Toei Company

{{short description|Japanese media corporation}} {{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Expand Japanese|東映|date=May 2023}}

{{Infobox company | name = Toei Company, Ltd. | native_name = 東映株式会社 | native_name_lang = ja | romanized_name = Tōei Kabushiki-gaisha | logo = Toei logo (text).svg | logo_size = 250px | logo_alt = A hollow triangle, with the kanji characters for Toei placed inside it. | image = Kyobashi Edogrand 2019.jpg | image_caption = Headquarters in Chūō, Tokyo | former_name = {{plainlist| * Tōkyō Eiga Haikyū (1949–1951) }} | predecessor = Toyoko Eiga Company<br>Ōizumi Films | type = Public | traded_as = {{tyo|9605}} | foundation = {{start date and age|1949|10|01}} (as Tōkyō Eiga) | founder = Keita Goto | location_city = Chūō, Tokyo | location_country = Japan | location = Kyobashi Edogrand, 2-1 Kyōbashi 2-chome | area_served = Worldwide, with a focus in Japan | key_people = {{ubl|Noriyuki Tada (chairman)<br>Fumio Yoshimura (President & Chief Executive Officer) <br>Yuji Kojima (Studio Head)}} | industry = Film and television<br />Video games | products = Motion pictures, publicity materials | services = Film and TV distribution and marketing | revenue = ¥ 66,300,000,000 | revenue_year = As of March 2006 | num_employees = 343 | num_employees_year = As of March 1, 2019 | subsid = {{plainlist| * Toei Video * Toei Advertising * Toei Studios Kyoto * Toei TV Production * Toei CM * Toei Labo Tech * San-ei Printing * {{ill|T-JOY|ja|ティ・ジョイ}} * Toei Hotel Chain * Toei Kenko * Toei Animation (34.2%) }} | homepage = {{official URL}} | footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.toei.co.jp/company/info/outline/|title = 会社概要}}</ref><ref name="Toei Group">{{cite web|url=https://www.toei.co.jp/company/info/group/index.html |title=TOEI GROUP |language=ja |publisher=toei.co.jp |access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Nihongo|'''Toei Company, Ltd.'''|東映株式会社|Tōei Kabushiki-gaisha|an acronym for {{Nihongo||東京映画配給|Tōkyō Eiga Haikyū||{{literal translation|Tokyo Film Distribution}}; {{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|oʊ|.|eɪ}}}}}}, simply known as '''Toei Company''' or {{Nihongo|'''Toei'''|東映|Tōei}}, is a Japanese entertainment company. Headquartered in Kyōbashi, 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'', ''Super Sentai'' and ''Power Rangers''.

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, Shochiku and Toho.

== History == Toei is a pioneer in the use of "Henshin"/"character transformation" in Live Action Television (TV) Film Video Game and Other's, Etc. Superhero martial-arts Mecha drama Franchises, a technique developed for the ''Kamen Rider'', ''Metal Hero'' and ''Super Sentai'' series; the genre currently continues with ''Kamen Rider'' and ''Super Sentai''.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=Toei History |url=https://www.toei.co.jp/en/about/history/index.html |website=www.toei.co.jp |publisher=Toei Co. Ltd.}}</ref><ref name="Development">{{cite web |title=The Journey and Creations of Toei |url=https://www.toei.co.jp/en/company/history/ |publisher=Toei |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref>

Toei's predecessor, the {{Nihongo|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 {{ill|Tokyo-Yokohama Electric Railway|ja|東京横浜電鉄}}, 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, it 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.<ref name="Development"/>

In 1956, Toei purchased the Kyoto studio from Daiei.<ref name=ages>{{cite magazine|magazine=Variety|date=December 17, 2001|page=A2|edition=Toei at 50|title=Toei through the ages|last=Osaki|first=Tad}}</ref> In 1956, Toei establishes an animation division, Toei Animation Company, Limited at the former Tokyo-Ōizumi animation studio, purchasing the assets of {{nihongo|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 its part-ownership of Nippon Educational Television Co., now known as TV Asahi.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=テレビ朝日社史 : ファミリー視聴の25年|publisher=TV Asahi|year=1984|language=ja|trans-title=TV Asahi Corporate History: 25 Years of Family Viewing|oclc=704013841}}</ref>

