Viz Media

History

In 1993, Viz Communications, Inc. had formed Viz Video as a home video subsidiary, to handle releases of anime based on Viz's material, such as Ranma ½,, which became a hit. The smash hit led to Viz acquiring licenses for several TV shows, including the kid-friendly anime series Pokémon and Hamtaro.

Earlier titles of Viz's material were first distributed by Central Park Media, a leading anime distributor, then Pioneer Entertainment, before being self-distributed in the mid-2000s.

In 2005, VIZ Communications merged with ShoPro Entertainment, an American subisidary of Shogakukan and was renamed to Viz Media. Horibuchi became the new company's chairman. During the same year, Horibuchi started a related division, Viz Pictures, for releasing selected live-action films in the US to theaters and DVD.

On December 17, 2008, Viz Media announced that starting on April 1, 2009, Warner Home Video would be handling the distribution of both its new and existing catalog releases. Viz itself is still the licensor and will do all production, while tapping the distribution powerhouse that distributes the works of other major companies such as Disney XD, Adult Swim, and Cartoon Network. Distribution was then transferred to Studio Distribution Services, LLC, a joint venture between WBDHE and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

On February 20, 2009, Viz Media laid off an unknown number of employees in order to help be more streamlined to face the current economic climate. On May 11, 2010, Viz Media again laid off a number of workers, 60 this time, again in order to try to become more streamlined. This time they released a press release claiming that none of their current product lines would be affected.

On April 2, 2012, it was announced that the senior vice-president and general manager of Viz Media Ken Sasaki would be succeeding executive producer Hidemi Fukuhara as president and CEO; Fukuhara will subsequently take up the position of vice-president at the end of the month.

In Fall 2013, Viz began distributing titles to the Philippines. In 2014, it announced it would do the same in India with 75 Shueisha titles being released in that country; Viz titles had been distributed unofficially to that country prior to the announcement.

On July 3, 2019, Viz Media partnered with Crunchyroll to distribute select Crunchyroll licensed titles on home video and electronic sell-through in the United States and Canada.

In 2020, Viz Media saw a 70% growth in the U.S. market, in line with a 43% increase in overall manga sales in the United States the same year.

Releases

1995

Catalog number	Title	Country of origin	Original year	Length	Version	MPAA rating	Film format	Tape count	Tape break placement (if applicable)	Color	Released	Note(s)
VVRA-003	Ranma ½: Cat-Fu Fighting	Japan	1995	52 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	May 1995
VVRO-004	Ranma ½: An Akane to Remember	Japan	1995	65 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	July 1995

1996

Catalog number	Title	Country of origin	Original year	Length	Version	MPAA rating	Film format	Tape count	Tape break placement (if applicable)	Color	Released	Note(s)
VVHB-005	Ranma ½: Pretty Womanhood	Japan	1996	52 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	November 1996
VVRAS-03	Ranma ½: Cat-Fu Fighting	Japan	1996	52 min	English subtitled version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	July 1996
VVRA-010	Ranma ½: Tough Cookies	Japan	1996	52 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	January 1996
VVRO-005	Ranma ½: One Grew Over the Kuno's Nest	Japan	1995	65 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	February 1996

1997

Catalog number	Title	Country of origin	Original year	Length	Version	MPAA rating	Film format	Tape count	Tape break placement (if applicable)	Color	Released	Note(s)
VVGE-002	Adieu Galaxy Express 999	Japan	1981	135 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	1997
VVGES-002	Adieu Galaxy Express 999	Japan	1981	135 min	English subtitled version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	1997
VVGYE01	Grey Digital Target	Japan	1997	80 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	1997
VVHB-006	Ranma ½: Suddenly Sasuke	Japan	1996	52 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	January 1997
VVKM-001	Key the Metal Idol	Japan	1994	80 min	English dubbed version	N/A	Academy	1	N/A	Color	1997	Contains episodes 1 to 3.
VVRJB-001	The Ranma ½: Video Jukebox	Japan	1996	27 min	TBD	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	May 1997

1999

Catalog number	Title	Country of origin	Original year	Length	Version	MPAA rating	Film format	Tape count	Tape break placement (if applicable)	Color	Released	Note(s)
V-ROC010	Ranma ½: Pinky Promised	Japan	1999	52 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	1999
V-RHBS010	Ranma ½: Smells Like Evil Spirit	Japan	1999	52 min	English subtitled version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	1999

2002

Catalog number	Title	Country of origin	Original year	Length	Version	MPAA rating	Film format	Tape count	Tape break placement (if applicable)	Color	Released	Note(s)
VRRF 01	Ranma ½: Initiation Nite	Japan	2002	78 min	English dubbed version	N/A	TBD	1	N/A	Color	2002