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Native name | 東映株式会社 |
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Romanized name | Tōei Kabushiki-gaisha |
Formerly |
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Company type | Public |
TYO: 9605 | |
Industry | Film and television Video games |
Predecessor | Toyoko Eiga Company Ōizumi Films |
Founded | October 1, 1949 (as Tōkyō Eiga) |
Founder | Keita Goto |
Headquarters | 2-17 Ginza 3-chome, , Japan |
Area served | Worldwide, with a focus in Japan |
Key people |
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Products | Motion pictures, publicity materials |
Services | Film and TV distribution and marketing |
Revenue | ¥ 66,300,000,000 (As of March 2006) |
Number of employees | 343 (As of March 1, 2019) |
Subsidiaries |
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Website | www |
Footnotes /references [1] [2] |
Toei Company, Ltd. (東映株式会社, Tōei Kabushiki-gaisha, an acronym for Tōkyō Eiga Haikyū (東京映画配給) lit. 'Tokyo Film Distribution'; /ˈtoʊ.eɪ/ ), simply known as Toei Company or Toei, is a Japanese entertainment company. Headquartered in Ginza, Chūō, Tokyo, it is involved in film and television production, distribution, video game development, publishing, and ownership of 34 movie theaters. Toei also owns and operates studios in Tokyo and Kyoto and holds shares in several television companies. The company is renowned for its production of anime and live-action dramas known as tokusatsu , which incorporate special visual effects. It is also known for producing period dramas. Toei is the majority shareholder of Toei Animation and is recognized for its franchises such as Kamen Rider and Super Sentai .
Toei is one of the four members of the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (MPPAJ 日本映画製作者連盟), and is therefore one of Japan's Big Four film studios, alongside Kadokawa Daiei Studio, Shochiku and Toho.
Toei is a pioneer in the use of "Henshin"/"character transformation" in live-action martial-arts dramas, a technique developed for the Kamen Rider , Metal Hero and Super Sentai series; the genre currently continues with Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. [3] [4]
Toei's predecessor, the Toyoko Eiga Company, Ltd. (東横映画, Tō-Yoko Eiga, "Toyoko Films"), was incorporated in 1938. It was founded by Keita Goto, CEO of Tokyo-Yokohama Electric Railway , the direct predecessor to the Tokyu Corporation. It had erected its facilities immediately east of the Tōkyū Tōyoko Line; they managed the prewar Tōkyū Shibuya Yokohama studio system. From 1945 through the Toei merger, Tokyo-Yokohama Films leased from the Daiei Motion Picture Company a second studio in Kyoto.
On October 1, 1950, the Tokyo Film Distribution Company was incorporated as a subsidiary of Toyoko Eiga; in 1951 the company purchased Ōizumi Films. The current iteration of Toei was established on April 1, 1951 with Hiroshi Okawa as the first president. Through the merger, they gained the combined talents and experience of actors Chiezō Kataoka, Utaemon Ichikawa, Ryunosuke Tsukigata, Ryūtarō Ōtomo, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Chiyonosuke Azuma, Shirunosuke Toshin, Hashizo Okawa, and Satomi Oka. [4]
In 1955, Toei purchases the Kyoto studio from Daiei. [5] In 1956, Toei establishes an animation division, Toei Animation Company, Limited at the former Tokyo-Ōizumi animation studio, purchasing the assets of Japan Animated Films (日本動画映画, Nihon Dōga Eiga, often shortened to 日動映画 (Nichidō Eiga)).
