Category: Comics

VIZ MEDIA BECOMES THE NORTH AMERICAN MASTER MERCHANDISE LICENSEE FOR THE ACTION ADVENTURE SERIES JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE

 

A Wide Range Of Products Based On The Acclaimed Multi-Generational Fantasy Action Anime Property To Be Developed For The North American Market

 

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has been named the North American master merchandise licensee for JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE.

VIZ Media will oversee the licensing and development of a comprehensive range of products based on the celebrated supernatural/action/adventure anime property across several key consumer categories. The first of these new products are scheduled to be released later this year.

The JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE manga (graphic novel) series was created by Hirohiko Araki. In his long-running multi-generational adventure, there was once a mighty bloodline of heroes: the Joestars. In the 1880s, Englishman Jonathan Joestar gave his life to defeat Dio, a megalomaniacal vampire. Now, 100 years later, Dio is back, and Jonathan’s descendants seek to finally destroy their ancestral enemy once and for all.

In the JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE anime series, the Aztecs – the people of the sun — once prospered in ancient Mexico. They had a bizarre stone mask that brought eternal life and the power of a domineering ruler to he who wore it, but at some point, the mask disappeared without a trace. Years later, in the late 19th Century, when men’s lifestyles and outlooks on life were quickly changing, Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando meet, and the stone mask binds them to a rather curious fate…

“We are extremely pleased to enhance the JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE legacy with the licensing and development of a range of new products that will be a highlight of fans’ collections,” says Daisuke Aoki, VIZ Media’s Vice President of Licensing. “In Japan, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE is one of the country’s longest running and popular properties. The dynamic adventure also enjoys substantial popularity in North America and similarly spans multiple generations of fans. We look forward to supporting the brand with a notable array of officially licensed products from a variety of manufacturing partners beginning this summer.”

VIZ Media’s SHONEN JUMP imprint recently announced the print and digital launch of the property’s original first manga story arc, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE PART 1 – PHANTOM BLOOD, and plans to release JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE PART 2 – BATTLE TENDENCY in March. VIZ Media originally published the JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE STARDUST CRUSADERS manga story arc, the third in the overall manga series, in print in 2005.

For more information on JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE or other licensed properties available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

Creative Mind Energy’s The Gifted Hits Stores In Time For The Holidays

Graphic novel publisher Creative Mind Energy (CME) has announced that their premiere title The Gifted (Diamond Code: OCT141241) will be hitting stores almost a month early so it will be available for holiday purchases. Originally scheduled for January 7, 2015 the book will be available in the direct market December 10, 2014. It will be in book stores shortly after that. Customers looking to order Creative Mind Energy titles should contact their local retailer, or find a comic shop near them at www.comicshoplocator.com.

The first volume in an ongoing series, The Gifted, shows what life is like for animals struggling to survive in a world laid to waste by humanity’s violence, abuse and exploitation. Through the eyes of the lone wolf the reader gains a unique perspective experiencing first hand his desperation, hunger and fight for survival. Hand painted watercolors and minimal text is all that is needed to depict a strong and moving story in this graphic novel. This edition combines the first two volumes of the story that were convention sellouts. The second release from CME is called Dixie Vixens and releases in March 2015.

What others are saying about The Gifted!

“The Gifted is an exceptional work, something that both transcends the medium of comics and yet utilizes the medium to its fullest.”-BlackShipBooks.com

“While the Wassel’s script is nearly dialogue-free, the art is complemented by large and intentionally intrusive onomatopoeic words, and the result is a book that defies comparison to anything else I’ve read in recent years.” – ShelfAbuse.com

“One cannot gorge on THE GIFTED. This review took me so damn long to complete from UPS drop off to publishing because I saw care and craftsmanship from all parties. I was not going to sully this hard work with a phoned in write-up.”-Aintitcool.com

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VIZ MEDIA KICKS OFF CLASS WITH THE STELLAR NEW COMEDY SERIES ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM

A Class Of Misfit Students Must Save Mankind From A Destructive Alien Invader Who May Also Be The Best Teacher They Ever Had; New Action Series To Launch In Print And Digitally

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, delivers to domestic readers today one of the most popular new manga (graphic novel) series currently sweeping Japan – ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM.

