Ask John: Is Viz Guaranteed to Release ShoPro Licenses?

Question:
ShoPro and Viz merged back in 2005, but does that mean that Viz has actually licensed the shows that ShoPro has? There are a small number of titles Viz hasn’t released, like Croket, Doraemon, Mirmo!, and Monkey Turn. Is there any chance Viz might release those shows, or even a part of it for a show like Doraemon? Apparently Viz has said that they would be willing to do sub-only releases for more niche titles, and this would be a great way to release titles like Monkey Turn. But still, is there any chance that Viz will release those “ShoPro” titles, or are they still open to other companies for licensing?

Answer:
In January 2005 Shogakukan and Shueisha’s American subsidiary Viz LLC officially merged with Shogakukan’s licensing and merchandising subsidiary ShoPro. At that time, Viz LLC changed its name to “Viz Media, LLC.”

In the three years since this merger, Viz has served as the American master licensor for numerous anime titles that have yet to be officially released on American home video, or even formally acquired for American DVD release. Viz repeatedly offered licensing rights for anime series including Blue Dragon, Hunter x Hunter, Honey & Clover, and Nana before eventually announcing plans to distribute the shows on domestic DVD. Viz continues to solicit licensing options for titles including Monster, Monkey Turn, Kirarin Revolution, and Mirumo de Pon.

While Viz and ShoPro may be technially one affiliated entity, the fact that Viz Media represents certain anime titles does not necessarily mean that they have plans to personally distribute the titles they manage. Viz Media’s confirmation of plans to eventually distribute titles like Honey & Clover and Hunter x Hunter suggests that if select strong properties attract no viable interest from other licensors for a long enough time, Viz Media may decide to just release the shows itself. In 2006 Viz solicited licensing rights for the Mar, Zoids Genesis, Hikaru no Go, Prince of Tennis, Full Moon wo Sagashite, and “Grandpa Danger & Croket” anime series. Viz eventually released all of these shows except Croket itself.

In fact, I can’t recall any title that Viz has offered distribution rights for having been acquired and released on American home video by any company besides Viz. But that doesn’t mean that Viz Media soliciting a title ensures an eventual American release, nor that the title is destined to be released by Viz and not by any other distributor. Given the past history of ShoPro/Viz’s solicitations, one cannot say that shows like Monkey Turn will not be eventually released on American DVD by Viz; however, Viz has been soliciting distribution rights for the Mirumo de Pon series since 2003, and the show has yet to be formally acquired for American home video release.