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Enoki Films

From Alfawiki
Enoki Films Co., Ltd.
Company typePrivate
IndustryAnimation
Founded1975; 51 years ago (1975) in Tokyo, Japan
FounderZen Enoki, Yoshi Enoki
Defunct2010 (2010)
FateDefunct (Enoki Films USA)
Headquarters
Shinjuku, Tokyo
,
Japan
Area served
Worldwide (excluding Japan via ReelTime.com from 2007)
Key people
Yoshi Enoki (founder of American division)
ProductsAnime licensing and distribution, puppet-based programs
Websitewww.enokifilmsusa.com

is a Japanese animation studio based in the Enoki Building located in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Enoki Films maintained a North American branch known as Enoki Films USA, Inc., which was established in 1986 and situated in Encino, Los Angeles, California. This branch functioned as a liaison between Japanese content creators and American licensing companies such as 4Kids Entertainment and Saban Entertainment. Starting in 2007, Enoki's catalog became accessible globally (excluding Japan) through the video-on-demand service ReelTime.com.

By the year 2002, Enoki primarily focused on licensing anime titles but generally sub-licensed these to other distributors rather than managing direct distribution themselves. Their approach concentrated on securing licenses for television series aimed at networks like Cartoon Network, ABC Family, and Fox Kids. Frequently, titles and character names were presented under alternative versions within Enoki’s listings, with original names reinstated when sub-licensed for home video distribution. It is important to note that Enoki usually did not acquire licenses for associated movies or OVAs; these were typically handled by different entities, as seen with franchises like Slayers and Utena.

Operations of Enoki Films USA were discontinued in 2010 and the company is now defunct.

In addition to anime, Enoki Films USA also distributed puppet-based programs such as Peppermint Park and Star Fleet.

History

Enoki Films Co., Ltd. was founded in Tokyo in 1975 by Zen and Yoshi Enoki. The company expanded its global presence by opening a liaison office in London in 1980 to oversee European activities. Subsequently, in 1986, Yoshi Enoki launched the American division by establishing an office in California.

Anime licensed by Enoki Films USA

Notable anime titles licensed through Enoki USA include:

Young anime of Enoki Films

Series aimed at younger viewers include:

Anime titles offered by Enoki Films for sub-licensing

Enoki Films provides a variety of anime series available for sub-licensing on home video formats. A number of these works have yet to be licensed or released in English, including:

External links

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