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.<ref name=ages/><ref name="Development"/>

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.<ref name=ages/><ref name="Studio History">{{cite news |title=Studio History |url=http://studios.toei-kyoto.com/en/about/outline.html |publisher=Toei Studios Kyoto}}</ref>

Shigeru Okada becomes chairperson as Tan Takaiwa succeeds him as president and chief executive officer in 1993, establishing Toei Satellite TV Co., Ltd. and creates Toei Channel in 1998.<ref name="Development"/>

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.<ref name="Development"/>

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.<ref name="Development"/>

Osamu Tezuka (not to be confused with the manga author and animator of the same name) became president and chief executive officer of Toei in 2020, as Noriyuki Tada succeeded Okada as chairperson. Toei also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Kamen Rider Series in 2020. Tezuka initiated major structural reorganization in 2022 before passing in February 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Frater |first1=Patrick |title=Japan's Toei Unveils Ten-Year Growth Plan After Death of President-CEO Tezuka Osamu |url=https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/japan-toei-ceo-tezuka-osamu-dead-growth-plan-1235523628/ |work=Variety |date=15 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="Current Directors">{{cite news |last1=Yoshimura |first1=Fumio |title=Notice of the 101st Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders |url=https://www.toei.co.jp/en/ir/about-stocks/meeting/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2024/05/29/0530_3.pdf |publisher=Toei Company Ltd. |date=6 June 2024}}</ref>

Tada temporarily assumed the role of CEO until Toei managing director and head of content Fumio Yoshimura was announced to succeed Tezuka as Toei's 7th president & chief executive officer. Recognizing Japan's shrinking market share, Yoshimura has vowed to continue with Tezuka's restructuring plans, and is looking towards North America and Asian markets to developing new projects and export existing IPs. Visiting Los Angeles for meetings with Hollywood studios together with Toei's studio head Yuji Kojima in 2025, Yoshimura announced Toei has budgeted US$1.6BN (JP¥240BN) for content and US$400M (JP¥60BN) to strengthen business operations.<ref>{{cite news |title=東映代表取締役社長に吉村文雄氏 |url=https://eiga.com/news/20230314/10/ |work=映画.com |date=14 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shackleton |first1=Liz |title=Toei President & CEO Fumio Yoshimura Unpacks Japanese Studio's $2BN Global Expansion Strategy |url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/toei-co-fumio-yoshimura-global-expansion-strategy-1236355792/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=2 April 2025}}</ref>

On July 27, 2025, Toei closed its headquarters at the Toei Kaikan in Ginza, and relocated to Kyobashi Edogrand in Kyobashi. The closure also marked the end of Toei's cinema division as it wound down its operations in order for the company to focus on {{ill|T-JOY|ja|ティ・ジョイ}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schilling |first=Mark |date=2025-07-24 |title=Marunouchi Toei closes as Japan's cinema landscape evolves |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/07/24/film/marunouchi-toei-cinema-closes/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Branding == thumb|The rocks at Cape Inubō seen at in the title card. The characters that make up {{Nihongo|'''Toei'''|東映|Tōei|"East Reflection"}} are the result of a portmanteau of Toei predecessor "'''To'''yoko '''Ei'''ga", 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.<ref name="history"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Nornes |first1=Markus |title=Brushed in Light: Calligraphy in East Asian Cinema |date=2021 |publisher=University of Michigan Press |doi=10.3998/mpub.11373292 |isbn=978-0-472-90243-9 |url=https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.11373292}}</ref>

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 ''The End of Evangelion'' and films in the ''Dragon Ball'' series.<ref name="AVID">{{cite web |title=Toei Company |date=November 20, 2024 |url=https://www.avid.wiki/Toei_Company}}</ref>

The logo's 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 logos around the world.<ref name="AVID"/>

==Film and television==

===Toei films=== 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.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=88}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=89}} It is predominantly known in the west for its series of action films and television series.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=89}}

