VIZ Media Calls Forth "Bloody Mary" Manga

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES BLOODY MARY

Supernatural Drama Debuts In Print And Digitally, And Offers A Blood Pounding Tale Of An Unorthodox Alliance Between A Vampire And An Exorcist

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor, publisher and licensor of manga and anime in North America, expands its shojo manga (graphic novel) roster next month with the launch of BLOODY MARY on December 1st, 2015.

The new series by creator Akaza Samamiya is rated ‘T’ for Teen and will be published under the Shojo Beat imprint with an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. BLOODY MARY also launches digitally on December 1st via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Future editions of the series will be released quarterly.

“Bloody” Mary is not your typical vampire. He can withstand sunlight, holds a reflection in mirrors, refuses to drink blood–and wants 17-year-old student and priest Maria to kill him. But to Mary’s dismay, Maria doesn’t know how to kill vampires. Desperate to die, Mary agrees to become Maria’s bodyguard until Maria can find a way to kill him at last.

“BLOODY MARY is a supernatural drama infused with suspense, cheeky humor and unique characters. We invite shojo readers to catch the debut of VIZ Media’s new release next month,” says Erica Yee, Editor.

BLOODY MARY creator Akaza Samamiya’s other manga works include Hatsukoi Canvas (First Love Canvas), Torikago Syndrome (Birdcage Syndrome) and Ouji wa Tadaima Dekasegichuu (The Prince Is Gone on Business), all of which have been published in the popular Japanese shojo magazine, Asuka.

For more information on BLOODY MARY or other manga titles published by 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 ONE PIECE, 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.

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VIZ Media Announces Top Manga for Those Holiday Wish Lists

VIZ MEDIA OFFERS READERS EXCITING TITLES FOR HOLIDAY WISH LISTS

2015 Holiday Highlights Include Manga Box Sets, Shojo And Action/Horror Manga Series Launches, A Fantastical Crime And Mystery Anthology, New NARUTO Titles And Other Unique Gift Ideas For That Special Fan

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor, publisher and licensor of anime and manga in North America, presents readers with a diverse collection of new and recently-released manga (graphic novels), special box set editions, illustrated novels and other titles that will make ideal gifts to suit a wide range of budgets and interests this holiday season.

Action fans will not want to miss the riveting final volume (Vol. 72) of the NARUTO manga series as well as the release of UZUMAKI NARUTO: ILLUSTRATIONS, a new full-color art book featuring works from the NARUTO series, and the release of NARUTO: KAKASHI’S STORY, the first in a new series of prose novels focusing on key characters from the series and complemented by original cover art by Masashi Kishimoto. VIZ Media also highlights the knockout action of the wildly popular action-comedy series, ONE-PUNCH MAN, and the flesh-eating horror of the hit series, TOKYO GHOUL.

Shojo manga fans can complement their holidays with the launch of famed creator Arina Tanemura’s story of an ordinary office worker that gets a shot at pop stardom in IDOL DREAMS, and as well as the debut of a blood-pounding new series about an unorthodox alliance between a vampire and an exorcist in BLOODY MARY.

The Haikasoru literary imprint’s latest anthology, HANZAI JAPAN, offers crime aficionados with a unique array of weird crime and mystery stories. The 16 inventive stories are from a vanguard of top authors, including includes New York Times best-seller Carrie Vaughn, All You Need Is Kill/Edge of Tomorrow’s Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Catwoman’s Genevieve Valentine, mystery genre stalwarts S. J. Rozan and Naomi Hirahara, cross-genre author Jeff Somers, and many more.

Readers of all ages are also invited to catch the launch of the supernatural comedy adventure series YO-KAI WATCH by Noriyuki Konishi, inspired by the smash hit YO-KAI WATCH video game developed by LEVEL-5 for the Nintendo 3DS.

Finally, VIZ Media also highlights a pair of lavish manga box set editions for the hit series CLAYMORE and ROSARIO+VAMPIRE. Each of the new box sets feature over twenty manga volumes at a substantial savings over buying them individually. Exclusive premiums such as special mini-comics and bonus art collections are also included with each set.

NARUTO RELEASES AVAILABLE NOW:

NARUTO Vol. 72 · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN

With Naruto and Sasuke working together, Kaguya is finally sealed away for good. But just when it seems that the ninja world can find true peace, one more obstacle appears. Fueled by opposing ideals, Naruto and Sasuke will determine the future of the world in one final fight!

