VIZ Media Press Releases

VIZ MEDIA’S HONEY AND CLOVER ANIME NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ITUNES STORE

press — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:20:00 -0700

San Francisco, CA, JULY 9, 2009 VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced today the Exclusive availability of its popular shojo animated series HONEY AND CLOVER on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com) in the US and the iTunes Store in Canada (www.itunes.ca). iTunes will exclusively offer the first episode of HONEY AND CLOVER as a free download until August 31, 2009. Plus, every purchase of the complete first season of HONEY AND CLOVER will include a free, bonus episode download. Find out more at www.itunes.com/tv/honeyandclover.

Based on the popular manga series created by Chica Umino, HONEY AND CLOVER is a romantic comedy about a group of art school students who try to find their way through college. But when an innocent and talented 19-year-old girl enters their lives, things get a lot more complicated as love triangles result.

The HONEY AND CLOVER manga series was created by Chica Umino and has sold more than 5,300,000 copies in Japan. In 2003, the series won the 27th Kodansha Manga Award, Japan's most prestigious comics award. The series was also adapted into an anime series in 2005 and finally into a live action film in 2006.

What is Shojo?….In Japan, manga comics and anime have enjoyed widespread popularity among both children and adults, men as well as women. Shojo (which means young girl in Japanese) manga and anime is widely known and embraced for its characteristic lush designs and tales of love and romance set against action, academic, or fantasy driven plots. Women and young girls in North America quickly discovered that comic books and anime are no longer just for boys. Shojo stories appeal to the desires for stories and characters that girls and women can relate to. While plots and settings for shojo vary widely (everywhere from outer space to alternate realities to the local middle school), several constants remain the themes of romance, angst and heartbreak, and ultimately finding the one you love despite obstacles and setbacks. And what young girl isn't interested in that? The fact that shojo is largely an entertainment medium developed by women for women with stories women and girls can relate to is also driving the popularity of shojo in North America.

"We are thrilled to add this endearing romantic comedy to our library of great anime now available on iTunes. HONEY AND CLOVER showcases the challenging journey that everyone must take to transform from adolescence into adulthood while balancing the demands of school, work, and love and VIZ Media is committed to nurturing the series for a new audience in North America.” says Ken Sasaki, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. “iTunes is a critical channel, providing the high quality, ease of download and flexibility that will allow fans to enjoy this captivating series however and whenever they want.”

The HONEY AND CLOVER manga and anime series are both rated ‘T+’ (for older teens). For more information on HONEY AND CLOVER please visit the dedicated website at honeyandclover.viz.com. For general information on VIZ Media and other titles, please visit www.viz.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA’S NEWEST IMPRINT, SHONEN SUNDAY, WILL RELEASE THE FIRST MANGA TO EVER BE PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN JAPAN AND NORTH AMERICA

press — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:22:00 -0700

A New Imprint and Web Site Launch
Rumiko Takahashi’s Newest Series RIN-NE Gets Its First Volume

San Francisco, CA, July 8, 2009– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the launch of a brand new imprint, SHONEN SUNDAY. Featuring the works of some of the top shonen manga creators in the world today, the Shonen Sunday magazine in Japan provides the content for this imprint. The magazine recently celebrated its 50th anniversary since its first issue arrived on newsstands in March of 1959.

The first series to launch from the first volume under this new imprint will be RIN-NE by Rumiko Takahashi, the first manga novel ever to be published simultaneously in Japan and North America, which will arrive on store shelves on October 20, 2009. Chapters of RIN-NE have been serialized online for free at www.TheRumicWorld.com on the same weekly schedule as it appeared in Japan’s Shonen Sunday magazine since May of this year. The Rumic World web site is the official North American destination for all Rumiko Takahashi-related news.

VIZ Media will be announcing new Shonen Sunday series for 2010 at its Manga and Anime panel at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con International on Friday, July 24th from 3:00-4:30 in Room 32AB. Other VIZ Media series that will move under the Shonen Sunday banner include INUYASHA, KEKKAISHI, CASE CLOSED, HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER, and YAKITATE!! JAPAN. Going forward, DVD products from the select series will also feature the Shonen Sunday imprint.