{{Dynamic list}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Release date !English film title !Original title !Notes !|{{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |- |{{dts|1953||}} |{{sort|Sun|''The Sun''}} |''Nichirin'' |Toei's first all-color film released. |<ref name="history" /> |- |{{dts|1954||}} |{{sort|Idle Vassal|''The Idle Vassal: House of the Mysterious Phantom''}} |''Hatamoto Taikutsuotoko'' |First use of the iconic Toei "Wild Waves and Rocks" title card |<ref name="history"/> |- |{{dts|1955|February|27|format=mdy}} |''Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji'' |''Chiyari Fuji'' |Recognized as one of actor Chiezō Kataoka finest roles |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moma.org/calendar/events/2402 |title=Chiyari Fuji (Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji). 1955. Directed by Tomu Uchida |website=Museum of Modern Art |access-date=12 July 2023}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1959|March|19|format=mdy}} |''A Story of Pure Love'' |''Jun'ai Monogatari'' |Tadashi Imai won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival |<ref name="berlinale 1958">{{cite web |url=http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1958/03_preistr_ger_1958/03_Preistraeger_1958.html |title=Berlin Film Festival: Prize Winners |access-date=2 January 2010 |work=berlinale.de}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1960|August|14}} |''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. |<ref>{{cite web|last=Patten |first=Fred |year=1996 |url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.5/articles/patten1.5.html |title=A Capsule History of Anime |website=Animation World Network |access-date=2014-12-04}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1961|June|9}} |''Drifting Detective: Tragedy in the Red Valley'' |''Fūraibō tantei: akai tani no sangeki'' |First starring role for Sonny Chiba |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asagei.com/9361|title=千葉真一、深作欣二の初監督の怒号に驚いた|work=Asagei|access-date= 5 October 2021}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1961|July|19|format=mdy}} |''Invasion of the Neptune Men'' |''Uchu kaizoku-sen'' |Starred Sonny Chiba as "Iron Sharp" |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=233}} |- |{{dts|1963|April|28|format=mdy}} |''Bushido, Samurai Saga'' |''Bushidō zankoku monogatari'' |Won the Golden Bear at the 13th Berlin International Film Festival |<ref name="berlinale 1963">{{cite web |url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/archive/jahresarchive/1963/03_preistraeger_1963/03_preistraeger_1963.html |title=Berlinale: Prize Winners |access-date=13 February 2010 |work=berlinale.de}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1963|July|31|format=mdy}} |''League of Gangsters'' |''Gyangu Dōmei'' |Ryōhei Uchida's first starring role |<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.toei-video.co.jp/catalog/dutd02966/ | title=ギャング同盟 | date=December 2017 }}</ref> |- |{{dts|1965|April|18}} |''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. |<ref name="Schilling">{{cite book |last=Schilling|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Schilling|title=The Yakuza Movie Book: A Guide to Japanese Gangster Films|url=https://archive.org/details/yakuzamoviebookg00schi|url-access=limited|year=2003|publisher=Stone Bridge Press|location=Berkeley, Calif.|isbn=1-880656-76-0|pages=[https://archive.org/details/yakuzamoviebookg00schi/page/156 156–157]}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1966|March|5|format=mdy}} |{{sort|Magic Serpent|''The Magic Serpent''}} |''Kai tatsu daikessen'' | |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=275}} |- |{{dts|1966|July|1|format=mdy}} |{{sort|Terror Beneath the Sea|''Terror Beneath the Sea''}} |''Kaitei Daisensō'' |U.S./ Japanese co-production | |- |December 21, 1966 |''Golden Ninja''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shout Factory |url=https://gruv.com/collections/shout-factory |access-date=2026-04-03 |website=GRUV Entertainment |language=en}}</ref> |''Ōgon Batto'' (Golden Bat) |A film based off the kamishibai character of the same name by Takeo Nagamatsu and Suzuki Ichiro. |<ref>{{Cite web |title=黄金バット(1966) - 作品情報・映画レビュー -KINENOTE（キネノート） |url=http://www.kinenote.com/main/public/cinema/detail.aspx?cinema_id=22086 |access-date=2026-04-03 |website=www.kinenote.com}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1967|August|13|format=mdy}} |''Yongary, Monster from the Deep'' |''Dai koesu Yongkari'' |South Korean/Japanese co-production |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=448}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=449}} |- |{{dts|1968|December|1|format=mdy}} |{{sort|Green Slime|''The Green Slime''}} |''Gamma sango uchu dai sakusen'' | U.S./ Japanese co-production |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=202}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=203}} |- |{{dts|1969||}} |''Horrors of Malformed Men'' |''Kyofu kikei ningen'' | |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=218}} |- |{{dts|1970||}} |''Voyage Into Space'' |''Giant Robo'' (''Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot'')<ref>Woolery, George W. (1985). Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part II: Live, Film, and Tape Series. The Scarecrow Press. pp. 251–252. ISBN 0-8108-1651-2.</ref> |Episodes of the Japanese TV series re-edited into a TV movie for U.S. release |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=431}} |- |{{dts|1970|September|23|format=mdy}} |''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. |<ref>Friis, Christian. [https://www.angelfire.com/film/pearlharbormovies/tora.html "Tora! Tora! Tora!, Twentieth Century Fox, 1970".] ''Pearl Harbor in the Movies, what to see...'', November 5, 2002. Retrieved: May 5, 2009.