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GKIDS: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Common questions
Who founded GKIDS and when was the company established?
Eric Beckman founded GKIDS in 2008 as an acronym for Guerrilla Kids International Distribution Syndicate. Beckman was a former organizer of the New York International Children's Film Festival who sought to save hand-drawn and independent animation.
When did GKIDS acquire the North American distribution rights to Studio Ghibli films?
GKIDS announced the acquisition of North American theatrical distribution rights to the Studio Ghibli library in September 2011. The company later acquired home media rights on the 17th of July 2017, with the exception of Grave of the Fireflies and The Wind Rises.
Which Studio Ghibli film did GKIDS release first after acquiring the distribution rights?
GKIDS began managing the North American distribution of new Studio Ghibli films with From Up on Poppy Hill in 2013. The company subsequently released The Tale of the Princess Kaguya in 2014 and When Marnie Was There in 2015.
How many feature films released by GKIDS have a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes?
Twenty-two feature films released by GKIDS have a perfect 100% Fresh rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. This list includes titles such as Sita Sings the Blues, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, and The First Slam Dunk.
When did Toho acquire GKIDS and what was the result of the deal?
Toho announced their intent to acquire GKIDS on the 15th of October 2024, and the deal was completed in 2025. The acquisition made GKIDS a subsidiary of Toho International and transitioned the company from an independent distributor to a major Japanese entertainment company.
GKIDS
Eric Beckman did not set out to build an empire; he set out to save a dying art form. In 2008, the American animation landscape was a fortress guarded by two massive gatekeepers, Disney and Pixar, who controlled the vast majority of theatrical releases. Beckman, a former organizer of the New York International Children's Film Festival, saw a gap in the market for hand-drawn, international, and independent animation that did not fit the corporate mold. He founded GKIDS, an acronym standing for Guerrilla Kids International Distribution Syndicate, a name that reflected his guerrilla warfare approach to a market dominated by expensive-to-produce blockbusters. The company's first general release was Azur & Asmar, a French film dubbed in English, but it was the 2010 release of The Secret of Kells that truly put the company on the map. This Irish film, with its intricate, stylized animation, received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 82nd Academy Awards, signaling to the industry that a new player had arrived.
The momentum continued with a streak of nominations that baffled industry insiders. In 2012, GKIDS secured two more Best Animated Feature nominations for Chico and Rita and A Cat in Paris, beating out heavyweights like The Adventures of Tintin and Cars 2. This was the first time an independent distributor had two films in the Best Animated Feature category in the same year. Chris Miller, the director of Puss in Boots, noted that this decision indicated the Academy's growing respect for diversity in animation. Beckman's strategy was simple yet radical: ignore the budget constraints of the major studios and focus entirely on the quality of the art. He believed that if the films were truly good, they would find their audience, regardless of the marketing budget. This philosophy would eventually lead to a partnership that would change the landscape of animation distribution in North America forever.
The Ghibli Takeover
The most significant turning point in GKIDS history occurred in September 2011, when the company announced the acquisition of the North American theatrical distribution rights to the Studio Ghibli library. For decades, these films had been the domain of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, which held the rights to the home media distribution. The transition was not immediate, but it marked a shift in power. GKIDS began managing the North American distribution of new Studio Ghibli films, starting with From Up on Poppy Hill in 2013, followed by The Tale of the Princess Kaguya in 2014, and When Marnie Was There in 2015. They also handled the first-time North American releases of Only Yesterday and Ocean Waves in 2016.
The relationship with Studio Ghibli deepened over time. On the 17th of July 2017, it was announced that the North American home media rights to the Ghibli library had transitioned from Disney to GKIDS, with the exception of Grave of the Fireflies and The Wind Rises. The Wind Rises would eventually be reissued by GKIDS on the 1st of September 2020, and the home video rights for Grave of the Fireflies were acquired later, with a Blu-ray and DVD release on the 8th of July 2025. This acquisition allowed GKIDS to curate a comprehensive catalog of Ghibli films, creating a unique opportunity to introduce these masterpieces to new generations of American audiences. The company also launched the Studio Ghibli Fest, an annual yearlong event that features limited theatrical screenings of select Studio Ghibli films in select AMC, Cinemark, Regal, and other venues. The only year since inception without Ghibli Fest was 2020, highlighting the company's commitment to keeping these films alive in the public consciousness.
Which film directed by Hayao Miyazaki won Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards for GKIDS?
The Boy and the Heron became the company's first theatrical release to win Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards in March 2024. The film was directed by Hayao Miyazaki and marked a culmination of years of work by the company.
