Viz Media, LLC, often stylized as VIZ Media, headquartered in San Francisco, is an anime, manga, graphic novel, and Japanese entertainment company. It was founded in 1986 as Viz LLC. In 2005, Viz LLC and ShoPro Entertainment merged to form the current Viz Media LLC, which is jointly owned by Japanese publishers Shogakukan and Shueisha, as well as Japanese production company Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions (ShoPro).
Reception[]
Viz Media was awarded the Manga Publisher of the Year Gem Award by Diamond Comic Distributors in 2007. Viz also received an award for Manga Trade Paperback of the Year for its release of the fourteenth volume of the Naruto series.
Publication style[]
By 2002 Viz Communications kept some publications in the original right-to-left format, while in other publications it mirrored pages from Japan's right-to-left reading format to fit the Western left-to-right reading style. During that year Dallas Middaugh, the senior marketing manager of Viz, stated that the left-to-right version of Neon Genesis Evangelion outsold the right-to-left version of Neon Genesis Evangelion on a three to one basis; Middaugh concluded that readers wanted "an easy reading experience." Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball, requested that his work, labeled as Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z in the Viz versions, be published in the original right-to-left format. Vagabond was printed in right-to-left to preserve historical accuracy. Middaugh said that younger readers of Dragon Ball adapted to the right to left format more easily than their parents.
Viz has censored some of its titles. Some titles, such as Dragon Ball, were published in both censored and uncensored forms.
Publications[]
Shonen Jump and Weekly Shonen Jump[]
Shonen Jump was a shōnen manga anthology that debuted in November 2002, with a January 2003 cover date. Based on the popular Japanese anthology Weekly Shōnen Jump, published by Shueisha, Shonen Jump was retooled for English readers and the American audience and is published monthly, instead of weekly. It featured serialized chapters from seven manga series, and articles on Japanese language and culture, as well as manga, anime, video games, and figurines. In conjunction with the magazine, Viz launched new imprints for releasing media related to the series presented in the magazine, and other shōnen works. This includes two new manga imprints, an anime DVD imprint, a fiction line for releasing light novels, a label for fan and data books, and a label for the release of art books.
Prior to the magazine's launch, Viz launched an extensive marketing campaign to promote the magazine and help it succeed where other manga anthologies in North America have failed. Shueisha purchased an equity interest in Viz to help fund the venture, and Cartoon Network, Suncoast, and Diamond Distributors became promotional partners in the magazine. The first issue required three printings to meet demand, with over 300,000 copies sold. It was awarded the ICv2 "Comic Product of the Year" award in December 2002, and has enjoyed high sales with a monthly circulation of 215,000 in 2008. It was discontinued in April 2012 when Viz decided to focus on a weekly digital manga anthology Weekly Shonen Jump (initially named Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha) which launched in January 2012.
Weekly Shonen Jump ended on December 10, 2018 and Shonen Jump digital vault was launched, providing access to a limited number of free digital chapters and a subscription service to access their back catalogue of Shonen Jump titles. A global version of Shonen Jump+ was also launched on January 28, 2019, called Manga Plus. Shonen Jump digital vault presumably ended service when Manga Plus was launched.
Published series[]
Manga[]
🔍 This section needs to be cleaned up to a higher standard of quality. Reason: No need to list all of them, since will get outdated quickly
- 2001 Nights
- 20th Century Boys
- A, A Prime
- A.D. Police: Dead End City
- Absolute Boyfriend
- Adolf
- Afterschool Charisma
- Aishiteruze Baby
- Alice 19th
- All My Darling Daughters
- The All-New Tenchi Muyo!
- Angel Sanctuary
- Aqua Knight
- Arata: The Legend
- Area 88
- Ashen Victor
- B.B. Explosion
- B.O.D.Y.
- Baby and Me
- Backstage Prince
- Bakegyamon
- Bakuman
- Banana Fish
- Baoh
- The Cat Returns
- Basara
- Bastard!!
- Battle Angel Alita
- Battle Angel Alita: Last Order
- Beast Master
- Beauty is the Beast
- Beauty Pop
- Beet the Vandel Buster
- Benkei in New York
- Beyblade
- The Big O
- Bio Booster Armor Guyver
- Biomega
- Black Bird
- Black Cat
- Black Jack
- Black Lagoon
- Bleach
- Blood: The Last Vampire 2002
- Blue Exorcist
- Blue Spring
- Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
- Bokurano: Ours
- Boys Over Flowers
- Buso Renkin
- Butterflies, Flowers
- Cactus's Secret
- Captive Hearts
- Case Closed
- Ceres, Celestial Legend
- Cheeky Angel
- Chicago
- Children of the Sea
- Claymore
- La Corda d'Oro
- Earl Cain
- Crimson Hero
- Cross Game
- Crying Freeman
- D.Gray-man
- Dance till Tomorrow
- Death Note
- Dengeki Daisy
- Descendants of Darkness
- Detroit Metal City
- Di Gi Charat
- Dogs
- Dorohedoro
- Doubt!!