This high school alien-teacher in the classroom action comedy by creator Yusei Matsui is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and debuts in print under the Shonen Jump Advanced imprint. ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM Vol. 1 will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Subsequent volumes for the continuing series are scheduled for print release on a bi-monthly basis.

The digital edition of ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM will also debut on December 2nd for $6.99 (U.S./CAN), across all platforms serviced by VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App. The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. The digital edition will be similarly available on digital storefronts for the Kindle, iBooks, GooglePlay, Kobo, ComiXology, and Nook.

A humorous and action-packed story about a class of misfits who are trying to kill their new teacher – an alien octopus with bizarre powers and super strength! The teacher has just destroyed the moon and is threatening to destroy the earth – unless his students can destroy him first. What makes things more complicated is that he’s the best teacher they’ve ever had!

“ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM is an over-the-top, action thrill ride that readers will definitely want to put on their manga hit lists,” says Annette Roman, Editor. “The series has drawn widespread acclaim in Japan where it is one of the top titles featured in Shonen Jump magazine. We invite readers to spend their winter semester at a high school unlike any other with a zany class of misfit students upon whom rests the future of humanity!”

Manga creator Yusei Matsui was born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan and has been drawing since elementary school. Some of his favorite manga series are Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Ultimate Muscle (all published in North America by VIZ Media). Matsui honed his talents working as an assistant to manga artist Yoshio Sawai, creator of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. In 2005, he debuted his original series, Neuro: Supernatural Detective, in Weekly Shonen Jump. In 2007, Neuro was adapted into an anime series. ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan in 2012. An anime adaptation based on the manga series is set to debut in early 2015.

For more information on ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM and other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

VIZ Media Previews Forthcoming New BLEACH and NARUTO Mango Box Sets

Latest Box Sets For Iconic Manga Properties Are Scheduled For Summer 2015 Release; Each Set Features 20+ Manga Volumes Along With Exclusive Bonus Premiums!!

San Francisco, CA, November 24, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces exciting details for a pair of forthcoming manga (graphic novel) box sets that are sure to capture the attention of die-hard readers and fans of the popular BLEACH and NARUTO series.

Scheduled for release in the Summer of 2015, the BLEACH Manga Box Set 2 and NARUTO Manga Box Set 2 each contain 20 or more individual manga volumes, at a substantial savings over buying them individually. Exclusive bonus premiums, such as special mini-comics and full-color posters, are also included in each Box Set.

In addition, due to continuing fan demand, BLEACH Manga Box Set 1 and NARUTO Manga Box Set 1 will be available again January 2015. The BLEACH set contains the beginning 21 volumes of the first story arc, and the NARUTO set contains 27 volumes. Both sets are housed in sturdy corrugate display boxes, and also include a full color double-side poster and collectable booklet.

BLEACH MANGA BOX SET 2 * Rated “T” for Teens *

MSRP: $214.99 U.S. / CAN * Available July 2015!

The second BLEACH Manga Box Set offers fans the chance to own Volumes 22-48 at a substantial savings over buying them individually. Fans purchasing the Box Set will also receive an exclusive mini-comic containing the pilot story of the bestselling series along with a full-color, double-sided poster.

Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts–he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow–a malevolent lost soul–Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace. In the latest Box Set volumes, after finally rescuing their friend Rukia, Ichigo and friends return to their quiet lives in the world of the living. However, the peace is short-lived as new enemies arrive from the world of the Hollows. Aizen is back, and Ichigo may be the only one who can stop him for good!

NARUTO MANGA BOX SET 2 * Rated “T” for Teens *

MSRP: $174.99 U.S. / CAN * Available July 2015!

Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He’s got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world’s greatest ninja! In the second NARUTO Manga Box Set, featuring Volumes 28-48, it’s been more than two years since Naruto left to train with Jiraiya. Much has happened while he has been away, and new threats to the ninja world have emerged. Can Naruto prove his worth and rescue his friend Sasuke? The new box set also will feature an exclusive mini-comic containing the NARUTO pilot story and a full-color, double-sided poster.

“These new box sets each receive a deluxe treatment and will become noteworthy additions to even the most discriminating fan’s manga collection,” says Alexis Kirsch, Editor. “Fans can catch the opening of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN story arc and also dive into electrifying supernatural adventures with the gang from BLEACH. Hours of manga reading fun and excitement are guaranteed with these new manga Box Sets. Don’t miss their release next summer!”

For more information on other anime and manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com <http://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.

New Adventures With Hello Kitty Surprise! and Delicious!

HelloKitty-03-Surprise

While Hello Kitty has been a constant fixture in pop culture since the 70s, I’ve never really looked into it because I was too wrapped up in my Star Wars and Star Trek action figures and reading The Warlord and Turok: Son of Stone comics to pay much attention to ‘cute’ stuff. I have so many friends of all ages who continue to just love Hello Kitty that I finally decided I needed to learn something about her other than how cute she is. I wanted to see just how she became so entrenched in geek and pop culture. Because Viz Media recently began a new series of Hello Kitty graphic novels on their Perfect Square imprint, I now have the opportunity to delve into the world of Hello Kitty and find out just what all the fuss is about.

I really didn’t know what to expect so was surprised (no pun intended) when I cracked open Hello Kitty Vol. 3: Surprise! and discovered there were no words other than titles and exclamations and that it was a collection of short stories from several authors and featuring various artistic styles. The first story, Fintastic Day At The Beach, was visually noisy with close frames on the characters and because I wasn’t familiar with the style, it took me a few moments to look it over and really start picking out the unfolding story. Without the use of words, Hello Kitty relies completely on its visual storytelling and with the exception of that first story, I think the creative team did a great job. I didn’t dislike the first story but it didn’t strike a cord with me (it did make me want to slap one of the characters though).

I did however find the rest of the stories entertaining and in some cases, heartwarming. As the title suggests, the common theme in each story is some sort of unexpected event or discovery (SURPRISE!). Of the 10 stories in this volume, my favorites were UP and Ghost Story.

In UP, Hello Kitty is reading a pop-up book with a tree coming out of it but its no ordinary pop-up book. She decides to climb the tree and has an adventure discovering the inhabitants of it. Being a book nut myself, I can really identify with opening a book and finding a world to explore within it but what really grabbed me in this story was the art work. Unlike the other stories, this story is completely illustrated  (with the exception of Hello Kitty herself) with what appears to be construction paper cut outs. It really gives the story more visual depth and I found myself going back to this story repeatedly just to look at the brilliant cut outs.

In Ghost Story, a lonely skeleton takes advantage of Halloween to dress up like a ghost and go out to enjoy the festivities.

Hello Kitty Vol. 2: Delicious! is a foodie’s delight. Every story features a food theme. My favorite stories in the collection are Sweet Dreams and Banana Split!

In Sweet Dreams, Hello Kitty dozes off while playing a Candy Land type of game and dreams of being in a world made of candy. When she wakes up, she immediately schedules a dentist appointment.

In Banana Split! Tim and Tammy, have been eating bananas but run into a problem when they get to the last one. After trying to come up with ideas to decide who gets to eat it, they finally agree to share but its too late as someone else ate it while they were busy debating.

The books are full of beautifully illustrated, lighthearted stories that are safe for any age child or adult and are printed in a high quality paperback binding. I’m sure any Hello Kitty fanatic will be pleased to add them to their collection.

You can purchase Hello Kitty online at Amazon or find it in your local bookstore.

Hello Kitty: Surprise!

Hello Kitty: Delicious!

