VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU IMPRINT DELIVERS THE LATEST NOVEL IN THE VAMPIRE HUNTER D SAGA WITH THE RELEASE OF NOBLE V: GREYLANCER

VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU IMPRINT DELIVERS THE LATEST NOVEL IN THE VAMPIRE HUNTER D SAGA WITH THE RELEASE OF NOBLE V: GREYLANCER

Witness The Beginning of The Three Thousand Year War Of Vampire Hunter D In This Exciting Novel By Famed Horror/Sci-fi Author Hideyuki Kikuchi

San Francisco, CA, May 22, 2013 – VIZ Media’s Haikasoru literary imprint delivers a bloodthirsty new chapter of the legendary Vampire Hunter D saga with the North American release of NOBLE V: GREYLANCER, now available in stores. The new fantasy novel by Hideyuki Kikuchi, carries an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. The release also includes a bonus novelette titled, "An Irreplaceable Existence.” An eBook edition is also available for the Amazon Kindle, Apple’s iBooks Store, and the Barnes & Noble’s Nook Books Store.

Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences, and is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.

Internationally acclaimed writer, Hideyuki Kikuchi, author and creator of the famed novel series, Vampire Hunter D, delves into the past with his latest addition, NOBLE V: GREYLANCER, It is the year 7000 by Noble reckoning, and the vampire rulers of the world have grown complacent. When the Outer Space Beings (OSBs) invade, the Noble warrior Greylancer must pit his skills and magic against the technology of the OSBs, quash an anti-Noble rebellion, and, when he is critically injured, turn to mere humans for help. The Three Thousand Year War of Vampire Hunter D begins here!

“Hideyuki Kikuchi is one of Japan's top horror and science fiction authors in the proud tradition of Robert Bloch, Fritz Leiber, H.P. Lovecraft, and Stephen King. His Vampire Hunter D setting has been attracting fans in the U.S. for more than twenty years,” says Nick Mamatas, Haikasoru’s editor. “NOBLE V: GREYLANCER reveals the mysterious history of the Nobility and follows the exploits of the powerful Noble warrior Greylancer as pushes his own immortality to the limit. Kikuchi is an ardent fan of many classic horror tropes, and his new novel exquisitely combines the danger and violence of traditional literary vampires with the nobility and dark attraction of modern vampire iconography.”

Hideyuki Kikuchi was born in 1949 in Chiba, Japan and, inspired by the work of writers such as H. P. Lovecraft, began writing supernatural fiction in the early 1980s. His first novel, Demon City Shinjuku, debuted in 1982. Horror films, most notably 1958’s The Horror of Dracula, had a tremendous impact on Kikuchi and inspired him to create the legendary Vampire Hunter D series, which has spawned more than 17 novels and a host of novellas and related short stories. One of the world’s most prolific authors, Kikuchi has published over three hundred books and still produces multiple novels per year. He has enjoyed tremendous international success as a novelist and much of his work has been also been adapted into manga and anime, including Vampire Hunter D. Wicked City, A Wind Named Amnesia, and Dark Wars: The Tale of Meiji Dracula.

For more information on NOBLE V: GREYLANCER and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit the dedicated website at www.haikasoru.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA DEBUTS SUNNY, A NEW MASTERWORK FROM ACCLAIMED MANGA CREATOR TAIYO MATSUMOTO

VIZ MEDIA DEBUTS SUNNY, A NEW MASTERWORK FROM ACCLAIMED MANGA CREATOR

TAIYO MATSUMOTO

Eisner Award-Winning Creator Offers A Poignant Story Of Beating The Odds In Ways That Count

San Francisco, CA, May 8, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, debuts a touching new work by award winning manga creator, Taiyo Matsumoto, with the release of SUNNY Volume 1 on May 21st. The new hardcover release will be published under the VIZ Signature imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $22.99 U.S. / $26.99 CAN. SUNNY will also be available on the same day digitally for $9.99 U.S. / CAN from the VIZ Manga App and at VIZManga.com.

