Overview 1926 to 1929

Notes on  Production Companies

As shown so far, in 1926 to 1929, most of the Top_10_Movies were produced by
Nikkatsu, Shochiku and Makino:
   Nikkatsu 19;
   Shochiku 9; and
   Makino 10.

Nikkatsu was established in 1912 as the result of the consolidation of substantially all of the then-existing movie production companies.

Shochiku was established in 1902 as a company that manages kabuki theaters, and entered into the film industry in 1920.

Nikkatsu and Shochiku have survived more than a century and still exists in 2016, and you'll frequently find "Nikkatsu" and "Shochiku" in the Top_10_Movies list from 1930 on.

Makino (Makino Production) was established by Shôzô Makino, one of (and probably the most important one) of pioneers of Japanese movie.
Shôzô started his career as a producer/director in Yokota Shokai (one of the predecessors of Nikkatsu) and worked in Nikkatsu untill 1921, when Shôzô left Nikkatsu and established his own production company.
Makino was quite successful especially in the genre of Jidaigeki (Period Drama), and turned out many talented directors, writers and star actors.
However, Makino failed to establish a stable distribution network, and most of its star actors were headhunted by other companies.
The financial situation got worse rapidly after Shôzô's death in 1929, and, in a few years, Makino wound up. The name "Makino" would never appear as Production Co. in the Top_10_Movies from 1930 on.

Masahiro Makino, who directed many Top_10_Movies in 1928 and 1929, is Shôzô's son. Masahiro revived his father's company in mid-30s as Makino Talkies, which was, however, active for only 2 years.

(*) Makino changed its name several tomes (Makino Kyoiku Eiga Seisaku-jo => Makino Eiga Seisaku-jo => Toa-Makino => Makino Production).