NARUTO: KAKASHI’s story · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $10.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN

In the first in a new series of prose novels straight from the worldwide smash hit franchise, Naruto’s allies and enemies take center stage in these fast-paced adventures, with each volume focusing on a particular series character.

In the novel, a year has passed since the Fourth Great Ninja War, and Kakashi’s appointment to Hokage looms. But first he heads to the Land of Waves for a dangerous mission rescuing hostages from a top-secret airship. There he confronts a ninja whose heart is frozen by tragedy. Having lost both his friend’s eye and his greatest abilities, can Kakashi really protect anyone? What is the true meaning of the will of fire gained in the distant heavens? Kakashi finds these answers and more as he opens the door to a new ninja era.

UZUMAKI NARUTO: ILLUSTRATIONS · MSRP: $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN

The third full-color art book from the hit manga series, NARUTO! Experience Masashi Kishimoto's artwork in all of its colorful glory in this collection of images from the conclusion of the best-selling Naruto manga! Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi and all your favorite characters appear in nearly a hundred pages of gorgeous full-color images. The book also features commentary from Masashi Kishimoto, a beautiful double-sided poster and a sticker sheet!

ADDITIONAL TITLES AVAILABLE:

BLOODY MARY, Vol. 1 · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available December 1st!

“Bloody” Mary is not your typical vampire. He can withstand sunlight, holds a reflection in mirrors, refuses to drink blood—and he wants 17-year-old high school student-slash-priest Maria to kill him. But to Mary’s dismay, Maria doesn’t know how to kill vampires. Desperate to die, Mary agrees to become Maria’s bodyguard until Maria can find a way to kill him at last.

HANZAI JAPAN · MSRP: $15.99 U.S. / $18.99 CAN

A murderer doing time in hell. A girl who just wants to win her high school band contest…no matter what it takes. Sumo wrestlers with a supernatural secret. A future Tokyo where vampires are menial laborers nursing long-held grudges against humanity. And even a very conscientious, if unstable, Universal Transverse Mercator projection. These crime and mystery stories from and about Japan explore myth, technology, the sharpness of a sleuth’s mind, and the darkness in the hearts of criminals. Read these stories and learn that hanzai means crime!

IDOL DREAMS, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN

At age 31, office worker Chikage Deguchi feels she missed her chances at love and success. When word gets out that she’s a virgin, Chikage is humiliated and wishes she could turn back time to when she was still young and popular. She takes an experimental drug that changes her appearance back to when she was 15. Now Chikage is determined to pursue everything she missed out on all those years ago – including becoming a star! IDOL DREAMS is the new series by creator Arina Tanemura, widely acclaimed for her other shojo works including I•O•N, TIME STRANGER KYOKO, FULL MOON and THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE †, which are also published in English by VIZ Media.

ONE-PUNCH MAN Vols. 1-3 · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN Each

Nothing about Saitama passes the eyeball test when it comes to superheroes, from his lifeless expression to his bald head to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking guy has a not-so-average problem – he just can’t seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on! Every time a promising villain appears, he beats the snot out of ’em with one punch! Can Saitama finally find an opponent who can go toe-to-toe with him and give his life some meaning? Or is he doomed to a life of super-powered boredom?

Tokyo Ghoul, Vols. 1-3 · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN Each

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way – except for their craving for human flesh. Shy Ken Kaneki is thrilled to go on a date with the beautiful Rize. But it turns out that she’s only interested in his body – eating it, that is. When a morally questionable rescue transforms him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid, Ken is drawn into the dark and violent world of Ghouls, which exists alongside our own. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

YO-KAI WATCH, Vols. 1-2 · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN Each

This is the supernatural comedy adventure series by Noriyuki Konishi inspired by the smash hit YO-KAI WATCH video game, developed by LEVEL-5 for the Nintendo 3DS. Nate Adams is just an average kid until the mysterious Whisper gives him a device that allows him to see what others cannot, Yo-kai of all shapes and forms! Now, armed with the Yo-kai Watch, Nate, Whisper and their new invisible friends embark on an all-new supernatural adventure! Yo-kai, inspired by the yokai of Japanese folklore, are not ghosts or monsters or creatures. They can’t be seen by the human eye, but they’re everywhere, and whether they're phantoms or everyday objects discovering their higher purpose, Yo-kai personalities are distinctly humanlike!