Toei also bid on a license to start an education-focused TV station in 1956, which resulted in their part-ownership of Nippon Educational Television Co., now known as TV Asahi. [6]
Shigeru Okada becomes the president & chief executive officer of Toei in 1971 and oversaw the adoptions of Toei's new business venture distributing foreign films in Japan in 1972. [5] [4]
In 1975, Toei opens the Toei Kyoto Studio Park. Toei Kyoto Studio's history reaches back to 1926 when Bando Tsumasaburo first developed a studio in what is now Uzumasa. Mitsuo Makino took over the property following the war in partnership with Toyoko Eiga and was absorbed along with Toyoko during Toei's merger. [5] [7]
Shigeru Okada becames chairperson as Tan Takaiwa succeeds him as president & chief executive officer in 1993, establishing Toei Satellite TV Co., Ltd. and creates Toei Channel in 1998. [4]
Asahi National Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (currently TV Asahi Holdings Corporation) is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2000, as shares of Toei Animation Co., Ltd. are listed on the over-the-counter market of the Japan Securities Dealers Association. [4]
In 2011, Shigeru Okada, then chairperson emeritus, passes away, as Yusuke Okada and Noriyuki Tada become chairperson and president & chief executive officer of Toei in 2014. [4]
Osamu Tezuka (no relation to the animator of the same name who also directed films with Toei) became president and chief executive officer of Toei in 2020, as Noriyuki Tada succeeds Okada as chairperson and Toei celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Kamen Rider Series. Tezuka undertakes major structural reorganization in 2022 before passing in 2023, when Fumio Yoshimura became Toei's 7th president & chief executive officer. [8] [9]
The characters that make up Toei (東映, Tōei, "East Reflection") are the result of a portmanteau of Toei predecessor "Toyoko Eiga", and first seen in Toyoko Eiga's logo of a stylized triangle with the characters of 東 and 映 near the top. The logo was carried over by Toei following its merger of Toyoko and Ōizumi in 1951.
A black & white version of Toei's now iconic Wild Waves and Rocks (荒磯に波) opening credit was first used in 1954 on the Utaemon Ichikawa classic, The Idle Vassal: House of the Mysterious Phantom. It would be first seen in color in 1961 and has since been reshot with several iterations of the same rocks in the 70 years since it was first used. [3] [10]
The image features the Toei logo superimposed over a scene from Cape Inubō in Chiba, of three rocks in the surf beyond the beach as waves crash over the rocks. It has been seen in front of most live-action film & television produced and distributed by Toei, such as Street Fighter, Battle Royale, and Power Rangers, as well as in a handful of animated films such as Dragon Ball and Evangelion as well. [11]
Its dynamic image, as opposed to the mostly static logos of its competitors has helped make Toei's logo one of the most recognizable Japanese film company logo around the world. [11]
Toei started producing films in 1953. This list compiles the films by their original release date, their common English titles and Japanese titles. The Japanese titles are not necessarily direct translations of their English counterparts.
For feature films, Toei established itself as a producer of B-movies, that were made to fit into double bills and triple bills. [12] [13] It is predominantly known in the west for its series of action films and television series. [13]
Release date | English film title | Original title | Notes | Ref(s) |
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1953 | The Sun | Nichirin | Toei’s first all-color film released. | [3] |
1954 | The Idle Vassal: House of the Mysterious Phantom | Hatamoto Taikutsuotoko | First use of the iconic Toei "Wild Waves and Rocks" title card | [3] |
February 27, 1955 | Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji | Chiyari Fuji | Recognized as one of actor Chiezō Kataoka finest roles | [14] |
