Cyberattack Claims: Toho Studios Network Infiltrated by BlackLock Group, Credibility Doubted

The legendary Japanese film studio Toho, recently honored with an Academy Award for visual effects in Godzilla Minus One, has found itself at the center of a burgeoning scandal. A post surfaced on a closed darknet forum—frequented by cybercriminals to disclose information about their targets—alleging a breach of the renowned studio’s information systems.

The group claiming responsibility is BlackLock, which asserted it had infiltrated the corporate network of the media giant. Emerging in early 2024, this digital syndicate has steadily expanded its illicit operations, leaving a trail of disruption across dozens of organizations.

However, cybersecurity experts have raised serious doubts regarding the credibility of the group’s claims. An independent investigation revealed that the majority of links to the purportedly stolen data were either non-functional or led to files containing nothing but incoherent, meaningless content.

Notably, the alleged attack coincides with a pinnacle moment in Toho’s recent success. A titan of the Japanese film industry, Toho boasts a rich artistic legacy. Its cinematic vault houses global masterpieces such as Seven Samurai, The Hidden Fortress, and King Kong vs. Godzilla. The company currently employs over 3,600 individuals, and its financial performance is no less impressive—with annual revenue in 2024 surpassing the $2 billion mark.

The scale of BlackLock’s activity is staggering: by the end of 2024, the gang had ascended to seventh place among the most prolific ransomware operators. The number of attacks in the fourth quarter alone surged by a jaw-dropping 1,425% compared to the previous quarter. In the span of a year, at least 63 companies are believed to have fallen victim to their digital raids.

In a striking twist to this ongoing cyber saga, security specialists from Resecurity recently uncovered a vulnerability within the attackers’ own infrastructure. The researchers successfully breached BlackLock’s systems, exposing the fragility of the so-called cyber privateers’ defenses.

Toho’s media representatives have yet to issue an official statement. Journalists have submitted formal inquiries to the studio’s press office to clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged data breach. This article will be updated once a response from studio leadership is received.