Hello Kitty: Here We Go!

VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT DELIVERS JOYOUS NEW HELLO KITTY ADVENTURES WITH THE RELEASE OF HELLO KITTY: SURPRISE!

HelloKitty-03-Surprise

Expect The Unexpected In New Original Graphic Novel Release!

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, takes readers on a whimsical new outing from its Perfect Square imprint with the world’s favorite pop culture icon and her adorable friends in the debut of HELLO KITTY: SURPRISE! on April 1st.

The latest full-color release in the ongoing HELLO KITTY Perfect Square collection features seven new stories and three shorts centered around the theme of unexpected discoveries. HELLO KITTY: SURPRISE! reunites the
creative team of Jacob Chabot (HELLO KITTY, VOLTRON FORCE), Jorge Monlongo (HELLO KITTY, MAMESHIBA), and Ian McGinty (UGLYDOLL), along with special guest artist Anastassia Neislotova. HELLO KITTY: SURPRISE! is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and carries a print MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN. (Available for pre-order at Amazon)

A digital version is also available for $4.99 U.S. / CAN from the Perfect Square App, which has titles available for the Apple iPadR and iPadR Mini. The Perfect Square App is available from the iTunes store. Fans can also find a digital version for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

In HELLO KITTY: SURPRISE!, a day at the beach is more than just fun in the sun. A mysterious egg holds a tiny secret. Mama and Papa have a few secrets of their own. And a quiet afternoon with a good book is more exciting than Hello Kitty ever could have imagined! Plus, prepare to be amazed by Anastassia Neislotova’s tales of wonder!

“In this third Hello Kitty release from Perfect Square, we really took the opportunity to play,” says Traci Todd, Senior Editor, Children’s Publishing. “Not only are there surprises in the storytelling (Just in time for April Fool’s Day!), but a few unexpected characters show up as well. We hope readers have as much fun reading this volume as we had making it.”

Jacob Chabot is a New York City-based cartoonist, illustrator and writer. His comics have appeared in publications such as Nickelodeon Magazine, Mad Magazine, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Simpsons comics, and various Marvel titles. He has illustrated three HELLO KITTY titles as well as Voltron Force: Shelter from the Storm and Voltron Force: True Colors for VIZ Media. His comic series, The Mighty Skullboy Army, is published by Dark Horse, and in 2008 Chabot was also nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Book for Teens.

Comic artist, book illustrator and game designer Jorge Monlongo hails from Spain and combines traditional and digital techniques to create worlds in beautiful colors that hide secrets. SUPRISE! is his third HELLO KITTY title for VIZ Media/Perfect Square and his work has also been featured in several prominent magazines, including Rolling Stone.

Artist Ian McGinty resides in Savannah, Georgia, and his portfolio includes Adventure Time: Candy Capers (kaBoom!), Bravest Warriors (kaBoom!), HELLO KITTY (VIZ Media), UGLYDOLL (VIZ Media), and Suckers (Zenescope). He is also creator of Chomp! (Top Shelf).

Anastassia Neislotova is a happy artist and children’s book illustrator. She spends all her time creating nice illustrations and paintings, where she puts all her love and kindness. She loves making people smile. She feels very happy when her art can provoke positive emotions in people, and for this she is ready to draw forever. She also feels happy when feeding squirrels, stroking sausage dogs and eating up cream from cakes.

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

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

About Sanrio

Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty, who is celebrating her 40th Anniversary this year. Home to many endearing characters including Chococat, My Melody, Badtz-Maru and Keroppi, Sanrio was founded on the ‘small gift, big smile’ philosophy – that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique
products and experiences. Today, more than 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are available in over 70 countries and upwards of 15,000 U.S. retail locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 80 Sanrio
boutiques. For more information please visit www.sanrio.com and www.facebook.com/hellokitty.

