Arts & Culture – Page 24

VIZ Pictures & NEW PEOPLE Rebrand and Launch New Corporate Divisions

VIZ Pictures, Inc., the film distributor and producer behind the Japanese pop culture venue in San Francisco known as NEW PEOPLE, has announced that it will now operate as a newly established company, NEW PEOPLE, Inc., to re-brand and create synergy between all corporate divisions. The company’s film distribution and licensing division will now operate as NEW PEOPLE Entertainment.

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment is complemented by the launch of another dedicated film and event production division — NEW PEOPLE Productions — that will organize and manage the annual J-Pop Summit Festival as well as future film premieres, live events, and the development of original programming. The J-Pop Summit Festival takes place in San Francisco every summer and has become one of the largest events in the U.S. devoted to Japanese pop culture, film, fashion, food, art, and music. The 2010 festival attracted over 40,000 people. The 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival is currently being planned for August. More information on NEW PEOPLE Entertainment is available at: NewPeopleEnt.com.

“The re-branding and launch of these new divisions within the NEW PEOPLE organization will allow us to better execute our core mission to bring Japanese and Asian pop culture in a variety of forms to U.S. audiences,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPLE Inc., and the founder of the NEW PEOPLE venue. “We’ve also expanded our corporate operations to include a recently opened office in Tokyo that will act as a channel to help facilitate future creative endeavors and partnerships with Japanese-based artists and film and media companies, as well as work to bring select U.S. brands to Japan.”

Horibuchi has spent his career working to popularize Japanese pop culture throughout North America. He founded VIZ Media in the 80s to distribute anime and manga comics for English audiences, and the company has become one of the largest and most successful publishers of Japanese entertainment media based in the U.S. In 2005, he founded VIZ Pictures, Inc., a company dedicated to bringing Japanese live-action films to the American audience. In 2009, he founded NEW PEOPLE as a first-of-its-kind destination devoted to film, fashion, art and unique retail brands and a company to foster creative collaboration among artists, filmmakers, fashion labels, and retail brands influenced by Japanese popular culture.

J!NX: Design a “World of Warcraft” T-Shirt and WIN LOOTZ

from J!NX:

World of Warcraft Design Arcade Challenge!
Attention Denizens of Azeroth! Have an amazing idea for a WoW-themed t-shirt? Well, now is your chance to share it with the rest of the world. We’re running a special Design Arcade challenge specifically for World of Warcraft. Not only could your idea be printed on a J!NX T-shirt, but you could also win a boatload of lootz, as well. Check out all the details here and start designing!

New Design Arcade Winner: Cowabunga T-Shirt
Ever wonder what would happen if the effects of the Ooze on the Ninja Turtles was only temporary? One day, their sweet ninja skillz would be gone, leaving only some poor, blindfolded tortoises. A sad day indeed, and one we hope never comes to pass. Minion Ike Motta has forseen this harsh turn of events, and immortalized it in ink and cotton for our Design Arcade challenge, lest we lose sight of what is really important: pizza and parties, dude.

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
It’s February, which means that the air is full of perfumes and love potions, and even the most hard-hearted geeks perk up when they see the ubiquitous heart-shaped-box of candies. If you’re having trouble deciding what token of adoration to present your sweetie this year, then not to worry. The J!NX Crew has compiled a gift guide to point you in the right direction. Check out the guide here, but make sure the Missus (or Mister) isn’t looking!

$10 off your order of $40 or more
Use Promotion Code: 9x-7i>3(3x-7u)
This offer expires Monday, February 14, 2011 at 11:59PM PST, so don’t wait!
*can’t be combined with any other offers, sale prices, or discounts

J!NX: Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

from J!NX:

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
Ah, love is the air. Or is that the smell of conquest? Perhaps the smell of overripe defeat in the final levels of a game that you just can’t pass. Maybe I’m projecting a bit as I write this. Regardless (or irregardless, if you prefer), we’ve put together a little how-to so you don’t end up picking the wrong gift for that special someone. Plus, you can save an easy 10 bucks when you spend $40 or more and use code: 9x-7i>3(3x-7u) during checkout. You should maybe cut & paste that little gem instead of trying to type it in. Plus, solve for “i” to decode the secret message.

Download the Latest “Naruto: Shippuden” Anime Episodes the Day After They Air on the Disney XD Network

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media has announced the availability to Download-to-Own/Download-to-Rent new Naruto: Shippuden Season 2 anime episodes from leading online content providers iTunes, PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE, and Amazon Video On Demand the day after being broadcast on the Disney XD television network beginning Thursday, February 3rd.

Fans are invited to visit these outlets to download the latest Naruto installment, Episode 66 (dubbed), for FREE between February 3rd and March 7th. Subsequent new installments will be only $1.99 per episode for Download-to-Own, while Download-to-Rent costs are only $0.99.