MANGA BOX SETS AVAILABLE NOW:

CLAYMORE Complete box set · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · MSRP: $214.99 U.S. / $249.99 CAN

The complete best-selling dark fantasy series is now available in a value-priced box set that includes volumes 1–27, plus an exclusive booklet of black-and-white cover art previously unreleased in the English editions. In a world where monsters called Yoma prey on humans and live among them in disguise, humanity's only hope is a new breed of warrior known as Claymores. Half-human, half-monster, these silver-eyed slayers possess supernatural strength but are condemned to fight their savage impulses or lose their humanity completely.

ROSARIO+VAMPIRE Complete box set · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · MSRP: $185.99 U.S. / $214.99 CAN

The complete bestselling ROSARIO+VAMPIRE and ROSARIO+VAMPIRE SEASON II series are now available in a value-priced box set that includes 24 volumes of monstrous action, horror, fun and romance, plus an exclusive full-color mini-comic previously unreleased in the English editions. Average human teenage boy Tsukune accidentally enrolls at a boarding school for monsters – no, not jocks and popular kids, but bona fide werewolves, witches, and unnamable creatures out of his wildest nightmares! On the plus side, all of the girls have a monster crush on him, especially far-from-average cute vampire Moka. On the O-negative side, she also has a burning, unquenchable thirst for his blood... Now, can Tsukune and his unlikely group of friends and rivals save humanity from evil monsters?

For more information on 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 manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA magazine 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.

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December 2015 Diamond "Previews" Revealed

Diamond Announces Contents of the December 2015 PREVIEWS

December's PREVIEWS features DC Entertainment’s original graphic novel, Wonder Woman Earth One

(BALTIMORE, MD) — The December edition of Diamond Comic Distributors’ monthly PREVIEWS catalog arrives in comic shops, hobby stores, and other specialty outlets on November 25th and features comic books, graphic novels, toys, and other pop culture merchandise scheduled to go on sale beginning February 2016.

ON OUR FRONT COVER: Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette revisit the origins of Wonder Woman in DC Entertainment's long-awaited graphic novel, Wonder Woman Earth One.

ON OUR BACK COVER: Civilization has collapsed in the face of an ice age in Joe Harris and Martin Morazzo's new series Snowfall from Image Comics.

The December PREVIEWS Features

Unsung Heroes —It's not easy being a superhero these days. There's plenty of competition, and you've got to stand out in the crowd if you're going to make your mark. To that end, PREVIEWS celebrates indie superheroes with our "Unsung Heroes" event this month, bringing these deserving characters and series into the spotlight.

On the Flipside —:01 First Second celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, and PREVIEWS talks with First Second's Editorial Director Mark Siegel and Associate Marketing and Publicity Manager Gina Gagliano about the company, where they've been, and where they're going.

Gems of the Month — December's PREVIEWS Gems of the Month include: Lara Croft is back in action in Dark Horse Comics' new Tomb Raider series, set after the new video game; Superman faces a multiversal threat in Neal Adams' new DC Entertainment mini-series, Superman: The Coming of the Supermen; a secret fighting tournament leads to an unexpected crossover in IDW Publishing's Street Fighter x G.I. Joe; Emma Rios and Hwei Lim enter the world of 8House in Image Comics's new series Mirror; and two of Marvel Comics's best-known street level heroes are back in Power Man and Iron Fist.

Splash — PREVIEWS shines a special spotlight at some of the blockbuster books and products coming out in February, including the debut of Miles Morales in the All-New All-Different Marvel universe in Marvel Comics' Spider-Man from Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli; a new era dawns on Barsoom in Dynamite Entertainment's Dejah Thoris; a Time Lord will offer you a jelly baby in Titan Comics' Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor; Looney Labs unleashes Firefly Fluxx; and many more products you have to look forward to in the new year.