The imprint’s web site (www.ShonenSunday.com) will be updated regularly with exclusive content such as previews, trailers, news, and interviews and will go live on July 22, 2009.

RIN-NE by Rumiko Takahashi • VOL. 1 • October 20, 2009 • Rated T+ (For Older Teens) • $9.99 US/$12.99 CAN

As a child Sakura Mamiya mysteriously disappeared in the woods behind her grandma’s home. She returned whole and healthy, but since then she has had the power to see ghosts. Now a teenager, she just wishes the ghosts would leave her alone! At school, the desk next to Sakura’s has been empty since the start of the school year, then one day her always-absent classmate shows up, and he’s far more than what he seems!

RIN-NE is the first new manga from Takahashi since her epic INUYASHA (published domestically by VIZ Media) ended in 2008 in Japan. Shogakukan’s popular WEEKLY SHONEN SUNDAY manga magazine has featured Takahashi’s work since the early 1980’s. With over 170 million copies sold in Japan alone, Takahashi’s substantial catalog of work continues to be loved by legions of devoted readers.

The spotlight on Rumiko Takahashi's career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan’s annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular in their own right. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another—Maison Ikkoku ran from 1980 to 1987, Ranma ½ from 1987 to 1996, and Inuyasha from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include Mermaid Saga, Rumic Theater, and One-Pound Gospel. Takahashi won the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award twice in her career, once for Urusei Yatsura in 1981 and the second time for Inuyasha in 2002. A majority of the Takahashi canon has been adapted into other media such as anime, live-action TV series, and film. Takahashi’s manga, as well as the other formats her work has been adapted into, have continued to delight generations of fans around the world. Distinguished by her wonderfully endearing characters, Takahashi’s work adeptly incorporates a wide variety of elements such as comedy, romance, fantasy, and martial arts. While her series are difficult to pin down into one simple genre, the signature style she has created has come to be known as the “Rumic World.” Rumiko Takahashi is an artist who truly represents the very best from the world of manga.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA’S NANA ANIME NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ITUNES STORE

press — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:10:00 -0700

San Francisco, CA, July 7, 2009– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced today the availability of its popular shojo animated series NANA on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com) in the US and the iTunes Store in Canada (www.itunes.ca). NANA will be exclusive to iTunes until August 31, 2009. Plus, every purchase of a NANA Season 1 pass will include a free, bonus episode download. Find out more at www.itunes.com/tv/nana.

The NANA anime is based on the popular manga by Ai Yazawa, which has sold over 43 million copies in Japan, and is published in North America by VIZ Media under its SHOJO BEAT imprint. It is considered an all-time best selling shojo title from Japanese publishing giant Shueisha, and was the recipient of the Shogakukan Manga Award in the Girls' category. Its tremendous success further inspired two live-action feature films which are available on DVD in North America from VIZ Pictures

NANA follows the adventures of two girls, both named Nana. While they share the same name, they couldn't be more different. Nana "Hachi" Komatsu follows her boyfriend to Tokyo in the hopes of making a new start, while Nana Osaki, who arrives in the city at the same time, is a punk rock beauty who has the ambition of making it big in the world of rock and roll. Although these two young women come from different backgrounds, they quickly become best friends while chasing their happiness and dreams.

Ai Yazawa is the creator of many popular manga titles, including Tenshi Nanka Janai (I'm No Angel) and Gokinjo Monogatari (Neighborhood Story). Another series, Kagen no Tsuki (Last Quarter), was made into a live-action movie and released in late 2004. American readers were introduced to Yazawa's stylish and sexy storytelling in 2002 when her title Paradise Kiss was translated into English.

“NANA has touched millions of fans in Japan and North America with its realistic portrayal of two young women coming of age in life’s fast lane in modern Tokyo,” says Ken Sasaki, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. “The anime series possesses all of the attributes that made the original manga such a smash hit and combines them with a rocking soundtrack and creatively designed characters that audiences can really root for, laugh and even cry with. We invite fans to check out NANA on iTunes and take these girls’ adventures along as they navigate their own busy lives.”