</ref> |- |{{dts|1970||}} |''Venus Flytrap'' |''Akuma no Niwa'' | Based on a 1950s unproduced screenplay by Ed Wood. Later released on video as ''Revenge of Dr. X''. |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=373}} |- |{{dts|1972|March|12|format=mdy}} |''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 |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wwwdb.oscars.org:8100/servlet/impc.DisplayCredits?primekey_in=2006062610:02:5358761299|title=UNDER THE FLAG OF THE RISING SUN (credits)|access-date=2007-06-21|work=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1972|August|25|format=mdy}} |''Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion'' | |First of a series of 4 ''Female Convict Scorpion'' film franchise |<ref name="arrow-5">{{Cite AV media notes | title =Female Prisoner Scorpion: The Complete Collection | year = 2016 | page = 5 | type =book | publisher = Arrow Video | ID = FCD1338/AV060}}</ref>{{sfn|Sharp|2011|p=120}} |- |{{dts|1973|January|13|format=mdy}} |''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. |<ref>{{cite web|title=Schlock & Awe: BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR AND HUMANITY|url=https://archive.nerdist.com/schlock-awe-battles-without-honor-and-humanity/|publisher=Nerdist Industries|date=2016-01-07|access-date=2016-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101161724/http://nerdist.com/schlock-awe-battles-without-honor-and-humanity/|archive-date=January 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1974|February|2|format=mdy}} |{{sort|Street Fighter|''The Street Fighter''}} |''Gekitotsu Satsujinken'' | starred Sonny Chiba; spawned 2 sequels, ''Return of the Street Fighter'' and ''Street Fighter's Last Revenge'' |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=373}} |- |{{dts|1974|December|28|format=mdy}} |''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. |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=373}} |- |{{dts|1975|April|26|format=mdy}} |''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. |<ref>{{cite web|title=Cops vs. Thugs|url=http://www.kinolorber.com/video.php?id=815|publisher=Kino International|accessdate=2014-08-30}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1977|April|29|format=mdy}} |''Legend of Dinosaurs & Monster Birds'' |''Kyoryu-kaicho no densetsu'' | |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=261}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=262}} |- |{{dts|1978|January|21|format=mdy}} |''Shogun's Samurai'' |''Yagyū Ichizoku no Inbō'' |Adapted into a 39-episode TV series, The Yagyu Conspiracy (1978–1979), also produced by Toei. |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sp.kinenote.com/main/public/cinema/detail.aspx?cinema_id=18787&key_search=%E6%9F%B3%E7%94%9F%E4%B8%80%E6%97%8F|title=柳生一族の陰謀|publisher=Kinema Junpo|access-date=27 December 2020}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1978|April|29|format=mdy}} |''Message from Space'' |''Uchu kara no messeji'' | Starred Sonny Chiba and Vic Morrow |{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=285}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=286}} |- |{{dts|1980|November|15}} |''Shogun's Ninja'' |''Ninja Bugeichō Momochi Sandayū'' |Hiroyuki Sanada's first lead role |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20130906-1184661.html |title=真田広之だから「ハリウッド」口出しＯＫ|publisher=RSS|access-date= 19 March 2017}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1981|January|30|format=mdy}} |''G.I. Samurai'' (a.k.a. ''Time Slip'') |''Sengoku jieitai'' | Starred Sonny Chiba |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/its-ninjas-vs-helicopters-in-sonny-chibas-g-i-samurai-5043087|title=It's Ninjas Vs. Helicopters in Sonny Chiba's G.I. Samurai|date=August 30, 2008 }}</ref>{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=396}} |- |{{dts|1983|April|29|format=mdy}} |''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. |<ref>{{cite journal|last1=O’Donoghue|first1=Darragh|title=Ballad of Narayama|journal=Cinémathèque Annotations on Film|date=February 2013|issue=66|url=http://sensesofcinema.com/2013/cteq/ballad-of-narayama/|access-date=19 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Narayama-Bushi-Ko|url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/BF3E4E90-D7BD-41A8-A9C2-AD1B36C18136/year/1983.html|website=Festival de Cannes|access-date=19 August 2016}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1989|May|13|format=mdy}} |''Black Rain'' |''Kuroi ame'' |Won multiple Japanese film awards and critical acclaim by American critics. |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/black-rain-1990 |title=Reviews: Black Rain |date=24 September 1990 |access-date=8 July 2021 |website=rogerebert.com}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1998|October|17|format=mdy}} |''Dr. Akagi'' |''Kanzō-sensei'' | |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.toei-video.co.jp/catalog/dstd02293/|publisher=東映|title=カンゾー先生 | access-date= January 2, 2020}}</ref> |- |{{dts|1999|June|5|format=mdy}} |''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. |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eiren.org/academy/data.html|title=List of Japanese films nominated for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|language=ja|publisher=Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan|access-date=2008-06-22}}</ref> |- |{{dts|2000|November|25|format=mdy}} |''New Battles Without Honor and Humanity'' |''Shin Jingi Naki Tatakai'' |Reboot of the popular franchise from 1973. |<ref>{{cite web |last = Schilling |first = Mark |date = 2000-11-21 |title = 'SHIN JINGI NAKI TATAKAI': Can't keep a good hood down |url = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ff20001121a1.html |publisher = The Japan Times |accessdate = 2012-05-26 }}</ref>