GKIDS has achieved a level of critical acclaim that is rare in the film industry. Twenty-two feature films released by GKIDS have a perfect, 100% Fresh rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. This list includes Sita Sings the Blues, Approved for Adoption, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Only Yesterday, Mind Game, Grave of the Fireflies, Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki, This Magnificent Cake!, Okko's Inn, On-Gaku: Our Sound, Goodbye, Don Glees!, Summer Ghost, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, The First Slam Dunk, Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, Blue Giant, Mars Express, Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds, Look Back, 100 Meters, Kokuho, and Angel's Egg. Sita Sings the Blues, combining stylistic elements of Rajput painting, shadow puppetry, vector graphic animation, and Squigglevision, was selected by Chicago Sun-Times reviewer Roger Ebert for his annual Ebertfest, calling it one of the year's best films.
Not all films have been broadly successful with critics, though. Mia and the Migoo, Tales from Earthsea, Fireworks, MFKZ, Earwig and the Witch, The Deer King, and Lonely Castle in the Mirror are, as of June 2023, the only seven with Rotten ratings. Despite these exceptions, the company's track record remains impressive. The company also tours selections of short and feature films screened at NYICFF across the country. In mid-2009, the live-action features Tahaan and West of Pluto were licensed for potential general releases but plans for both were dropped by late 2011 in favor of a focus on animation. GKIDS would eventually refocus on live-action films in 2025 with a limited screening of Love & Pop, as well as a nationwide screening for Shin Godzilla and Linda Linda Linda.
The Evangelion Expansion
In October 2020, GKIDS announced their license to the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series, as well as the films Death (True)2 and The End of Evangelion for a release in 2021. This move was significant because it brought a cult classic of Japanese animation to a wider American audience. The Evangelion franchise, known for its complex narrative and psychological themes, had a dedicated fanbase but had not been widely available in the United States. GKIDS' decision to license the series and films demonstrated their willingness to take risks on niche and challenging content. The company also announced their license to Makoto Shinkai's earlier works, Voices of a Distant Star, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimeters per Second and Children Who Chase Lost Voices, all of which were scheduled for release on home video in 2022.
The company's commitment to diverse and challenging content continued with the 2020 release of Lupin III: The First, a 3DCG film adaptation of Monkey Punch's Lupin the Third franchise, in partnership with TMS Entertainment. This film was a significant departure from the traditional hand-drawn animation that GKIDS was known for, showcasing the company's versatility. The company also distributed the American and Canadian release of Arcane, a series that blended 2D and 3D animation, further expanding their portfolio. These decisions highlighted GKIDS' ability to adapt to changing trends in the animation industry while maintaining their core mission of promoting high-quality, independent animation.
The Academy Victory
In March 2024, The Boy and the Heron became the company's first theatrical release to win Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards. This victory was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication to the craft of animation. The film, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, had been a long time in the making and was highly anticipated by fans and critics alike. The win was a testament to the quality of the films that GKIDS had distributed over the years and the company's ability to bring these films to a wider audience. The film's success also highlighted the growing appreciation for international animation in the United States.
The company's success continued with the 2023 release of The First Slam Dunk, a film that received a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This film, based on the popular manga series, was a significant departure from the traditional hand-drawn animation that GKIDS was known for, showcasing the company's versatility. The company also distributed the American and Canadian release of Arcane, a series that blended 2D and 3D animation, further expanding their portfolio. These decisions highlighted GKIDS' ability to adapt to changing trends in the animation industry while maintaining their core mission of promoting high-quality, independent animation.
The Toho Acquisition
On the 15th of October 2024, Toho announced their intent to acquire GKIDS for an undisclosed amount. The deal was completed in 2025, with GKIDS officially becoming a subsidiary of Toho International. This acquisition marked a new chapter in the company's history, as it transitioned from an independent distributor to a subsidiary of a major Japanese entertainment company. The deal was expected to bring new resources and opportunities to GKIDS, allowing them to expand their reach and continue their mission of promoting high-quality animation. The acquisition also highlighted the growing influence of Japanese animation in the global market and the importance of partnerships between American and Japanese companies.
The company's future looked bright, with a slate of films and series in development. The company also announced their license to the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series, as well as the films Death (True)2 and The End of Evangelion for a release in 2021. This move was significant because it brought a cult classic of Japanese animation to a wider American audience. The Evangelion franchise, known for its complex narrative and psychological themes, had a dedicated fanbase but had not been widely available in the United States. GKIDS' decision to license the series and films demonstrated their willingness to take risks on niche and challenging content. The company also announced their license to Makoto Shinkai's earlier works, Voices of a Distant Star, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimeters per Second and Children Who Chase Lost Voices, all of which were scheduled for release on home video in 2022.