How A VFX Oscar For ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Has Made Japanese Stalwart Toho Group A Monster In The North American Market
21.05.2024 - 08:57
/ deadline.com
Established in 1932, Japan’s Toho Group has grown into a film-industry powerhouse, not only at home but globally. Working across production, distribution and exhibition, it has recently been on an expansion spree, reeling in box office around the world and with recognition from major awards bodies.
Long synonymous with Godzilla, which it launched in 1954, Toho this year broke out in another way, as its phenom Godzilla Minus One went on to win the VFX Oscar, a first for the Kaiju, or “strange beast,” monster genre.
Indicative of the company’s status, Toho president and CEO Hiro Matsuoka, gave an opening-day address at CinemaCon in April. Deadline spoke with Matsuoka about the company’s outlook and strategy for the years ahead.
DEADLINE: Toho has increased its international activity — has this been part of an overall strategy?
HIRO MATSUOKA: Yes, overseas opportunities have been part of our long-term growth strategy. We recognize that the fan base for our content — both Godzilla and anime — has been growing internationally in recent years, and in many cases has developed into passionate and deep-rooted communities. Our goal is to make access to the content they enjoy easier, while also gaining awareness with new audiences.
DEADLINE: How have you worked to innovate?
MATSUOKA: For Godzilla, part of the rapid expansion in the last few years was triggered by the 2014 Legendary version of Godzilla. [The Japanese icon] became a big hit in Hollywood, with subsequent films allowing audiences to have consistent exposure to Godzilla content.
In support of this international interest, we deepened our fan outreach… We’ve also established regional subsidiaries in the past few years, building teams who have the best knowledge of