|- |{{dts|2000|December|16|format=mdy}} |''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. |<ref name="usrun">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-12-06/battle-royale-film-to-get-1st-us-theatrical-run|title=Battle Royale Film to Get 1st US Theatrical Run|work=Anime News Network|date=December 6, 2011|access-date=December 30, 2011}}</ref><ref name="'Battle Royale'">{{cite web|title='Battle Royale'|url=http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-tarantinotop20/2/|work=Quentin Tarantino's Top 20 Favorite Films|publisher=Xfinity|access-date=24 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418080044/http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-tarantinotop20/2/|archive-date=April 18, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |- |{{dts|2008|May|1|format=mdy}} |''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. |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kinejun.jp/cinema/id/38938 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907145057/http://www.kinejun.jp/cinema/id/38938 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-07 |script-title=ja:相棒 劇場版 絶体絶命！42.195km 東京ビッグシティマラソン |accessdate=2011-10-13 |work=Kinema Junpo Film Database |language=Japanese}}</ref> |- |{{dts|2011|December|23|format=mdy}} |''Admiral Yamamoto'' |''Rengō Kantai Shirei Chōkan Yamamoto Isoroku'' | |<ref name="TokyoGraph">{{cite web | url =http://www.tokyograph.com/news/yakusho-koji-portrays-wwii-naval-commander-yamamoto-isoroku/| title = Yakusho Koji portrays WWII naval commander Yamamoto Isoroku|publisher =TokyoGraph| date=May 14, 2011|access-date = 28 March 2013}}</ref> |- |{{dts|2013|September|3|format=mdy}} |''Space Pirate Captain Harlock'' | a.k.a. ''Harlock: Space Pirate'' |Toei Animation Production |<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202061415/http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/space-pirate-captain-harlock|url=http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/space-pirate-captain-harlock|publisher=Film Business Asia|last=Elley|first=Derek|authorlink=Derek Elley|title=Space Pirate Captain Harlock|access-date=November 11, 2019|date=September 7, 2013|archive-date=December 2, 2013}}</ref> |- |{{dts|2015|December|5|format=mdy}} |''125 Years Memory'' |''Kainan 1890'' |Co-produced by Toei, Creators' Union, Böcek Yapım |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.125yearsmemory.com |title=125 Years Memory |access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> |- |{{dts|2019|May|17|format=mdy}} |''First Love'' |''Hatsukoi'' |Distributor, produced by OLM |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/markets-festivals/first-love-review-1203225496/|work=Variety|title=Film Review: 'First Love'|last=Kiang|first=Jessica|access-date=November 11, 2019|date=May 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/first-love-review-1211774|work=The Hollywood Reporter|title='First Love' ('Hatsukoi'): Film Review {{!}} Cannes 2019|date=May 17, 2019|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> |- |{{dts|2021|June|25|format=mdy}} |''The Goldfish'' |''Umibe no Kingyō'' | |<ref>{{Citation|title=The Goldfish: Dreaming of the Sea (2021) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt14580998/releaseinfo|access-date=August 29, 2021}}</ref> |- |March 17, 2023 | ''Shin Kamen Rider '' |''Shin Kamen Rider'' |Reboot of the original 1971 series by Hideaki Anno |<ref name="Highest-Earning">{{cite web |last1=Pineda |first1=Rafael Antonio |title=Shin Kamen Rider Film Becomes Highest-Earning Kamen Rider Film |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-04-24/shin-kamen-rider-film-becomes-highest-earning-kamen-rider-film/.197411 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=27 April 2023 |language=en |date=24 April 2023}}</ref> |}

