VIZ and TokyoPop Team Up For German Manga Launch

Date: 2005 December 01 11:05

Posted by Jeremy

VIZ Media B.V. announces team-up with TokyoPop Germany to publish hit manga for the German market.

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VIZ Media, LLC has announced that VIZ Media B.V., their recently launched joint venture with London-based Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, Ltd., will be teaming up with TokyoPop GmbH Germany for a groundbreaking partnership to publish and distribute the latest manga titles to the German market. This is the latest news regarding VIZ Media’s European venture, which was announced back in September.

Founded back in April of 2004, TokyoPop GmbH Germany, the German branch of manga publisher TokyoPop, is presently the biggest growing manga publisher in the German market, steadily expanding its catalogue of Japanese and Korean licenses and own properties. By combining forces with VIZ Media B.V., which has access to some of the most popular manga and animation properties owned by VIZ Media’s parent companies, publishing houses Shueisha Inc. and Shogakukan Inc. and ShoPro (Japan), the plan is to deliver the best and most compelling content to the growing legion of male and female manga fans and will seek to gain new fans through innovative marketing and promotional activities.

"We are extremely pleased to announce this innovative partnership between VIZ Media B.V. and TokyoPop Germany," said Daniel Marks, managing director for VIZ Media B.V. "We are enthusiastic to partner with a company that understands manga and our vision of using a brand building approach to nurture and further expand the German market for Japanese content."

"TokyoPop Germany is please to be working with VIZ Media B.V. to bring these popular Shueisha properties to our market," said Dr. Joachim Kaps, managing director for TokyoPop GmbH Germany. "We are confident that the new cross-media activities of VIZ Media B.V. will change the face of the manga markets in Europe and we are excited to be part of this new adventure."

The first titles to be offered through the new partnership will include a cross section of both shonen and shojo manga, showing a display of strength and diversity that will appeal to fans of all genres, including action, fantasy, supernatural and romance. Among the titles to first be released include Bleach, Ichigo 100%, Death Note, Prince of Tennis, Maria Sama and Crazy for You. There are especially high expectations for the shojo titles, as they have gained increased momentum as more young girls discover an array of compelling series with romantic subplots that break down the myth that manga is only for male readers.