PREVIEWS Exclusive Apparel — Each month PREVIEWS offers comic book fans and pop culture aficionados a selection of t-shirts and other apparel that can only be found in your local comic shop! Underboss brings fans the DC Bombshells Panty & Camisole Sets featuring Ant Lucia's pin-up style artwork of Harley Quinn or Wonder Woman. The Red Hood's symbol is featured on the DC Comics: Red Hood "Flip" Black T-Shirt, and Howard the Duck stars on the Howard the Duck: "Space Duck" Black T-Shirt. These and many other shirts can only be found through PREVIEWS.

Indie Edge — PREVIEWS talks to Captain Canuck writer Kalman Andrasofszky about his comics work, the books he's reading, and his career in this month's Indie Edge feature.

Plus: Staff Picks, the month's Certified Cool books, the monthly Bestseller Charts, and so much more!

All this awaits you in the December edition of PREVIEWS, which goes on sale at your local comic shop or specialty store on Wednesday, November 25th with the new, lower cover price of just $3.99.


ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS (DCD) — Diamond is at the nexus of comics and pop culture merchandise. Based in Baltimore, MD, DCD is the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books and pop-culture related merchandise, servicing more than 4,000 specialty retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.

© 2015 Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. All rights reserved. Diamond, the Diamond logo, Diamond Books logo, and PREVIEWS are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Diamond Comic Distributors in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective copyright owners.

Sequart Announces Release of New Star Wars Book, "A Long Time Ago"

Sequart Releases First of Three STAR WARS Books

Sequart Organization is proud to announce the publication of A Long Time Ago: Exploring the Star Wars Cinematic Universe (http://sequart.org/books/45/a-long-time-ago-exploring-the-star-wars-cinematic-universe/), an essay anthology edited by Star Wars Expanded Universe author Rich Handley and Joseph F. Berenato.

In 1977, the cinematic world was changed forever, thanks to a science-fantasy film about a farm boy, a princess, a wizard, a cyborg, two smugglers, and a pair of robots. Written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars — in essence, The Wizard of Oz meets The Odyssey meets Lord of the Rings, but in space — was a visual and audio extravaganza like nothing anyone had seen before. And going to the movies would never be the same again. The movie ushered in two (soon to be three) film trilogies and numerous television shows, making the franchise one of the most successful of all time. Star Wars mesmerized audience-goers young and old with its state-of-the-art special effects and resonant soundtrack, and it made “May the Force be with you” a household phrase.

A Long Time Ago: Exploring the Star Wars Cinematic Universe examines the entire Star Wars saga on the large and small screens. From theatrical films to TV movies, from cartoons and commercials to variety shows and video-based amusement-park rides, the mythos continues to keep audiences glued to their seats. This anthology features insightful essays about the franchise’s long history, written by film historians, novelists, bloggers, and subject-matter experts, exploring why the films proved so immediately popular, where the movies and TV shows have succeeded and faltered, and why we all keep going back a long time ago to that galaxy far, far away.

The book features a foreword by former Star Wars Insider editor, Scott Chernoff, and notable essayists include authors Keith DeCandido, Kevin Dilmore, Dayton Ward; Star Wars fan-site creators Joe Bongiorno and Nathan Butler; and Sequart alums Julian Darius and Ian Dawe.

A Long Time Ago runs 354 pages and is available in print and on Kindle. (Just a reminder: you don’t need a Kindle device to read Kindle-formatted books; you can download a free Kindle reader for most computers, phones, and tablets.) Find out more on the book’s official page or its Facebook page.

Retailers, please email sequart@gmail.com for pricing inquiries.

About Sequart’s Star Wars book trilogy: In the next twelve months, Sequart will release two more Star Wars-related essay anthologies. Summer 2016 will see the release A Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring Star Wars Comics, with an introduction by John Ostrander. And just in time for Christmas 2016, we’ll release the final book, A More Civilized Age: Exploring the Star Wars Expanded Universe, with an introduction by Timothy Zahn. (All three covers are attached to this email.)

About the publisher: Sequart Organization is devoted to the study of popular culture and the promotion of comic books as a legitimate art form. Sequart has released twenty-four books, six documentaries, and thousands of online articles. Its documentaries include She Makes Comics, and its books include Our Sentence is Up: Seeing Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles. Sequart is currently producing a documentary on writing powerhouse Neil Gaiman.

