Toho International
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Toho International (国際東宝株式会社 Kokusai Tōhō Kabushiki Gaisha) was the name historically shared by two separate import/export subsidiaries of Toho Company, Limited.
"Toho International, Inc." is the American arm of Toho, founded on July 23, 1953 in Los Angeles, California,[2] where it continues to be headquartered.[3] Described in 2001 by then-General Manager Masaharu Ina as existing "to represent and implement Toho's interests in North America," its duties have included the licensing of distribution and merchandising rights to Toho's properties, the managing of Toho trademarks and copyrights,[2] and the operation of official social media accounts for the Godzilla brand. A New York City branch was established on February 27, 1960,[2] though its status is unknown. As of January 1970, the company was also parent to two subsidiaries: the São Paulo, Brazil-based Toho Filmes America do Sul Ltda. and the Hong Kong-based Toho Film Co., (Hong Kong) Ltd.
"Toho International Co., Ltd." was headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and additionally operated offices in Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Naha, Okinawa. At present, less is known of this company's operations, and it is unclear whether it is still extant. However, available evidence suggests that it was similarly involved in the licensing and/or distribution of Toho's properties abroad, its name appearing on international posters and other promotional materials since the 1970s. Its last confirmed activity was in 2005.
On July 20, 2023, Toho established TOHO Global Inc. (TOHO Global 株式会社 Tōhō Gurōbaru Kabushiki Gaisha) to consolidate its operations outside of Japan.[6] As part of this, Toho International, Inc.'s ownership was transferred from Toho itself to TOHO Global that October 1.[5]
Locations
Toho International, Inc. and Co., Ltd. have previously been associated with offices at the following locations:
Toho International, Inc.
- 369 East 1st Street, Los Angeles, California, USA 90012[4]
- 834 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA 90036[7]
- 1501 Broadway, New York, New York, USA 10036[7]
Toho International Co., Ltd.
- 2-6-4 Ginza, Chuoku, Tokyo, Japan 104-0061[8]
- 1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, 100-0006[9]
- 1-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan 100-0006[10]
- 41 Av. Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75008 Paris, France[8]
- Via Reno 4, 00198 Rome, Rome, Italy[8]
- 2 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa[8]
Selected film exports
The following is a selection of films known to have been exported abroad by or through one of the Toho International companies. Note that the years listed are of the films' domestic release.
GODZILLA OFFICIAL by TOHO
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GODZILLA OFFICIAL by TOHO is the official North American YouTube channel for the Godzilla franchise, operated by Toho International, Inc. Its first upload was the North American trailer for Godzilla vs. Kong on January 27, 2021. It has since posted the Japanese trailers for all 30 of the main Godzilla films, subtitled episodes of various Godzilla TV and web series which were previously available only in Japanese, the original web series Godzilla CHOMP hosted by the company's then-creative manager Chris Mowry, and miscellaneous content like collaboration announcements and product reviews.
Releases
The GODZILLA OFFICIAL by TOHO channel has made the following series available:
- I'm Home! Chibi Godzilla (web 2020-2021) - Both seasons, subtitled, from February 15 to August 2, 2021 [playlist]
- Godzilla Tales (web 2020) - Reposted from Nerdist channel in a rearranged order, from April 9 to August 13, 2021 [playlist]
- Godzilla (TV 1978-1979) - Both seasons, episodes split into three videos each, from August 9, 2021 to February 27, 2023 [playlist]
- Godziban (web 2019-) - First three seasons, subtitled, from August 20, 2021 to October 7, 2022 [playlist]
- Godzilla CHOMP (web 2021-2022) - Original series, from November 10, 2021 to February 16, 2022 [playlist]
- Godzilla Island (TV 1997-1998) - Both seasons, subtitled, from March 7, 2023 onward [playlist]
- Chibi Godzilla Raids Again (TV 2023-) - Both seasons, subtitled, from April 11, 2023 onward [playlist]
Gallery
English Tohoscope logo (2.35:1, ca. 1961)
English Toho logo (2.35:1, ca. 1965)
English Toho logo (1.37:1, ca. 1965)
English Toho logo (1.85:1, ca. 1984)
English Toho logo (1.85:1, ca. 1998)
English Toho logo (2.35:1, ca. 2000)
English TOHO Global logo (2.39:1, ca. 2024)
References
This is a list of references for Toho International. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]
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Bibliography
- Lees, J.D. (March–April 2001). "Keeper of the Radioactive Flame". G-FAN. No. 50. Daikaiju Enterprises.
- Sakamoto, Osamu; Yamaki, Hisako, eds. (October 1967). "Business Directory". UniJapan Film Quarterly. Vol. 10 no. 4. Association for the Diffusion of Japanese Films Abroad.
- Kuroda, Toyoji, ed. (January 1970). "Business Directory". UniJapan Film Quarterly. Vol. 13 no. 1. Association for the Diffusion of Japanese Films Abroad.
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