Viz Media and OverDrive Partner to Bring Manga to Schools and Libraries

©2012 Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi/TPC Originally published by HERO’S INC.

Viz Media has announced the expansion of its partnership with e-book sharing platform, OverDrive.

The digital reading platform, OverDrive, and Viz media have launched a partnership debuting in January 2017 with a massive collection spanning over 650 volumes of manga.

OverDrive is a e-book sharing platform that allows readers to borrow e-books from participating schools and local libraries in the US and Canada.

Included in the partnership is Dragon Ball as well as various titles with tokusatsu connections. Ruroni Kenshin, whose movies starred Takeru Sato (Ryotaro in Kamen Rider Den-O), Ouran High School Host Club, whose live action drama’s cast included Yudai Chiba (Arata in Tensou Sentai Goseiger) and Manpei Takagi (Retsu in Juuken Sentai Gekiranger).

Also included in the deal is the ULTRAMAN manga by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi based on the long running tokusatsu franchise which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016 with Ultraman Orb and Ultraman Orb the Origin Saga.

The press release reads:

VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS OVERDRIVE OFFERINGS WITH OVER 48 NEW DIGITAL MANGA TITLES

Scores Of New VIZ Media Manga Available In 2017 For Digital Lending At Participating Public and School Libraries

San Francisco, CA, January 17, 2017 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, expands its relationship with the digital reading platform, OverDrive. An impressive collection of newly added digital manga titles by some of the genre’s most popular and renowned creators are now available at participating public and school libraries in the United States and Canada on the platform.

OverDrive is a leading digital reading platform, supplying the industry’s largest catalog of eBooks, audiobooks, streaming video and periodicals to 36,000 libraries, schools and retailers worldwide, including 90 percent of all public libraries in the U.S.

New VIZ Media / OverDrive series debuts for January 2017 include a genre-spanning collection of more than 48 titles, comprising over 650 volumes. New January additions will enhance the roster of currently available fan-favorites such as BLEACH, DEATH NOTE, NARUTO, HUNTER X HUNTER and ONE PIECE.

New VIZ Media /Overdrive manga series include:

• BLUE EXORCIST
• DRAGON BALL
• ONE-PUNCH MAN
• TOKYO GHOUL
• JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE – PARTS 1, 2 & 3
• RUROUNI KENSHIN
• MY LOVE STORY!!
• YU-GI-OH!

 

And scores more!

A comprehensive list of all VIZ Media manga titles now available on OverDrive may be viewed at: OverDrive.com/publishers/VIZMedia; additional manga titles will continue to be added throughout 2017.

“OverDrive is enjoyed by an extremely diverse demographic of readers of all ages and interests. VIZ Media’s manga selection offers each of them unique characters and compelling storylines with an industry-leading catalog for graphic novels. We look forward to continuing to work closely with OverDrive to cultivate and deliver some of the best manga content available,” says Kevin Hamric, Senior Director, Publishing Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media.

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit VIZ.com.

About OverDrive

OverDrive is the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools.  We are dedicated to “a world enlightened by reading” by delivering the industry’s largest catalog of eBooks, audiobooks and other digital media to a growing network of 36,000 libraries and schools in 63 countries worldwide.  Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA and owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten. www.overdrive.com

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan’s largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

Source: Viz Media and OverDrive press release