Hyoe Narita will be the new President of Viz Media Europe, effective December 1st.  He will run the day-to-day operations in Europe along with Cedric Littardi of Kaze and Nicolas Weber Krebs of Viz Media Switzerland. 

Narita had been an executive vice president at Viz Media U.S. since its formation in 2005 by the merger of Viz LLC and ShoPro Entertainment (see “Manga Merger”); he was with Viz U.S. for nine years over-all.  Narita worked at Viz co-parent Shogakukan in Japan prior to his move to the U.S.

Narita replaces John Easum, who became the first President of Viz Media Europe on its formation in late 2006 by Viz Media in the U.S. (see “John Easum to Run Viz Media Europe”).  Prior to that Easum had been an EVP of Viz Media U.S.  VME began reporting directly to Japan rather than through Viz Media U.S. in 2009 (see “Shogakukan and Shueisha Make a Move in Europe”).  Easum will move to Tokyo, where he will continue to provide services to the manga and anime industries.