The Japanese entertainment company TOHO has already produced numerous successful anime productions, but the expansion strategy now announced could have lasting changes in the industry. We summarize.
TOHO relies on mass production
According to current financial filings for the fiscal year ended February 2026, TOHO plans to significantly expand its anime division and move into a phase of large-scale production. By 2032, the number of annual productions is expected to increase to up to 30 cours (seasons each lasting three months).
The aim is to increase this to around 20 cours per year by 2029, before capacity is to be further increased in the next step. TOHO currently produces or manages around 14 anime courses every year.
In order to achieve the ambitious goals, the focus is primarily on a continuously growing pipeline with sequels to established brands and new projects. In addition, own studios such as TOHO animation studio and Science SARU should be given greater support and cooperation with partners such as Studio Orange should be further intensified.
Numerous projects planned
An extensive selection of upcoming titles was also presented under the “TOHO animation” label, which, in line with the previously outlined plans, includes both sequels to well-known series and new projects.
In addition to series from the spring 2026 season, such as “Snowball Earth”, “Dr. STONE: Science Future” as well as the new seasons of “The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten” and “Dorohedoro”, among others, the sequels to “Mushoku Tensei”, “Freezing”, “Kaiju No. 8”, “Haikyu!!” and “The Apothecary Diaries”.
A particular focus will be on the subsidiary Science SARU, which is becoming increasingly important within the corporate structure. The studio is currently working on some high-profile projects such as “Ghost in the Shell” and the third season of “DAN DA DAN” – and, according to TOHO, has developed from a creative niche studio into a central production location for major brands.
It remains to be seen whether it will be possible to maintain both the quality of the productions and the creative freedom in this context. However, one thing is clear: the planned expansion marks another turning point for the anime industry and, if the outcome is positive, will make TOHO one of the dominant players.
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Via Gamebiz
© Riichiro Inagaki, Boichi, SHUEISHA / Dr. STONE Production Committee