Glasgow-based Anime Limited, which has just been acquired by Japanese entertainment giant Toho, is positioning Godzilla Minus Zero as the definitive theatrical release for Japanese films in the UK and Ireland, building on the record success of its predecessor.
Director Takashi Yamazaki’s long-awaited sequel will be released in November, but its expectations dwarf the modest expectations that accompanied 2024’s Godzilla Minus One. The film became the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film in British history and won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
“We’re starting from a completely different baseline now,” Kelly Cassim, Anime Limited’s general manager for the UK and Ireland, told Variety. “In the previous game, when we first started planning, it was difficult to compare what outcomes were likely to be. As the build-up progressed, we were able to adjust our strategy. Now we know exactly where to start, and we want to roll out as quickly and as widely as possible.”
Anime Limited will establish a broader theatrical footprint earlier in the release cycle and continue its extended run compared to the more cautious first film release. The distributor also plans to make greater use of premium large formats. This strategy was proven by Anime Limited’s own research, which found that 82% of over 1,000 fans surveyed would choose to watch movies on the biggest screen possible.
“Because of the success of the first film, we can now say, ‘This is the Oscar-winning movie that you’ve probably heard of, and hopefully seen,'” says Anna Francis, theatrical product manager for Anime Limited. “Offering this as part of a campaign is very helpful.”
Minus One’s breakout demonstrated the commercial viability of Japanese films beyond anime in the British market, creating what Francis calls an “exciting middle ground” between arthouse fare and mainstream box office success.
“This has widened the audience for live-action films in Japan,” Kassim says. “The movie itself was a very emotional drama. Godzilla happened to appear at a key point, but the movie itself was really the focus. A lot of people initially came to see Godzilla and stayed for the human drama.”
Toho acquired full ownership of Anime Limited from Germany’s Prion Pictures in December 2025. The transaction establishes Anime Limited as a subsidiary of Toho Global’s new European regional headquarters in London, as well as a strategic partnership with Prion Pictures for distribution in Germany, Italy and other European regions. Anime Limited founder Andrew Partridge has joined Toho’s leadership team for its European operations, maintaining his role at the Glasgow-based company.
According to Kasim, Anime Limited’s position has been strengthened by becoming a member of Toho Global. “This allows us to strengthen our services by partnering with people like Gkids and also expands our international reach,” she says. “We hope to see even more access to Toho’s catalog. However, we remain committed to working with our existing partners and adhering to our core values of bringing interesting films and television series to the widest possible audience.”
Toho’s acquisition means that Anime Limited will be producing Katsuhiro Otomo’s seminal cyberpunk masterpiece “Akira,” Studio Ghibli’s “Grave of the Fireflies,” the newly restored 4K production of Mamoru Oshii’s “Angel’s Egg,” and Studio The announcement comes as the company prepares for a solid 2026 theatrical release that includes originals such as 4℃’s “All You Need Is Kill” and “ChaO,” as well as “The Last Blossom.” From the “Oddtaxi” creative team.
The company’s broad strategy extends beyond Japanese content. Anime Limited releases stop-motion titles alongside US-based Laika Studios titles and core anime productions, operating on a case-by-case basis to achieve strong storytelling, regardless of origin.
Despite, or perhaps because of, the streaming era, physical media remains central to the company’s business model. Kassim points out that the disappearance of content on digital platforms has sparked a renewed interest in physical ownership.
“People are starting to realize that just because something is available purely digitally doesn’t guarantee that they’ll always have access to that movie or series,” Kassim says. “When we started the company, we were focused on developing collector’s editions, premium and very nice releases with booklets of high-quality content. That’s the market we developed into, and we’re really happy to see the audience for 4K releases skyrocketing. Half the time, people don’t even have a 4K setup at home. They’re saving copies for the future.”
Anime Limited releases anime soundtracks on vinyl, extending the collector’s edition philosophy to a variety of formats.
“At the end of the day, we are a physical media company,” Kassim says. “We just want to grow what we’re doing and reach as wide an audience as possible. Streaming platforms are great because they open the door to a lot of people and make it easier to access content. Now it’s about how can we enhance people’s experience of titles. That’s what we’re aiming for.”
The European anime market is expected to grow from $4.77 billion in 2024 to $9.05 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research, and Anime Limited’s Toho-backed expansion positions it at the intersection of growing demand and established theatrical expertise.
