Jun 27
Prime 1 Studio held a new product exhibition in Tokyo in June 2026, displaying statue figures announced during the online event NEXT LEVEL SHOWCASE XVIII. The exhibition featured statues from Godzilla Minus One, including Godzilla vs. Shinsei Maru; the theatrical Chainsaw Man - Reze Arc, with figures of Chainsaw Man & Beam and Reze/Bomb; and Overlord. Masters of the Universe statues of He-Man and Skeletor were shown, alongside The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Treebeard with Merry & Pippin. Items from Aliens and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen were also on display. A separate part of the exhibition focused on Berserk, unveiling statues of Guts, Griffith, Zodd, Slan, and the Sea God's Whore. The exhibition was held at a location in Tokyo, and Dengeki Hobby Web published photo reports covering the new items.
Jun 4
Good Smile Company streamed its 'Nendoroid FUNS Good Smile Fest 2026' on June 4, 2026, unveiling a wide range of new Nendoroid figures. The event showcased colored samples and prototypes for numerous upcoming releases. Highlights included a 2.0 version of Mio Akiyama from 'K-On!', Saber in casual wear from 'Fate/stay night', and the Blue-Eyes White Dragon from 'Yu-Gi-Oh!'. Vocaloid characters such as Neru Akita and Haku Yowane also received new Nendoroid forms. Newly announced figures span multiple franchises: from 'Final Fantasy XIV', characters Alphinaud, Yotsuyu, and Emet-Selch were confirmed; from 'Goddess of Victory: NIKKE', Velvet; and from 'Danganronpa 1·2 Reload', Celestia Ludenberg. The 'Super Kaguya-hime!' series added Kaguya, Sakayori Iroha, and Tsukimi Yachiyo. Other reveals included Femto from 'Berserk', Godzilla (2023) from 'Godzilla Minus One', and Magolor from 'Kirby of the Stars'. The 'Nendoroid Surprise' blind-box line will feature sets for 'Blue Archive', 'The Apothecary Diaries', and 'Natsume's Book of Friends'. Pre-orders opened for several items immediately after the stream.
May 30
Toho, the Japanese entertainment company behind Godzilla Minus One, announced on December 19 that it has acquired all shares of Glasgow-based anime distributor Anime Limited from Germany's Plaion Pictures. The acquisition gives Toho immediate distribution capabilities in the UK and France across theatrical, home video, TV, streaming, and merchandise. Toho will also establish a European regional headquarters in London, led by Toho Global, its overseas business division. Anime Limited founder and managing director Andrew Partridge will join the leadership team of the new European base. In a parallel move, Toho and Plaion Pictures have agreed to a strategic alliance, with Plaion extending Toho's distribution reach into Germany, Italy, and other European markets. The deal follows Toho's acquisition of US distributor GKIDS in October 2024 and the launch of a Singapore-based Asian hub in November 2024. Toho cited the European anime market's estimated value of $4.77 billion in 2024, projected to reach $9.05 billion by 2030, as context for the expansion. Financial terms were not disclosed.