Crunchyroll and VIZ Media Europe Group announced earlier today that an agreement has been signed between the two companies to unite VIZ Media Europe Group’s distributors, licenses, and partners together with Crunchyroll’s global platform of more than 50 million users. As a result of the newly announced agreement, VIZ Media Europe Group’s majority investor is now Crunchyroll, with the majority stake in the company being retained by The Hitotsubashi Group.
“Crunchyroll and VIZ Media Europe Group will bring together significant expertise, capabilities, and dedication to grow and promote our respective licensed and original content,” said Joanne Waage, the General Manager at Crunchyroll, in a statement released Friday.
Crunchyroll
With over 50 million users and 2 million subscribers, Crunchyroll provides fans a platform for connection through a massive collection of anime, including titles like Attack on Titan, Dragon Ball Super, and Naruto Shippuden.
The Crunchyroll app on cell phones, game consoles, and other streaming devices allows users to access content from leading studios translated into multiple languages. The app offers both a free service as well as a pay-for-premium option that eliminates adverts and early access to new content immediately after it is initially broadcast.
Other ventures include events such as the Anime Awards and the Crunchyroll Expo and licensed merchandise. Crunchyroll is a subsidiary of the WarnerMedia company Otter Media.
VIZ Media Europe Group
The VIZ Media Europe Group focuses on developing, distribution, and marketing of anime and manga throughout Europe, Africa, and Middle East markets. The company handles home video releases, graphic novels, and licensed products for some of the most popular manga and anime properties, including Bleach, My Hero Academia, One-Punch Man, Death Note, and Yo-Kai Watch.
VIZ Media Europe Group is owned by three Japanese companies that specialize in the creation, publication, and licensing of some of the most popular anime and manga properties: Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd.
