RWBY Heading to Hollywood! Viz Media Partners with Gotham Group for Movies and TV

Global anime publisher VIZ Media has officially partnered with Hollywood production and management firm The Gotham Group to adapt its original intellectual properties into film and television releases. First reported by Deadline, the agreement focuses heavily on RWBY, the iconic American anime series, while also encompassing the publisher’s VIZ Originals graphic novel imprint. Following VIZ’s full acquisition of the franchise from Rooster Teeth and Warner Bros. Discovery in 2024, this cross-media partnership sets the stage for new live-action and animated adaptations.

Key Information

• Franchise Name: RWBY
• IP Owner & Publisher: VIZ Media
• Production Partner: The Gotham Group (Known for Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Maze Runner)
• Original Creator: Monty Oum
• Original Production Studio: Rooster Teeth (2013–2024)
• Genre: Action, Science Fantasy, Anime-Inspired Adventure
• Official Website and Social Accounts: Official RWBY Webpage | Official RWBY X Account | VIZ Media YouTube Channel

What Is the Viz Media and Gotham Group Partnership for RWBY?

The strategic agreement tasks The Gotham Group with identifying, packaging, and producing film and television projects based on VIZ Media’s expanding lineup of original creator-driven stories. The partnership marks a major step forward in expanding RWBY into a multiplatform global brand across traditional Hollywood channels.

In addition to RWBY, the deal extends to titles published under the VIZ Originals banner. This means creator-owned comic books and graphic novels from VIZ could also receive film, streaming series, or live-action television treatments in the coming years.

How Did RWBY Become an American Animation Phenomenon?

Created by the late visionary animator Monty Oum, who tragically passed away in 2015 at age 33, RWBY debuted in July 2013 as a web series produced by Austin-based digital studio Rooster Teeth. The story follows four young heroines, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long, as they train at Beacon Academy to fight dark monsters known as the Grimm.

Over more than a decade of production, the franchise grew into an international powerhouse:

• Massive Global Audience: The main web series accumulated over 350 million views across its lifespan.
• Extensive Content Library: Spans 9 volumes and 117 episodes, alongside official manga adaptations, spin-off series, and video games.
• Historic Japanese Crossover: Became the first American-produced web series to be dubbed and exported to Japan as an official anime.
• Major Crossover Movies: Partnered with Warner Bros. Animation for the two-part crossover movie event, Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, uniting Team RWBY with DC Comics icons like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.

What Happened to RWBY After Rooster Teeth Closed?

When parent company Warner Bros. Discovery shut down Rooster Teeth in 2024 after 21 years of operation, fans expressed concern over the future of the series. However, VIZ Media stepped in to acquire the full intellectual property rights, taking over global distribution, licensing, digital publishing, consumer products, and future content development.

With VIZ Media leading production and Volume 10 currently in development, this new partnership with The Gotham Group ensures that the world of Remnant will continue to expand across global entertainment markets.

Where Can You Stream RWBY and Buy Related Media?

Fans eager to watch the series or catch up on legacy releases can access official storefronts and streaming services:

• Stream the main animated series and spin-offs on RWBY on Crunchyroll.
• Explore original graphic novels and manga adaptations via VIZ Originals Graphic Novels.