Viz Media announced that it has opened a wholly owned subsidiary, Viz Productions, “to produce and license live-action theatrical film and TV products based on animated and manga series.”  The new company will draw not only on the properties of Viz parents Shueisha and Shogakukan, but also from Hakusensha, which publishes Fruits Basket in Japan. 

The announcement said that Viz Productions would serve as the U.S. liason between Japanese property-owners and studios, production houses, or agents to produce its own films or license them to others. 

Projects in a variety of genres are planned, from science fiction to comedy.   

Jason Hoffs, who’s been a production company executive, studio executive, and had his own production company, will serve as Head of Production at Viz Productions. 

For more on Viz Production’s plans, see “Interview with Jason Hoffs, Part 1.”