In the newest episodes of Naruto: Shippuden, the rogue ninja Furido attempts to use the Lightning Style Jutsu of the Guardian Shinobi to rain destruction upon the Leaf Village. To make matters worse, the ninja are running out of chakra. Does Naruto have enough power to save his village? Then, the Akatsuki are working their way from one Jinchuriki to another, and it’s only a matter of time until they get to Naruto!

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens with more than 100 million copies in circulation to-date. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animated counterpart (Naruto rated ‘T’ for Teens, and Naruto: Shippuden rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) are among VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.

For more information on Naruto please visit the official Naruto website at Naruto.com.

Things from Another World: Get More of What You Love in February

from Things from Another World:

At TFAW, we love our customers! We want you to get more of what you love this February, so we’re doubling our usual in-stock discount to 20% and offering new February pre-orders at 30% off.

There’s a lot of talk right now about where to order comics online. If you have friends looking for a new online comic shop, make sure to tell them about our sale, so they can take advantage of these great prices too!

Click Here to Start Saving Today!

Win Two Sinestro Corps War TPBs Signed by Geoff Johns!
Yeah, we thought that would grab your attention. We’ve already been getting a lot of love from customers about our Get More of What You Love Sale, so we thought we’d reward one customer for his or her efforts. Tweet about what you’ve got (or plan on getting) from our sale and you’ll be entered into our Twitter contest which runs until 2/4/11!

See Full Contest Details

ThinkGeek Less Than Threes You

from ThinkGeek:

You know what’s better than love?

Geek love! After all, between the two of you, your genetic material has the potential of creating the first in a line of intellectually superior benign overlords to guide humanity to a brighter tomorrow. Or a hostess at Fuddruckers. But for now, Valentine’s Day! With gifts like ours, it’s almost certain you’ll get to make loud and unnecessary appeals to a deity later.

Single? Make the most of it by anonymously mailing a box of plush STD microbes to your ex and then soaking in an invigorating Shower Shock bubble bath while drinking orange juice out of the carton. Because you can.

Perfect gifts for your plumber-hero or self-rescuing princess
Show you care with any number of geeky Valentine’s Day gifts. For the 8-bit retro geek, how about a matched pair of t-shirts that light up with hearts when you’re close? For the princess geek, a lovely bouquet of non-wilting 8-bit flowers or some love potion. For the biology geek, you can’t go wrong with an anatomically correct beating heart plush. Hungry geeks will love the giant heart gummy candy and cold geeks will appreciate a heart-shaped hand warmer. Just got dumped? Send your ex a box of plush STDs.

Take $10 Off — Geekery is the soul of wit…
Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF, all my base are belong to you. Will you be my Player 2? Save me from this dating zoo? Allow me to paddle your canoe (down the river of life)? You still have time to perfect your greeting card text. For now, use code PLAYER2 for $10 off $40+ orders good through 11:59pm ET 2/4/2011.

Find more What’s New items at ThinkGeek!

Alivan’s: Save Big and Make Your Valentine Very Happy

from Alivan’s:

In this edition of The Clairvoyant: *** THERE’S STILL TIME to get our Who Gives a Hoot assortment before Valentine’s Day — plus get 15% Off on all our other items! *** read on below to find out more.

Our “Who Gives a Hoot” Valentine’s assortment (an almost $50 value for $35) is available and ready to ship right now to your Valentine — click here to get it right now and look below to save when you do!

Did someone mention 15% Off???… Finneas says Cupid whispered in his ear… “Wands and Wizard Wears for everyone”. Visit alivans.com and save 15% on all wands and Wizard Wears right now. Just enter coupon code HOTHOTHOT in the redeem box during checkout and we will automatically deduct 15% off of your order (good through 2/7/11).

Magically,
Finneas Alivan

P.S. Super cool house pins and patches make wonderful additions to jackets, bags, shirts and more. See them in many styles and all house colors by clicking here!

Reduced MIMOBOT Pricing, Valentine’s Day, Kidrobot X Hello Kitty Exclusives

from Mimoco:

Mimoco loves you with new lower pricing on all MIMOBOT flash drives! Shop Now!

Stuff We Like: Kidrobot X Hello Kitty! Artists Tara McPherson, Junko Mizuno, Amanda Visell, and Frank Kozik remix Sanrio’s pop icon for an exclusive collaboration with Hello Kitty and Kidrobot! Shop Now!

FREE Shipping on ALL Orders Over $50! (Excludes Hawaii, Alaska)

J!NX: Win a $450 “Cataclysm” Prize Pack for Your Epic Dungeon Screenshot!

from J!NX:

New J!NX Classic Tee: Nerd Rage
Never incur a nerd’s wrath. Seriously. Going up against an enraged nerd is like challenging Deep Blue to a chess game. Our minds are more like machines than anything else, and we will not stop until we are right, or you give up (indicating that we are right). So, unless you really want a full rundown of Ferengi economics, or a lesson on the history of the Donkey Kong high score title, please, let us nerds have our way — for the good of all mankind.

