Japanese Anime and Manga companies Shogakukan Inc., Shueisha Inc. and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. (Shogakukan & Shueisha Group) announced August 28th 2009 that they have acquired ownership of Kaze S.A.S. (Kaze) and Anime Virtual S.A. (Anime Virtual), the lead distributors and licensees for Anime in Europe. Paris-based subsidiary VIZ Media Europe (VME, President, John P. Easum) will helm the group’s Europe activities, with Kaze and Anime Virtual now part of the company. Until now, Shogakukan & Shueisha Group managed VME’s activities through U.S. based subsidiary VIZ Media, LLC (VMC, President, Hidemi Fukuhara).

Kaze (President, Cedric Littardi) mainly can be found taking charge of French speaking territories, while Anime Virtual (President, Nicolas Weber-Krebs) controls things in the German speaking territories. Together they’re focusing on TV sales, DVD and music distribution, film distribution, consumer products, and new digital distribution and broadcast platforms, as well as manga publishing in French speaking territories.

It is also another step forward for Shogakukan & Shueisha Group who gain opportunities such as:

• Direct DVD publishing and distribution in France and Germany.
• TV broadcast and distribution through various new platforms and technologies.
• Development and licensing of consumer products.
• Direct manga publishing and distribution ability throughout French speaking Europe.
• Innovative brand building across a full spectrum of media, including manga publishing, animation licensing, animation broadcasting, consumer product licensing and new digital platforms.

The new company will be wholly owned by Shogakukan & Shueisha Group, and it will see an integration between VME, Kaze, Anime Virtual and their subsidiaries under a new infrastructure and administration. John P. Easum has been appointed as President of the new company with their head office remaining in Paris. Cedric Littardi and Nicolas Weber-Krebs have been retained by the company and are now employed as managing directors.

Mr John P. Easum, President of VIZ Media Europe:

“This is a very exciting development for all parties involved in this venture. Kaze and Anime Virtual are proven pioneers and leaders in the distribution of Japanese content. This acquisition benefits Shogakukan & Shueisha Group with Kaze and Anime Virtual’s proven local market expertise, marketing innovation and experienced management. We will now be in a much better position to support our many partners, while proactively developing the market by bringing a greater variety of content to our fans in a much more effective and timely manner.”

And in addition – Mr. Masahiro Oga, President of Shogakukan Inc.:

“Through this venture, the new company will be able to dedicate itself to serving a growing market for Japanese manga and animation. By building a closer bridge between Japan and our partners and markets in Europe, we are confident the new company will succeed in delivering more excitement for our fans while growing new markets for Japanese content.”

This sounds amazing and exciting for European Anime and Manga fans, and we wish the company all the best with this new venture!