- Dr. Slump
- Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball Z
- Dragon Drive
- The Drifting Classroom
- Eagle: The Making of an Asian-American President
- Eat-Man
- El-Hazard
- Excel Saga
- Eyeshield 21
- Fairy Cube
- Fall in Love Like a Comic!
- Firefighter! Daigo of Fire Company M
- Fist of the North Star
- Flame of Recca
- From Far Away
- Full Moon o Sagashite
- Fullmetal Alchemist
- Fushigi Yūgi
- Gaba Kawa
- Galaxy Express 999
- The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross
- Gestalt
- Getter Robo Go
- Gimmick!
- Gin Tama
- Golgo 13
- Grand Guignol Orchestra
- Grey
- Gun Blaze West
- Hana-Kimi
- Haou Airen
- Happy Happy Clover
- Happy Hustle High
- Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time
- Hayate the Combat Butler
- Heaven's Will
- Here is Greenwood
- High School Debut
- Hikaru no Go
- Honey and Clover
- Honey Hunt
- Hoshin Engi
- Hot Gimmick
- House of Five Leaves
- Hunter x Hunter
- I"s
- I.O.N
- Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit
- Imadoki!
- Inubaka: Crazy for Dogs
- InuYasha
- Itsuwaribito
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
- Jormungand
- Kamikaze Girls
- Kamisama Kiss
- Karakuri Dōji Ultimo
- Kare First Love
- Kaze Hikaru
- Kekkaishi
- Kimi ni Todoke
- Kingyo Used Books
- Kirby
- Kurohime
- Kurozakuro
- The Law of Ueki
- The Legend of Kamui
- The Legend of Zelda
- Legendz
- Love Com
- Macross II
- Magical Pokemon Journey
- Mai, the Psychic Girl
- Maison Ikkoku
- MÄR
- Marionette Generation
- Medabots
- MegaMan NT Warrior
- Mermaid Saga
- MeruPuri
- Midori Days
- Millennium Snow
- Mixed Vegetables
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin
- Monkey High!
- Monster
- Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation
- Nana
- Natsume's Book of Friends
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- No Need for Tenchi
- Nora: The Last Chronicle of Devildom
- Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan
- O-Parts Hunter
- Ogre Slayer
- Oishinbo
- One Piece
- One-Pound Gospel
- Ōoku: The Inner Chambers
- Oresama Teacher
- Otomen
- Ouran High School Host Club
- Patlabor
- Phoenix
- Please Save My Earth
- Pluto
- Pokémon
- Pokémon Adventures
- Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
- Pretty Face
- The Prince of Tennis
- Project ARMS
- RahXephon
- Ral Grad
- Ranma ½
- Read or Die
- Read or Dream
- Real
- Reborn!
- The Record of a Fallen Vampire
- Red River
- Revolutionary Girl Utena
- Rin-ne
- Ristorante Paradiso
- Rosario + Vampire
- Rumic Theater
- Rurouni Kenshin
- S · A: Special A
- Saikano
- Saint Seiya
- Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura
- Samurai Crusader
- Sanctuary
- Sand Chronicles
- Sand Land
- Saturn Apartments
- Sensual Phrase
- Sexy Voice and Robo
- Shakugan no Shana
- Shaman King
- Short Cuts
- Short Program
- Short-Tempered Melancholic
- Silent Möbius
- Skip Beat!
- Slam Dunk
- Socrates in Love
- Solanin
- Spriggan
- St. Dragon Girl
- Steam Detectives
- Stepping on Roses
- The Story of Saiunkoku
- Strain
- Strawberry 100%
- Street Fighter II
- Sugar Princess
- Switch
- Tail of the Moon
- Tegami Bachi
- Tekkonkinkreet
- Tenjho Tenge
- Time Stranger Kyoko
- Togari
- Tokyo Boys & Girls
- Toriko
- Toshokan Senso
- Tough
- Train Man: Densha Otoko
- Tuxedo Gin
- Ultimate Muscle
- Ultra Maniac
- Urusei Yatsura
- Uzumaki
- Vagabond
- Vampire Knight
- Video Girl Ai
- W Juliet
- Wanted
- Wāqwāq
- We Were There
- Wedding Peach
- Whistle!