Translated by noted visual effects artist and Tekkonkinkreet film producer Michael Arias (The Abyss, Princess Mononoke, The Animatrix), SUNNY is the story of beating the odds, in the ways that count. It’s the brand-new masterwork from Eisner Award-winner Taiyo Matsumoto, one of Japan’s most innovative and acclaimed manga artists.

“Taiyo Matsumoto delivers an emotional, and at times bittersweet, story about a diverse group of kids that live at a Japanese orphanage,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. “They find solace in Sunny, a dilapidated old Nissan car that sits abandoned in the garden of the orphanage. It’s off-limits to adults but becomes something of a clubhouse for the kids and a way for them to escape their everyday lives. It’s been said that Matsumoto’s genius is his ability to portray both the essential truths and fleeting moments of transcendence in life.  His latest work, SUNNY, reaffirms his status as one of the world’s greatest manga creators.”

Taiyo Matsumoto has won extensive international critical acclaim for his rough and often-unflinching depictions of disaffected youth drawn in an unconventional and surrealist art style he developed after a visit to France and exposure to artists like Moebius. His manga works, including GOGO MONSTER, BLUE SPRING and NO. 5 (all published by VIZ Media), offer a unique art style that reflects both Japanese and European influences. His TEKKONKINKREET: BLACK & WHITE (also available from VIZ Media) won the 2008 Eisner Comic Industry Award for the Best U.S. Edition of International Material – Japan, and was also adapted into an anime feature film. Another of Matsumoto’s manga works, PING PONG, was made into an award-winning live action film.  

For more information on SUNNY or other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA BECOMES THE NORTH AMERICAN MASTER LICENSEE FOR THE SCI-FI ANIME SERIES ACCEL WORLD

VIZ MEDIA BECOMES THE NORTH AMERICAN MASTER LICENSEE FOR THE SCI-FI ANIME SERIES ACCEL WORLD

A Bullied Teen Finds New Powers & Strength In A Virtual Reality Video Game In Edgy New Series

San Francisco, CA, May 2, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced that it has been named the North American master licensee for the sci-fi anime property, ACCEL WORLD (rated TV-14). ACCEL WORLD is currently available on the Neon Alley channel for PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360 (dubbed), as well as on the company’s own streaming site VIZAnime.com (subtitled).

ACCEL WORLD is based on the light novel created by Reki Kawahara, with adaptation by renowned animation studio Sunrise. VIZ Media will hold the North American licensed rights for Videogram, Television, and Online Distribution, as well as all merchandising licensing related to the property.

In ACCEL WORLD, the year is 2046. Haruyuki “Haru” Arita is a young boy who finds himself on the lowest social rung of his school. Ashamed of his miserable life, Haru can only cope by indulging in virtual games. But that all changes when Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school, introduces him to a mysterious program called Brain Burst and a virtual reality called the Accel World.

“Fan excitement for ACCEL WORLD has built since VIZ Media debuted the simulcast to North American last year, and we’re thrilled to become master licensor to cater to this growing demand,” says Daisuke Aoki, Vice President, Animation Licensing. “Becoming the master North American licensee for ACCEL WORLD will allow us to fully develop this property and bring a fun range of products with a variety of manufacturers to market.”

Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s 24-hour, subscription-based anime channel featuring the world’s best titles (dubbed in English and uncut) and presented in HD (when available) for a low monthly subscription rate of only $6.99. Neon Alley is available for the PlayStation®Network and the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system as well as Xbox LIVE and the Xbox 360.

Karneval episode 1 review

Karneval episode 1 review directed by Eiji Suganuma, produced by Manglobe

While continuing his everyday life as a thief, Gareki  meets Nai. Nai’s bracelet catches Gareki’s eye; the two strike a bargain: Gareki will free Nai on the condition that he can have the braclet. Nai agrees and the pair sets out, but the road before them, naturally, will not be an easy one.

Based on a manga published in the Josei (women’s) comic anthology Comic Zero-Sum, Karneval is a stylish yet somewhat confusing series from the get-go. The character designs are distinct, sadly not all of the characters are. Nai, in particular, is largely without personality which is a big problem considering he’s the protagonist. The first episode also suffers from odd pacing moving far too quickly to be properly appreciated.

