Viz Media, the leading manga and anime publisher behind global hits like One Piece, Demon Slayer, Naruto, and Jujutsu Kaisen, has signed a deal with production company The Gotham Group. The agreement gives The Gotham Group the rights to develop film and television adaptations based on Viz Media’s original intellectual properties.
The partnership focuses on two key areas: the RWBY franchise and the Viz Originals graphic novel line. The Gotham Group will identify and package projects drawn from Viz Media’s library of original IP.
This marks a major step for Viz Media as it expands its entertainment business beyond publishing and into live-action and animated screen productions through one of Hollywood’s leading production and management companies.
The Deal Between Viz Media and The Gotham Group
Viz Media and The Gotham Group signed the agreement in early August 2026. Under the deal, The Gotham Group will develop film and television adaptations based on titles from Viz Media’s original intellectual property.
The Gotham Group brings significant experience to the partnership. The company has produced major titles including The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Maze Runner franchise, Stargirl, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Search for WondLa, Washington Black, and the Bruce Springsteen feature Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.
Viz Media is the number one destination for manga in America and publishes some of the most prestigious anime brands in the industry. The company has built a reputation as a global leader in anime, manga, and original graphic novels.
RWBY Takes Center Stage in the Partnership
At the heart of this collaboration is RWBY, the animated franchise created by the late Monty Oum. RWBY first premiered in July 2013 and was produced at Rooster Teeth, the studio Oum co-founded.
The series follows four girls—Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long—who train as Huntresses to protect the world of Remnant from supernatural creatures called the “Creatures of Grimm.”
Since its debut, RWBY has amassed more than 350 million views globally. The franchise has expanded into publishing, video games, consumer products, and multiple spinoffs, including RWBY: Ice Queendom and two Justice League x RWBY animated crossover films.
RWBY is widely recognized as the first anime series produced in the United States and the first Western-produced anime to be dubbed and distributed in Japan.
RWBY’s Journey to Viz Media
Viz Media acquired the RWBY franchise in July 2024 following the shutdown of Rooster Teeth by Warner Bros. Discovery in March 2024. The acquisition gave Viz Media the rights for future distribution, production, licensing, and consumer products.
At the time of the acquisition, Viz Media stated it was exploring the production of new chapters in the series. In July 2026, the company greenlit a tenth volume of the animated series, with showrunner Kerry Shawcross returning and the original voice cast involved.
Rooster Teeth produced nine volumes and 117 episodes of RWBY. The ninth volume began in February 2023 and ended in March 2024. Monty Oum passed away in February 2015 at age 33 during production on the third volume.
Brad Woods, President and CEO of Viz Media, spoke about the company’s vision for the franchise:
“From the beginning, our vision for RWBY has been to build a global franchise that connects with fans across every medium. With Volume 10 officially underway, we’re excited to take the next step by partnering with The Gotham Group to develop RWBY, alongside our growing portfolio of original graphic novels, for film and television.”
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Founder and CEO of The Gotham Group, also commented on the partnership:
“We are thrilled to be working with the iconic VIZ on RWBY and beyond. The RWBY franchise is one of the most prolific out there and we’re excited to be a part of bringing new stories to life.”
Viz Originals: Expanding Beyond RWBY
The deal also includes Viz Originals, Viz Media’s original manga imprint. This imprint features works from acclaimed creators across multiple genres.
Some of the titles included in the Viz Originals line are:
- Devil’s Candy by Rem and Bikkuri
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
- Lynx by Sam Sattin
- Galaxic Baseball League by Acky Bright
These original graphic novels represent Viz Media’s commitment to championing the next generation of international storytellers.
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What This Means for Fans
The partnership between Viz Media and The Gotham Group signals a new era for Viz Media’s original properties. For RWBY fans, the deal means the franchise will continue to grow across multiple platforms. With Volume 10 already in production and now film and television development underway, RWBY is positioned for continued expansion.
For fans of Viz Originals, the deal opens the door for adaptations of graphic novels that may not have previously had a path to the screen. Titles like Devil’s Candy, Fangirl, Lynx, and Galaxic Baseball League could potentially become film or television projects.
The Gotham Group’s track record with book-to-screen adaptations—including Percy Jackson, The Maze Runner, and The Spiderwick Chronicles—suggests these projects will receive professional development and packaging.
No specific studios, release windows, or episode counts have been announced for any of the projects under this deal. The development process is in its early stages, and it may take time before any adaptations move into production.
Also Read: VIZ Media Announces Hirayasumi Anime for January 2027 With First Teaser Trailer and Visual
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