Toei Animation

• 1. Founding And Early History

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  On the 23rd of January 1948, Kenzō Masaoka and Sanae Yamamoto established Japan Animated Films in Tokyo. This small group of animators began their work with a short film titled Kitty's Graffiti. The studio operated independently for eight years before Toei Company purchased it in 1956. The acquisition marked a significant shift from an independent operation to a major corporate entity. The new name became Toei Animation, aligning the studio with its parent company. In 1998, the Japanese name was officially changed to match the English title. The headquarters remain in Nakano, Tokyo, while production studios operate out of Higashiōizumi, Nerima. The studio adopted Pero, the protagonist of their 1969 Puss in Boots adaptation, as their official mascot. This character has appeared on promotional materials and merchandise ever since.

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• 2. Pioneering Animation Eras

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  Sally the Witch premiered in 1966 as one of the earliest color anime series produced in Japan. Episodes 1 through 17 were filmed in black-and-white, but episodes 18 through 109 transitioned to full color. This technical achievement placed Sally the Witch alongside Mushi Production's Kimba the White Lion and Tatsunoko Production's Speed Racer as pioneers of the medium. The studio also produced Galaxy Express 999, which won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award in 1981. Saint Seiya followed with the same honor in 1987, and Sailor Moon received it in 1992. These awards recognized the studio's growing influence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Dragon Ball Z became a global phenomenon starting in 1989, running for 291 episodes. One Piece began its run in 1999 and continues today with over 1,155 episodes. The studio adapted numerous manga into animated series including GeGeGe no Kitarō, Mazinger Z, and Cutie Honey. Many of these titles remain popular decades after their initial release.

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• 3. Global Expansion And Subsidiaries

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  Toei Animation established Toei Animation Phils., Inc. in the Philippines to provide animation assistance for most of their productions. The Los Angeles division handles program licensing for North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. A European division based in Paris manages production, marketing, and licensing across Europe. Toei Animation Enterprises Limited operates as a joint venture in Hong Kong, becoming wholly owned since 2009. The Shanghai office currently produces content for the Chinese market. These international branches allow the company to distribute titles worldwide while maintaining local production capabilities. The studio also created TAVAC, a recording facility specializing in Japanese audio, video, and sound effects. Their music department maintains links with publishers connected to TV stations and manufacturing corporations. This infrastructure supports both domestic and international distribution channels simultaneously.

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• 4. Notable Creators And Collaborations

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  Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata worked with the company during its formative years before founding Studio Ghibli. Leiji Matsumoto contributed to several projects including Galaxy Express 999 and Saint Elmo , Hikari of Light. Yasuji Mori directed early films like The White Snake Enchantress and Kitty's Studio. Yōichi Kotabe served as character designer on multiple series. The studio frequently collaborated with other companies such as Sunrise, Mushi Productions, and Madhouse. They hired Academy Productions to produce animation for Space Emperor God Sigma instead of using their own facilities. Nippon Sunrise provided animation for the Robot Romance Trilogy when Toei Company contracted them. These partnerships allowed the studio to expand its creative output beyond internal resources. Many legendary directors began their careers at Toei Animation before moving to independent studios or forming their own companies.

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• 5. Ransomware Attack And Recovery

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  On the 6th of March 2022, an unauthorized third party attempted to hack Toei Animation's network systems. The attack resulted in temporary suspension of the company's online store and internal databases. Broadcast schedules for several anime series were disrupted, including One Piece. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was rescheduled to the 11th of June 2022 due to the incident. On the 6th of April 2022, the company announced it would resume broadcasting anime series including One Piece. The following day, NHK reported that the breach was caused by a targeted ransomware attack. The investigation confirmed the extent of the damage to production pipelines. By mid-2022, normal operations had largely resumed across all departments. This event highlighted vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure within the animation industry.

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• 6. Modern Production Labels And Studios

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  On the 5th of June 2025, the company announced Eterna Animation as a new label focused on original works. Their first project, Foxing, will be released during 2026. Kiichiro Yamada, board member and head of production, stated that labor shortages in the Japanese animation industry require urgent action. On the 26th of August 2025, they established the Osaka Studio as their second domestic animation facility. This location allows recruitment of artists from the Kansai region while building ties with local communities. The studio aims to reduce reliance on Tokyo-based facilities alone. These initiatives address ongoing challenges regarding workforce distribution and regional development. The expansion reflects strategic planning to sustain long-term production capabilities across Japan.

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