Toho to distribute its animation catalog in the U.S. after Godzilla Minus One's success

Toho will expand its direct distribution in the United States to its animation catalog. The Japanese studio has confirmed that Godzilla Minus Zero will reach North American theaters through Gkids, a move that cements the model it debuted with Godzilla Minus One and leaves Hollywood middlemen out.

The announcement comes after Takashi Yamazaki's film grossed $57.1 million in North America. The revenue went entirely to Toho, with no American distributor taking a cut. That figure, and full control over the release schedule and promotion, is what the studio wants to repeat with its animation.

A decision without prior strategy

CEO Matsuoka Hiro acknowledged at the Tokyo International Film Festival that the bet on Godzilla Minus One was not part of a plan drawn up in advance. Toho noticed that major Hollywood studios were not meeting theater demand and that Japanese anime was well received in the U.S. market. With that gap, it decided to jump in.

Part of the team had doubts. Previous distribution failures weighed on them, and releasing without a strong local partner did not seem like the safest option. Matsuoka admitted those doubts without sugarcoating. The result, however, validated the bet: $57.1 million and an economic return that was not shared with anyone.

Selling a giant kaiju in the United States did not require a Hollywood studio with a shiny logo or a billion-dollar contract. Toho proved it could do it alone, and now it looks at its animation catalog with the same logic: releasing in American theaters what fans previously only watched at home.

Gkids as a distribution partner

The choice of Gkids for Godzilla Minus Zero confirms the model. It is not about handing over the rights to a major studio, but about using a specialized distributor that already works with Japanese animation and allows Toho to keep control over the schedule, promotion, and economic return of each title.

The next step, according to the studio itself, is to apply this approach to its animation catalog. Toho has not detailed which titles will come first or on what dates, but the direction is clear: its own international distribution and less dependence on third parties.

Do you think Toho will get it right with its animation catalog in the United States? Tell us in the comments.