| Chuang Yi | |
| Native Name: | 创艺 |
| Foundation: | 1990 |
| Defunct: | 2013 |
| Location City: | Bukit Merah |
| Location Country: | Singapore |
| Area Served: | Singapore, Australia, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines |
| Industry: | Publishing |
| Products: | Comics |
| Homepage: | ChuangYi.com.sg |
Chuang Yi Publishing Pte Ltd. (Chinese: s=创艺出版社) was a publishing company based in Singapore that specialized in producing domestic and imported comics and comics-related merchandise in English and simplified Chinese. Chuang Yi distributed all or some of its products in Singapore, India, Malaysia and the Philippines. Distribution to Australia and New Zealand occurred through Madman Entertainment and used Australian English translations.[1]
The company is now defunct after ceasing operations in late 2013 and going into liquidation in the following months.[2] Shogakukan Asia formed as the company's successor in regards to its intellectual properties.
Chuang Yi Publishing was founded in 1990 as a distributor of Japanese comics published in simplified Chinese. It had early success with Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk, and soon began importing titles from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.
In 1995, Chuang Yi set up its first branch office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and launched two Japanese comic series in Malay. In 1998 and 1999, Chuang Yi published its first TV-drama-to-comic adaptations of Legend of the Eight Immortals and Liang Po Po. Chuang Yi expanded into the English-language market in 2000 with the launch of its Pokémon series, and two Taiwanese comics began serialisation in local newspapers. In 2003, Chuang Yi secured licensing rights to distribute its comics to Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines, and in 2004 branched into the magazine market including licensing of several Disney titles. Chuang Yi began distribution of sticker collectibles from Panini Comics and Topps UK in 2004 and 2005, and in 2006 began distribution of comics in India.[3] In 2007, the company secured the rights to develop stationery merchandise for Pokémon and Disney products, and began exclusive distribution of DC Comics and Marvel Comics products to Singapore and Malaysia.[4]
Chuang Yi ceased operations in late 2013 and went into liquidation in the following months. Shogakukan Asia purchased the company's intellectual properties and acts as its successor in that capacity.
Reload
After 2004, Chuang Yi published magazines based licensed franchises, accompanied by themed real-world events, graphic novels, sticker books, and other merchandise. The magazine contents were Singapore-specific. The franchises include:
In the past they also produced Winnie-the-Pooh and Monster Allergy franchise magazines. Chuang Yi also distributed two imported magazines from Australia: Bratz from Otter Press, and Krash from Nuclear Media and Publishing. It also held licenses to produce and distribute a variety of stationery products, children's toys, keychains, and stickers for the Pokémon and Looney Tunes franchises.