History[edit]
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.
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[edit]
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)
|
VVRT-001 |
Ranma ½: TV Series Vol. 1 |
Japan |
1993 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
November 2, 1993 |
|
VVRO-001 |
Ranma ½: Desperately Seeking Shampoo |
Japan |
1993 |
50 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
December 1993 |
|
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-001 |
Ranma ½: Darling Charlotte |
Japan |
1994 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1994 |
|
VVRM-001 |
Ranma ½: The Movie - Big Trouble in Nekonron, China |
Japan |
1994 |
74 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
March 1994 |
|
VVRM-002 |
Ranma ½: Nihao My Concubine |
Japan |
1994 |
60 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
August 3, 1994[1] |
|
VVRO-002 |
Ranma ½: Like Water for Ranma |
Japan |
1994 |
60 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
June 1994 |
|
VVRO-003 |
Ranma ½: Akane and Her Sisters |
Japan |
1994 |
60 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
November 1994 |
|
VVRT-002 |
Ranma ½: TV Series Vol. 2 |
Japan |
1994 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
January 1994 |
|
VVRT-003 |
Ranma ½: TV Series Vol. 3 |
Japan |
1994 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
February 1994 |
|
VVRT-004 |
Ranma ½: TV Series Vol. 4 |
Japan |
1994 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
March 1994 |
|
VVRT-005 |
Ranma ½: TV Series Vol. 5 |
Japan |
1994 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
May 1994 |
|
VVRT-006 |
Ranma ½: TV Series Vol. 6 |
Japan |
1994 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
August 1994 |
|
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-002 |
Ranma ½: It's Fast or It's Free |
Japan |
1995 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
April 12, 1995[2] |
|
VVRA-003 |
Ranma ½: Cat-Fu Fighting |
Japan |
1995 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
May 1995 |
|
VVRA-004 |
Ranma ½: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire |
Japan |
1995 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
June 13, 1995[3] |
|
VVRA-005 |
Ranma ½: Cold Competition |
Japan |
1995 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1995 |
|
VVRA-006 |
Ranma ½: The Breaking Point |
Japan |
1995 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1995 |
|
VVRA-007 |
Ranma ½: Fowl Play |
Japan |
1995 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1995 |
|
VVRA-008 |
Ranma ½: The Evil Wakes |
Japan |
1995 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1995 |
|
VVRA-009 |
Ranma ½: Goodbye Girl-Type |
Japan |
1995 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
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 |
|
VVRT-009 |
Ranma ½: TV Series Vol. 9 |
Japan |
1995 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
February 15, 1995[4] |
|
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-001 |
Ranma ½: Ukyo Can Cook |
Japan |
1996 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1996 |
|
VVHB-002 |
Ranma ½: Dim Sum Darling |
Japan |
1996 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1996 |
|
VVHB-003 |
Ranma ½: Dharma Chameleon |
Japan |
1996 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1996 |
|
VVHB-004 |
Ranma ½: Once Upon a Time in Jusenkyo |
Japan |
1996 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1996 |
|
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 |
|
VVRA-011 |
Ranma ½: Ranma and Juliet |
Japan |
1996 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
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 |
|
VVRO-006 |
Ranma ½: Faster, Kasumi! Kill! Kill! |
Japan |
1996 |
65 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1996 |
|
VVROS-002 |
Ranma ½ Collector's Edition: The OAVs |
Japan |
1996 |
90 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
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)
|
V-RAS011 |
Ranma ½: Ranma and Juliet |
Japan |
1997 |
52 min |
English subtitled version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1997 |
|
V-RHB009 |
Ranma ½: Da Doo Ling-Ling- Lung-Lung |
Japan |
1997 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1997 |
|
V-RHB011 |
Ranma ½: Soap Gets in Your Eyes |
Japan |
1997 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1997 |
|
V-RHB012 |
Ranma ½: Mirror, Mirror |
Japan |
1997 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1997 |
|
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 |
|
VVHB-007 |
Ranma ½: Meloncholy Baby |
Japan |
1997 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1997 |
|
VVHB-008 |
Ranma ½: Back to the Happosai |
Japan |
1997 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
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 |
|
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-ROC001 |
Ranma ½: The Headmaster from Hell |
Japan |
1998 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1998 |
|
V-ROC002 |
Ranma ½: ...The Harder They Fall |
Japan |
1998 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1998 |
|
V-ROC005 |
Ranma ½: The Spirit of Furinkan |
Japan |
1998 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1998 |
|
V-ROC006 |
Ranma ½: A Room with a Zoo |
Japan |
1998 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1998 |
|
V-ROC007 |
Ranma ½: Happy's Heart |
Japan |
1998 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1998 |
|
V-ROC008 |
Ranma ½: Tattoo You |
Japan |
1998 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1998 |
|
V-ROC009 |
Ranma ½: Great Eggspectations |
Japan |
1998 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1998 |
|
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-ROC012 |
Ranma ½: Eat, Drink, Man-Who-Turns-Into-Woman |
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 |
|
V-RMM001 |
Ranma ½: Buns of Steel |
Japan |
1999 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
1999 |
|
V-RMM002 |
Ranma ½: Marry Me Akane |
Japan |
1999 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
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-RMM003 |
Ranma ½: Tea for Three |
Japan |
1999 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
2000 |
|
V-RMM005 |
Ranma ½: One Lump or Two |
Japan |
2000 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
2000 |
|
V-RMM006 |
Ranma ½: Cloak & Dagger |
Japan |
2000 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
2000 |
|
V-RMM007 |
Ranma ½: Three Guys, A Guy and a (Japanese) Pizza Place |
Japan |
2000 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
2000 |
|
V-RMM009 |
Ranma ½ - Battle: Foie Gras |
Japan |
2000 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
2000 |
|
V-RMM010 |
Ranma ½: Swimming with Psychos |
Japan |
2000 |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
2000 |
|
V-ROCS006 |
Ranma ½: A Room with a Zoo |
Japan |
2000 |
52 min |
English Subtitled version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
2000 |
|
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)
|
VRRR-001 |
Ranma ½: Who Do? Voodoo |
Japan |
2001 |
78 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
2001 |
|
VRRR-001 |
Ranma ½: The Way We're Not' |
Japan |
2001 |
78 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
2001 |
|
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 |
June 2002 |
|
Unknown Months or Dates[edit]
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-ROC003 |
Ranma ½: Immoral Kombat |
Japan |
TBD |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
TBD |
|
V-ROC004 |
Ranma ½: My Fiancé, the Cat |
Japan |
TBD |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
TBD |
|
VVRT-007 |
Ranma ½: TV Series Vol. 7 |
Japan |
TBD |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
TBD |
|
VVRT-008 |
Ranma ½: TV Series Vol. 8 |
Japan |
TBD |
52 min |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
TBD |
|
????? |
Ranma ½: Wacky Winter Wonderland |
Japan |
TBD |
TBD |
English dubbed version |
N/A |
TBD |
1 |
N/A |
Color |
TBD |
|
Duplicators[edit]
References[edit]