The animation is where the series truly shines. The show is bright, colorful, and visually appeasing. And while the protagonist is quite the blank slate the rest of the main cast is rather interesting. In conclusion, Karneval is a delightful mess, thus far, and I am anticipating future episodes.

Rating: 6/10

Karneval is currently streaming in the United States and Canada on Funimation’s website. 

EAST MEETS WEST IN A CAPTIVATING NEW ART BOOK AS VIZ MEDIA RELEASES PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ

EAST MEETS WEST IN A CAPTIVATING NEW ART BOOK AS VIZ MEDIA RELEASES

PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ

New Hardcover Art Collection Traces Master Manga Artist Takehiko Inoue’s Fascination With The Legendary Spanish Modernist Architect Antoni Gaudí

San Francisco, CA, April 8 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will enthrall discerning manga (graphic novel) fans as well as art and architecture aficionados with the release of PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ on April 16th. The new hardcover travel diary comprised of prose, sketches, and artwork by the famed creator of SLAM DUNK, REAL, and VAGABOND inspired by his encounter with the work of Catalan master architect Antoni Gaudí, is offered under the VIZ Signature imprint, and will carry an MSRP of $24.99 U.S/ $28.99 CAN.

PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ traces an inspiring journey to Spain by one of the world’s foremost manga artists where he became captivated by the work of Antoni Gaudí (1852 - 1926), the famous Spanish architect and leader of Catalan Modernism. Takehiko Inoue has long been obsessed with the architecture of Antoni Gaudí, and PEPITA is a travel memoir about Inoue’s travels to the Catalan region of Spain, the people he meets, and the stunning architecture he experiences. At the core of the journey is the massive Gaudí-designed, Sagrada Família, an iconic Roman Catholic cathedral located in Barcelona and a perennial news item as it remains under continual construction after more than a century of work.

“Takehiko Inoue uses the medium of the art book to explore the transcendental work of Gaudí in this beautiful edition that is half art book, half travel memoir, and all beauty,” says Nick Mamatas, editor. “Inoue’s signature hyper-realistic style shines as he contemplates Gaudi’s work and influence in a variety of drawings and photographs. Join one of the world’s greatest manga artists on his intimate journey to discover the passions Gaudi held for architecture, nature, religion, and his beloved Catalonia – it is sure to be enjoyed as much by manga fans as by architecture lovers!”

PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDI is the latest art book by the master creator to be published in North America by VIZ Media, which also released Inoue’s SUMI (INK) and WATER collections in 2008. Inoue is also the creator of one of the most popular manga of all time, SLAM DUNK (rated ‘T’ for Teens), which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and is published in North America by VIZ Media. He followed the success of that series with VAGABOND, a fictional account of the life of samurai Miyamoto Musashi, and REAL, a manga series about wheelchair basketball. VAGABOND (Rated ‘M’ for Mature) and REAL (Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) are both also available from VIZ Media.

Takhiko Inoue is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize and the Media Arts Festival Award. In addition to his work on manga, Inoue has worked on several television commercials, created character designs for video games, and is the founder of a scholarship to foster Japanese basketball talent.

For more information on other Takehiko Inoue titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES TIGER & BUNNY MANGA SERIES—OFFICIAL TIE-IN TO SMASH HIT ANIME

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES TIGER & BUNNY MANGA SERIES—OFFICIAL TIE-IN TO SMASH HIT ANIME

Action-Packed Series Features Corporate Superheroes And An Unlikely Friendship Between A Washed-Up Veteran Crime Fighter And A Rookie With An Attitude

San Francisco, CA, April 11, 2013 – What would a future look like where corporate-sponsored superheroes battle evil – and often each other – for reality TV ratings? Find out in the TIGER & BUNNY manga (graphic novel), now available from VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America. The new series, published under the VIZ Media imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Volume 1 also features 4 pages of additional full-color character art.

The TIGER & BUNNY manga features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the smash hit animated series, created by the famed Tokyo-based anime studio Sunrise, that has thrilled legions of fans across North America on VIZ Media’s Neon Alley, VIZAnime, and Hulu. The 26-episode anime sci-fi/action adventure notably features character and hero designs conceived by Masakazu Katsura (VIDEO GIRL AI and I"S; both available from VIZ Media) that are also carried over to the new manga property.

