Manga company and talent agency team to develop live-action content.

Viz Media, a publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has partnered with United Talent Agency to create a range of live-action programming.

The live-action programming will be based on Viz Media’s lineup of properties such as Naruto, One Piece, Tokyo Ghoul, Bleach, Death Note and One-Punch Man.

The partnership will not only create new opportunities, but will also further capitalize on the interest in Japanese pop culture and entertainment brands expressed by the entertainment industry.

“The UTA partnership represents an important new direction for Viz Media and our colleagues in Japan,” says Brad Woods, chief marketing officer, Viz Media. “Bringing the rich stories of manga and anime to life in new ways is an exciting opportunity with tremendous potential. UTA is an innovator that shares our vision, and their proven track record and strong relationships throughout the domestic and international entertainment sectors will be important factors as we move forward.”