March 19, 1959 | A Story of Pure Love | Jun'ai Monogatari | Tadashi Imai won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival | [15] |
August 14, 1960 | Alakazam the Great | Saiyu-ki | First film adaptation of a Osamu Tezuka manga. Although credited as director, most of the direction was done by Yabushita Taiji. Also one of the earliest Toei anime films to be released in the United States. | [16] |
June 9, 1961 | Drifting Detective: Tragedy in the Red Valley | Fūraibō tantei: akai tani no sangeki | First starring role for Sonny Chiba | [17] |
July 19, 1961 | Invasion of the Neptune Men | Uchu kaizoku-sen | [18] | |
April 28, 1963 | Bushido, Samurai Saga | Bushidō zankoku monogatari | Won the Golden Bear at the 13th Berlin International Film Festival | [19] |
July 31, 1963 | League of Gangsters | Gyangu Dōmei | Ryōhei Uchida's first starring role | [20] |
April 18, 1965 | Abashiri Prison | Abashiri Bangaichi | A remake of the 1958 American film The Defiant Ones, Abashiri Prison starred Ken Takakura and became a popular franchise running for a total of 17 films. | [21] |
March 5, 1966 | The Magic Serpent | Kai tatsu daikessen | [22] | |
July 1, 1966 | Terror Beneath the Sea | Kaitei Daisensō | U.S./ Japanese co-production | |
August 13, 1967 | Yongary, Monster from the Deep | Dai koesu Yongkari | South Korean/Japanese co-production | [23] [24] |
December 1, 1968 | The Green Slime | Gamma sango uchu dai sakusen | U.S./ Japanese co-production | [25] [26] |
1969 | Horrors of Malformed Men | Kyofu kikei ningen | [27] | |
1970 | Voyage Into Space | Giant Robo (Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot) [28] | Episodes of the Japanese TV series re-edited into a TV movie for U.S. release | [29] |
September 23, 1970 | Tora! Tora! Tora! | Tora! Tora! Tora! | An international co-production with Twentieth Century Fox, the film featured an international cast and sought to present a balanced account of the attack on Pearl Harbor for both sides. It was praised for its historical accuracy and was nominated for five Oscars at the 43rd Academy Awards. | [30] |
1970 | Venus Flytrap | Akuma no Niwa | Based on a 1950s unproduced screenplay by Ed Wood. Later released on video as Revenge of Dr. X. | [31] |
March 12, 1972 | Under the Flag of the Rising Sun | Gunki Hatameku Moto ni | Submitted by Japan as their entry for the Best Foreign Language Film, but was not selected | [32] |
August 25, 1972 | Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion | First of a series of 4 Female Convict Scorpion film franchise | [33] [34] | |
January 13, 1973 | Battles Without Honor and Humanity | Jingi Naki Tatakai | The first in a five-film series based on articles by journalist Kōichi Iiboshi, eventually became an 11 film franchise most recently rebooted in 2000. | [35] |
February 2, 1974 | The Street Fighter | Gekitotsu Satsujinken | starred Sonny Chiba; spawned 2 sequels, Return of the Street Fighter and Street Fighter's Last Revenge | [31] |
December 28, 1974 | New Battles Without Honor and Humanity | Shin Jingi Naki Tatakai | A continuation of the Battles Without Honor and Humanity franchise expanding beyond the articles written by journalist Kōichi Iiboshi. | [31] |
April 26, 1975 | Cops vs. Thugs | Kenkei tai Soshiki Bōryoku | Won two Blue Ribbon Awards in 1976 for Best Director (Fukasaku) and Best Actor (Sugawara).Complex named it number 6 on their list of The 25 Best Yakuza Movies. | [36] |
April 29, 1977 | Legend of Dinosaurs & Monster Birds | Kyoryu-kaicho no densetsu | [37] [38] | |
January 21, 1978 | Shogun's Samurai | Yagyū Ichizoku no Inbō | Adapted into a 39-episode TV series, The Yagyu Conspiracy (1978–1979), also produced by Toei. | [39] |
April 29, 1978 | Message from Space | Uchu kara no messeji | Starred Sonny Chiba and Vic Morrow | [40] [41] |
November 15, 1980 | Shogun's Ninja | Ninja Bugeichō Momochi Sandayū | Hiroyuki Sanada's first lead role | [42] |