What is Shojo?….In Japan, manga comics and anime have enjoyed widespread popularity among both children and adults, men as well as women. Shojo (which means young girl in Japanese) is widely known and embraced for their characteristic lush designs and tales of love and romance set against action, academic, or fantasy driven plots. Women and young girls in North America quickly discovered that comic books and anime are no longer just for boys and shojo stories appeal to the desires for stories and characters girls and women can relate to. While plots and settings for shojo vary widely (everywhere from outer space to alternate realities to the local middle school), several constants remain the themes of romance, angst and heartbreak, and ultimately finding the one you love despite obstacles and setbacks. And what young girl isn't interested in that? The fact that shojo is largely an entertainment medium developed by women for women with stories women and girls can relate to is also driving the popularity of shojo in North America.
For more information on NANA (rated ‘M’ for mature) please visit the dedicated website at Nana.viz.com or the VIZ Media website at www.viz.com.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE U.S. PREMIERE OF BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: THE DIAMONDDUST REBELLION AT VIZ CINEMA IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY

press — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:45:00 -0700

Newly Launched VIZ Cinema To Debut Feature Film Based On Smash Hit Anime Series

San Francisco, CA, JULY 7, 2009 – As announced this past weekend at the Anime Expo® 2009, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will celebrate the theatrical engagement and U.S. premiere of BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion, for two nights only. Two showings each day, on August 18th and 19th 2009. The special screenings will be held at the brand new VIZ Cinema, located inside NEW PEOPLE – San Francisco’s newest entertainment destination.

Tickets for BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion (rated ‘T’ for teens) go on sale Friday, July 31, 2009 at www.vizcinema.com. NEW PEOPLE and the VIZ Cinema are located at 1746 Post Street in San Francisco’s Japantown and will open officially on August 15th.

Adapted from the wildly popular animated series and best-selling BLEACH manga series by acclaimed Japanese creator Tite Kubo (both distributed and published in North America by VIZ Media), BLEACH THE MOVIE 2 continues the action-packed adventures of Soul Reaper, Ichigo Kurosaki. In the newest feature film, after the treasured Ouin is stolen, Toshiro Hitsugaya disappears and becomes suspected of treason. When the Soul Society calls for his capture and execution, Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki vows to prove Hitsugaya's innocence. Will the secret of the Ouin and Captain Hitsugaya's motives be revealed before his honor, his life, and the Soul Society are destroyed?

VIZ Media is scheduled to release the DVD of BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion (rated ‘T’ for teens) on September 8th.

“This two day event will be very exciting as it marks the U.S. theatrical debut of BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion and also the opening week of the brand new VIZ Cinema,” says Brian Ige, VIZ Media Director, Home Entertainment. “BLEACH is one of the most popular and successful manga and animated properties in the world and we encourage fans to go online and get their tickets early as this event will likely sell-out!”

BLEACH is a tremendously successful multimedia property internationally. The manga series has been licensed to more than a dozen countries, and has sold over 52 million copies in Japan alone. In North America the manga has been a sales hit and the popular animated series is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada. This success has further spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise. For more information on BLEACH and BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion, please visit the official BLEACH website at bleach.viz.com or www.viz.com. BLEACH episodes can also be viewed on the SONY PlayStation VIZ Media channel, online at hulu.com and also on iTunes.

VIZ Cinema is a 143-seat underground cinema located inside NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco, part of the J-Pop Center Project produced by VIZ Pictures. Equipped with cutting-edge HD digital projection and a THX®-certified sound system, VIZ Cinema is the soul of the NEW PEOPLE experience. Its programming focuses on the latest and hottest films from Japan, as well as an incredible legacy of classics, favorites, documentaries and anime – making it the only venue of its kind in the United States. For more details on the cinema and its programs, visit www.vizcinema.com.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA DELIGHTS FANS WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACCELERATED PUBLISHING SCHEDULE FOR HIT PIRATE MANGA SERIES ONE PIECE

press — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:35:00 -0700

Company Rolls Out Most Aggressive Manga Publishing Schedule Yet With 5 New Volumes Of High Seas Action/Adventure Saga To Debut Each Month Throughout The First Half Of 2010

San Francisco, CA, JULY 6, 2009 – As first detailed this past weekend at Anime Expo® 2009, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, announced a significantly increased publication schedule for the hit pirate manga series – ONE PIECE – delighting fans everywhere. Beginning in January 2010 and continuing through June 2010, five new ONE PIECE manga volumes will be published each month, for a total of 30 new volumes. The new schedule will launch with volumes 24-28.