- Wild Ones
- Wolf's Rain
- X
- Xenon
- Yakitate!! Japan
- Yumekui Kenbun
- YuYu Hakusho
- Yu-Gi-Oh!
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist
- Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Millennium World
- Yu-Gi-Oh! R
- Yume Kira Dream Shoppe
- Yurara
- Zatch Bell!
- Zoids: Chaotic Century
- Zombiepowder.
TV series[]
Title | Eps. | Viz Start | Viz End | Original Start | Original End |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranma ½ | 161 | November 2, 1993 | August 19, 2003 | April 15, 1989 | September 25, 1992 |
Maison Ikkoku | 96 | April 1996 | July 4, 2006 | March 26, 1986 | March 2, 1988 |
Ceres, Celestial Legend | 24 | July 31, 2001 | March 26, 2002 | April 20, 2000 | September 28, 2000 |
Zoids: Chaotic Century | 67 | February 18, 2002 | January 4, 2003 | September 4, 1999 | December 23, 2000 |
Hamtaro | 103 | June 3, 2002 | June 25, 2003 | July 7, 2000 | July 5, 2002 |
InuYasha | 167 | August 31, 2002 | October 27, 2006 | October 16, 2000 | September 13, 2004 |
Project ARMS | 26 | October 8, 2002 | May 4, 2004 | April 7, 2001 | September 29, 2001 |
Trouble Chocolate | 20 | October 22, 2002 | June 10, 2003 | October 8, 1999 | March 24, 2000 |
Great Dangaioh | 13 | November 12, 2002 | May 20, 2003 | April 5, 2001 | July 5, 2001 |
MegaMan NT Warrior | 52 | May 17, 2003 | August 21, 2004 | March 4, 2002 | March 31, 2003 |
Corrector Yui | 18 | July 1, 2003 | February 24, 2004 | April 9, 1999 | August 6, 1999 |
Boys Over Flowers | 51 | September 9, 2003 | July 5, 2005 | September 8, 1996 | August 31, 1997 |
Saikano | 13 | April 27, 2004 | November 9, 2004 | July 2, 2002 | September 24, 2002 |
Project ARMS: The 2nd Chapter | 26 | August 24, 2004 | November 15, 2005 | October 6, 2001 | March 30, 2002 |
Flame of Recca | 42 | October 26, 2004 | January 9, 2007 | July 19, 1997 | July 10, 1998 |
MegaMan NT Warrior: Axess | 45 | November 22, 2004 | December 9, 2005 | October 4, 2003 | September 25, 2004 |
Zatch Bell! | 104 | March 5, 2005 | December 6, 2008 | April 6, 2003 | April 24, 2005 |
Naruto | 220 | September 10, 2005 | September 22, 2009 | October 3, 2002 | February 8, 2007 |
Deko Boko Friends | ? | September 2005 | ? | April 1, 2002 | ? |
Grandpa Danger | ? | ? | ? | April 4, 2004 | ? |
Full Moon o Sagashite | 28 | June 27, 2006 | December 18, 2007 | April 6, 2002 | October 12, 2002 |
The Prince of Tennis | 52 | July 14, 2006 | December 3, 2007 | October 10, 2001 | October 9, 2002 |
MÄR | 52 | July 14, 2006 | March 10, 2008 | April 3, 2005 | April 2, 2006 |
Hikaru no Go | 72 | July 14, 2006 | December 22, 2008 | October 10, 2001 | March 5, 2003 |
Bleach | 366 | September 8, 2006 | November 1, 2014 | October 5, 2004 | March 27, 2012 |
Mega Man Star Force | 25 | July 23, 2007 | December 10, 2007 | October 7, 2006 | March 31, 2007 |
Zoids: Genesis | ? | October 8, 2007 | ???? | ???? | ???? |
Death Note | 37 | October 21, 2007 | July 6, 2008 | October 3, 2006 | June 27, 2007 |
Blue Dragon | 51 | March 28, 2008 | July 2009 | April 7, 2007 | March 29, 2008 |
Buso Renkin | 26 | April 29, 2008 | October 7, 2008 | October 5, 2006 | March 29, 2007 |
Kilari | 153 | September 20, 2008 | August 19, 2010 | April 7, 2006 | March 27, 2009 |
Hunter x Hunter | 62 | December 9, 2008 | December 1, 2009 | October 16, 1999 | March 31, 2001 |
Nana | 47 | September 8, 2009 | April 13, 2010 | April 5, 2006 | March 28, 2007 |
Naruto Shippūden | . | September 10, 2009 | . | February 15, 2007 | March 23, 2017 |
Honey and Clover | 26 | September 22, 2009 | December 15, 2009 | April 14, 2005 | September 26, 2005 |
Honey and Clover II | 12 | March 16, 2010 | June 29, 2006 | September 21, 2006 | |
InuYasha: The Final Act | 26 | October 3, 2009 | March 29, 2010 | October 3, 2009 | March 29, 2010 |
Monster | 74 | October 12, 2009 | September 13, 2010 | April 6, 2004 | September 27, 2005 |
Kekkaishi | 52 | May 29, 2010 | May 28, 2011 | October 16, 2006 | February 11, 2008 |
