Japanese entertainment studio Toho has acquired U.K.-based distributor Anime Limited, marking a major step in expanding its European operations. The deal aligns with the company’s broader global growth strategy and positions Toho for stronger distribution capabilities across major international territories.
Toho Global, the company’s consolidated overseas subsidiary, will assume full ownership of Anime Limited. Based in Glasgow, the distributor will continue to operate as a standalone subsidiary under its current name. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
London headquarters planned by end of year
As part of the acquisition, Toho will establish a European regional headquarters in London before the end of the year. Anime Limited’s founder and managing director, Andrew Partridge, will remain with the company and join the new regional leadership team. The full Anime Limited staff has been retained.
The move expands Toho’s operational reach in both distribution and merchandising. In addition to acquiring a dedicated distribution base in the U.K. and France, Toho has entered a strategic alliance with Plaion Pictures to further extend distribution capabilities into Germany, Italy, and other European markets.
Koji Ueda, president and representative director of Toho Global, framed the acquisition as a milestone in executing “Toho Vision 2032,” the company’s long-term management strategy. Ueda said the deal “accelerates the timeline” toward building a unified pan-European network for theatrical, home video, television, licensing, and merchandise distribution.
Continued global expansion momentum
Toho’s acquisition of Anime Limited follows a series of international growth initiatives. In October 2024, the studio acquired U.S. animation distributor GKIDS. One month later, the company launched Toho Entertainment Asia in Singapore. With the London headquarters, Toho now maintains regional bases across North America, Asia, and Europe.
The acquisition also builds on a longstanding relationship between Toho and Anime Limited, which has distributed major anime properties in the U.K. and Europe since its founding in 2012. Titles handled by the company include Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and One Piece Film: Red. Collaboration history includes Shinkai’s Your Name and Weathering With You, Studio Trigger’s Promare, and Godzilla Minus One, which became the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of all time in the U.K.
Partridge welcomed the acquisition, expressing confidence in deeper collaboration and stating the team looks forward to expanding anime’s reach across Europe. Plaion Pictures leadership echoed that sentiment, with managing directors Stefan Kapelari and Jochen Walter highlighting shared goals for local marketing, distribution excellence, and access to platforms such as Aniverse.
Rising demand for anime content
The European anime market continues to grow at a rapid pace. Grand View Research estimates the sector was valued at $4.77 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $9.05 billion by 2030—representing an 11.2% compound annual growth rate.
Toho stated that the financial impact of the deal on the current fiscal year will be negligible, noting that initiatives will focus on medium- and long-term expansion goals.
The acquisition strengthens Toho’s distribution infrastructure at a time when demand for anime content, merchandise, and theatrical releases continues to rise globally.