Cataclysm Dungeon Screenshot Contest!
You’re telling the story of an epic raid, where you and your comrades have pulled off an achievement of monumental proportions, when someone says “Screenshot or it didn’t happen,” thereby deflating your (however legitimately) enlarged ego. Well, here’s your chance to prove yourself to all those nay-sayers, and carve yourself a name in the annals of WoW history! We’re running a contest for the best in-game screenshot from a Cataclysm Dungeon Raid, where you can win a Cataclysm Prize Pack with $450 of awesome loot from J!NX and SteelSeries. Check out our Facebook Page for all the details!

BLOTz Blind Box MIMOBOT Flash Drives Are Here! Make Your Wish Come True

from Mimoco:

NEW! Wish Come True MIMOBOT BLOTz, Blind Box USB Flash Drive — Unbox 15 different designs! Wish Come True BLOTz is the premier collection of MIMOBOT designer USB flash drives presented as a blind assortment! Unbox 2GB of friendly flash memory and store your data in style with MIMOBOT BLOTz! Shop Now!

Video Premiere: Color Your World… with the MIMOBOT X FriendsWithYou Blind Assortment! Which character will choose YOU?! Watch Now!

Wish Come True X MIMOBOT! FriendsWithYou and Mimoco bring you the latest characters to join the Artist Series! Shop Now!

GREAT NEWS! We’re pleased to announce new lower pricing on all MIMOBOT USB flash drives! Check ’em out!

NEW Stuff We Like!
Junkocat Chococat 6-Inch — Get Me!
Kuso Itokin Bell Zipper Pull (Yellow) — Get Me!
LEGO Minifigures Series 3 — Get Me!

FREE Shipping on ALL Orders Over $50! (Excludes Hawaii, Alaska)

“Naruto” Manga Series Reaches Milestone

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media will release the 50th volume of the Naruto manga (graphic novel) series on February 1st. The newest adventure of the bestselling series — Water Prison Death Match — will be published under the company’s Shonen Jump imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 / $12.99 CAN.

Killer Bee vs. Kisame! Plus, the realization of Naruto’s worst nightmare seems inevitable as the war he’s tried to stop for so long looms on the horizon. And Sakura corners Naruto with a reveal that’s going knock him for a serious loop. Then, a truth behind the modern ninja world sheds new light on Naruto’s true role in the fate of his universe.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens and has sold more than 85 million copies to-date. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animated counterpart (Naruto rated ‘T’ for Teens, and Naruto: Shippuden rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) are among VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.

Naruto: Shippuden anime episodes are also currently available for free at Naruto.com and through a variety of other web-based, video streaming outlets that have partnered with VIZ Media, including iTunes, Joost and Hulu.

For more information on Naruto please visit the official website at Naruto.com.

VIZ Media Announces the Latest “Naruto: Shippuden”, “Vampire Knight” and “Pokémon” Anime Releases

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced a trio of upcoming anime DVD releases set for release today that expand some of the company’s most potent properties including Naruto: Shippuden, Vampire Knight and Pokémon.

Naruto: Shippuden Box Set, Volume 5
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
MSRP: $49.95 U.S. / $71.99 CAN
Available Now!
Naruto is troubled by nightmares after his second failed attempt to bring Sasuke home. Kakashi, recovering in the hospital, suggests a new training regimen for Naruto that puts him in touch with his wind chakra nature. Naruto seeks advice from another wind type, the Leaf Jonin Asuma. Then, when Tsunade sends Team Kakashi on a mission to the Fire Temple, the truth about a shocking event involving Asuma and the Guardian Shinobi Twelve begins to unfold. This latest Naruto Box Set features Episodes 54-65.

For more information on Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, please visit Naruto.com.

Vampire Knight: The Complete Series
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
MSRP: $49.95 U.S. / $71.99 CAN
Available Now!
Ten years earlier, a Pureblood vampire, Kaname Kuran, saved Yuki Cross from another vampire’s attack. Now, Yuki is a Guardian at Cross Academy, where the Night Class and Day Class students live side by side in relative harmony — despite the fact that the Night Class students are all vampires! Yuki and her partner Zero keep watch over the Day Class and protect the Night Class’s secret. With Kaname’s help, a peaceful coexistence has been maintained so far, but a looming shadow is about to be cast over their world…

For more information on Vampire Knight, please visit ShojoBeat.com.

Pokémon: Elements Box Set, Volume 2
Rated ‘A’ for All Ages
MSRP: $29.92 U.S. / $42.99 CAN
Available Now!
The Pokémon: Elements collection consists of the most important episodes commemorating the wide variety of Pokémon characters. Each disc showcases a specific Pokémon type in three all-time favorite episodes. This latest Box Set bundles Pokémon: Elements Vols. 6-10.

For more information on Pokémon and other VIZ Kids titles please visit VIZKids.com.