Toho Acquires UK Distributor Anime Limited, Establishes European HQ in London
Toho, the Japanese entertainment company behind Godzilla Minus One, announced on December 19 that it has acquired all shares of Glasgow-based anime distributor Anime Limited from Germany's Plaion Pictures. The acquisition gives Toho immediate distribution capabilities in the UK and France across theatrical, home video, TV, streaming, and merchandise. Toho will also establish a European regional headquarters in London, led by Toho Global, its overseas business division. Anime Limited founder and managing director Andrew Partridge will join the leadership team of the new European base. In a parallel move, Toho and Plaion Pictures have agreed to a strategic alliance, with Plaion extending Toho's distribution reach into Germany, Italy, and other European markets. The deal follows Toho's acquisition of US distributor GKIDS in October 2024 and the launch of a Singapore-based Asian hub in November 2024. Toho cited the European anime market's estimated value of $4.77 billion in 2024, projected to reach $9.05 billion by 2030, as context for the expansion. Financial terms were not disclosed.