Press Release from Toei Animation:
TOKYO, JAPAN – Long-time Toei Animation executive Hiroyuki Kinoshita has been named CEO of Toei Animation Enterprises, and COO of Toei Animation Inc. and Toei Animation Europe S.A.S., effective immediately.
Since joining Toei in 2004 as Director of Business Planning, Kinoshita has served as CFO and Secretary and Treasurer of Toei Animation Inc., Director of Contents Business Department and Director of Overseas Strategy Promotion.
“I am pleased to begin this important new assignment with Toei Animation and look forward to working with our talented management and staff as we work together to further expand our global operations,” said Kinoshita. “Three decades ago, Japanese animation was an internationally obscure art form, popular primarily in Japan. Since then, Toei Animation has played a pivotal role in helping make anime the worldwide phenomenon it is today. Moving forward, Toei will continue its global leadership role as we build on our partnerships with the world’s most prestigious players in traditional and digital media.”
About Toei Animation Co., Ltd.
With headquarters in Tokyo and sales offices in Paris, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and representative office in Shanghai, Toei Animation (Jasdaq: 4816) ranks amongst the world’s most prolific animation production studios. Toei Animation’s operations include animation development and production, and worldwide marketing and program licensing. Since its founding in 1956, Toei Animation has produced more than 10,000 episodes of TV series (more than 200 titles) and more than 200 long feature films as of March, 2012.
About Toei Animation Enterprises (TAE)
In 1997, Toei Animation established TOEI ANIMATION ENTERPRISES (TAE) in Hong Kong. TAE thereby began full-fledged business activities as a marketing base for the Asian region. From its very founding, TAE Hong Kong has contributed considerably to expanding Toei Animation’s operations abroad by establishing very close relations with television stations in the region and local merchandise licensees. That, in turn, has enabled us to sell even more works abroad. Moreover, TAE takes advantage of the regional benefits of Southeast Asia as a manufacturing base for the products of the world. It also carries out service operations such as proposing promotion plans and introducing product manufactures to clients around the world who hope to merchandise Toei Animation's characters. In this way, TAE conducts merchandise licensing operations that are a step ahead of others.
About Toei Animation Inc. (TAI)
TOEI ANIMATION has been distributing its popular Japanese Animation films and derivative character licensing through local partners all over American regions for over 13 years. TOEI ANIMATION INCORPORATED (TAI) established in Los Angeles in March 2004, looks forward to spreading the world-renowned Japanese animation studio’s extensive library and pursuing co-production projects in North and Latin America and other English-speaking territories worldwide. The main business operations of TAI include film licensing in all media and emerging platforms, merchandise licensing and co-productions with local establishments.
About Toei Animation Europe
Considering access to the 5 major markets in Europe; France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK; Toei Animation Europe S.A.S (TAEU) was established in Paris, France in December 2004. The establishment of this local office enables direct and strategic planning with local major television stations and merchandising licensees. TAEU also globally expands its boundaries for licensing in areas such as Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa.