VIZ Media Lays Off 40% of the Employees
According to Publishers Weekly, VIZ Media has laid off about 40% of their employees, 55 people at San Fransisco Headquarters and 5 in New York office, which has been closed down.
The percentage of the cut down of VIZ Media staff surpasses the shrinkage of the US manga market. Anime!Anime! inferred VIZ Media's pessimistic prospect for the industry.
Sources: Publishers Weekly, Anime!Anime!
Related topic: Manga Sales In North America Continue To Decline
The percentage of the cut down of VIZ Media staff surpasses the shrinkage of the US manga market. Anime!Anime! inferred VIZ Media's pessimistic prospect for the industry.
Sources: Publishers Weekly, Anime!Anime!
Related topic: Manga Sales In North America Continue To Decline
20 of 43 Comments Recent Comments
It'll be a shame if a lot of their newer titles do get canceled. I read Maoh 1 today, and I 100% plan on collecting that for some Code Geass-esque goodness. Eye techniques/mind control isn't exactly new, but the ventriloquism power of the lead does add a new twist to it. I've also read half of Dorohedoro 1 - one of Viz's releases that are bigger in size and have slick covers - and that seems different enough to be worth collecting, too.
Where as, say, ADV released as much junk as they could on DVD, Viz actually seem to be releasing lots of quality manga titles all at once. I plan on having a look at Jormungand(sp?) and Children of the Sea sooner or later, and I'm betting there are other quality titles they've released/will release that are worth a look.
I'm impressed by how Viz offer inexpensive releases and more expensive, excellent value for money releases, depending on the title. There's not much difference when buying from UK import stores--most of Black Lagoon costing as much as the Maoh releases--but I still like the idea of them trying hard to sell their products both to cheapskates and collectors; the type easily impressed by shiny covers and bigger panels.
I'll cry myself to sleep if they stop releasing Ikigami--one of the best manga titles my eyes have glanced over. And they'd better not drop Black Lagoon now that I own seven volumes (the eighth is en route)! The releases are the most sexy ever, and I actually like Black Lagoon more in manga form because all the silly battle poses/slaughtering bits aren't as painful without motion.
Where as, say, ADV released as much junk as they could on DVD, Viz actually seem to be releasing lots of quality manga titles all at once. I plan on having a look at Jormungand(sp?) and Children of the Sea sooner or later, and I'm betting there are other quality titles they've released/will release that are worth a look.
I'm impressed by how Viz offer inexpensive releases and more expensive, excellent value for money releases, depending on the title. There's not much difference when buying from UK import stores--most of Black Lagoon costing as much as the Maoh releases--but I still like the idea of them trying hard to sell their products both to cheapskates and collectors; the type easily impressed by shiny covers and bigger panels.
I'll cry myself to sleep if they stop releasing Ikigami--one of the best manga titles my eyes have glanced over. And they'd better not drop Black Lagoon now that I own seven volumes (the eighth is en route)! The releases are the most sexy ever, and I actually like Black Lagoon more in manga form because all the silly battle poses/slaughtering bits aren't as painful without motion.
May 14, 2010 4:50 PM by AironicallyHuman
burntlettuce said:
I didn't agree with some of the things Viz did, but it is quite shocking to see a company I thought was as sound as Viz lay off so many workers.
Well, they may not be in as much trouble as some may believe. This may have been done to prevent future problems and such. A pro-active decision.
I didn't agree with some of the things Viz did, but it is quite shocking to see a company I thought was as sound as Viz lay off so many workers.
May 13, 2010 6:23 AM by DragoZERO
I didn't agree with some of the things Viz did, but it is quite shocking to see a company I thought was as sound as Viz lay off so many workers.
May 12, 2010 9:52 PM by burntlettuce
chinlamp said:
While I'd like to say that that's not really the case and that unless you are a Japanese major and can tell which is the right translation 95% of the time companies are the better ones, Naruto is an obvious exception.
Seriously, Lee is the 'Blue beast' and instead of alcohol it's 'magic punch'. The fuck?
DragoZERO said:
They should focus on quality, maybe more people would buy their stuff. It's wrong when scanlations are higher quality, not just the editing but the translation too (Naruto, doppelganger instead of shadow clone? Come on!).
They should focus on quality, maybe more people would buy their stuff. It's wrong when scanlations are higher quality, not just the editing but the translation too (Naruto, doppelganger instead of shadow clone? Come on!).
While I'd like to say that that's not really the case and that unless you are a Japanese major and can tell which is the right translation 95% of the time companies are the better ones, Naruto is an obvious exception.
Seriously, Lee is the 'Blue beast' and instead of alcohol it's 'magic punch'. The fuck?
another reason I'm glad I stopped reading the manga version of Naruto?
Sucks for Viz but unfortunately I'm not surprised. If you don't think scanlations are hurting this you're on crack. The end. *points to my accurate signature if you disagree*
May 12, 2010 8:29 PM by kkslider5552000
divito said:
I would never support an NA license holder of an anime. All anime I own is straight from Japan and I would never want it any other way.
I would never support an NA license holder of an anime. All anime I own is straight from Japan and I would never want it any other way.
Well, unlike you, some people can't read Japanese but still want to buy manga to support the industry. I hope the sales pick up for the sake of those individuals.
May 12, 2010 7:39 PM by MrOnsen
Hypeathon said:
Hmmmmm, ....well from what I hear, a bit of whatever money made by an American company based on the anime/manga title is somehow sent to Japan, so I'm assuming Japan is affected somewhat. Though it's not as if we aren't hearing decrease in sales from Viz. We've only heard layoffs, so I'm not really sure how that really affects any Japanese companies associated with Viz, like Shokakugan Shuiesha.