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, Australia, New Zealand 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 ANNOUNCES NEW DIGITAL MANGA UPDATE FOR MARCH

Catch the Digital-First Premiere Of Battle Cuisine Series FOOD WARS! And The Return Of Fan Favorites CHIBI VAMPIRE And D.N. ANGEL

VIZ Media moves into March with the announcement of a brand new digital manga (graphic novel) update. Don’t miss today’s digital-first premiere of the titillating new Shonen Jump culinary battle comedy, FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA (available August in print). Shojo drama TAIL OF THE MOON PREQUEL: THE OTHER HANZO(U) will launch on March 25th.

Also scheduled to debut during the second-half of month are CHIBI VAMPIRE and D.N. ANGEL, previously released in North America and returning to digitally only on March 25th at a MSRP of only $4.99 each (U.S. / CAN) from the VIZ Select imprint, dedicated to making select, fan favorite manga titles available in English once again, digitally.

These new releases and 25 other popular series featured on VIZManga.com and the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones and 7” tablets, as well as on the Nook, Kindle, Kobo, iBooks and GooglePlay stores. With these dynamic platforms, fans can explore and enjoy a wide range of new and classic manga series that spans more than 2,100 volumes across 175 different series.

Additional notable updates for March include the exciting series finales for BLACK BIRD, CROSS MANAGE and FUSHIGI YUGI: GENBU KAIDEN, along with newly added volumes for BLUE EXORCIST, ONE PIECE, STROBE EDGE, PHOENIX, X 3-in-1 Edition, WHISTLE and many more. Also don’t miss double-volume updates for BASARA and BOYS OVER FLOWERS and a special triple volume serving of KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC.

New Series Now Available:

 

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens ·

MSRP: $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Debuting March 18th (Available August in print)

Soma Yukihira’s old man runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town. Aiming to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, Soma hones his skills day in and day out until one day, out of the blue, his father decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school! Can Soma really cut it in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate? And can he convince the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school that he belongs there at all?!

 

PHANTOM THIEF JEANNE, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens ·

MSRP: $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available Now!

High school student Maron Kusakabe has a secret: she’s Phantom Thief Jeanne. She sneaks into private art collections to steal paintings in which demons reside. Jeanne’s task is to seal the demons before they can devour human hearts. So far she’s been able to evade the police on her midnight outings, but now another thief has come onto the scene – Phantom Thief Sinbad – and he’s trying to take the paintings before she does! Catch the launch of this new series by acclaimed manga creator Arina Tanemura (FULL MOON, THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE †, I.O.N., TIME STRANGER KYOKO; all titles also from VIZ Media)

New Titles Available March 25th

 

TAIL OF THE MOON PREQUEL: THE OTHER HANZO(U) · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available March 25th

A romantic ninja adventure! Kaguya doesn’t remember who she is or why she has a huge scar on her back. Six months ago, she was found injured and unconscious in a field of bamboo. Now she works as a housekeeper and babysitter at a brothel, living her new life simply as “”Kaguya.”” Kaguya’s real identity is entwined with two men–Hanzou, a handsome bodyguard of Okazaki Castle, and Hanzo, a leader of the ninja village of Iga. Between amnesia and mistaken identity, no one knows for sure what kind of person Kaguya is. Only her distinctive scar will lead her to the truth…

 

CHIBI VAMPIRE, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens ·

MSRP: $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available March 25th

Karin is a cute little girl who also happens to be a vampire…with a twist. Once a month, she experiences intense bleeding from her nose–we’re talking gushers! In other words, she’s a vamp with blood to spare, so rather than stealing blood from humans she actually gives her blood to them. If done right, this can be an extremely positive experience that benefits the “victim” as much as the vampire. The problem is that Karin never seems to do things right!

 

D.N. ANGEL, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens ·

MSRP: $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available March 25th

Daisuke Niwa is an ordinary middle school student who has an inherited an interesting family tradition. Upon seeing Risa, the girl he adores, he transforms into a daring phantom thief. When the phantom thief sees his own object of desire, he turns back into Daisuke. The only way to cure this craziness is if Daisuke can get Risa to fall in love with him, but how can she love someone she can’t see?