January 30, 1981 | G.I. Samurai (a.k.a. Time Slip) | Sengoku jieitai | [43] [44] | |
April 29, 1983 | The Ballad of Narayama | Narayama Bushikō | Directed by Shōhei Imamura adaptated from the book by Shichirō Fukazawa. Won the Palme d'Or at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival. | [45] [46] |
May 13, 1989 | Black Rain | Kuroi ame | Won multiple Japanese film awards and critical acclaim by American critics. | [47] |
October 17, 1998 | Dr. Akagi | Kanzō-sensei | [48] | |
June 5, 1999 | Poppoya | Tetsudōin | Best Film at the Japan Academy Awards, it was submitted to the 72nd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, but was not accepted as a nominee. | [49] |
November 25, 2000 | New Battles Without Honor and Humanity | Shin Jingi Naki Tatakai | Reboot of the popular franchise from 1973. | [50] |
December 16, 2000 | Battle Royale | Battle Royal | Embargoed from US distribution due to violence, finally released straight-to-dvd to critical acclaim in 2010 following praise by Quentin Tarantino. | [51] [52] |
May 1, 2008 | Partners: The Movie | AIBOU: The Movie | Based on the television series AIBOU: Tokyo Detective Duo, it was the first in the Aibou (Partners) film series. | [53] |
December 23, 2011 | Admiral Yamamoto | Rengō Kantai Shirei Chōkan Yamamoto Isoroku | [54] | |
September 3, 2013 | Space Pirate Captain Harlock | a.k.a. Harlock: Space Pirate | Toei Animation Production | [55] |
December 5, 2015 | 125 Years Memory | Kainan 1890 | Co-produced by Toei, Creators' Union, Böcek Yapım | [56] |
May 17, 2019 | First Love | Hatsukoi | Distributor, produced by OLM | [57] [58] |
June 25, 2021 | The Goldfish | Umibe no Kingyō | [59] | |
March 17, 2024 | Shin Kamen Rider | Reboot of the original 1971 series by Hideaki Anno | [60] |
Year | Title |
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1971–present | Kamen Rider franchise |
1975–present | Super Sentai franchise |
1982–present | Metal Hero franchise |
1993–present | Power Rangers franchise |
1994–1996 | VR Troopers |
1995–1996 | Masked Rider |
1996–1998 | Big Bad Beetleborgs (later Beetleborgs Metallix) |
2003-2004 | Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (Live action series) |
2008–2009 | Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight |
2022 | Kamen Rider Black Sun |
2023 | Voltes V: Legacy |
2024-present | Oshi no Ko (Drama) |
Saburō Yatsude ( 八手 三郎 , Yatsude Saburō, alternatively read as Saburo Hatte) is a collective pseudonym used by Toei Company television producers, and formerly Toei Animation producers, when contributing to their various anime and tokusatsu series; similar to Bandai Namco Filmworks' Hajime Yatate. The use of the pen name began with The Kagestar and has been used throughout the Super Sentai (in the adapted Power Rangers series starting with Ninja Storm , the credits list Saburo Hatte. Before this, the credits listed "Original Concepts by Saburo Yatsude") and Metal Hero Series as well as for Spider-Man , Choukou Senshi Changéríon , Video Warrior Laserion , Chōdenji Robo Combattler V , Chōdenji Machine Voltes V , Tōshō Daimos , Daltanious , Space Emperor God Sigma , Beast King GoLion and Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV . The name is also used as a contributor to the soundtracks for the series.
Toei Animation stopped using Saburo Yatsude in 1999, and they began to use Izumi Todo instead. The first anime that was created by Izumi Todo was Ojamajo Doremi .
In the Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger series, Saburo Hatte is an actual person who is godlike within the fictional reality that the show takes place in. In fact, his hand appears at the end of the first half of the series to cover the camera lens and end the show, later having the second half be made under Malseena's influence while in the hospital in the real world.
In the Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger spinoff, Super Animal War's third episode, he is portrayed by Jun Hikasa.
