Viz Media is launching a new manga platform in the United States for original one-shot stories.
Per a press release via Anime News Network, Viz Media revealed that it is launching a new one-shot submissions portal as part of its Viz Originals line. The manga platform will produce short original one-shot stories created specifically by writers in the U.S. Hisashi Sasaki, former editor-in-chief of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, will oversee and guide creators whose submissions are selected. Viz Media will publish successful one-shots digitally. The published one-shots may also lead to the company licensing and establishing an IP, turning the story into an anime and producing other property-related merchandise.
Back in May, Viz Media debuted its digital manga service. The services' catalog includes unprecedented simultaneous English releases of ongoing manga from Shogakukan and classic manga titles. The digital manga service platform features over 10,000 chapters of both Shueisha and Shogakukan titles. Viz Manga is available in the United States and Canada for a monthly subscription cost of US$1.99. The company has continued to offer its separate Shonen Jump service. Viz Media launched the Viz Originals graphic novel imprint in 2019 to work with manga creators in developing new stories.
Viz Media Translator Left Social Media After Shueisha Copyright Claim
Viz Media's new platform launch comes after controversy surrounding former official translator Lightning, who ceased most social media activities following persistent copyright strikes from Japanese publisher and media conglomerate Shueisha. Lightning translated and gave notes on the popular manga Nue's Exorcist and used their social media platform to provide interview translations of famous mangaka and supplementary notes on Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. Japan possesses strict copyright laws due to how pervasive leaks are within its manga community.
Lightining's statement explaining the decision to step away from all Shueisha-related material reads, "All I wanted to do was help a community for the manga I love, clear up misconceptions, & generate fun but informed discussion. I never took for granted the trust of a community. I did my best to help & answer everyone. But now I have ways I can help the community without being in this hostile environment. I will continue to work behind the scenes on my translation notes + official localization for both Nue & Jujutsu [...] I'm truly sorry. I can't be in a place where supporting manga legally, helping readers understand & love a series more will still get you targeted by its publishers, but spreading illegal leaks has no consequences."
Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, Dragon Ball Super and Nue's Exorcist are all available on Viz Media's digital service platform.
Source: Anime News Network