To further complement these releases, VIZ Media has launched a brand new, dedicated ONE PIECE web site at OnePiece.VIZ.com that will be updated regularly with plot and character information, and will also provide special free manga chapters.

ONE PIECE Rated ‘T’ for Teens takes readers to a world populated by pirates and filled with adventure. As a child, Monkey D. Luffy dreamed of becoming the King of the Pirates. But his life changed when he accidentally gained the power to stretch like rubber…at the cost of never being able to swim again! Now Luffy, with the help of a motley collection of pirate wannabes, is setting off in search of the "One Piece," said to be the greatest treasure in the world.

The manga ONE PIECE was created by Eichiro Oda, a comic creator and artist, and debuted in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997. One of the most popular comic artists in Japan today, Oda started out by winning the Hop Step Award (a monthly award given by Shonen Jump for amateur artists) as well as the esteemed Tezuka Award. His art style is reminiscent of Akira Toriyama, Sergio Aragones, and the movie Yellow Submarine.

"This will be our most ambitious accelerated manga publishing schedule for any property thus far, and we are confident it will be a huge success, as ONE PIECE is an exciting series that enjoys a large and very dedicated following in North America,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing for VIZ Media. “Pirate stories are known and loved the world over and ONE PIECE, with its zany cast of characters and high seas action, enjoys more than 177 million copies in-print in Japan alone. We look forward to new and old fans alike exploring these fun adventures as each month Luffy and his cohorts search for the elusive One Piece treasure.”

For more information please visit the dedicated website at www.onepiece.viz.com.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

NEW VIZ MEDIA SCIENCE FICTION IMPRINT HAIKASORU RELEASES DEBUT TITLES ALL YOU NEED IS KILL AND THE LORD OF THE SANDS OF TIME

press — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:59:00 -0700

Innovative New Publisher Of Japanese Science Fiction Offers First Two Inaugural Titles This July

San Francisco, CA, June 26, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, announces the debut later this month of the first two titles from its new Haikasoru imprint. ALL YOU NEED IS KILL and THE LORD OF THE SANDS OF TIME will both be released nationwide on July 21st.

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL was called, “science fiction for the adrenaline junkie,” by bestselling author John Scalzi (author of Old Man’s War) “while THE LORD OF THE SANDS OF TIME presents a time travel adventure through ancient Japan, the Second World War, and the 26th Century.” These two novels represent flagship titles for Haikasoru, the first imprint in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
Cover illustration by Yoshitoshi Abe
Price: $13.99 U.S. / CAN $16.00
When the alien Gitai invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he finally sees something different, something out of place—a female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji’s escape or his final death?

THE LORD OF THE SANDS OF TIME by Issui Ogawa
Cover illustration by Bukichi Nadeara
Price: $13.99 U.S. / CAN $16.00
Sixty-two years after human life on earth was annihilated by rampaging aliens, the enigmatic cyborg Messenger O is sent back in time with the mission to unite the humanity of past eras—during World War II and in ancient Japan, even back at the dawn of humanity—in order to defeat the alien invasion before it begins. But amidst a future shredded by war, love also waits for O. Will O save humanity only to doom himself? THE LORD OF THE SANDS OF TIME was nominated for the prestigious Seiun Award, the leading award for Japanese science fiction, the winners of which are selected each year by members of the Japanese National Science Fiction Convention.

“SF, manga and anime fans will definitely enjoy these debut titles from Haikasoru,” says Masumi Washington, Editor-in-Chief of Haikasoru at VIZ Media. “These novels present science fiction that is engaging, imaginative and exotic and we’re very excited to offer a whole new genre of Japanese literature to readers in the U.S.”

