Toei Company

The Japanese studio whose special effects and giant robots built the foundation of the Power Rangers universe.

Toei Company, Ltd. is a Japanese entertainment company headquartered in Kyōbashi, Chūō, Tokyo. It is involved in film and television production, distribution, video game development, publishing, and ownership of 34 movie theaters. Toei is renowned for its production of anime and live-action dramas known as tokusatsu, which incorporate special visual effects. It is also known for producing period dramas. Toei is the majority shareholder of Toei Animation and is recognized for its franchises such as Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and Power Rangers. Toei is a member of the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan, and is often considered one of Japan's Big Four film studios, alongside Kadokawa, Shochiku and Toho.

Quick Facts

Romanized name: Tōei Kabushiki-gaisha
Former name: Tōkyō Eiga Haikyū (1949–1951)
Predecessor: Toyoko Eiga Company; Ōizumi Films
Founded: 1 October 1949 (as Tōkyō Eiga)
Founder: Keita Goto
Headquarters: Chūō, Tokyo
Country: Japan
Industry: Film and television; Video games

Lore & Background

Toei is a pioneer in the use of 'Henshin'/'character transformation' in Live Action Television, a technique developed for the Kamen Rider, Metal Hero and Super Sentai series; the genre currently continues with Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. The use of the collective pseudonym Saburō Yatsude began with the 1975 series 'Akumaizer 3' and has been used throughout the Super Sentai series. In the adapted Power Rangers series starting with Power Rangers Ninja Storm, the credits list 'Saburo Yatsude' (or 'Saburō Yatsude'); before this, the credits listed 'Original Concepts by Saburo Yatsude'. Toei's logo features the Toei logo superimposed over a scene from Cape Inubō in Chiba, of three rocks in the surf beyond the beach as waves crash over the rocks. It has been seen in front of most live-action film & television produced and distributed by Toei, such as Power Rangers.

Reader's Guide

The partnership between Toei and American producers revolutionized the television landscape by repurposing these Japanese narratives for Western audiences. By re-editing footage from Super Sentai seasons, adding new American actors in civilian scenes, and dubbing over the original dialogue, a hybrid production was born. This unique synergy allowed the core action sequences of Toei's creations to become the signature battles of the Power Rangers. The studio continues to produce new entries annually, ensuring that the cycle of heroism, teamwork, and giant robot combat remains fresh for fans around the globe.

Did You Know?

Toei's logo features three rocks from Cape Inubō in Chiba, with waves crashing over them, and has been used since 1954.
Toei owns and operates studios in Tokyo and Kyoto and holds shares in several television companies.