ShoPro and Viz to Merge

Posted on February 26, 2005

ShoPro Entertainment Inc. and Viz, LLC, two companies specializing in Japanese manga and animation content, are merging this spring to create a new entertainment company. ShoPro Entertainment, an affiliate of ShoPro Japan, a subsidiary of Shogakukan Inc., one of Japan's largest publishing companies, is a global licensor specializing in animation, entertainment production and consumer products for such properties as Inuyasha and MegaMan NT Warrior. Viz, a subsidiary of Shogakukan Inc. and Shueisha Inc., is a publisher of manga for English speaking audiences, including the bestselling graphic novel titles Yu-Gi-Oh!, Dragon Ball, Alice 19TH, Ranma 1/2, and Shonen Jump magazine. Viz is also a top producer of Japanese animation home video/DVD titles such as Pokeman, Inuyasha and Boys Over Flowers.