Haikasoru is scheduled to publish twelve books a year and launches in the summer of 2009 with four titles: THE LORD OF THE SANDS OF TIME by Issui Ogawa, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, ZOO by Otsuichi, and USURPER OF THE SUN by Housuke Nojiri.

For more information on Haikasoru please visit the dedicated website at www.haikasoru.com.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA CONTINUES TO ENTICE APPETITES WITH THE LATEST EDITION OF OISHINBO

press — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:24:00 -0700

Check out the latest volume of the acclaimed manga series about food and Japanese cuisine. This edition spotlights Fish, Sushi And Sashimi!

The critically acclaimed long-running cooking manga is written by Tetsu Kariya and illustrated by Akira Hanasaki. Published by VIZ Media under its VIZ Signature imprint, OISHINBO: FISH, SUSHI AND SASHIMI is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will become avaialble on July 21st with an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $15.00 CAN.

OISHINBO (or "The Gourmet") depicts the culinary journey of journalist Shiro Yamaoka, who is tasked by fictional newspaper Tozai News to create the ultimate menu. Yamaoka and his father, Kaibara Yōzan, have never enjoyed an ideal father-son relationship. In fact, it's about as far from ideal as possible, and when they start arguing about food – which they inevitably do – the sparks really fly. In this latest volume of OISHINBO the subject of dispute is fish, starting with the question of whether mackerel can ever be truly good sashimi. Later, things come to a head during the "Salmon Battle," which pits father against son in an epic contest to develop the best dish before a panel of judges. Will Yamaoka finally defeat Kaibara, or will he once again be left in his father's shadow?

Previous OISHINBO editions have focused on other popular Japanese cuisine items such as ramen, gyoza, and sake. VIZ Media has selected highlights from the epic 100+ volume series and compiled them into seven a la carte editions that can be enjoyed individually or as a series. OISHINBO also won the prestigious 32nd Shogakukan Manga Award in 1986.

“OISHINBO has sold more than 100 million copies in Japan since its debut in 1983 and is indisputably the greatest food manga of all time," says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media. "The latest volume, featuring sushi and sashimi, offers all the thrills, laughs, and arcane food knowledge of a dozen episodes of Iron Chef. This is essential reading for cookbook and manga fans."

For more information on OISHINBO and other VIZ Media titles please visit www.viz.com.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA RELEASES DAISUKE IGARASHI’S SURREAL AQUATIC MANGA CHILDREN OF THE SEA

press — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:50:00 -0700

San Francisco, CA, June 22, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, announced the release of Daisuke Igarashi’s surreal and riveting manga series, CHILDREN OF THE SEA, releasing July 21st in North America. The manga is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an estimated MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $17.50 CAN.

When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. Ruka's dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans' fish.

Daisuke Igarashi is an award-winning manga creator who began his career in 1993. His series Majo received the Excellence Prize at the 2004 Japan Media Arts Festival and was nominated for the Fauve d’Or Best Comic Book Prize at the 2007 Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d'Angoulême. Little Forest was nominated for the 2006 Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize. His current series Children of the Sea is the winner of the 38th Japan Cartoonist Award and runs in IKKI magazine.

CHILDREN OF THE SEA is the first title to be published under IKKI from VIZ Media, a sub-imprint of the VIZ Signature imprint. In addition to now offering the print version of Volume 1, VIZ Media and IKKI magazine in Japan have collaborated on an online destination (www.sigikki.com) to present free chapters of some of that magazine’s most-loved stories to English readers – beginning with CHILDREN OF THE SEA. The website also features an interview with the creator.

IKKI, a monthly magazine published in Japan has established itself as the home of some of the most innovative, bold, and compelling series in the world of contemporary manga. Since its launch in 2003 IKKI has built a catalog of titles notable for its diversity. From action to comedy to drama, from slice-of-life stories to surrealist fantasies, the one common thing these works share is an uncommon emphasis on creative quality and on pushing the boundaries of the norm.

