According to ActiveAnime.com, VIZ is teaming up with Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, Ltd. (CPLG), an English company, to form VIZ Media B.V., which will, and I quote
generate new business opportunities and revenue streams by coordinating all aspects of brand development through a property’s lifecycle
A careful parsing of the press release reveals that they are planning to sell manga and anime in Europe—and, from the sound of that last bit, milk it for all it’s worth.
[…] The main part I think which is truly fascinating is Viz Media creating Viz Media B.V. In partnership with Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG) the concept is to drive the long term growth of its Japanese manga and animation brands in the European market. Lots of people have picked up on this and for good reasons too. The idea as far as I can understand is to setup this company Viz Media B.V. as the European version of Viz Media in the US, licensing, publishing and distribution of presumably the US titles. I say presumably as I cannot see this version of Viz Media releasing a title that the US version hasn’t already touched. This to me just raises so many questions, which if anyone wants to help correct me or fill in the details don’t hesitate to use the comments section. […]