S&S to manage sales, distribution of VIZ Media manga catalogue

5 April 2016 Books+Publishing

Simon & Schuster has announced an Australian and New Zealand sales and distribution agreement to manage VIZ Media’s manga catalogue, which includes more than 1600 titles, with another 300 added each year.

VIZ Media is the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in the US, where it’s also the third-biggest publisher in the graphic novel/comics category behind DC and Marvel. Simon & Schuster has been a distribution partner with the company in the US and Canada since 2004, the UK since 2007 and India since 2014.

VIZ media senior director of publishing sales Kevin Hamric told Books+Publishing the majority of titles are licensed from Japan and localised by staff. ‘We’ve also partnered with key brands recently to create original content to expand our reach, and we’re really excited about how well they’ve been received,’ said Hamric, citing popular titles such as The Art of Magic: The Gathering – Zendikar, Hello Kitty, Hello 40 anniversary book and the ‘Bravest Warrior’ titles.

The sales and distribution agreement covers all VIZ Media imprints, including Shonen Jump, Shonen Jump Advanced, Shojo Beat, Shonen Sunday, Perfect Square, VIZ Signature, Studio Ghibli Library and Haikasoru.

Simon & Schuster Australia MD Dan Ruffino said there was ‘clearly a huge appetite for manga and anime in this part of the world’. ‘Anyone who’s ever been to a Supanova or an Oz Comic-Con event knows that a Manga reader can be male or female, kids or adults and can come from a metro or regional area alike,’ said Ruffino. ‘The excitement we’ve already seen from independent and chain booksellers as well as specialists proves this audience buys the books wherever they are available from.’

Simon & Schuster will be responsible for VIZ Media titles from 1 April, with Madman ending its distribution on 31 March.

Category: Local news