Wednesday, 29 July 2026
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Toei

Toei is actively expanding its animation and tokusatsu output across multiple fronts, including a new Eterna Animation brand for original works, a hybrid 2D-3D feature film, and a slate of live-event and streaming initiatives, while its general manager publicly redefines anime as no longer exclusively Japanese.

Synthesized from 19 Yomimono stories · updated 3d ago

Toei Animation launched the Eterna Animation brand this year for the studio's 70th anniversary, focusing on original works and emerging talent. The first project, the short film FOXING: Kitsuné-tsuki, directed by Takeru Shinozuka in his commercial debut, entered the festival circuit with a competition slot at Fantasia IFF for the Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation. The studio also detailed its next feature, the 2D-3D hybrid film Monkey Quest, at the Annecy Festival, with Studio SANZIGEN handling 3D animation and a cast including Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, and J.K. Simmons. The film is in post-production and aiming for a 2027 release.

Toei's tokusatsu division remains active. The fan-vote-driven Blu-ray project for 2026 opened with 10 candidate works including Superhuman Barom-1 and Metalder. Director Koichi Sakamoto expressed interest in reviving the crossover series Space Squad and rebooting Metal Hero series on Toei's streaming service TTFC. The Kamen Rider Kabuto 20th anniversary sequel film Kamen Rider Kabuto: 20th - Heir to the Sky will screen in theaters from November 6, 2026, with a Blu-ray/DVD release on February 10, 2027. The Kamen Rider Zezt movie-exclusive form Agent Dream was detailed by producer Toshinari Yanaka and designer Akira Yamamoto, who noted the design deliberately broke TV-series rules for the first time.

On the streaming and event side, Toei streamed all 49 episodes of Hell Teacher Nube for free on YouTube, and its tokusatsu YouTube channel surpassed 2 million subscribers, streaming five classic films for free. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toei Animation will host a second One Piece Night at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2026. Netflix expanded its One Piece slate with a Wit Studio reboot produced in collaboration with Toei Animation and Fuji Television, and a LEGO special. Toei Animation general manager Asama Yosuke told Variety at Cannes that anime is no longer exclusively Japanese, signaling a potential shift in the industry's self-definition.

Key facts

Eterna Animation brand launched
Toei Animation launched the Eterna Animation brand this year for the studio's 70th anniversary, focusing on original works and emerging talent. ↗
First Eterna project
The first Eterna project is the short film FOXING: Kitsuné-tsuki, directed by Takeru Shinozuka in his commercial debut. ↗
Monkey Quest hybrid film
Toei Animation's next film project is the 2D-3D hybrid animated film Monkey Quest, with Studio SANZIGEN handling 3D animation, aiming for a 2027 release. ↗
Kamen Rider Kabuto 20th film release
Kamen Rider Kabuto: 20th - Heir to the Sky will screen in theaters from November 6, 2026, with a Blu-ray/DVD release on February 10, 2027. ↗
Kamen Rider Zezt movie-exclusive form
The movie-exclusive form Kamen Rider Zezt Agent Dream appears in the film Kamen Rider Zezt: Farewell Mission, opening July 24 as a double feature with Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity: The Day the Sun Cried. ↗
Toei Animation GM on anime definition
Toei Animation general manager Asama Yosuke told Variety at Cannes that the era of anime being made only by Japanese people is over. ↗
One Piece Night at Dodgers Stadium
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toei Animation will host One Piece Night at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2026. ↗
Netflix One Piece slate
Netflix announced a new One Piece anime series from Wit Studio, produced in collaboration with Toei Animation and Fuji Television, re-adapting the East Blue saga. ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Announced
2026 edition of fan-vote-driven Blu-ray project with 10 candidate tokusatsu works · 2026-07-08

Connections

Produces
kamen rider zezt sayonara no mission, kamen rider zezt, metalder, kubutack, barom 1
Staff change
toshinari yanaka, akira yamamoto

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/toei. CC BY 4.0.

All coverage

3d ago

Kamen Rider Zezt Agent Dream Designers Detail Movie-Exclusive Form

Toei producer Toshinari Yanaka and PLEX designer Akira Yamamoto discussed the creation of the movie-exclusive form Kamen Rider Zezt Agent Dream in an interview with Cinema Today. The form appears in the film "Kamen Rider Zezt: Farewell Mission," which opens July 24 as a double feature with "Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity: The Day the Sun Cried." Yanaka said the design team deliberately changed the face for the first time in a movie-exclusive form, breaking from the TV series approach of keeping the face consistent across forms so global audiences would recognize the character. Yamamoto explained that bubble-like motifs on the body represent the "fleeting dream" of the CODE agents, who unite only briefly. The form also introduces a waist cape, a first for Kamen Rider Zezt. The base color is white, which Yamamoto proposed to convey that the powers of the differently colored agents mix into white light, while turquoise accents maintain Zezt's identity. The design process for the series as a whole pursued a "subtractive" approach, removing accumulated armor details to emphasize the modified-human aesthetic of Kamen Rider. Yanaka noted that placing the transformation belt on the chest, another series first, made bike scenes easier to film from multiple angles.