=== Toei animation === {{Main|Toei Animation}}

=== Toei animation films ===

=== Toei distributed films === {{Expand section|date=April 2026}} {| class="wikitable" |+ !Original producer !Year !Title !Original title !Notes !{{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |- |Shin-eiga Co., Ltd. |1950 |Golden Bat: The Phantom of the Skyscraper |''Ōgon Batto: Matenrô no Kaijin'' |A film based off the kamishibai character of the same name by Takeo Nagamatsu and Suzuki Ichiro, but mainly based on the manga adaptation by Shōnen Gahōsha. |<ref>{{Cite web |title=作品詳細 |url=https://eigamura-library-database.com/?mode=detail&id=38075 |access-date=2026-04-03 |website=eigamura-library-database.com}}</ref> |}

===Toei produced/distributed shows=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Year||Title||Country |- |1971–present |''Kamen Rider'' franchise | rowspan="4" | Japan |- |1975–2026 |''Super Sentai'' franchise |- |1982–present |''Metal Hero'' franchise |- |1981–1993 |''Fushigi Comedy'' franchise |- |1993–present |''Power Rangers'' franchise | rowspan="4" | United States |- |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) | rowspan="2" | Japan |- |2004–present |''Pretty Cure'' franchise |- |2007–2008 |''Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan'' |Philippines |- |2008–2009 |''Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight'' |United States |- |2012–2013 |''Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger'' | rowspan="3" | Japan |- |2016–2017 |''Kamen Rider Amazons'' |- |2022 |''Kamen Rider Black Sun'' |- |2023 |''Voltes V: Legacy'' |Philippines |- |2023–present |''Shin Japan Heroes Universe'' | rowspan="7" | Japan |- |2024–present |''Oshi no Ko'' |- |2025–present |''Ameku Takao's Detective Karte'' |- |2026–present |''Project R.E.D.'' franchise |- |2026-present |''The Kamen Rider Chronicle'' franchise |- |2026-present |''The Kamen Rider Animated'' franchise |- |2026-present |''The Kamen Rider Premium'' franchise |}

===Shows created with Shotaro Ishinomori=== *Nebula Mask Machineman *Android Kikaider *Kikaider 01 *Inazuman *Kaiketsu Zubat *Robotto Keiji *Akumaizer 3 *Kyodai Ken Byclosser *Space Ironman Kyodain *Henshin Ninja Arashi *Sarutobi Ecchan

