In June 2008, one of VIZ Media's parent companies, Japanese publisher Shueisha, Inc., announced an investment in Shogakukan Production Company Ltd., the licensing and merchandising subsidiary of Japanese publisher Shogakukan, Inc., another of VIZ Media's parent companies. ShoPro was renamed Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd.

The strategic move was made to give more flexibility in developing titles for the overseas marketplace, including the graphic novel (manga) market in North America and Europe.

Since it was established in 1967, ShoPro represented a variety of popular properties related to Shogakukan manga and animated properties, such as POKéMON, DORAEMON, INUYASHA, HAMTARO, DETECTIVE CONAN, KILARI, MIRMO!, and MEGAMAN NT WARRIOR, as well as other third-party licenses for the Japanese market, such as 20th Century Fox, Bob the Builder, Garfield, Indiana Jones, Rugrats, Star Wars, and The Simpsons.. As a result Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions now handles properties related to manga from both Shogakukan and Shueisha.