On April 3, 2016, an unknown Toei staff member going by Saburo Yatsude was interviewed while wearing a "Giraffe Zyuman" mask in reference to Zyuohger. [61]
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio primarily controlled by its namesake Toei Company. It has produced numerous series, including Sally the Witch, GeGeGe no Kitarō, Mazinger Z, Galaxy Express 999, Cutie Honey, Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya, Sailor Moon, Slam Dunk, Digimon, One Piece, Toriko, World Trigger, The Transformers, and the Pretty Cure series.
Daimajin is a Japanese tokusatsu series centering on an eponymous fictitious giant warrior god. It initially consisted of a film trilogy shot simultaneously and released in 1966 with three different directors and predominantly the same crew. The series was produced by Daiei Film and contained similar plot structures involving villages being overthrown by warlords, leading to the villagers attempting to reach out to Daimajin, the great demon god, to save them.
Space Emperor God Sigma is a mecha anime television series aired from 1980 to 1981. It ran for 50 episodes. It is also referred to as "God Sigma, Empire of Space" and "Space Combination God Sigma".
The Kamen Rider Series, also known as Masked Rider Series, is a Japanese superhero media franchise consisting of tokusatsu television programs, films, manga, and anime, created by manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. Kamen Rider media usually revolves around the titular defined group of motorcycle-riding superheroes with an insect motif who fights supervillains, often known as kaijin.
Legend of Dinosaurs & Monster Birds, also known in the U.S. as The "Legend of Dinosaurs", is a 1977 Japanese kaiju science fiction film produced and distributed by Toei Company. The film was initially unsuccessful in Japan, but later became an overseas blockbuster in the Soviet Union.
Engine Sentai Go-onger is Toei Company's thirty-second installment in the Super Sentai metaseries of Japanese tokusatsu television series. It aired from February 17, 2008 to February 8, 2009, replacing Juken Sentai Gekiranger and was replaced by Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. The program was part of TV Asahi's 2008 Super Hero Time block alongside Kamen Rider Kiva. Its footage was used for the American series, Power Rangers RPM and was dubbed into Korean as Power Rangers Engine Force.
Kamen Rider Den-O, stylized in English as Masked Rider Den-O, is the seventeenth installment in the popular Kamen Rider Series of tokusatsu programs. It is a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei. It premiered January 28, 2007 on TV Asahi, and concluded airing on January 20, 2008. Its lead actor Takeru Satoh is the first Kamen Rider Series lead born in the Heisei period of Japanese history. It aired on the Super Hero Time slot alongside Juken Sentai Gekiranger. The series revolves around time travel, trains, and personalities. It follows Ryotaro Nogami, an unlucky young man who becomes Kamen Rider Den-O with the help of time-traveling Imagin. The show combines elements of comedy, action, and drama with a focus on time manipulation and the relationship between Ryotaro and the Imagin.
Tensou Sentai Goseiger is the title of Toei Company's 34th entry in its long-running Super Sentai franchise. It follows an angelic motif as well as a trading card theme. It joined Kamen Rider W, and later Kamen Rider OOO, as a program featured in TV Asahi's Super Hero Time programming block. It aired from February 14, 2010 to February 6, 2011, replacing Samurai Sentai Shinkenger and was replaced by Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. The series ties in with the arcade game Super Sentai Battle: Dice-O, with the characters using cards resembling Carddass cards used in the game to transform and access various weapons, similar to the concept of Kamen Rider Decade and its link to Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbaride. Goseiger's footage was later used for the 2013 Power Rangers series Power Rangers Megaforce and its second season Super Megaforce.
Shinkō Kinema (新興キネマ) was a Japanese film studio active in the 1930s.
Kamen Rider Fourze is a Japanese tokusatsu drama in Toei Company's Kamen Rider Series, being the thirteenth series in the Heisei period run and the twenty-second overall. It began airing on September 4, 2011, the week following the conclusion of Kamen Rider OOO, joining Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger and then Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters in the Super Hero Time lineup.