Jul 19

Super Space Sheriff Gabban Infinity Gaiden Mini-Drama to Stream from August 2

Toei announced a mini-drama series 'Super Space Sheriff Gabban Infinity Gaiden' set after the TV series finale. It will be distributed from August 2 on YouTube and the Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club. The episode holds the key to a crossover between 'Super Space Sheriff Gabban Infinity' and 'Kakusei Hunter Omega Horn'. A mysterious red Arc Gaburion appears. The second PROJECT R.E.D. series 'Kakusei Hunter Omega Horn' begins July 26, with Kohei Nagata returning as Iron Wall Rage.

Jul 17

Kitaro Film Lottery Vol.2 Features New Beach Art by Yokatabe

The second online lottery for 'The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe' opened July 17, 2026, with a summer beach theme. Character designer Yokatabe Tōko drew new illustrations of Kitaro's father and Mizuki relaxing on the beach. Prizes include foil-stamped acrylic art boards, acrylic stands, keychains, clear file sets, and hologram badges. The lottery runs through August 16, 2026, at 880 yen per play.

Jul 14

Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle Airs on TOKYO MX July 19

The 1987 Dragon Ball theatrical film Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle will air on TOKYO MX on July 19, 2026 at 20:00. It is the second broadcast in a series following last year's airing of the first Dragon Ball film. The film features Goku and Krillin rescuing a sleeping princess from demons.

Jul 10

Kamen Rider Kabuto 20th Film Theme Song Performed by Original Cast Trio

The main poster visual, main trailer, and story for V Cinema Next 'Kamen Rider Kabuto: 20th - Heir to the Sky' have been unveiled. The theme song 'NEXT LEVEL Pass the tofu Version' is performed by Yuki Sato, Hidenori Tokuyama, and Kazuki Kato, their first vocal collaboration in 20 years. The film will screen in theaters from November 6, 2026, with a Blu-ray/DVD release on February 10, 2027. An experiential event 'Kamen Rider Kabuto World 20th CAST OFF' will be held starting September 19, 2026.

Jul 9

FOXING: Kitsuné-tsuki Short Screens at Festival Circuit

Toei Animation's Eterna Animation brand short film FOXING: Kitsuné-tsuki will screen at three festivals, including a competition slot at Fantasia IFF for the Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation. The film follows character designer Shinano as she encounters her discarded creations. Takeru Shinozuka makes his commercial directorial debut, writing and designing the characters. The short also screens at Indy Shorts Film Festival and RIFFA. Eterna Animation launched this year for Toei's 70th anniversary, focusing on original works.

Jul 9

Toei Games to Present Business Strategy at Taiwan's TGDF 2026

Toei Games, the game business brand of Toei, will hold a seminar at the Taipei Game Developers Forum 2026 in Taiwan on July 16. Manager Hiroaki Nagashima will discuss the company's business strategy, the current state of the game business from Toei's perspective, and the relationship between Japanese and Taiwanese game markets. The event runs July 15-16.

Jul 8

Toei Tokusatsu Blu-Ray Project 2026 Edition Opens Voting With 10 Candidates

Toei Video announced the 2026 edition of its fan-vote-driven Blu-ray project, selecting 10 candidate tokusatsu works including Superhuman Barom-1, Inazuman, Metalder, and Kabutack. Fans vote in two rounds; one or more titles will receive a new 4K negative scan HD remaster and Blu-ray release. The first voting period runs July 8-16.

Jul 6

Toei Streams All 49 Episodes of Hell Teacher Nube for Free on YouTube

Toei announced on July 6 that it will stream all 49 episodes of the 1996-1997 TV anime Hell Teacher Nube for free on its Toei Animation Museum Channel on YouTube, starting July 20 with 8 episodes released weekly. The free streaming celebrates the anime's 30th anniversary. A new anime adaptation aired in summer 2025.

Jun 27

Toei Animation Details 2D-3D Hybrid Film Monkey Quest for 2027

Toei Animation presented its next film project, the 2D-3D hybrid animated film Monkey Quest, at the Annecy Festival. Studio SANZIGEN is handling the 3D animation. The film follows a girl and her brother who free a forgotten protector of Earth. The cast includes Adam Devine, Elsie Fisher, and J.K. Simmons. The film is in post-production and aiming for a 2027 release.