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. Through the innovative VIZ Manga digital platform registered users are able to use one account to view their purchased manga across more devices than ever. New series and volumes are added every Tuesday. Fans can also find these titles and more for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

All manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the VIZ Manga application starting from $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) each and readers can also explore all titles with free Chapter 1 previews of every series. For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

Download the free VIZ Manga App for Android and iOS devices at www.VIZ.com/apps.

To learn more about VIZ Manga, please visit www.vizmanga.com.

VIZ MEDIA PREVIEWS PERFECT SQUARE’S SUMMER AND FALL 2014 COLLECTIBLE RELEASES

Get Ready For The Launch Of Two BRAVEST WARRIORS Titles, And An Exclusive Anniversary Hardcover For HELLO KITTY®

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced a fun collection of new titles it has licensed and scheduled for release under the company’s Perfect Square imprint.

The forthcoming titles feature memorable characters and stories that are universally loved by a diverse cross section of adult, teen, and young adult readers. Fans can look forward to the launch of two fun releases from Perfect Square’s newest addition, BRAVEST WARRIORS, as well as an anniversary collectible for HELLO KITTY that are scheduled for release in print and digitally via the Perfect Square App beginning this summer and continuing into fall.

The Perfect Square App, available from the iTunes store, offers a wide variety of All Ages titles available for the Apple iPad® and iPad® Mini. Fans can also find digital versions of Perfect Square titles for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

“Each of our forthcoming titles will expand the Perfect Square catalog in a dynamic way, from the out-of-this-world and irreverent BRAVEST WARRIORS, to the anniversary companion book for the timeless HELLO KITTY,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, Perfect Square. “We look forward to issuing release dates and additional information on each of these exciting titles in coming months and to readers of all ages enjoying these new titles throughout the summer and fall.”

New Perfect Square 2014 Releases Include:

BRAVEST WARRORS PRESENTS: CATBUG’S TREASURE BOOK•
MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN • Print & Digital Available Summer 2014
In CATBUG’S TREASURE BOOK we see the world through Catbug’s unique perspective. Presented as a kind of scrapbook, the pages are filled with his playtime imaginings and souvenirs of his adventures with the Bravest Warriors. There’s no telling what will be revealed on the pages of Catbug’s Treasure Book!

BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG •
MSRP: $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN • Print & Digital Available Summer 2014
An amazing collection of artists venture to multiple dimensions to help you in…THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG! Catbug ate some weird new cubes of food that caused him to lose what little control he already had over his jump abilities! Now he’s careening through dimensions, unable to stop! Help the Bravest Warriors travel the galaxy and find Catbug. Just don’t eat any of those cube snacks or you might end up lost too!

HELLO KITTY, HELLO 40: A CELEBRATION IN 40 STORIES •
MSRP: $29.99 U.S. / $34.99 CAN • Print & Digital Available Fall 2014
Forty years ago, Hello Kitty stepped on the scene, and she’s had the world wrapped around her little red bow ever since. Here, some of her biggest fans pay tribute in the best way they know how: through story and art. From comic artists to muralists to toy creators, everyone has a tale to tell about the little girl who speaks from her heart. The new book also features an introduction by Babymouse co-creators Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm.

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, graphic novels and other books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

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

BOOM! Studios Presents DEAD LETTERS

BOOM! Studios presents DEAD LETTERS a new series from writer Christopher Sebela and artist Chris Visions.

Waking up in a fleabag motel with bandaged arms and a revolver on his desk, Sam doesn’t remember a thing – not how he got here, where here is, or who he is. But the armed men knocking on his door do and Sam will have to use every trick from his forgotten repertoire to outrun and outsmart his way through a hardboiled wonderland of gang wars, femme fatales and big secrets.

Available for pre-order today!

