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Even if you ’ve never get word of Japan’sToei Company , chances are you ’re familiar with some of the iconic titles they ’ve helped play to life sentence . As the majority shareowner of Toei Animation , Toei has toy a key role in producing some of the most beloved anime of all time , includingDragon Ball , Sailor Moon , One Piece , andSlam Dunk . On the bouncy - activity side , the society is also behind the long - runningSuper Sentaiseries — which was adapted internationally intoPower Ranger — as well as theKamen Riderfranchise and other pop Japanese superhero shows .
Until now , Toei has primarily relied on licensing its films and TV shows to other company for international dispersion . But that ’s changing . In a late interview withDeadline , Toei President and CEO Fumio Yoshimura outlined challenging plans to take a more hands - on approach to global expanding upon . Rather than just licensing content , Toei now aims to produce and distribute its own work at once in oversea markets . Backed by a $ 2 billion investiture strategy , the company contrive to upgrade its production adroitness , pursue outside co - product , and significantly grow its presence — specially in the gum anime space .
Toei’s Animation Roots
Superheroes, Samurai, And A Deep Live-Action Legacy
Toei has been a major force in Nipponese entertainmentsince 1951 , producing everything from characteristic film to idiot box dramas . But it truly made its mark in spiritedness after acquiring a lowly studio apartment in 1956 , which became Toei Doga — later rename Toei Animation . Just two years later , it releasedThe White Snake Enchantress , Japan ’s first full - color animated feature film . That landmark debut kick off decades of influential anime , with Toei aim ahead of time on to become the “ Disney of the East . ”
Toei ’s shock goes far beyond animation . Its bouncy - action catalogue is vast , especially in the tokusatsu genre ( peculiar consequence - drive superhero shows ) . The company introducedtheKamen Riderseriesin 1971 , followed bySuper Sentaiin 1975 . Both franchises retain to fly high today . supply in a wide range of classic samurai and yakuza films , and it ’s clear Toei ’s message library traverse genres , generations , and world-wide fanbases . Now , with its eyes firmly on the international stagecoach , Toei is ready to share even more of its bequest with the world .
Toei’s $2 Billion Bet On Anime’s Global Future
TOEI NEW WAVE 2033: A Global Blueprint
build up on their legacy , President and CEO Fumio Yoshimura has prepare bold plans in apparent movement to expand Toei ’s global bearing — set out with Zanzibar copal . In the interview withDeadline , he discussed a $ 2 billion investment scheme focused on upgrading Toei ’s Tokyo and Kyoto studios , boosting production capacity , and developing more international Colorado - output . With iconic titles likeDragon Ball , One Piece , Sailor Moon , andSlam Dunkalready beloved worldwide , Yoshimura wants Toei to take full ascendance of how its anime reaches external interview .
This effort is part of Toei ’s long - terminus vision , TOEI fresh WAVE 2033 , which aim to turn the company into a planetary amusement leader by the end of the decade . One of its primary goal is to spring up overseas gross to 50 % of total cut-rate sale . To do that , Toei is doubling down on anime while dilate its reach through streaming , digital platform , and international coaction .
A Global Era Begins For Japan’s Storytelling Giant
What Toei aims to do mirrors the path rival studio Toho has have in the U.S. Toho has dilate its international reach in recent year — notably withGodzilla Minus One — and solidify its position by acquiring GKIDS , a major North American distributer of Nipponese animation . Toei , which licensedThe First Slam Dunkto GKIDS in 2023 , has traditionally relied on third - party mate for oversea releases . Now , it ’s shifting toward a more direct , self - oversee approach to global dispersion , aiming to ramp up the kind of infrastructure Toho already has in place .
Although Toei Animation , the studio that created Dragon Ball , did not meet an Oscar this year , the company still has challenging plan for 2025 .
As if to show how serious they are about strive global consultation , Toei recently launchedan official English - language X ( formerly Twitter ) report for theKamen Riderseries — one of their longest - run and most iconic franchises . The move spark bombination among rooter , with many wondering if this signals a across-the-board rollout ofKamen Ridercontent on external cyclosis platforms .
Whether it ’s anime , superheroes , or theatrical movie , Toei ’s late steps make one thing clear : they ’re no longer contented with being a behind - the - conniption name in international mart — they require to lead the charge . And with a legacy spanning over 70 years and a $ 2 billion plan in play , they ’re just getting started .
Source : Deadline
Image By Joshua Fox
