VIZ Media has named Ken Sasaki president and chief executive officer, effective yesterday. Sasaki succeeds Hidemi Fukuhara.

“We have spent the last few years preparing VIZ Media for its digital future,” says Sasaki. “I look forward to expanding our digital distribution channels even further, making manga, graphic novels and anime even more accessible to fans across North America.”

VIZ is a publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America. Sasaki’s appointment will herald in the “next digital chapter” for VIZ Media this summer.

Sasaki joined VIZ in 2008, and recently served as senior vice president and general manager, where he led the company’s digital content distribution strategy for animation. Sasaki will drive and develop relationships and digital distribution of anime, as well as build the audience for its digital platforms and VIZ Manga, as well as create innovative product offerings.