Naruto Anime Licensed

ShoPro Entertainment has announced its acquisition of North American television, home video and merchandising rights to the Naruto anime series from its parent company Shueisha Inc., and TV Tokyo Corporation. ShoPro Entertainment has functioned as a North American licensing intermediary company and has never actually distributed anime itself. The official press release states that ShoPro Entertainment will, “leverage… [Naruto]… into a broad licensing and marketing program. Naruto’s television broadcast partner and key licensing partners will be determined shortly.” However, ShoPro Entertainment recently announced its merger with affiliate company Viz, LLC. So while it is clear that the Naruto anime series has not been confirmed for American television broadcast yet, it’s not clear yet if Viz will be distributing the series on home video or if home video rights will be sub-licensed to an as-yet-undetermined distributor.