As part of its VIZ Originals line, publisher VIZ Media has launched a one-shot submissions portal which will see American aspiring creators published alongside Japanese legends such as Rumiko Takahashi, Junji Ito and Haro Aso via the VIZ Manga digital service. The new platform will produce bite-size original manga stories covering a variety of interests from horror to comedy and from action to romance, all locally created by debut and seasoned writers.
The Japanese one-shot model for serialization is a highly successful avenue to launch new manga creators: A one-shot (a complete story running between 15-60 pages) is published for an already built-in audience who then determine whether it should go on to be serialized as a manga series.
Leading the acquisitions is former Weekly Shonen Jump Editor-in-Chief Hisashi Sasaki, who oversaw the prestigious Japanese manga magazine at a time when some of the most admired and highest grossing creators were being serialized, including Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto and Tite Kubo’s Bleach.
“In Japan, a yomikiri or one-shot story has a proven track record for producing hit manga, and I’m thrilled to implement this method at VIZ for local writers in the U.S.,” said Sasaki. “I’m particularly excited to work with aspiring mangaka as Japanese pop culture continues to keep fans enthused and wanting more.”
Creators whose submissions are selected will also have the opportunity to work closely with editor Sasaki, making VIZ Media the only publisher in the U.S. to offer this experience domestically. Until now, manga-influenced creators who aspire to work with Japanese editors have had to travel to Tokyo for such an opportunity.
Additionally, successful one-shots can access tap into all VIZ Media’s operations have to offer, including the licensing and establishing of an IP as an ongoing series for digital and print formats, producing their story into an anime, and the production of consumer products.
Visit the VIZ Originals submission portal to learn more and submit your next-hit idea: viz.com/create.