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The Dolby Cinema Experience Awakens for New "Star Wars" Film

The Force Is Strong With Dolby Cinema

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ to be mastered in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) and The Walt Disney Studios today announced that Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in theatres December 18, 2015 will be available as a Dolby Cinema™ experience. Dolby Cinema, featuring Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos®, is a premium cinema offering for exhibitors and moviegoers that combines spectacular image and sound technologies with inspired design to make every visit a completely captivating cinematic event.

    “Star Wars: The Force Awakens is one of the most highly anticipated movies ever, and we are excited to continue our legacy of delivering the most advanced filmmaking and playback capabilities to bring Star Wars audiences an experience that only Dolby Cinema can offer.”

Dolby Cinema begins with the filmmaker’s vision—using the full storytelling capabilities that Dolby offers in image and sound production to transform the way movies are made and presented. Combined with state-of-the-art image, sound, and acoustic capabilities, the movie comes alive to deliver cinema in its purest form.

“Dolby Cinema technology is an epic, premium way to go to the movies,” said J.J. Abrams, the writer, producer, and director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. “I am honored to be a part of the continuation of the Star Wars saga, and can’t wait for people to see The Force Awakens through the power of the Dolby experience.”

“Dolby has been deeply involved with Star Wars since the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977,” said Kevin Yeaman, President and CEO, Dolby Laboratories. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens is one of the most highly anticipated movies ever, and we are excited to continue our legacy of delivering the most advanced filmmaking and playback capabilities to bring Star Wars audiences an experience that only Dolby Cinema can offer.”

Dolby Cinema features the Dolby Vision projection system, which uses state-of-the-art optics and image processing to deliver high dynamic range with enhanced color technology and a contrast ratio that far exceeds that of any other image technology on the market today. The result is a richer, more detailed viewing experience that delivers strikingly vivid and realistic images that make viewers feel like they are in the movie’s world.

Dolby Cinema also includes the award-winning Dolby® sound technology Dolby Atmos, which moves audio around the theatre, even overhead, with amazing richness and depth. The lifelike sounds of music, people, and ambience flow all around the theatre in sync with the action to create a more immersive and moving experience.


About Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt.

About Dolby Cinema
Dolby Cinema delivers the total cinema experience. It combines powerful image and sound technologies with inspired cinema design to make every visit a completely captivating cinematic event.

Dolby Cinema includes Dolby Vision—a state-of-the-art authoring and playback imaging technology that enables the cinema to bring the story alive onscreen. Outfitted with Dolby Atmos, a Dolby Cinema transports audiences into the movie with breathtakingly real sound that fills the cinema and flows all around them.

When these technologies are combined with the sophisticated Dolby Cinema design, everything comes together to pull moviegoers more deeply into the story and transform their visit into an event. For more information, including locations for Dolby Cinema at AMC Prime™, JT Bioscopen in the Netherlands, UCI Cinesa in Spain, and Cineplexx in Austria, please visit the Dolby Cinema web page.

About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB) creates audio, video, and voice technologies that transform entertainment and communications in mobile devices, at the cinema, at home, and at work. For 50 years, sight and sound experiences have become more vibrant, clear, and powerful in Dolby. For more information, please visit www.dolby.com.

Dolby, Dolby Atmos, and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Dolby Cinema and Dolby Vision are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. AMC Prime is a trademark of American Multi-Cinema, Inc. DLB-G

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VIZ Media Announces Launch of Naruto Online Store

VIZ MEDIA PARTNERS WITH GENERATOR TO LAUNCH OFFICIAL NARUTO ONLINE STORE

New Web Platform To Stock A Wide Array Of Officially Licensed Products For The Smash Hit Ninja Action Property

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced the launch of the official NARUTO online store for the U.S. and Canada in partnership with digital marketing and eCommerce solutions provider, GENERATOR, a division of Sony DADC.

The NARUTO online store at shop.naruto.com is a comprehensive one-stop-shop for an extensive and unique collection of official NARUTO merchandise including anime and manga products, apparel, games and other licensed products and collectibles inspired by the massively popular ninja action property. VIZ Media is the global master licensor for NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN.

Notable featured NARUTO SHIPPUDEN products include:
·         Apparel from Ripple Junction
·         Collectible Japanese figures from Banpresto
·         Belts and accessories from Buckle Down
·         Headbands from Great Eastern
·         Posters from Scorpio
·         Shower curtains from Just Funky
·         Deck building game from Cryptozoic

New NARUTO merchandise and other collectibles will be added regularly! Visit the site often for new products.