“We are very excited to team with IKKI magazine to launch this new imprint with the debut of CHILDREN OF THE SEA,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media. “The story presents realistic, emotionally honest characters and also has a strong ecological message of preserving the wildlife in the planet’s oceans. Readers won’t want miss to how Ruka and her two new waterborne friends discover the reason behind the worldwide disappearance of fish. With this new imprint and related web site, we look forward to introducing many more critically acclaimed manga titles to readers across North America.”
For more information on IKKI please visit www.sigikki.com.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW DVD RELEASES FOR AUGUST 2009

press — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:20:00 -0700

San Francisco, CA, June 18, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced their list of DVD titles scheduled for release in August 2009. These include the latest episodic releases of the popular BLEACH, HUNTER X HUNTER and NARUTO series. August DVD releases also include four new POKÉMON titles for the younger set. Also releasing is the live action feature film – DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd from VIZ Pictures. VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

NARUTO Uncut Box Set Volume 15 Special Edition • Rated 'T+' for Older Teens •
MSRP: $69.97 US / $99.99 CAN • Available August 25
Ino faces an unusual exercise in royal etiquette when she is asked by an overweight princess to take her place and attend the first meeting with the young prince she adores. Then the Hidden Leaf Village comes under serious threat when important blueprints of the village are stolen! Naruto, Shikamaru and the others have their hands full finding and removing the massive numbers of paper bombs placed throughout the village. Can they save the Hidden Leaf Village from utter demolition?
Includes playing cards 37-45 and a collectible Mininja Gaara Figurine (5 of 6) (limited supply)

BLEACH Volume 19 • Rated 'T' for Teens • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available August 18
Attempting to rescue Uryu, Ichigo, Rukia and their diverse allies launch an attack on the stronghold of the Bounts. But the evil Bount leader Kariya is far too powerful a foe, and things are looking grim. To make things more complicated still, it appears that one of their foes fighting alongside the Bounts is a former Soul Reaper, Maki Ichinose.
Episodes: 76 thru 79

HUNTER X HUNTER Box Set Volume 3 • Rated 'T+' for Older Teens •
MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN • Available August 11
Gon has finally been licensed as a hunter, and things are about to get a whole lot tougher! First he has to rescue his friend Killua from the clutches of...Killua's own family?! Then it's off to Heavens Arena, home to the biggest fighting tournament on the planet, where Gon must square off against his old enemy Hisoka. Gon is committed to being the best hunter he can be, but will he have to overcome more than a few broken bones to reach his goal?

New POKÉMON Releases Include:

POKÉMON: DP BATTLE DIMENSION Box Set 2 • Rated 'A' for All Ages •
MSRP: $24.92 each US / $35.99 each CAN • Available August 25
Ash and friends continue their Pokémon journey through the Sinnoh region, taking on new challenges like the Pokémon Summer Academy and meeting lots of new people, including a Top Coordinator, a Pokémon Ranger, and even some Poké Stylists! There are also a few familiar faces up to no good, like Pokémon Hunter J and Team Galactic – can Ash, Dawn, and Brock handle their latest threats?

POKÉMON: DP BATTLE DIMENSION Volume 3-4 • Rated 'A' for All Ages • MSRP: $14.98 each US / $21.99 each CAN • Available August 25
The episodes of POKÉMON: Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension Box Set 2 split into two standard disc editions.

POKÉMON ALL STARS Box Set 2 • Rated 'A' for All Ages • MSRP: $39.97 each US / $57.99 each CAN • Available August 25
Over 11 hours of Pokémon adventures featuring more of your favorite Pokémon in a commemorative DVD box set! Includes: Meowth, Treecko, Psyduck, Wobbuffet, Lapras, Totodile, Skitty, Chikorita, Torchic, and Onix!

New from VIZ Pictures:

DEATH NOTE: L, Change the WorLd • MSRP: $24.92 US /$35.99 •
Available August 18
The live action feature film -DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd introduces the unwritten chapter of DEATH NOTE and reveals how the legendary detective “L” spends the final 23 days of his life. The story begins as L takes on the “Kira” case, in which countless criminals are dying under mysterious circumstances. L successfully solves the case and stops Kira, but only after sacrificing his life, leaving himself with only 23 days left to live. For his final case L faces down a bio-terrorist group trying to wipe out humanity with a deadly virus ten times more potent than Ebola. As L tries to formulate an antidote with a scientist, he must also save the lives of two children who have no one else to turn to.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA’S SHONEN JUMP MAGAZINE JULY ISSUE NOW AVAILABLE FEATURING STAN LEE AND SHAMAN KING MANGA CREATOR HIROYUKI TAKEI'S GROUNDBREAKING COLLABORATIVE PROJECT - ULTIMO

press — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:40:00 -0700

Running Action-Packed New Series
Created By Two Legends Of Comics And Manga
Begins With July Issue Of Monthly Manga Anthology