 

VIZ MEDIA BRINGS BACK POPULAR YU-GI-OH! COLLECTABLE CARD PROMOTION FOR WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP MEMBERS

The World’s Leading Digital Manga Magazine Offers Limited Time Special For Fans That Renew Or Sign Up For A New Annual Subscription 

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, offers something special to YU-GI-OH! fans, manga readers and WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP subscribers. For a very limited time – until March 31st only – WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP brings back its popular 3-Card Annual Membership Promotion.

For the remainder of the month, fans that sign up for a new annual membership to VIZ Media’s popular weekly digital serial anthology or renew their current subscription will receive a special bonus premium in the form of 3 randomly selected YU-GI-OH! collectible trading cards. This is in addition to 4 exclusive YU-GI-OH! collectible trading cards that annual members already receive with each new paid subscription. Visit http://shonenjump.viz.com to renew or sign up for an annual membership today for only $25.99 and can claim 3 additional trading cards by entering the promo code, “YUGIOHPROMO,” in the checkout section. Limit one promo per customer; while supplies last.

Subscribers will each receive 3 bonus previously released YU-GI-OH! trading cards randomly selected from a collection that includes BLAST SPHERE, CYBER ELTANIN, ENDLESS DECAY, JUDGEMENT OF THE PHARAOH, NUMBER 30: ACID GOLEM OF DESTRUCTION, MALEFIC TRUTH DRAGON, MEKLORD EMPEROR GRANEL, RELIEVE MONSTER, and the UNITY card.

“This promotion is a wonderful incentive for fans to dive into WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and check out all of the great manga series we feature digitally with simultaneous U.S./Japanese release and also get an array of fun collectables and bonus premiums that come with each annual membership,” says Andy Nakatani, Editor-in-Chief, WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP. “Don’t miss this special opportunity to receive 3 additional YU-GI-OH! cards, along with the 4 that already come with every annual membership, that will add power and prestige to a player’s deck!”

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is VIZ Media’s renowned 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. Subscribers can access issues via VIZManga.com, the VIZ Manga App, or with the Apple iPad Newsstand App. Exclusive 1 Year Memberships are available for only $25.99 and include 48 weekly digital issues as well as special premiums including 4 Yu-Gi-Oh! Collectable Trading Cards, rare one-shot manga releases, digital-only promotions, and access to additional subscriber-only content including creator interviews and insightful promo videos.

Current WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP issues feature the latest chapters of many of the world’s most popular series such as ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, BLEACH, NARUTO, NISEKOI, ONE PIECE, TORIKO, SERAPH OF THE END and WORLD TRIGGER. Monthly series such as BLUE EXORCIST and YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL debut on the closest Monday after the Japanese release. Also serialized in the anthology is fan favorite ONE-PUNCH MAN, and the most recent addition to the magazine, STEALTH SYMPHONY. More information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is available at: http://shonenjump.viz.com.

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

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

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES PHANTOM THIEF JEANNE

From Famed Manga Creator Arina Tanemura, A Young Girl With Magical Powers Becomes An Art Thief To Steal Paintings Possessed by Demons

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, steals the hearts of manga (graphic novel) fans with the launch of the series – PHANTOM THIEF JEANNE. The new magical-girl fantasy by beloved creator Arina Tanemura, is now available from the Shojo Beat imprint with an age raging of ‘T’ for Teens and carries an MSRP of $10.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN

A digital version is also available for $6.99 (USD/CAN) on VIZManga.com and through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones, as well as through the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay stores.

The remaining volumes of the 5-volume fantasy adventure series are scheduled to debut every other month.

High school student Maron Kusakabe has a secret – she’s Phantom Thief Jeanne. She sneaks into private art collections to steal paintings in which demons reside. Jeanne’s task is to seal the demons before they can devour human hearts. So far she’s been able to evade the police on her midnight outings, but now another thief has come onto the scene – Phantom Thief Sinbad – and he’s trying to take the paintings before she does!