“The launch of the NARUTO online store powered by GENERATOR offers fans a fun new destination to shop for a comprehensive selection of official products,” says Kensuke Mase, VIZ Media’s Director of Consumer Products. “GENERATOR is a leader in developing cutting edge ecommerce platforms and we invite everyone to visit shop.naruto.com to explore all of the unique items that are available for purchase!”

“We are very excited to partner with VIZ Media to unveil the official web store for NARUTO,” says Dan Pelson, CEO, relentlessGENERATOR. “This dynamic property is adored by millions of ardent fans and they now have a secure and easy to navigate online platform stocked with scores of exciting licensed products. We look forward to NARUTO fans expanding their personal collections or finding that perfect gift for a friend or loved one for the upcoming holiday season.”

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga properties. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animated counterpart (NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘TV-14’) are some of VIZ Media’s most successful titles and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense training that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi… well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

VIZ Media publishes the bestselling NARUTO manga series in print and digitally and also distributes the NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN anime series and feature films. Additional information on NARUTO is available at www.Naruto.com.


About relentlessGENERATOR
Sony DADC's relentlessGENERATOR provides direct-to-consumer marketing and commerce solutions to the entertainment industry, leveraging advanced platforms, proven processes, and skilled people to create profitable solutions for clients. Many of the biggest names in media rely on relentlessGENERATOR to build and maintain their online presences and successfully engage, activate, and sell directly to fans. relentlessGENERATOR provides these services on a global basis as an enterprise-wide solution for media brands that are embracing new, digital business models driven by rapidly changing consumer habits.  For additional information, go to: http://www.rgenerator.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 ONE PIECE, 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.

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VIZ Media Stages "Sailor Moon Crystal" Moonlight Party

VIZ MEDIA HOSTS SAILOR MOON MOONLIGHT PARTY V TO CELEBRATE THE ENGLISH DUB PREMIERE OF SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL

Join VIZ Media For A Special Virtual Live Stream Party To Mark The English Dub Premiere Of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL With Live Commentary, A Real Time Q&A And Trivia Prizes

VIZ Media sends a call out to all U.S.-based anime fans and SAILOR MOON aficionados to join the company as it stages a special virtual Moonlight Party to mark the English dub premiere of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL on its anime streaming platform on VIZ.com.

The SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL Moonlight Party will take place on Friday, November 20th, 2015 beginning at 6:00pm PST on VIZ Media’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlIgAQpSK-Y. The interactive live-stream event will complement the VIZ Media/Hulu streams that evening of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL Episodes 1 and 2.

Based on Naoko Takeuchi’s legendary manga series, the SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL (rated ‘TV-PG’) anime saga, retells the story of Sailor Moon as she searches for her fellow Sailor Guardians and the Legendary Silver Crystal to stop the dark forces of Queen Beryl. VIZ Media has given the 26-episode sci-fi action series a fresh English dialogue track featuring a cast of some of the most talented anime voice actors in the business.

In SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL Episode 1: Act 1, “Usagi - Sailor Moon,” Usagi Tsukino is a bit of a klutz and a crybaby in the 8th grade, and Luna, a black cat with a crescent moon on her forehead, gives Usagi a miracle brooch. In Episode 2: Act 2, “Ami - Sailor Mercury,” through an unexpected turn of events, Usagi becomes close with Ami Mizuno, a genius girl with an IQ of 300. But there's something odd about the students at Ami's seminar...

As the episodes stream on VIZ.com/Hulu, fans are invited to submit their SAILOR MOON questions via the official VIZ Media Facebook page, and Twitter by using the special hashtag, #MoonlightParty for a real-time Q&A with VIZ Media staff that will run throughout the event. Viewers also can join in a fun SAILOR MOON trivia contest for a chance to win a variety of SAILOR MOON home media box sets, special autographed items and other premiums and collectibles from Japan.

Season 1 of the original SAILOR MOON series, as well as the first-half of Season 2, are available now from VIZ Media on home video as Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs and Standard Edition DVD sets. Fans can catch all 26 subtitled episodes of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL on Hulu and VIZ.com.

For more information on SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL, please visit www.VIZ.com or Hulu.com/sailor-moon-crystal.

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