Manga's Greatest Hits Find Their First-Ever Simulpub Home in North America

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 9th, 2023 –Today, VIZ Media launched a brand new digital manga service, Viz Manga, where for the first time ever Japan's most iconic publishing houses and revered legends of Japanese manga are available to read in English upon release in Japan. In an unprecedented move to meet global demand, this new development will allow fansto keep abreast of the latest chapters without delay.

The partnership marks the first time Shogakukan manga have ever been available to legally read upon simul-publication, furthering the fight in cracking down on piracy and ensuring fans can read the official source material. Additionally, as part of the new service, subscribers on the Viz Manga app will have access to more than 10,000+ chapters of both Shogakukan and Shueisha manga.

Due to the explosive success of the Shonen Jump digital service, this new development will exponentially expand Viz Media's digital offering. Features include a subscription service that will bring together the most sought after manga into a richly-designed, convenient, and curated experience. With over 25,000+ chapters collectively available through the Viz Manga and Shonen Jump apps for iOS and Android, plus further expansion in the works, Viz Media covers the largest portion of the digital manga market in North America, with more territories to come.

The simulpub catalog will launch with 15 titles, and the three most recent chapters of each series will be available for free. Content will include the latest releases from Eisner and Harvey Awards Hall of Famer Rumiko Takahashi, MAO; renowned creator Haro Aso, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead; the sequel to the international smash hit Inuyasha - Yashahime: Princess Half Demon from Takashi Shiina, plus, bestselling titles from newcomers including Tomohito Oda, Komi Can't Communicate.

With this new offering, Viz Media will meet the needs of the broader manga fan community across a variety of interests. The expansive library comprises a diverse and inspiring range of storytelling including — shojo/romance, fantasy, action, horror, slice-of-life, LGBTQ+, mystery/thriller, drama, supernatural, and comedy/humor. Today, Viz Manga offers the greatest variety of manga, all in one place.

Viz Media's digital offering by the numbers:

• Shonen Jump
  • Over 1 Billion chapter reads since launch
  • 35 Million average monthly reads
  • Over 40 English simulpub series
  • More than 15,000+ chapters available via the Shonen Jump subscription
• Viz Manga:
  • 15 new titles available in English simulpub for the very first time
  • The best deal in comics at $1.99 and with over 10,000+ chapters available to read
  • Curated recommendations by Viz Manga editors, the most experienced editors in the industry.
  • Readers can experience an immersive digital manga reading experience with striking layouts, vibrant manga chapters, vivid art and bold typography optimized for Android and iOS.

Included in the library are legendary creators:

• Rumiko Takahashi: Inuyasha, Ranma 1⁄2, Mermaid Saga, and others
• Junji Ito: GYO, Uzumaki, and others
• Yuu Watase: Fushigi Yugi, Absolute Boyfriend, and others
• Inio Asano: Goodnight Punpun, What a wonderful world!, and others
• Taiyō Matsumoto: Sunny, Tekkonkinkreet, Ping Pong, and others
• Gōshō Aoyama: Case Closed
• Ai Yazawa: Nana
• Arina Tanemura: Full Moon, The Gentlemen's Alliance† †, and others
• Plus, dozens more critically acclaimed titles

“With this new development, Viz Media builds on its history of innovation and experimentation,” said Ken Sasaki, Chief Executive Officer, Viz Media. “We want our world-class creators to reach as wide an audience as possible while reinforcing that manga should be read from the official source.”

Brad Woods, Chief Operating Officer, Viz Media said: “With a desire to always disrupt the status quo and bring innovative ideas to market, this new development in content, and creation of the simulpub offering is something we're excited to offer fans. We are also proud to support the work of our creators and partner publishers.”

ABOUT VIZ MEDIA:
Wherever manga and anime fans are, we are! Viz Media is No. 1 in Japanese pop culture, introducing fans to what's now, new, and next. Home to the world's most influential and groundbreaking storytellers and artists, who today drive multiple industries from publishing and animation to film and gaming. If it's big in Japan, you can find it at VIZ.

Viz Media is proudly cermfied as a Most Loved Workplace® in America. For more informamon on Viz Media visit: hpps://www.viz.com/