“PHANTOM THIEF JEANNE is our translated editions of the beloved Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne series in Japan,” says Nancy Thistlethwaite, Editor. “These books feature new covers by Arina Tanemura and color pages. They are must-have for new and current fans alike.”

PHANTOM THIEF JEANNE creator Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. She gained further fame with the 1997 publication of I•O•N, and she has remained a major force in shojo manga ever since with popular series such as Time Stranger Kyoko, Full Moon, and The Gentlemen’s Alliance † (all of which are published in North America by VIZ Media). Both PHANTOM THIEF JEANNE and FULL MOON have been adapted into animated TV series.

For more information on PHANTOM THIEF JEANNE or other popular shojo manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit http://www.viz.com/manga/print/shojo-beat.

VIZ MEDIA ACQUIRES NAOKI URASAWA’S THRILLING SUSPENSE SERIES MASTER KEATON

Manga Series About An Investigator With An Unorthodox Set Of Skills From The Award-Winning Creator Of MONSTER And 20th CENTURY BOYS Debuts In English In December

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced it has acquired the North American publishing rights for Naoki Urasawa’s post–Cold War suspense thriller, MASTER KEATON. The 12-volume manga (graphic novel) series has never before been available in English and is scheduled to launch in print in December under the VIZ Signature imprint.

MASTER KEATON was created and drawn by the award-winning manga artist Naoki Urasawa, story coproduced with Hokusei Katsushika and Takashi Nagasaki. MASTER KEATON will be rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN. Each paperback volume will receive a deluxe treatment, including 18 pages of full-color artwork. In addition to publishing MASTER KEATON in North America, VIZ Media will also release it in print in the United Kingdom and Australia.

The riveting detective drama introduces Taichi Hiraga-Keaton, an archeology professor and part-time insurance investigator known for his successful and unorthodox methods of investigation. The son of a Japanese zoologist and an English noblewoman, educated in archaeology at Oxford and a former member of the SAS, Master Keaton uses his knowledge and combat training to uncover buried secrets, thwart would-be villains, and pursue the truth. The manga series was originally published in Japan between 1988 and 1994 in Big Comic Original magazine and also inspired a popular 39-episode anime adaptation.

“We’re thrilled to debut a deluxe edition of the Eisner Award-winning Naoki Urasawa’s MASTER KEATON series this December,” says Amy Yu, Editor. “Tales of intrigue and espionage are presented with the highly detailed artwork and masterful attention to plot development for which Urasawa is internationally renowned. Fans current and new won’t want to miss the tense action and the heady chase for truth in MASTER KEATON!”

Naoki Urasawa‘s career as a manga artist spans more than twenty years and has firmly established him as one of the true manga masters of Japan. The acclaimed creator won a 2011 Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material – Asia for his series, 20th CENTURY BOYS (also published by VIZ Media). Born in Tokyo in 1960, Urasawa debuted with Beta! in 1983 and hasn’t stopped his impressive output since. Well-versed in a variety of genres, Urasawa’s oeuvre encompasses a multitude of different subjects, such as a romantic comedy (Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl), a suspenseful human drama about a former mercenary (Pineapple Farm; story by Kazuya Kudo), a captivating psychological suspense story (Naoki Urasawa’s Monster), a sci-fi adventure manga (NAOKI URASAWA’S 20th CENTURY BOYS), and a modern reinterpretation of the work of the God of Manga, Osamu Tezuka in Pluto: UrAsawa × Tezuka. Many of his books have also spawned popular animated and live-action TV movies, and 2008 saw the theatrical release of the first of three live-action Japanese films based on NAOKI URASAWA’S 20th CENTURY BOYS.

No stranger to accolades and awards, Urasawa is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award, a two-time recipient of the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize, and has received the Kodansha Manga Award. Urasawa has also become involved in the world of academia, and in 2008 accepted a guest teaching post at Nagoya Zokei University, where he teaches courses in, of course, manga.

For more information on MASTER KEATON, or other award-winning manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.