Viz Ceases Live Action Film Distribution

According to Patrick Macias, author of TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion and Shonen Jump USA contributing editor, posting on the Kung Fu Cult Cinema Forum, Viz has sold its live action Japanese film catalog to Kino Distribution. On the positive side, director Hideaki Anno’s live action film about Japanese teenage prostitution, Love & Pop, will finally see American release next year. On the not quite as positive side, Takeshi Miike’s Dead or Alive will tentatively be released to American DVD in a “no-frills” version from Kino instead of Viz’s planned special edition release.

Source: Anime News Service