San Francisco, CA, JUNE 17, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the debut of the serialization of the ULTIMO series (KARAKURIDÔJI ULTIMO) in SHONEN JUMP magazine. Originally announced to a packed house at a Press Conference at New York Comic Con in 2008, the serialization begins in the July issue of SHONEN JUMP magazine, which is on sale now at retailers and newsstands nationwide.

ULTIMO represents a historic collaboration between comics legend Stan Lee, co-creator of many iconic superheroes including Spider-Man™, the Fantastic Four™, and the X-Men™, and Hiroyuki Takei, the creator of the popular SHAMAN KING manga series, published in Japan by Shueisha and in North America by VIZ Media.

The ULTIMO back-story: High above Farmless City, citizens are stunned by the sudden appearance of two floating figures. Are they human boys, monolithic robots, or something much more strange? As the battle ensues between them, destruction and devastation falls on the hapless city. One figure is Vice, and seems to be as evil as his name implies. The other is Ultimo, intent on trying to stop Vice from wreaking more havoc. But who are Vice and Ultimo really? Where did they come from? Find out in the first chapter of ULTIMO!

“The addition of ULTIMO to SHONEN JUMP magazine marks this as a great time for both manga and comics, and we are very excited to be able to deliver this bold new story to fans every month,” says Grant Lowery, Editor-In-Chief of SHONEN JUMP. “The captivating character designs and action-packed story blend the best aspects of Western and Asian comic book traditions and will delight fans of both genres. We invite fans of both comics and manga to seize the opportunity to explore this groundbreaking new series!”

For over half a century, Stan Lee has been synonymous with superhero comics. In addition to co-creating countless memorable series and characters, including Spider-Man™, the Incredible Hulk™, and Daredevil™, he served as the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics. Lee remains a hugely respected and dynamic figure in the entertainment industry and continues to develop a variety of film, television and video game properties.

Unconventional author/artist Hiroyuki Takei began his career by winning the coveted Hop Step Award (for new manga artists) and the Osamu Tezuka Award. After working as an assistant to famed artist Nobuhiro Watsuki (RUROUNI KENSHIN), Takei debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997 with Butsu Zone, an action series based on Buddhist mythology. His multicultural adventure manga series SHAMAN KING debuted in Japan in 1998 and has been adapted into a popular animated television series The SHAMAN KING manga series is published in North America by VIZ Media and to-date has sold more than 400,000 copies in the U.S.; for many years it was also serialized in English in VIZ Media’s SHONEN JUMP magazine.

Lee’s own company, POW! Entertainment (Pinksheets:POWN.PK), worked with Jump SQ. parent company Shueisha and with JEA and Dream Ranch to facilitate the development of ULTIMO.

For more information on ULTIMO, SHONEN JUMP and VIZ Media please visit www.shonenjump.com or www.viz.com.

About POW! (Purveyors of Wonder) Entertainment, Inc.
POW! (Purveyors of Wonder) Entertainment, Inc. (Pinksheets:POWN.PK), an advanced media and entertainment company, was founded by world-famous comic book and motion picture icon Stan Lee, together with award-winning producer Gill Champion and intellectual property specialist Arthur Lieberman, Esq. POW!’s principals have extensive backgrounds in the entertainment industry encompassing the creation, production and licensing of original intellectual properties, including some of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. POW!, capitalizing on this combined expertise, specializes in franchises for the entertainment industry, including animation and live-action feature films, plus television, DVDs, video games, merchandising and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion. POW! partners with other individuals and entities of entertainment’s top echelon, including studios and networks, in the creation, licensing and distribution of new POW! character franchises.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.