by To commemorate its 70th anniversary, Toei Animation has announced a special Blu-ray collection featuring five of its most iconic animated feature films. The commemorative lineup includes beloved classics such as The Flying Ghost Ship, Journey to the West, Animal Treasure Island, Shonen Sarutobi Sasuke, and Grimm’s Fairy Tales: The Golden Bird.
The films will be released individually between October 2026 and February 2027, each receiving 4K negative scans and 4K remastered restorations to preserve their original animation while significantly improving picture quality for modern audiences.
The anniversary project celebrates Toei Animation’s remarkable legacy and offers anime fans and collectors a chance to revisit some of the studio’s earliest masterpieces in their highest-quality home video presentations to date.
Toei Animation Marks 70 Years of Anime History
Founded in 1956, Toei Animation has played a pivotal role in shaping both Japanese animation and the global anime industry. Over the past seven decades, the studio has produced numerous influential works that helped establish anime as an international phenomenon.
To honor this milestone, Toei Animation is restoring several of its classic theatrical films, allowing longtime fans to experience these historic productions in enhanced visual quality while introducing a new generation of viewers to the studio’s early achievements.
Each title in the anniversary collection has been carefully restored from 4K scans of the original film negatives, ensuring improved image clarity, richer colors, and greater preservation of the original artwork.
Five Classic Anime Films Receive 4K Remastered Blu-ray Editions
The anniversary collection includes five landmark animated films that represent different eras of Toei Animation’s creative history.
- The Flying Ghost Ship
Based on an original story by legendary manga creator Shotaro Ishinomori, The Flying Ghost Ship remains one of Toei Animation’s most memorable science-fiction adventures.
Blending mystery, fantasy, and social commentary, the film has become a cult classic thanks to its imaginative storytelling and striking visual style.
Its upcoming Blu-ray edition features a brand-new 4K remaster designed to preserve the film for future generations.
- Shonen Sarutobi Sasuke
Originally released as Japan’s first feature-length Cinemascope animated film, Shonen Sarutobi Sasuke occupies an important place in anime history.
The film earned international recognition after winning the Grand Prix at the Venice International Children’s Film Festival, helping establish Japanese animation on the global stage.
Its widescreen presentation was groundbreaking at the time, making this restored edition especially significant for animation enthusiasts.
- Journey to the West (Saiyuki)
Inspired by the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West is another historic production in Toei Animation’s catalog.
The film is particularly notable because legendary manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka contributed as both a scriptwriter and co-director.
His creative involvement makes this release especially valuable for fans interested in the evolution of Japanese animation and storytelling.
The upcoming Blu-ray restoration aims to showcase the film with improved detail while preserving its original artistic style.
- Animal Treasure Island
Released as part of Toei Animation’s 20th anniversary celebrations, Animal Treasure Island is one of the studio’s most influential adventure films.
The movie is especially famous because acclaimed filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki participated in its production early in his career.
Many animation historians consider the film an important stepping stone that helped shape Miyazaki’s later storytelling style and dynamic action sequences.
Its inclusion in the anniversary lineup highlights its lasting importance within anime history.
- Grimm’s Fairy Tales: The Golden Bird
Completing the collection is Grimm’s Fairy Tales: The Golden Bird, which will receive its first-ever Blu-ray release.
Unlike the other titles, this film has never previously been available on Blu-ray, making it one of the most anticipated releases in the anniversary collection.
The restoration allows fans to experience this lesser-known classic with significantly improved image quality for the very first time.
Limited Collector’s Editions Include Exclusive Bonus Booklets
In addition to the standard Blu-ray releases, Toei Video Online Shop will offer limited pre-order editions for each film.
These exclusive collector’s editions will include:
- Premium Blu-ray packaging
- A commemorative booklet featuring production materials
- Additional information about each film’s creation and historical significance
- Exclusive packaging available only through pre-orders
The bonus booklets are expected to be especially appealing to collectors and longtime anime fans interested in the history of Toei Animation.
Hakujaden Blu-ray BOX Returns
Alongside the new releases, Toei Video Online Shop is also bringing back the Hakujaden (The White Snake Legend) Blu-ray BOX, originally released in October 2019.
Often recognized as Japan’s first full-length color animated feature film, Hakujaden holds an especially important place in anime history.
Its return gives collectors another opportunity to own one of Toei Animation’s most historically significant productions alongside the new anniversary releases.
Why These Releases Matter
While modern anime continues to dominate global streaming platforms, many of the industry’s earliest masterpieces remain difficult to access in high quality.
These new restorations help preserve important works that influenced generations of animators and filmmakers.
The collection also highlights the contributions of several legendary creators, including:
- Shotaro Ishinomori, creator of The Flying Ghost Ship.
- Osamu Tezuka, who helped shape Journey to the West.
- Hayao Miyazaki, whose early work can be seen in Animal Treasure Island.
For anime historians, collectors, and newcomers alike, these Blu-ray editions offer an opportunity to explore the foundations of Japanese animation in their best visual presentation yet.
Final Thoughts
Toei Animation’s 70th Anniversary Blu-ray Collection is more than a celebration of the studio’s past—it’s a preservation project dedicated to some of the most influential films in anime history.
With 4K negative scans, high-quality remastering, limited collector’s editions, and the first Blu-ray release of Grimm’s Fairy Tales: The Golden Bird, the collection represents one of Toei Animation’s most significant home video initiatives in recent years.
Whether you’re a longtime collector, a classic anime enthusiast, or someone interested in discovering the origins of Japanese animation, these anniversary releases provide an excellent opportunity to experience timeless films that helped shape the anime industry we know today.
