My Hero Academia Makers Toho Enter European Market

• Toho enters Europe by acquiring UK anime distributor Anime Limited.
• Anime Limited has released major franchises like Attack on Titan and Godzilla Minus One.
• The move supports Toho’s long-term plan amid Europe’s fast-growing anime market.

Toho Co., Ltd., the Japanese entertainment powerhouse, whose anime wing has given hits like My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, Spy x Family, and Kaiju No. 8, has now expanded its global footprint by acquiring Anime Limited, a UK-based anime distributor. 

With this acquisition, Toho will formally enter the rapidly growing European animation sector. The deal also widens the company's scope and foreign distribution network, expanding its reach beyond North America and Japan, as global demand for anime continues to climb.

Toho confirmed the deal on Dec 19, 2025, revealing that it will purchase 100% of Anime Limited's shares from German media company Plaion Pictures. Toho Global, Toho's overseas commercial arm, will be looking after the Glasgow-based distributor, further integrating its international operations. 

Nonetheless, the financial specifics have not yet been made public. Meanwhile, as per industry reports, Toho said the impact of the acquisition could be “negligible” on this year’s cumulative financial results, but highlighted that the focus is on the “medium- to long-term” range.

Anime Limited’s Track Record Powers Toho’s European Play

Anime Limited, founded in 2012, is notable for releasing significant Japanese franchises in the United Kingdom and France, including Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Your Name, Weathering With You, and One Piece Film: Red. 

The firm also distributed Toho's Godzilla Minus One in the United Kingdom, where it became the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of all time. Godzilla Minus One grossed around $113.82 million USD worldwide (numbers from Box Office Mojo) and made history by winning the best visual effects Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards. A sequel, Godzilla Minus Zero, is also set to release soon, however, there are no revelations regarding the potential launch date yet.

Under new ownership, the company will continue to operate with its current personnel and founder Andrew Partridge leading it. With Anime Limited by their side, Toho will gain quick access to theatrical distribution, home video, television sales, merchandising, and licensing in major European markets.

Strategic Alliances Anchor Toho’s Long-Term Europe Expansion

Apart from the acquisition, Toho also formed a separate strategic alliance with Plaion Pictures to further expand its European distribution range. The collaboration focuses on markets such as Germany and Italy, integrating Toho's direct presence along with Plaion's existing local infrastructure.

Toho is also set to build a European regional office in London by the end of the year, bringing its operational footprint across Asia, North America, and Europe. This development is consistent with their "Toho Vision 2032" long-term plan, which stressed animation and overseas growth. 

In 2024, Toho took over U.S. distributor GKIDS, which falls under the L.A.-based Toho International, and also established Toho Entertainment Asia in Singapore. Additionally, Toho acquired 25% of the producer-distributor company Fifth Season for $225M in 2023, to globally boost the presence of Japanese IP.

The deal is taking place at a critical time. Europe's anime market, which was valued at $4.77B in 2024, is expected to skyrocket by 2030. Industry observers have noted that each year the sector is growing at a rate which is a little over 11%. Toho's integrated distribution approach will enable it to capitalize on this development while enhancing control over its intellectual property across formats and territories.