The current animation studio board member and Nippon TV executive will succeed Hiroyuki Fukuda effective June 22, continuing the company’s more recent focus on global brand expansion including event production.
Studio Ghibli has announced that Kenichi Yoda will become president and CEO director of the company, succeeding Hiroyuki Fukuda, effective June 22 following the conclusion of the company's scheduled shareholders' meeting.
Currently a Studio Ghibli director, Yoda also serves as a general specialist in the Business Division of Nippon Television Network Corporation's Content Strategy Headquarters. Fukuda, who is also president and CEO of Nippon Television Holdings, will remain on Studio Ghibli's board as a director, with no other board changes planned. The studio sold a majority stake to Nippon TV in 2023.
Nippon Television Group strengthened support for Studio Ghibli's operations during Fukuda's concurrent tenure, expanding cooperation between the companies in program and event production. This marks a notable shift in the studio’s strategic plans, in part influenced by The Royal Shakespeare Company's hit stage adaptation My Neighbor Totoro. Executive produced by Joe Hisaishi in collaboration with Nippon TV and Improbable, the play runs at London's Gillian Lynne Theatre through January 10, 2027.
According to Screenrant, “The move signals a major evolution for Studio Ghibli’s business strategy. Rather than concentrating solely on animated films, the studio now appears committed to expanding its global brand through immersive entertainment experiences. Even with the leadership change, several core figures remain involved, including Miyazaki as Honorary Chairman and Ghibli Park executive Kiyofumi Nakajima as Vice President and co-Representative Director.”
Yoda has handled event businesses including concerts, exhibitions and stage performances at Nippon Television, and served as the main person in charge of Studio Ghibli at the company. The studio said his appointment is intended to support closer collaboration with production operations and combine both companies' resources for new initiatives.
Yoda joined Yomiuri Shimbun Co., Ltd.'s Tokyo headquarters in April 1999 and moved to Nippon Television Network Corporation in December 2014. He became a Studio Ghibli director in October 2023 and took his current Nippon Television role in June 2024.
Source: Studio Ghibli
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
