Viz and Tokyopop Partner in Germany
VIZ MEDIA B.V. TO PARTNER WITH TOKYOPOP GmbH GERMANY TO DELIVER MANGA TO GERMAN AUDIENCES
First of its Kind Partnership Between Two Entertainment Powerhouses will Bring Latest Titles to Growing Legion of German Fans
Amsterdam, Holland, NOVEMBER 22, 2005 – Viz Media B.V., a recently launched joint venture between San Francisco based Viz Media and London-based Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, Ltd. (CPLG) to drive the long term growth of Japanese manga and animation brands in the European market, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with TOKYOPOP GmbH Germany to publish and distribute the latest manga titles to the German market.
The first titles to be offered will include a cross section of both shonen manga, aimed at male audiences, and shôjo manga aimed primarily at female readers, from the Japanese publisher Shueisha. Upon the launch of the partnership, the strength and diversity of manga will be fully displayed with an array of action, fantasy, supernatural, and romantic plots to be released including – BLEACH, ICHIGO 100%, DEATH NOTE, PRINCE OF TENNIS, MARIA SAMA and CRAZY FOR YOU. In particular, there is high expectations for the shôjo 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.
“We are extremely pleased to announce this innovative partnership between Viz Media B.V. and Tokyopop Germany,” states Daniel Marks, managing director, 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.”
Viz Media B.V. possesses access to some of the most popular manga and animation properties owned by Viz Media's parent companies, Shueisha, Inc. and Shogakukan, Inc., the largest publishing houses in Japan, and Sho-Pro (Japan). TOKYOPOP GmbH Germany is the fastest growing manga publisher in the German market. By combining forces, the companies will 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.
"Tokyopop Germany is pleased to be working with Viz Media B.V. to bring these popular Shueisha properties to our market.” states Dr. Joachim Kaps, managing director, 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."
About TOKYOPOP
TOKYOPOP is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision that transcends countless platforms. From the introduction of the first-ever extensive manga publishing program in North America, to the development of its manga-originated intellectual properties into film, television and digital entertainment, TOKYOPOP has changed the way teens experience pop culture. The company's global reach has expanded to Europe and Asia, with recent offices opening in the UK and Germany and upcoming partnerships in Australia and China, in addition to its original Los Angeles and Tokyo operations. With millions of fans logging onto www.TOKYOPOP.com, reading its books, and watching its DVDs and television programs, TOKYOPOP's award-winning catalogue of licensed and original properties has made the company a visionary in an ever-growing teen entertainment marketplace. TOKYOPOP GmbH Germany, founded in April 2004, is presently the biggest growing Manga publisher in the German market and is steadily expanding its catalogue of Japanese and Koran licenses and own properties. TOKYOPOP GmbH has also started its DVD programme recently, presenting PEACE MAKER KUROGANE, SCHOOL RUMBLE and many other well-known properties. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com and www.TOKYOPOP.de for additional information.
About Viz Media B.V.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, Viz Media B.V. is a joint venture company formed in October 2005 by Viz Media, LLC of San Francisco, CA and London-based Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Limited (CPLG). The joint venture company, which is a 50-50 partnership, was created to expand the opportunities for Viz Media content throughout Europe. Viz Media, one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content, is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. Viz Media is owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha, Inc., Shogakukan, Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co, Ltd. (Sho-Pro Japan). CPLG is one of the world's leading entertainment, sports and brands licensing agencies with over 30 years experience in the industry. Headquartered in London, CPLG has dedicated teams in seven offices across Europe and international agencies servicing the rest of the world.
First of its Kind Partnership Between Two Entertainment Powerhouses will Bring Latest Titles to Growing Legion of German Fans
Amsterdam, Holland, NOVEMBER 22, 2005 – Viz Media B.V., a recently launched joint venture between San Francisco based Viz Media and London-based Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, Ltd. (CPLG) to drive the long term growth of Japanese manga and animation brands in the European market, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with TOKYOPOP GmbH Germany to publish and distribute the latest manga titles to the German market.
The first titles to be offered will include a cross section of both shonen manga, aimed at male audiences, and shôjo manga aimed primarily at female readers, from the Japanese publisher Shueisha. Upon the launch of the partnership, the strength and diversity of manga will be fully displayed with an array of action, fantasy, supernatural, and romantic plots to be released including – BLEACH, ICHIGO 100%, DEATH NOTE, PRINCE OF TENNIS, MARIA SAMA and CRAZY FOR YOU. In particular, there is high expectations for the shôjo 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.
“We are extremely pleased to announce this innovative partnership between Viz Media B.V. and Tokyopop Germany,” states Daniel Marks, managing director, 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.”
Viz Media B.V. possesses access to some of the most popular manga and animation properties owned by Viz Media's parent companies, Shueisha, Inc. and Shogakukan, Inc., the largest publishing houses in Japan, and Sho-Pro (Japan). TOKYOPOP GmbH Germany is the fastest growing manga publisher in the German market. By combining forces, the companies will 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.
"Tokyopop Germany is pleased to be working with Viz Media B.V. to bring these popular Shueisha properties to our market.” states Dr. Joachim Kaps, managing director, 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."
About TOKYOPOP
TOKYOPOP is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision that transcends countless platforms. From the introduction of the first-ever extensive manga publishing program in North America, to the development of its manga-originated intellectual properties into film, television and digital entertainment, TOKYOPOP has changed the way teens experience pop culture. The company's global reach has expanded to Europe and Asia, with recent offices opening in the UK and Germany and upcoming partnerships in Australia and China, in addition to its original Los Angeles and Tokyo operations. With millions of fans logging onto www.TOKYOPOP.com, reading its books, and watching its DVDs and television programs, TOKYOPOP's award-winning catalogue of licensed and original properties has made the company a visionary in an ever-growing teen entertainment marketplace. TOKYOPOP GmbH Germany, founded in April 2004, is presently the biggest growing Manga publisher in the German market and is steadily expanding its catalogue of Japanese and Koran licenses and own properties. TOKYOPOP GmbH has also started its DVD programme recently, presenting PEACE MAKER KUROGANE, SCHOOL RUMBLE and many other well-known properties. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com and www.TOKYOPOP.de for additional information.
About Viz Media B.V.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, Viz Media B.V. is a joint venture company formed in October 2005 by Viz Media, LLC of San Francisco, CA and London-based Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Limited (CPLG). The joint venture company, which is a 50-50 partnership, was created to expand the opportunities for Viz Media content throughout Europe. Viz Media, one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content, is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. Viz Media is owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha, Inc., Shogakukan, Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co, Ltd. (Sho-Pro Japan). CPLG is one of the world's leading entertainment, sports and brands licensing agencies with over 30 years experience in the industry. Headquartered in London, CPLG has dedicated teams in seven offices across Europe and international agencies servicing the rest of the world.
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