Jun 27

Toei Tokusatsu YouTube Streams 5 Classic Films Free for 2 Million Subscriber Milestone

Toei's official YouTube channel, Toei Tokusatsu YouTube Official, has surpassed 2 million subscribers. To mark the milestone, the channel will stream five classic tokusatsu films for free as premium premieres starting July 4. The lineup includes "Kamen Rider vs. Shocker," "Himitsu Sentai Gorenger: Bomb Hurricane," "Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs. Goseiger: Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle," "Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger: The Fire Mountain Roars," and "Heisei Kamen Rider 20th Anniversary: Kamen Rider Heisei Generations FOREVER." Each film will be available for about two weeks from its premiere date. The channel will also premiere two special "Kamen Rider x Super Sentai" videos on June 27 at 19:00, directed and composed by Koichi Sakamoto. The "Drama Ver." features suit actor Seiji Takaiwa, his son Taisei Takaiwa, and Ruka Shibata, while the "Music Ver." is an archive-footage montage. The channel launched in 2011.

Jun 14

Koichi Sakamoto Wants To Bring Back Space Squad At TTFC

Director Koichi Sakamoto, who has made numerous original tokusatsu works for Toei's streaming service TTFC, said in an interview marking the service's 10th anniversary that he wants to produce a sequel to the 2017-2018 crossover series Space Squad. He also expressed interest in reviving Metal Hero series and rebooting past heroes on the platform.

May 30

Toei Animation Retrospective Set for 35mm Screenings in Tokyo

The National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ) will host a retrospective of Toei Animation this summer, screening 50 theatrical features on 35mm film prints. The program runs from late July through early September. It offers a rare chance to see the studio's films in their original format at a time when most archival screenings have moved to digital. The NFAJ has not published a full lineup, but a teaser flyer confirms the selection spans more than four decades of Toei's output. Early works include The Tale of the White Serpent (1958), considered Japan's first color animated feature, Magic Boy (1959), and Alakazam the Great (1960). The retrospective also features The Little Norse Prince (1968), Isao Takahata's feature that launched a 50-year creative partnership with Hayao Miyazaki, who worked on scene designs and key animation. Later decades are represented by Galaxy Express 999 (1979) and Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (1981). The program highlights Toei's shift into franchise filmmaking with Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989) and Sailor Moon R: The Movie (1993). More recent selections include Digimon Adventure (1999) and One Piece: The Movie (2000).

May 30

Netflix Expands One Piece Slate With Wit Studio Reboot and LEGO Special

Netflix announced a slate of new One Piece projects on April 7, headlined by The One Piece, a new anime series from Wit Studio that will re-adapt the East Blue saga from Eiichiro Oda's manga. The series is produced in collaboration with Toei Animation and Fuji Television. Unlike the original 1999 anime, this version is described as a reimagining using contemporary production techniques and updated visuals, suggesting a more compact, seasonal approach. Netflix also previewed LEGO One Piece, a two-part animated special premiering September 29. Produced with The LEGO Group, Shueisha, and Atomic Cartoons, it retells the story of the live-action series' first two seasons in LEGO form. The company confirmed that live-action Season 3, titled One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta, is in production for a 2027 release. Additional franchise expansions include a podcast, and merchandise lines from Moose Toys, NERF, Quiksilver, Funko, Netflix Shop, Penguin Random House, Hot Topic, and Primark.

May 28

One Piece Night Returns to Dodgers Stadium on July 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toei Animation will host another One Piece Night at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2026, during the team's home game against the San Diego Padres. The event, which follows a successful 2025 collaboration, will include a stadium-wide hat giveaway for the first 40,000 ticketed fans. Pregame activations are planned at Centerfield Plaza, along with a ceremonial first pitch and a postgame drone show featuring characters from the series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Lon Rosen, the Dodgers' Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said the collaboration has quickly become a can't-miss event. Lisa Yamatoya, Senior Director and Head of Marketing at Toei Animation Inc., called last year's promotion one of the franchise's biggest in 2025 and said the company looks forward to welcoming a record crowd. The announcement follows Toei Animation's recent reveal of the first One Piece Fest 2026 in Los Angeles, further expanding the franchise's North American presence.

May 26

Toei Streams Classic Precure Detective Episode on YouTube

Toei Animation is streaming five detective-themed episodes from past Precure series on YouTube, starting with 'Yes! Precure 5 GoGo!' Episode 9, where Cure Mint plays detective over a missing cake. Each episode is available for two weeks.

May 22

Toei Animation GM Says Anime Is No Longer Exclusively Japanese

Toei Animation general manager Asama Yosuke told Variety at Cannes that the era of anime being made only by Japanese people is over, saying the studio aims to create works rooted in local cultures with creators worldwide. The remark from a foundational studio executive signals a potential shift in the industry's self-definition.

May 17

Zoro Leads Every Region in One Piece World Top 100 2nd Poll Weekly Results

Roronoa Zoro has taken first place in every region in the latest weekly results of the One Piece World Top 100 2nd character popularity poll, overtaking Monkey D. Luffy who led the midterm rankings. The data covers votes from April 27 to May 3, 2026. Final results will be announced at One Piece Day '26 in August 2026.