GarLogan78 said:
Is this hurting AMERICAN anime companies, or does it also hurt Japan too?
Is this hurting AMERICAN anime companies, or does it also hurt Japan too?
Hmmmmm, ....well from what I hear, a bit of whatever money made by an American company based on the anime/manga title is somehow sent to Japan, so I'm assuming Japan is affected somewhat. Though it's not as if we aren't hearing decrease in sales from Viz. We've only heard layoffs, so I'm not really sure how that really affects any Japanese companies associated with Viz, like Shokakugan Shuiesha.
Well, if Viz isn't seeing a drop in profit, I can't see why it would lay off so much of its workforce. Maybe we'll be hearing about a decrease in sales come the end of Viz's current sales quarter, idek.
May 12, 2010 7:31 PM by the_seventh_l
GarLogan78 said:
Is this hurting AMERICAN anime companies, or does it also hurt Japan too?
Is this hurting AMERICAN anime companies, or does it also hurt Japan too?
Hmmmmm, ....well from what I hear, a bit of whatever money made by an American company based on the anime/manga title is somehow sent to Japan, so I'm assuming Japan is affected somewhat. Though it's not as if we aren't hearing decrease in sales from Viz. We've only heard layoffs, so I'm not really sure how that really affects any Japanese companies associated with Viz, like Shokakugan Shuiesha.
May 12, 2010 5:38 PM by Hypeathon
DragoZERO said:
They should focus on quality, maybe more people would buy their stuff. It's wrong when scanlations are higher quality, not just the editing but the translation too (Naruto, doppelganger instead of shadow clone? Come on!).
They should focus on quality, maybe more people would buy their stuff. It's wrong when scanlations are higher quality, not just the editing but the translation too (Naruto, doppelganger instead of shadow clone? Come on!).
While I'd like to say that that's not really the case and that unless you are a Japanese major and can tell which is the right translation 95% of the time companies are the better ones, Naruto is an obvious exception.
Seriously, Lee is the 'Blue beast' and instead of alcohol it's 'magic punch'. The fuck?
May 12, 2010 4:20 PM by chinlamp
I'm also not concerned. Other hobbies of mine have suffered under the economic crisis and business is still continuing as normal. Though I was very troubled when broccoli books shut down. I have a bookshelf full of unfinished works and faint hope of someone else picking them up.
May 12, 2010 4:14 PM by guuthulhu
Not really concerned, seeing as that a lot of manga by Viz is now shonen mainstream trash. Now if this were Yen Press or Del Rey...
May 12, 2010 3:42 PM by Detective
alot of this does have to do with scanlations
it makes it easy for people to read series for free
which then means not buying them later
which is why I dont read manga that has been licensed online
Or anime for that matter
it makes it easy for people to read series for free
which then means not buying them later
which is why I dont read manga that has been licensed online
Or anime for that matter
May 12, 2010 3:22 PM by little-geisha
I'm sad...yet a bit happy...Sucks for the layoffs and probably a shortage of manga for fans to buy and support.
However I've never bought manga and Viz always pisses me off with its licensing though I still half support their efforts. Same goes for Funimation and Crunchyroll.
Even if I could get access to half the manga I read I'd still never pay. I buy so much stuff that I just don't have the money for it. Got a lot of hobbies and college.
However I've never bought manga and Viz always pisses me off with its licensing though I still half support their efforts. Same goes for Funimation and Crunchyroll.
Even if I could get access to half the manga I read I'd still never pay. I buy so much stuff that I just don't have the money for it. Got a lot of hobbies and college.
May 12, 2010 3:20 PM by Llama765
Is this hurting AMERICAN anime companies, or does it also hurt Japan too?
May 12, 2010 2:30 PM by Gar_Logan
Zero said:
yeah, definitely scanlations are responsible, the current economic situation has nothing with this. *should i mention this was sarcasm? noooo idea*
Haha. I wouldn't have bought the manga I have now if scanlations were not invented. Think about that one. :D
yeah, definitely scanlations are responsible, the current economic situation has nothing with this. *should i mention this was sarcasm? noooo idea*
May 12, 2010 1:24 PM by DragoZERO
I would never support an NA license holder of an anime. All anime I own is straight from Japan and I would never want it any other way.
May 12, 2010 1:02 PM by divito
yeah, definitely scanlations are responsible, the current economic situation has nothing with this. *should i mention this was sarcasm? noooo idea*
May 12, 2010 12:19 PM by Zero
Peh, so assholes that stay at home are the reasons for this and downloading every available scanlated manga out on the internet :P
May 12, 2010 11:20 AM by BlackAssassin
Wooooow the anime/manga industry is suffering a lot lately...
May 12, 2010 10:53 AM by RambaZamba91
Tamako said:
yay for scanlations?
For some reason I could imagine hearing one of the laid off workers already saying: "yay for scanlations!" in the most sarcastic way possible.
yay for scanlations?
May 12, 2010 10:43 AM by Yup
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Haha. I wouldn't have bought the manga I have now if scanlations were not invented. Think about that one. :D
This is a valid point. I'm the same way; I won't buy before I try, and at most bookstores around here, manga is sold sealed up in plastic.
Is this hurting AMERICAN anime companies, or does it also hurt Japan too?
I have heard it said that the current trend towards moe and the (not so current trend) of putting ecchi and fanservice in everything is because the only people who actually BUY anime, in Japan or otherwise, are otaku. Hence the reason why panty shots etc are often blurred out in the broadcast version and visible on the DVD.
May 15, 2010 4:15 PM by idoru