A new powerhouse was born in the US manga/anime market this week as VIZ and ShoPro Entertainment, both North American-based companies specializing in Japanese content, announced a merger yesterday. The new company, VIZ Media, will specialize in manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. The manga lineup includes such titles as Shonen Jump nad Shojo Beat. VIZ Media, based in San Francisco, is owned by three major players in Japanese manga and animation: Shueisha (40%), Shogakukan (40%) and Shogakukan Production Co. (20%).
• Yokohama Bay Stars closer Sasaki Kazuhiro (37) anounced yesterday that he divorced his wife Kaori (37) on March 18 and is now sharing his ¥300 million Setagaya home with actress Enamoto Kanako (24). The magazine Flash has suggested Enamoto may be pregnant. The former Seattle Mariners star says that he and his wife started to drift apart after he made his move the the Major Leagues in 2000. He will have custody of their two children. “Daimajin” gave up a sayonara home run in his first appearance this season on Saturday.
• Japan Zone reported just yesterday on the current popularity of fashion models. Well, yesterday one of those models, 21-year old Karina (21), gave the first ever Japanese product launch held on a jet. Lotte spent an estimated ¥10 million to take the model/actress and about 100 media for a 90-minute flight from Haneda Airport, around northern Japan and back again to promote Coolish, its new ice cream product. TV commercials featuring Karina go on air today.