VIZ Media Appoints Boutique Licensing Agency (BLA!) as its European Agency

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—November 14, 2022 —VIZ Media, a world-leading producer of manga and anime, is pleased to announce the appointment of Boutique Licensing Agency (BLA!) as its European agency, to lead Viz Media's consumer products business expansion internationally.
Featured in the portfolio are icons such as Rumiko Takahashi's epic time-traveling demon-fighting tale Inuyasha, and Tite Kubo's fantasy-adventure Bleach, including the latest adaptation, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Plus, exciting new work by both debut and experienced creators such as the devilish destruction in Devil's Candy from Rem and Bikkuri or the cock with a hero's mission in Rooster Fighter by Shu Sakuratani – both hailed webcomic sensations respectfully.
BLA!'s role will be to partner with VIZ on creating a strategic plan for Europe, to sign and manage licensees across general merchandise, experiences, and promotions. BLA! will also support retail partnerships and collaborations on behalf of Viz Media.
Disney+ recently launched the highly anticipated Bleach Thousand Year Blood War globally in all territories outside of the United States. According to Glitch.com the first episode made a terrific first impression with a 9,1 rating, making it the top current performing animé episode. A true testament of how much fans have anticipated the new series launch after waiting a decade since the classic series season finale.
Laura Takaragawa, Vice President, Consumer Products, Licensing & Promotions at Viz Media commented: “We are proud to announce Viz Media's partnership with BLA! as we build our portfolio in Europe. BLA is a great match with VIZ as they are well respected, strategic market-experts with an entrepreneurial spirit. We have been impressed with what BLA! has accomplished in a short time and know that we can expect many great things in the future under this partnership!”
Marie-Noelle Lutte, managing partner at Boutique Licensing Agency (BLA!) commented:“We are excited to become Viz Media's on-ground agency in Europe; to bring Viz Media's brands together with suppliers to create products that animé fans love. With the rising trend in manga and animé, the timing is perfect. With a focus on BLEACH and INUYASHA we look forward to extending these brands into merchandise, promotions and experiences with the best partners in the business.”
María Maranesi, managing partner at BLA! says: “Our goal at BLA! is to offer a personalized and agile service, adapted to the needs of our partners; we are delighted to offer our expertise to Viz Media, by extending their Animé and Manga business at European level.”
BLA! have appointed Reemsborko as their sub-agent for the UK
Max Arguile from Reemsborko commented, “Reemsborko is very pleased to be working with VIZ MEDIA and BLA! on these essential animés. We are actively seeking partners in all categories”
For licensing and merchandise enquiries, please email
Maria Maranesi [email protected] (Europe)
Marie-Noelle Lutte [email protected] (Europe)
Marianne Poutiers [email protected] (France)
Max Arguile [email protected] (UK)

About Viz Media:
Wherever manga and anime fans are, we are! Viz Media is No. 1 in Japanese pop culture, introducing fans to what's now, new, and next. Home to the world's most influential and groundbreaking storytellers and artists, who today drive multiple industries from publishing and animation to film and gaming. If it's big in Japan, you can find it at VIZ.
Expert leaders in developing innovative and premium consumer products, coupled with an iconic Consumer Products portfolio: Naruto, Hunter X Hunter, Bleach, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and Inuyasha amongst others, Viz Media is known for shaping licensing programs that create culture and make brands industry pacesetters.
Viz Media is proudly certified as a Most Loved Workplace® in America. For more information on Viz Media visit: https://www.viz.com/

About BLA! – Boutique Licensing Agency:
A European boutique-style brand licensing agency with central offices in Barcelona and Copenhagen, BLA! is a group of licensing experts across EMEA that offer brand owners commercial support in every territory.
BLA! brings to its partnerships extensive experience in the licensing, entertainment, publishing and toy industry. With a customer centric-approach the agency's focus is to build strategic brand extensions that secure long-term success for its partners. BLA! offers across-the-board brand licensing representation services – from rights management to contract negotiation and retail activation. BLA! also offer licensing and publishing consulting services. Its focus area covers every corner of EMEA – and beyond.
To learn more about BLA! please visit www.boutiquelicensing.com