Toho Co., Ltd. announced on May 23, 2024, its acquisition of anime studio Science SARU, aiming to enhance its animation production capabilities. The acquisition, set to complete on June 19, involves Toho acquiring all shares from Science SARU’s representative, Choi Eun-young, making the studio a subsidiary.
This strategic move comes as Toho reports a significant surge in its anime business. For the fiscal year ending February 2024, operating revenue from the anime segment soared by 90% to 46.2 billion yen. By integrating Science SARU, Toho aims to further accelerate the growth of its anime production.
Founded in 2013, Science SARU has established itself as a formidable force in the anime industry. The studio has produced a range of acclaimed anime series and films, leveraging its robust production capabilities. Notably, the 2017 film “Lu Over the Wall” won the Grand Prize in the Animation category at the Japan Media Arts Festival and the Crystal Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, the world’s largest animation festival. Additionally, the 2022 film “Inu-Oh” was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, earning international acclaim.
With Science SARU becoming a subsidiary, Toho plans to enhance the studio’s production environment, providing more creative opportunities for employees and affiliated creators. This collaboration aims to produce higher quality works that appeal to audiences in Japan and globally.
The acquisition underscores Toho’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the anime industry, leveraging the creative strengths of Science SARU to deliver outstanding animated content.
