GKIDS business profile: Toho ownership, awards, and acquisition economics

Toho paid ¥19.2 billion for GKIDS, but the distributor's standalone revenue remains private.

Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.

Short answer: GKIDS is a New York and Los Angeles-based producer and distributor of animated films, best known for releasing Studio Ghibli titles and Academy Award-winning features in North America. Toho Co., Ltd. acquired 100% of GKIDS in October 2024 for a final cash consideration of ¥19.2 billion, and GKIDS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toho International. GKIDS had received 13 Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature and won the Oscar in 2024 for Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron. Toho does not report GKIDS revenue or profit separately.

What GKIDS is and who owns it

GKIDS, Inc. is a North American animation producer and distributor founded in 2008. The company has offices in New York and Los Angeles and has built a reputation for handling artist-driven and award-winning animation from around the world. Its best-known releases include Studio Ghibli films, Mamoru Hosoda's Belle, Makoto Shinkai's Weathering With You, Masaaki Yuasa's Inu-Oh, and Studio TRIGGER's Promare.

In October 2024, Japanese entertainment company Toho Co., Ltd. reached an agreement to acquire 100% of GKIDS. The deal closed on October 17, 2024, and GKIDS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toho International, the Los Angeles-based subsidiary that handles Toho's overseas licensing, merchandising, and distribution activities. Founder Eric Beckman remained CEO and Dave Jesteadt remained President.

The Toho acquisition and purchase price

Toho's fiscal year ended February 28, 2025 financial results show that the GKIDS acquisition had a final price tag of ¥19.2 billion, paid in cash. The purchase generated ¥12.789 billion in goodwill, which Toho is amortizing on a straight-line basis over 20 years. The acquired assets included content and distribution rights, while liabilities assumed were also part of the transaction.

Toho framed the deal as part of its 'TOHO VISION 2032' strategy, which identifies planning and IP, overseas expansion, and animation as key growth areas. GKIDS gives Toho a direct North American theatrical and home entertainment distribution operation, complementing Toho International's existing licensing and e-commerce business.

GKIDS catalog and awards

GKIDS has been nominated for 13 Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature, starting with The Secret of Kells in 2010 and including titles such as Ernest & Celestine, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, Song of the Sea, Boy and the World, Mirai, and Wolfwalkers. In 2024, GKIDS won the Oscar for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron.

Beyond Ghibli, GKIDS has distributed works by Makoto Shinkai, Mamoru Hosoda, Masaaki Yuasa, Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey, Satoshi Kon, and Hiroyuki Imaishi. The company also founded and hosts the ANIMATION IS FILM festival in Los Angeles.

Where GKIDS sits in Toho's results

For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025, Toho reported operating revenue of ¥313.2 billion and operating profit of ¥64.7 billion. At that time, GKIDS was included in the Film business segment because the acquisition closed in October 2024. Starting in the fiscal year ending February 2026, Toho is splitting out a new IP and Anime business segment that will include Toho Animation, Toho Global, Toho International, GKIDS, Science SARU, and Toho Animation Studio.

The table below shows Toho's reported segment results for the fiscal year ended February 2025, before the segment reorganization. GKIDS contributions are embedded in the Film business total rather than shown separately.

Toho consolidated segment results for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025. Source: Toho consolidated financial results.
Segment	Operating revenue	Operating profit
Film business	¥209,253M	¥50,807M
Theatrical business	¥22,890M	¥4,129M
Real Estate business	¥79,653M	¥16,826M
Other	¥1,372M	¥162M

What financials are and are not public

Toho does not disclose GKIDS standalone revenue, operating income, or profit. Because GKIDS is a wholly-owned subsidiary, its results are consolidated into Toho International and the broader Toho group. The only GKIDS-specific numbers Toho has published are the acquisition price and the goodwill recognized from the purchase.

GKIDS was a private company before the acquisition, and Toho has not released historical GKIDS financial statements. The deal economics therefore show what Toho paid, but not what GKIDS earns on its own.

Standalone revenue not disclosed: No public filing breaks out GKIDS revenue or profit. This article reports only the acquisition price and Toho's consolidated segment figures.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns GKIDS?

Toho Co., Ltd. owns GKIDS through its U.S. subsidiary Toho International. It acquired 100% of GKIDS in October 2024.

How much did Toho pay for GKIDS?

Toho paid ¥19.2 billion in cash for GKIDS, according to its fiscal year ended February 2025 financial results.

What is GKIDS known for?

GKIDS is known for distributing artist-driven and Academy Award-nominated animated films, including Studio Ghibli titles, The Boy and the Heron, Weathering With You, Belle, Promare, and Wolfwalkers.

Does GKIDS report standalone revenue?

No. GKIDS is a wholly-owned Toho subsidiary, and its results are consolidated into Toho's broader reporting. Standalone GKIDS revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Sources and methodology

Toho to Acquire Award-Winning North American Animation Distributor GKIDS, GKIDS Films. Acquisition announcement, 100% equity share, Toho International subsidiary structure, and retention of GKIDS leadership.
Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2025, Toho Co., Ltd.. Toho segment results, GKIDS acquisition date of October 17, 2024, purchase price, goodwill, and segment reorganization to IP and Anime business.
Toho sets new 3-year-plan for anime business, Animenomics. Reports final GKIDS acquisition price of ¥19.2 billion and Toho's plan to create a dedicated IP and Anime business segment.