Daiei Film Co. Ltd. was a Japanese film studio. Founded in 1942 as Dai Nippon Film Co., Ltd., it was one of the major studios during the postwar Golden Age of Japanese cinema, producing not only artistic masterpieces, such as Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon (1950) and Kenji Mizoguchi's Ugetsu (1953), but also launching several film series, such as Gamera, Zatoichi and Yokai Monsters, and making the three Daimajin films (1966). It declared bankruptcy in 1971 and was acquired by Kadokawa Pictures.
Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger is the Toei Company's 37th entry in its long-running Super Sentai metaseries of Japanese tokusatsu television series aired on TV Asahi from 17 February 2013 to 9 February 2014, replacing Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters and was replaced by Ressha Sentai ToQger. The program joining Kamen Rider Wizard and later Kamen Rider Gaim in TV Asahi's Super Hero Time programming block. Its footage would later be used for the American Power Rangers season, Power Rangers Dino Charge and its follow up season, Dino Super Charge, and gained a South Korean-exclusive sequel, Power Rangers Dino Force Brave. This is the first Super Sentai series to be shot in Full HD at 1080p, as Shinkenger up to Go-Busters was only shot in 720p.
Shuriken Sentai Ninninger is a Japanese television series, the 39th entry of Toei's long-running Super Sentai metaseries, following Ressha Sentai ToQger. It is the third ninja-based Sentai, and the fourth to be based on Japanese mythology and culture and aired from February 22, 2015 to February 7, 2016, replacing Ressha Sentai ToQger and was replaced by Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger. The program joining Kamen Rider Drive, and later, Kamen Rider Ghost in the Super Hero Time line-up on TV Asahi affiliate stations, until concluding on February 7, 2016. Ninninger also serves as the 40th anniversary of the franchise. The lead screenwriter for the series is Kento Shimoyama and Kousuke Yamashita serves as the series' composer. Its footage is used for the American Power Rangers season, Power Rangers Ninja Steel and its follow-up season, Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel.
Kenji Misumi was a Japanese film director. He created film series such as Lone Wolf and Cub and the initial film in the long-running Zatoichi series, and also directed Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice, starring Shintaro Katsu. He died at age 54.
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger is a Japanese Tokusatsu drama and the 40th entry of Toei's long-running Super Sentai metaseries, following Shuriken Sentai Ninninger. It aired from February 14, 2016 to February 5, 2017, replacing Shuriken Sentai Ninninger and was replaced by Uchu Sentai Kyuranger. The program joining Kamen Rider Ghost, and later, Kamen Rider Ex-Aid in the Super Hero Time line-up on TV Asahi affiliate stations. Released as part of Super Sentai's 40th anniversary and Toei's "Super Hero Year", Zyuohger is the seventh series in the franchise whose central theme is animals, after Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan, Choujyu Sentai Liveman, Chōjin Sentai Jetman, Seijuu Sentai Gingaman, Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, and Juken Sentai Gekiranger. The series also has a Minecraft-inspired and Rubik's cube motif. The lead screenwriter for the series is Junko Kōmura.
Toei Hero Next is a series of Japanese movies created and produced by Toei Company.
Kamen Rider Saber is a Japanese tokusatsu drama, the 31st entry of Toei Company's Kamen Rider franchise, and the second series to debut during the Reiwa period. The series premiered on September 6, 2020, joining Mashin Sentai Kiramager, and later, Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger in the Super Hero Time line-up after the finale of Kamen Rider Zero-One before being succeeded by Kamen Rider Revice on September 5, 2021. The series is notable for its use of a fantasy setting and its storybook theming.
Kamen Rider Revice is a Japanese tokusatsu drama and the 32nd entry of Toei Company's Kamen Rider metaseries. It is the third series to debut during the Reiwa period and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the franchise. The series premiered on September 5, 2021, joining Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger and later, Avataro Sentai Donbrothers in the Super Hero Time line-up following the finale of Kamen Rider Saber and was followed by Kamen Rider Geats after its own finale.