===Video games=== * ''Ninja Hayate'' (1984) * ''Time Gal'' (1985) * ''The Masked Rider: Kamen Rider ZO'' (1994) * ''Chameleon Twist'' (1997) * ''Chameleon Twist 2'' (1998)

==Saburo Yatsude== {{see also|Izumi Todo}}

{{nihongo|'''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 its 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 ''Power Rangers 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 it 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''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Animal Sentai Zyuohger |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toei.co.jp%2Ftv%2Fzyuohger%2Fstory%2F1207340_2514.html}}</ref>

===Original creator=== ====Live action==== * ''The Kagestar'' (1976-1977) * ''Ninja Captor'' (1976-1977) * ''Spider-Man'' (1978-1979) * ''Choukou Senshi Changéríon'' (1996)

====Anime==== * ''Robot Romance Trilogy'' (1976-1979) * ''Future Robot Daltanious'' (1979-1980) * ''Space Emperor God Sigma'' (1980-1981) * ''Beast King GoLion'' (1981-1982) * ''Armored Fleet Dairugger XV'' (1982-1983) * ''Lightspeed Electroid Albegas'' (1983-1984) * ''Video Warrior Laserion'' (1984-1985)

===Script=== ====Television==== * ''Sore Kara no Musashi'' (1964-1965) * ''Mito Kōmon'' (1964-1965) * ''Kamen Rider'' (1971-1973) * ''Himitsu Sentai Gorenger'' (1975-1977) * ''Space Sheriff Gavan'' (1982-1983)

====Web series==== * ''From Episode of Stinger - Uchu Sentai Kyuranger: High School Wars'' (2017) * ''Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Spin-Off: Zenkai Red Great Introduction!'' (2021) * ''Avataro Sentai Donbrothers Meets Kamen Rider Den-O: Aim! Don-O'' (2022)

===Director=== * ''Nebula Mask Machineman'' (1984)

==See also== {{Portal|Companies}} {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Toho * Shintoho * Tsuburaya Productions * Daiei Film * Kadokawa Daiei Studio * Kadokawa Shoten * Nikkatsu * Shochiku * Gainax * Group TAC * Production I.G * Studio Ghibli * Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. * Sega Enterprises * TV Tokyo * Tatsunoko Pro * Topcraft Limited Company * Toei Animation Company, Ltd. * Toei Superheroes * Toei Fushigi Comedy Series {{div col end}}

==References== ===Footnotes=== {{reflist}}

===Sources=== {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book |last=Galbraith IV |first=Stuart |title=The Japanese Filmography: 1900 through 1994 |publisher=McFarland |date=1996 |isbn=0-7864-0032-3 }} * {{cite book |last=Galbraith IV |first=Stuart |title=The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7o8pq6G_dYC |access-date=October 29, 2013 |year=2008 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-1461673743}} * {{cite book|last=Sharp|first=Jasper|title=Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2011|isbn=978-0810875418}} {{Refend}}

==External links== {{commons category}} * [http://www.toei.co.jp/ Toei webpage] * {{YouTube|user=TOEIcojp|Toei's official YouTube}} * {{YouTube|user=ToeiMovieChannel|Toei's official YouTube films}} * {{Twitter|id=TOEI_PR|name=Toei's official PR account}} * {{Twitter|id=Toei_films|name=Toei's official films account}} * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418000628/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002275129 |date=April 18, 2009 |title=Toasting Toei }} - a ''Hollywood Reporter'' article detailing Toei's receiving MIPTV's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 {{Authority control}}

Category:Toei Company Category:Companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Category:Japanese companies established in 1950 Category:Anime companies Category:Mass media companies based in Tokyo Category:Companies listed on the Osaka Exchange Category:Film distributors of Japan Category:Japanese film studios Category:International sales agents Category:Mass media companies established in 1950 Category:Television production companies of Japan Category:Japanese brands Category:Video game companies of Japan Category:Video game development companies Category:Video game publishers Category:Film production companies of Japan