Cross Game | 50 | May 2010 | May 2010 | April 5, 2009 | March 28, 2010 |
Blue Dragon: Trials of the Seven Shadows | 51 | June 7, 2010 | August 17, 2010 | April 5, 2008 | March 28, 2009 |
Vampire Knight | 13 | July 20, 2010 | November 16, 2010 | April 7, 2008 | June 30, 2008 |
Vampire Knight Guilty | 13 | March 15, 2011 | July 26, 2011 | October 6, 2008 | December 29, 2008 |
Reborn! | 203 | June 1, 2011 | June 1, 2011 | October 7, 2006 | September 25, 2010 |
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan | 26 | October 2, 2012 | August 20, 2013 | July 6, 2010 | December 21, 2010 |
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan - Demon Capital | 25 | January 28, 2014 | May 20, 2014 | July 3, 2011 | December 25, 2011 |
Hunter x Hunter | . | April 16, 2016 | . | October 2, 2011 | September 24, 2014 |
Sailor Moon | 200 | May 16, 2014 | July 15, 2016 | March 7, 1992 | February 8, 1997 |
Magical DoReMi | 201 | March 23, 2019 | May 15, 2020 | February 7, 1999 | January 26, 2003 |
Tokyo Mew Mew | 52 | May 25, 2019 | June 16, 2020 | April 6, 2002 | March 29, 2003 |
OVAs[]
Title | Eps. | Viz Start | Viz End | Original Start | Original End |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranma ½ | 11 | December 1993 | June 1996 | October 21, 1993 | January 19, 1996 |
One-Pound Gospel | 1 | July 1995 | December 2, 1988 | ||
Ogre Slayer | 4 | October 1995 | February 1996 | September 9, 1994 | July 21, 1995 |
Mermaid's Scar | 1 | November 21, 1995 | September 24, 1993 | ||
Please Save My Earth | 6 | March 1996 | July 1996 | December 17, 1993 | September 23, 1994 |
Sanctuary | 1 | October 1996 | April 1996 | ||
Key the Metal Idol | 6 | April 1997 | 2000 | December 16, 1994 | June 18, 1997 |
Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge | 4 | 2000 | 2000 | March 21, 1997 | March 27, 1998 |
I"s | 2 | March 24, 2009 | December 9, 2002 | March 25, 2003 | |
I"s Pure | 6 | March 24, 2009 | November 1, 2005 | July 23, 2006 |
Anime films[]
Title | Viz Release Date | Original Release Date |
---|---|---|
Ranma ½: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China | April 1994 | November 2, 1991 |
Ranma ½: Nihao My Concubine | September 1994 | August 1, 1992 |
Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf | March 1995 | December 23, 1992 |
Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle | May 1995 | July 31, 1993 |
Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture | September 1995 | July 16, 1994 |
Ranma ½: Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix | February 1996 | August 20, 1994 |
Galaxy Express 999 | September 1996 | August 4, 1979 |
Adieu Galaxy Express 999 | May 1997 | August 1, 1981 |
Grey: Digital Target | July 4, 1997 | December 13, 1986 |
InuYasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time | September 7, 2004 | December 15, 2001 |
InuYasha the Movie: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass | December 28, 2004 | December 21, 2002 |
InuYasha the Movie: Swords of an Honorable Ruler | September 6, 2005 | December 20, 2003 |
InuYasha the Movie: Fire on the Mystic Island | August 1, 2006 | December 23, 2004 |
Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow | June 6, 2007 | August 21, 2004 |
Bleach: Memories of Nobody | June 11, 2008 | December 16, 2006 |
Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel | June 12, 2008 | August 6, 2005 |
Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom | November 8, 2008 | August 5, 2006 |
Naruto Shippūden the Movie | November 10, 2009 | August 4, 2007 |
Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion | December 5, 2009 | December 22, 2007 |
Naruto Shippūden the Movie: Bonds | October 25, 2011 | August 2, 2008 |
Bleach: Fade to Black | November 15, 2011 | December 13, 2008 |
External links[]
- Other info
- News
- Anime News Network - Viz Media Simultaneously Releases Shogakukan Manga Titles in New VIZ Manga App by Joanna Cayanan 2023-05-09 06:56 EDT