Viz has announced its new partnership with United Talent Agency, with the intention of developing content development for live action media.
UTA’s Howie Sanders said that he wants this new partnership to “to push the boundaries of storytelling, innovation and character through VIZ Media’s prolific portfolio,” which meshes well with VIz’s statement made by Brad Woods, that “Bringing the rich stories of manga and anime to life in new ways is an exciting opportunity with tremendous potential. UTA is an innovator that shares our vision.”
No mention was made of what properties UTA and Viz are interested in co developing at this time, but without trying very hard, Viz readers could think of at least a dozen opportunities in the VIZ catalog for them to turn into the next hot TV or Movie franchise.
Official press release:
VIZ MEDIA AND UNITED TALENT AGENCY ANNOUNCE NEW CONTENT DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
Nation’s Leading Manga & Anime Company Will Work Closely With Premier International Talent Agency To Develop Live-Action Content Based On Popular Japanese Entertainment Properties
San Francisco, CA, March 23, 2016 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has partnered with the premier global talent and literary agency, United Talent Agency (UTA), to develop a diverse range of live-action programming based on titles from VIZ Media’s extensive catalog of manga and anime properties.
The partnership will create significant new opportunities to further capitalize on the strong interest in Japanese pop culture and entertainment brands expressed by the Hollywood and international film studio communities, the broadcast industry, and a burgeoning range of emerging multimedia and online content producers.
“We are excited to start this partnership to push the boundaries of storytelling, innovation and character through VIZ Media’s prolific portfolio,” said UTA’s Howie Sanders, Co-Head, Book Department.
“The UTA partnership represents an important new direction for VIZ Media and our colleagues in Japan,” says Brad Woods, Chief Marketing Officer of VIZ Media. “Bringing the rich stories of manga and anime to life in new ways is an exciting opportunity with tremendous potential. UTA is an innovator that shares our vision, and their proven track record and strong relationships throughout the domestic and international entertainment sectors will be important factors as we move forward.”
VIZ Media is the industry leader in international manga and anime publishing, distribution and licensing. The company’s substantial roster includes massively popular titles such as BLEACH, DEATH NOTE, NARUTO, ONE-PUNCH MAN, ONE PIECE and TOKYO GHOUL, which are routinely featured on the BookScan Top 50 and New York Times bestseller lists. VIZ Media is the top manga publisher in the U.S. and one of the top three graphic novel publishers overall. Founded in San Francisco in 1986, VIZ Media marks its 30th Anniversary this summer.
