a reputation for carefully curating its selection of titles. Anime Limited is also known within the anime community as the organizer of Scotland Loves Anime, a popular film festival held in multiple cities across northern England. Since 2022, the company has been affiliated with Playon.
Riding the Wave of Anime Success
Toho’s success with recent international releases – including “Godzilla 1.0,” “My Hero Academia,” and “Dandadan” – has fueled its ambitious expansion plans. The company has also been actively investing in other animation studios, acquiring a stake in North American animation distributor GKIDS in 2024 and investing in IGLOO STUDIO, a major Thai animation studio, in 2023. This rapid series of acquisitions and partnerships positions Toho alongside industry giants like Sony Group and KADOKAWA, all vying for a larger share of the global anime and entertainment market.
