Well friends & collectors, particularly those of you who enjoy anime and/or manga titles, VeVe has just dropped ANOTHER BIG IP partner announcement.
This week LOL, it’s San Francisco-based VIZ Media - a powerhouse in manga and anime publishing and distribution. Established in 1986, VIZ Media has been a key player in bringing Japanese manga and anime to English-speaking audiences, making it a beloved name among fans of Japanese pop culture in North America and beyond. The company’s mission is to bring the best of Japanese entertainment to the world, and they have achieved this through a wide range of media, including print, digital, and television.
The first Manga comic being launched under this new partnership will be Ultraman Vol. 1, as disclosed by VeVe CEO, David Yu on a recent community YouTube message:
If You’re Maybe Not Sure Who Viz Iz…
The company publishes an extensive list of some of the most iconic and beloved series in the genre, such as "Naruto," "Dragon Ball," "One Piece," "My Hero Academia," and "Sailor Moon." Beyond manga, VIZ distributes anime series and films, making them a comprehensive source for fans of Japanese pop culture. Their offerings span various genres, including action, adventure, romance, fantasy, and horror, catering to a diverse audience with varied tastes. https://www.viz.com/
Their social fan base is BIG too. Their X account (@VIZMeida) has over 1.2M followers, LinkedIn 37k, FB 595k, IG 517k, TikTok 510k & 444k on YouTube, and with an estimated 50%+ manga market share, seeing an integration with VeVe is another major milestone into greater awareness of digital asset collecting. Check out this great YouTube Review by Collectors Gone Digital if videos are your style:
WHAT IS MANGA? (Pronounced “Mahn-Ga”)
Rather than recreate the wheel, here’s an excerpt from VIZ’s FAQ page which is a great start if you’re interested in learning more! Manga is a Japanese form of comics. While similar to American comics, there are some stylistic aspects that distinguish them, like bigger eyes on characters & more speed lines in action scenes. They are typically done in black-and-white, with lots of cool visual sound effects. Another important difference from Western comics is Japanese comics read from right to left, so always start reading from the “back,” which is actually the manga’s front—it feels a little strange at first, but you’ll get used to it. Reading right to left is important to maintain the flow of action from panel to panel and page to page as it was originally intended by the artist, or mangaka, as manga artists are called.
Manga is mainly known for great characters, rich stories, excellent artwork, and exciting, imaginative worlds. For over thirty years, VIZ Media has brought the best in manga to the English-speaking world.
What Are Some Types of Manga?
Manga is a wonderfully diverse art form that’s globally appealing across age and gender. VIZ Media publishes > 300 unique series, including award winners by some of the best creators in the field. Battling ninjas, lovelorn vampires, wild pirate adventurers, creepy ghouls, samurai warriors…there’s even have manga about cooking!
The two most popular categories are shonen and shojo. Shonen literally means “boy,” but this type of manga has appeal across gender and age groups. Shonen tends toward fantastic action-adventure stories with awesome fight scenes, epic story lines in fabulous worlds, and a spirit of teamwork. Prime examples of the shonen genre include Naruto, One-Punch Man, and Dragon Ball.
Shojo means “girl” but, like shonen, can have a broader appeal. After all, who doesn’t love romance? And similar to shonen, shojo are often set in fantastic worlds with compelling characters and fascinating situations, only with more focus on drama, relationships, and, well, life! Ouran High School Host Club and Vampire Knight are great series to start with. OR better yet - check out some of the NETFLIX titles for some additional introductions to their titles!
Who Their Comics Cater To…
VIZ Media’s primary audience of course are manga and anime enthusiasts, while their catalog features titles for all age groups! For younger readers, series like "Pokémon" and "Yotsuba&!" offer engaging, age-appropriate content. Teen readers often gravitate towards titles like "My Hero Academia" and "Naruto," which blend action, adventure, and coming-of-age themes, or Shoju Beat for the older teens / early adult readers blending fantasy and comedy. Adults can enjoy more mature series like "Death Note" and "Tokyo Ghoul," which delve into complex themes and darker narratives.
Market Size…
The market for manga and anime in North America is substantial and growing. The US Market held a 7% gross revenue share as of 2023, with an expected CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 23% from 2024 to 2030. 7According to industry reports, the North American manga market alone is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, with VIZ Media holding a significant market share. The popularity of manga and anime has seen a notable surge in recent years, partly fueled by the increasing accessibility of digital content and streaming services. This growth is further evidenced by the presence of manga and anime at major cultural conventions and the integration of these mediums into mainstream pop culture.
The big money richt now though, rests in the Japanese market where the industry rakes in almost $14,000,000,000 USD and expected to continue its CAGR by an average 18% between 2024 and 2030 and show no sign of slowing down…
VeVe's Recent Partnership Announcement…
VeVe’s announcement of this partnership is significant. As a platform now well-known for its digital collectibles with enormous brand / Intellectual Property, this is another game-changer for comic collectors in North America and potentially in Asia. VeVe specializes in offering digital collectibles through blockchain technology, allowing fans to purchase, trade, and showcase digital versions of their favorite comics and memorabilia anywhere on the planet, using multiple forms of payment and payouts provided through local market currencies. They are simply making the process of collecting, easier and more internationally accessible.
This partnership marks another significant step towards the digital future of comic collecting and enjoying. For collectors in North America, it means access to a new realm of collectible items, enhancing collections with unique, authenticated digital comics and art from VIZ Media’s extensive catalog, opening new possibilities including limited edition releases and exclusive digital artwork that can be traded in a secure and verifiable manner.
THE RECIPROCAL EFFECT!
As VeVe expands their collectible asset presence further into Asia, the implications are profound. Asia, particularly Japan, is the birthplace of manga and has an enormous base of dedicated fans and collectors. By bringing VIZ Media’s digital collectibles to this market, VeVe taps into a well-established and passionate community. This expansion not only broadens the reach of VIZ Media’s content but also enhances the cultural exchange between Western and Eastern fans of manga and anime. The timing is also incredible, with VeVe having just released their first K-Pop partnership in South Korea with global sensation, BlackPink.
And that, my friends, means a whole new set of comic & superhero collectors from overseas, now easily accessing exiting North American titles - key assets like Amazing Fantasy 15, Fantastic Four #1, X-Men #1, Giant Size X-Men #1…and new, modern titles with stunning covers created by Asian artists such as Peach Momoko are about to set the stage from some serious collectible dollars coming into the app. As I’ve believed from the getgo, the popularity of global figures like Spider-Man, Wolverine and Superman, with newer entrants like Miles Morales are going to appeal to an audience in the millions…maybe tens of millions as this ball begins to roll. Just one more ‘energy boost’ added to that jump “across the chasm” we discussed earlier.
IMHO, VIZ Media’s collaboration with VeVe heralds a new, promising boost to the global comic industry, blending traditional manga enjoyment with innovative potential of digital collectibles. It’s exciting to see VeVe and VIZ Media’s commitments embracing new tech and reaching fans across the globe, ensuring the magic of manga, and comics continue to thrive in our digital age.
As a kid growing up in the 80's being exposed to shows like DRAGON BALL & DRAGON BALL Z (sequel), it's not like this is a brand new genre...I also loved goofing around with my physical Transformers or GI Joe's, reading their comics and watching their animated series on TV (them good 'ol Saturday mornings!!), so now in my (VERY LATE) kid-dom, integrating comics & Video / Netflix shows with digital assets / digital collectibles is just an easy transition...which I believe more people are going to engage in this transition with as well.
Thanks for Reading!
