Frequently Asked Questions

SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES
I want to know something about my Shonen Jump subscription! Can you help me?

REQUESTS
How do I request permission to publicly show VIZ anime?
How can I request review copies and/or images of VIZ products?
I represent a nonprofit, anime club, library, etc. How can I request donated materials?

GENERAL VIZ INFO
What is the meaning of the name "VIZ"?
What is the relationship between VIZ, Shogakukan and Shueisha?
How are VIZ titles translated?

GENERAL MANGA MARKET INFO
Why do some titles read right-to-left instead of left-to-right?
How does the Japanese comic book culture compare to that of America?
How do Japanese comic fans differ from American fans?
Are there any American influences in Japanese comics or vice versa?
Are VIZ's translated titles popular among Japanese audiences?
Is there a market for American comics in Japan?

WORKING FOR VIZ
I want to work for VIZ! Do you have any job openings?

SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES

I want to know something about my Shonen Jump subscription! Can you help me?
For information about SHONEN JUMP subscriptions please call 1-800-541-7919.

REQUESTS

How do I request permission to publicly show VIZ anime?
To request permission to publicly show our video titles for a non profit organization, please read our viewing permissions page.

How can I request review copies and/or images of VIZ products?
Use the Product Request Form or the Image Request Form in the Trade Press area. Access to this area is restricted to qualified members of the press. Please complete the Trade Press Verification form for access.

I represent a nonprofit, anime club, library, etc. How can I request donated materials?
Use the Donation Request Form in the contact section of the VIZ, LLC website.

GENERAL VIZ INFO

What is the meaning of the name "VIZ"?
"VIZ" is from the word "visual" in that everything VIZ produces is a form of visual communication.

What is the relationship between VIZ, Shogakukan and Shueisha?
In 2003, Viz Communications Inc., the largest publisher of manga (Japanese comics) in North America, and the top two publishers in Japan, Shueisha Inc. and Shogakukan Inc., announced the formation of VIZ, LLC ("VIZ"). Shogakukan Inc. and Shueisha Inc. publish popular titles such as DRAGON BALL Z, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, POKéMON, and YU-GI-OH!.

How are VIZ titles translated?
After VIZ obtains the rights to publish a comic, translators produce what is called the literal translation. The literal translation is then sent to a professional comics writer, also known as a rewriter, to add characterization and make sure the technical storytelling techniques (plotting, pacing, foreshadowing, etc.) are also conveyed in the English version.

After review by a VIZ editor, the artwork and script are sent to a professional comics letterer for touch-up (the Japanese sound effects must be translated too! They're as much a part of the storytelling as the word balloons) and lettering. Then, after a second review by the editor, the artwork goes to a VIZ designer for the final touches before it's sent off to the printer.

VIZ editors and designers handle other details along the way, such as letters columns, fan art, cover art, credits, and those fine-print messages in every book. The translation, English adaptation, and lettering are traditionally done by freelance talent, but every job has been done by in-house staff at one time or another, so everyone in the process is familiar with all of the details involved. Similarly, freelance editors and designers have been used as well.

JAPANESE MANGA MARKET INFO

Why do some titles read right-to-left instead of left-to-right?
VIZ publishes these particular formats according to the wishes of the creators and original Japanese publishers, and to continue to innovate on the behalf of English-reading fans. In 1998, VIZ experimented by publishing Neon Genesis Evangelion in a second format, reading right-to-left. This gave readers a chance to experience the story in its original Japanese format and has proceeded to be a great success. Now, VIZ publishes the world's most popular manga, Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, exclusively in the right-to-left format, both of which have become VIZ's best-selling comics ever.

How does the Japanese comic book culture compare to that of America?
One could say that the only similarities are that both American and Japanese comics use images in a certain sequence to tell a story. Beyond that it's entirely different. Japanese comics and characters are owned by the artists (unlike famous characters like Superman and Spiderman, which are owned by their publishing companies). Japanese comics are read by everyone, male and female, young and old; even Japanese people who say they don't read comics actually do read them...but the comics are in the form of instructional brochures, owner’s manuals, how-to books, and short features in magazines. Comics are so pervasive in Japanese culture; people read them without knowing it. America has a long way to go before that happens.

How do Japanese comic fans differ from American fans?
Since comics are an enormous industry and more acceptable in Japan, Japanese fans have a lot more to get excited about and young fans start drawing fan art at an earlier age. Aside from that, fans are pretty much the same the world over.

Are there any American influences in Japanese comics or vice versa?
The most obvious American influence is the "big eyes." Those evolved from the early works of the great founding manga artist, Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy), which he admitted was greatly influenced by Disney animation. The Star Wars movies were also a revelation in Japan, influencing more manga and anime than can be counted, and fantasy role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons have created an entire genre of manga and anime that is still going strong. More recently, moody American comics artists like Mike Mignola have had a growing influence on many manga artists.

As for Japanese influences, Frank Miller was one of the first outspoken manga enthusiasts in the United States and since then, the number of manga and anime influences on America has exploded so much that nearly every American artist knows what manga is and is influenced by it in some way.

Are VIZ's translated titles popular among Japanese audiences?
Nearly all VIZ titles were popular in Japan before being brought to the U.S. However, since the U.S. and Japanese cultures are different, so is the popularity and acceptance of the translated titles. The Pokémon comic — The Electric Tale of Pikachu and its sequels — turned out (in an astounding reverse) to be more popular in America than it was in its native Japan. There are some genres (like Mah-Jong manga) that may have success in Japan, but will probably not find the same success in America.

Is there a market for American comics in Japan?
Some, but it is very small. In America, most fans discover anime before they discover comics. In the same way, most Japanese fans see a comic-based Hollywood movie and later are surprised to discover that it was a comic to begin with. With access to so many great Japanese-made comics, it's no wonder the Japanese don't see a need to look to other cultures for their comics. After all, most Americans don't look to Japan for blockbuster action/adventure movies.

WORKING FOR VIZ

I want to work for VIZ! Do you have any job openings?
All jobs INCLUDING INTERNSHIPS are listed and updated regularly on our jobs webpage. Application details are listed on the jobs webpage only.

Have a question that is not answered on this list? Feel free to contact us! Please note that while all emails are read, due to the large quantity of email received, we may not be able to deliver a personalized response. Thanks!

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