The TIGER & BUNNY manga series introduces readers to super-powered humans, known as NEXT, that appeared in the world 45 years ago. Some of them fight crime in the city of Stern Bild while promoting their corporate sponsors on the hit show HERO TV. The people love their superheroes, even if they don’t completely understand them, and not all of the NEXT use their powers for good. Veteran hero Wild Tiger has years of experience fighting crime, but his ratings have been slipping. Under orders from his new employer, Wild Tiger finds himself forced to team up with Barnaby Brooks Jr., a rookie with an attitude. Overcoming their differences will be at least as difficult for this mismatched duo as taking down super-powered bad guys!

“TIGER & BUNNY updates the classic superhero story of good versus evil with a fun new twist, and offers a tale of a young cocky upstart who is reluctantly partnered with an experienced veteran crime fighter, and how these two completely opposite personalities must put their differences aside and work together as a team,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “The new series also presents an entirely new take on the world of reality TV and corporate underwriting as this mismatched duo become unlikely friends and cohorts tasked with taking down an assortment of super-powered bad guys! Take the journey to Stern Bild city in this intriguing new series where the action takes off from the very first page!”

VIZ Media also offers TIGER & BUNNY Set 1, a 2-disc anime set available on DVD (MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN) and Blu-ray (MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN), which features Episodes 1-13 of the 26-episode action/sci-fi series. TIGER & BUNNY Set 2 offers the concluding half of the series and is scheduled for release in May.

More information on the Tiger & Bunny anime is available at: www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny and VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny/

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA REACHES NEW MILESTONE WITH WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP iPAD NEWSSTAND APP DEBUT

VIZ MEDIA REACHES NEW MILESTONE WITH WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP iPAD NEWSSTAND APP DEBUT

Leader In Digital Manga Distribution Expands Access To North America’s Popular Weekly Digital Manga Anthology Featuring The Latest Chapters Released The Same Day As Japan

San Francisco, CA, April 2, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, unveils the latest milestone with WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP, the weekly digital serial anthology that features the synchronized latest chapters of a variety of popular manga series debuting on the same day as the Japanese Weekly Shonen Jump magazine counterpart.

Beginning today, readers can take advantage of the new WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Newsstand App available for the Apple iPad® and iPad® Mini. New issues debut each Monday, and subscriptions are available through the Newsstand App for only $2.99 (U.S. / CAN) a month, with automatic monthly renewals. Apple Newsstand is a built-in application on Apple iOS devices that provides access to digital versions of hundreds of nationally and internationally syndicated newspapers and magazines. WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Newsstand subscribers may also access their issues through the VIZ Manga digital platform.

“VIZ Media continues to drive innovation in content distribution, and with the new application, WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP now joins other marquee publications that have embraced Apple’s Newsstand in recent months.” says Gagan Singh, Executive Vice President, Digital Business. “The Newsstand App lays the groundwork for future expansion of the magazine and offers our fans yet another way to access their favorite manga. We are excited with this latest development in WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP’s evolution!”

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP currently features the latest installments of some of the world’s most popular manga series including BLEACH, CROSS MANAGE, a new color version of DRAGON BALL, NARUTO, NISEKOI, ONE PIECE, ONE-PUNCH MAN, TORIKO, and WORLD TRIGGER, released each week to North American readers on the same day as their general release in Japan. Monthly series such as BLUE EXORCIST, RUROUNI KENSHIN: RESTORATION and YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL debut on the closest Monday after the Japanese release.

Every digital edition of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP treats manga fans across North America to the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga titles. Annual memberships will continue to be available through vizmanga.com as well as VIZ Manga apps on iOS, Android and Kindle for just $25.99 (USD/CAD). Annual members will get exclusive YU-GI-OH! promotional trading cards throughout the year (cards are not available to iPad Newsstand subscribers), and access to additional magazine content, including creator interviews and insightful promotional videos. Current subscribers can also access their account via the Newsstand App.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit shonenjump.viz.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.