# Viz Media

> American entertainment company

**Wikidata**: [Q660288](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q660288)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viz_Media)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/viz-media

## Summary
Viz Media is an American entertainment company based in San Francisco, founded in 1986. It is primarily known for its publishing and distribution of Japanese manga and anime, including works like *My Hero Academia*, *Chainsaw Man*, and *Death Note*. The company operates as a subsidiary of Shueisha and Shogakukan, two major Japanese publishing houses.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1986 (exact date: July 2, 1986) in San Francisco, California, United States.
- Headquartered in San Francisco, a consolidated city and county in California.
- Operates as a subsidiary of Shueisha and Shogakukan, two prominent Japanese publishing companies.
- Specializes in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga and anime.
- Key manga titles distributed by Viz Media include *Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind*, *Ranma ½*, *Homestuck*, *Goodnight Punpun*, *Black Clover*, *Jujutsu Kaisen*, *Fullmetal Alchemist*, and *One Piece*.
- Also publishes *Shonen Jump*, a defunct North American manga anthology.
- Website: [https://www.viz.com/](https://www.viz.com/) and [http://www.vizmedia.com/](http://www.vizmedia.com/).
- Aliases: Viz Media LLC, VIZ Media, VIZ Communications, Viz Comics, VIZ, Viz, Viz Media, LLC.

## FAQs
- **What kind of company is Viz Media?** Viz Media is an American entertainment company specializing in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga and anime.
- **Where is Viz Media located?** Viz Media is headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States.
- **Who owns Viz Media?** Viz Media operates as a subsidiary of Shueisha and Shogakukan, two major Japanese publishing companies.
- **What are some notable manga published by Viz Media?** Notable titles include *My Hero Academia*, *Chainsaw Man*, *Death Note*, *One Piece*, and *Fullmetal Alchemist*.
- **Is Viz Media still active?** While some of its manga anthologies, like *Shonen Jump*, have been discontinued, Viz Media continues to publish and distribute Japanese manga and anime.
- **What is the history of Viz Media?** Viz Media was founded in 1986 in San Francisco and has since become a key player in the global distribution of Japanese manga and anime.

## Why It Matters
Viz Media plays a crucial role in bringing Japanese manga and anime to Western audiences, making works like *My Hero Academia* and *Chainsaw Man* accessible to English-speaking readers. By partnering with major Japanese publishers like Shueisha and Shogakukan, Viz Media ensures a steady supply of high-quality content. Its influence extends beyond publishing, as it helps shape the global perception of Japanese pop culture. The company’s work has contributed to the widespread popularity of manga and anime in the United States and beyond, fostering a deeper cultural exchange between Japan and the West.

## Notable For
- One of the leading distributors of Japanese manga and anime in the United States.
- Known for publishing iconic manga series such as *Death Note* and *One Piece*.
- Operates as a subsidiary of two major Japanese publishing houses, Shueisha and Shogakukan.
- Distributed *Shonen Jump*, a defunct North American manga anthology that was influential in the genre’s early years.
- Facilitates the global distribution of Japanese manga, helping to popularize it internationally.

## Body
### History
Viz Media was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1986. The company emerged as a key player in the distribution of Japanese manga and anime, particularly in the United States. Over the years, it has partnered with major Japanese publishers like Shueisha and Shogakukan to bring a wide range of manga titles to Western audiences.

### Publishing and Distribution
Viz Media specializes in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga and anime. Some of its most notable titles include *My Hero Academia*, *Chainsaw Man*, *Death Note*, *One Piece*, and *Fullmetal Alchemist*. The company has also distributed *Shonen Jump*, a defunct North American manga anthology that was influential in the genre’s early years.

### Ownership and Partnerships
Viz Media operates as a subsidiary of Shueisha and Shogakukan, two major Japanese publishing companies. This partnership ensures a steady supply of high-quality manga and anime for distribution. The collaboration has been instrumental in bringing Japanese pop culture to global audiences.

### Cultural Impact
Viz Media has played a significant role in shaping the global perception of Japanese manga and anime. By making works like *My Hero Academia* and *Chainsaw Man* accessible to English-speaking readers, the company has contributed to the widespread popularity of these genres. Its influence extends beyond publishing, as it helps foster cultural exchange between Japan and the West.

### Notable Manga Titles
Viz Media has distributed numerous influential manga series, including:
- *Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind*
- *Ranma ½*
- *Homestuck*
- *Goodnight Punpun*
- *Black Clover*
- *Jujutsu Kaisen*
- *Fullmetal Alchemist*
- *One Piece*
- *Death Note*
- *Haikyu!!*
- *Kimi ni Todoke*
- *Vagabond*
- *All You Need Is Kill*
- *Tokyo Ghoul*
- *Beastars*
- *Battle Angel Alita*
- *Golden Kamuy*
- *Inuyasha*
- *Assassination Classroom*
- *My Hero Academia*
- *Chainsaw Man*
- *My Love Mix-Up!*

### Related Publications
Viz Media has also published other notable works, such as:
- *Shonen Jump* (defunct North American manga anthology)
- *Shojo Beat* (shōjo manga magazine, active from 2005 to 2009)
- *The Creative Gene* (autobiography by Hideo Kojima)
- *Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man* (one-shot manga collection)

### Legacy
Viz Media’s contributions to the global manga and anime industry have been significant. By ensuring the availability of Japanese manga in English, the company has helped shape the cultural landscape of Western pop culture. Its partnerships with major publishers and its extensive catalog of titles have cemented its role as a key player in the field.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.viz.com/privacy)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. MusicBrainz
5. Google Knowledge Graph
6. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
7. Quora
8. [Source](https://ranma.fandom.com/wiki/Viz_Media?oldid=16618)
9. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20050723025319/http://www.viz.com/about/contact/)
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
11. OpenCorporates