Advising Toho Global on its acquisition of Anime Limited

The Japanese entertainment giant completed the deal as it looks to establish a European regional hub in the UK supporting its global strategy in anime, film, television, streaming, home entertainment, merchandising and games.

Anime Limited is a specialised animation distributor operating primarily in the UK and France. Toho Global, the international arm of Toho Co., Ltd, has acquired Anime Limited from Germany-based Plaion Pictures while also agreeing a strategic commercial alliance with Plaion Pictures for the joint development of marketing and distribution in other European markets.

Toho is a leading Japanese entertainment company established in 1932. In addition to its film production, distribution and theatrical exhibition business, Toho has also been expanding its anime business globally. Toho produces many highly acclaimed works both domestically and internationally, including the "Godzilla" series and Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai", as well as producing and/or distributing globally popular anime titles such as the works of Studio Ghibli, "My Hero Academia" and "JUJUTSU KAISEN".

The acquisition of Glasgow-based Anime Limited is part of an international expansion strategy as Toho Global seeks to build a regional headquarters in Europe, one of the fastest-growing anime markets globally. The transaction builds on a broader overseas expansion for Toho, including the acquisition of U.S.-based animation distributor GKIDS in late 2024. With the addition of Europe, Toho now maintains bases in the three major regions of Asia, North America and Europe.

Richard Faichney, Partner, said: "We are honoured to support Toho Global with its exciting international expansion strategy. Anime is one of the fastest growing forms of media and entertainment globally, with Europe’s $4.8 billion anime market expected to double in size by the end of the decade. The acquisition of Anime Ltd and the commercial partnership with Plaion Pictures is a major milestone. We very much look forward to an exciting future for Toho and anime as a whole."

Commenting on the deal, Kohei Nakayama, Toho Global Head of Finance & Accounting, said "We are very excited to welcome Anime Limited to the Toho team. We are also very grateful to the whole team at Taylor Wessing. This transaction is a significant milestone for Toho, and we truly appreciate the extensive support Taylor Wessing provided to make it happen."

Our deal team was led by Richard Faichney (Partner, Corporate), Xuyang Zhu (Partner, IP/Commercial) and Niri Shan (Partner, IP/Commercial). The Taylor Wessing France team was led by Christian Valsamidis (Partner, IP/Commercial).

The full international team included:

• Alex Walker (Senior Associate, Corporate)
• Clover May (Associate, Corporate)
• Margarita Taliadoros (Associate, IP/Commercial)
• Prachi Vasisht (Associate, IP/Commercial)
• Megan Eaton (Associate, IP/Commercial)
• Louisa Penny (Senior Counsel, Competition)
• Graham Samuel-Gibbon (Partner, Tax)
• Bridget Winters (Senior Counsel, Tax)
• Helen Farr (Partner, Employment)
• Christopher Whitehead (Associate, Employment)
• Charlie Pring (Senior Counsel, Immigration)
• Afshan Malik (Senior Associate, Pensions)
• Dorothee Gardella (Counsel, IP/Commercial)
• Gregor Schmid (Partner, IP/Commercial)

Taylor Wessing also worked closely with Toho Global's Japanese counsel, Nishimura & Asahi.