Viz Media has announced many new DVD and art book releases for the fourth quarter and holiday season of 2007, including box sets and special editions of our favorite shounen anime. Two press releases with detailed release information after the jump.
HOT FOR THE HOLIDAYS - NEW ANIME RELEASES FROM VIZ MEDIA
Box Set And Special Editions Of DEATH NOTE, BLEACH And New Installments Of Ongoing Favorites Offer Unique Gift Ideas To Suit Any Budget And Taste
San Francisco, CA, October 5, 2007 - VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, announced a preview of highly anticipated upcoming anime releases set for the approaching 2007 holiday season. NARUTO, DEATH NOTE and BLEACH continue to draw legions of fans of all ages and VIZ Media will offer special DVD releases for each title in time for the holidays. The long-awaited DVD debut of DEATH NOTE will feature a Limited Edition Collector’s Figurine with the first 15,000 units of each volume at an initial suggested retail price of $39.98. The first season of the popular supernatural action series BLEACH will also be available in a 5-disc Box Set with an exclusive Chain of Fate Wallet Chain limited to just 15,000 copies. The first NARUTO feature, NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW, will be offered in a 3-disc Deluxe edition with premium packaging, extra content, the complete CD soundtrack, exclusive art prints, and a movie program guide booklet. Other upcoming releases include the latest episodic box sets for PRINCE OF TENNIS, POKÉMON and RANMA ½.
Anime makes a unique gift for fans, family and friends and these new releases from VIZ Media present a range of choices to captivate tastes and interests from kids to teens to adults.
NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW DELUXE EDITION · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $49.98 · Available November 13, 2007
The long anticipated DVD release of the first NARUTO feature film is a must-have for any fan of the manga or anime series. NARUTO is now one of the most popular and successful manga and anime properties in North America. The series is the top-rated show among boys 6-17 on Cartoon Network’s Toonami and also streams online on Toonami Jetstream. NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OFSNOW is a theatrical side story based on the continuity of the animated TV series and was a box office hit upon its initial release in Japan. This unedited version of the feature comes in a gorgeously illustrated collector’s tin containing 3 discs, including the film, a disc of bonus features, a CD of the feature soundtrack, bonus collector’s NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW art prints and a movie program guide. The movie premiered earlier this summer as a one-night only event to sold out theatres across the country, and follows Naruto and his team as they are sent on a mission to guard Yukie Fujikaze, a popular actress starring in the hit movie “The Adventures of Princess Gale.” The crew is heading toward the Land of Snow to shoot the final scenes of the film, and when Yukie refuses to go and escapes from the set, she is brought back by force by Naruto and his teammates. Little do they know there are three rogue Snow Ninja lying in wait with a sinister purpose that forces Yukie to make a crucial decision and face her hidden past. New and existing fans will not want to miss this exciting latest chapter in the ongoing NARUTO saga.
THE PRINCE OF TENNIS DVD Box Set Volume 3 · Rated “A” for All Ages · 13 Episodes · MSRP: $39.98 · Available October 23, 2007
The latest box set installment of the hit series about middle school dramas on and off the tennis court is based on the smash hit manga series by Takeshi Konomi, which has sold more than 30 million copies to-date in Japan and is also published exclusively in North America by VIZ Media. In this collection, tennis prodigy Ryoma Echizen and the Seigaku tennis team have reached the Metropolitan Tournament, the pinnacle of youth tennis. First up, the “golden pair” doubles team of Oishi and Kikumaru are forced to resort to the unusual Australian formation to throw off their opponents. Then Ryoma faces the “Lefty-Killer,” who uses a dangerous and devastating twist spin. To fight back, the Prince of Tennis must resort to amazing acrobatics and outrageous innovation! A unique series about an adolescent’s quest to find meaning and purpose both on and off the court, THE PRINCE OF TENNIS will delight tennis and sports fans but will also captivate non-sports fans with engrossing stories and dynamic characters.
POKÉMON Season One Box Set, Part II · Rated “A” for All Ages · 26 Episodes · MSRP: $39.98 · Available November 13, 2007
POKÉMON remains one of the most popular and best loved anime series for kids – and has a dedicated adult fan base as well. More than a decade after its debut, POKÉMON continues to set benchmarks. The 10th season of the POKÉMON animated series – Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl – debuted on June 4 on Cartoon Network as the most-watched show of the day with 6-11 year olds and the number one show for 6-11 year old boys across all channels for the entire day. Capture the action from the exciting first season of POKÉMON with the second 3-disc DVD box set which follows Ash, Brock and Misty on their continuing quest to collect POKÉMON, make friends, and battle their way to the Indigo League!
DEATH NOTE · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · 4 Episodes · MSRP: $24.98 · Available November 20, 2007
DEATH NOTE is one of the most anticipated anime releases for 2007. Inspired by the 12-volume manga series (published in North America by VIZ Media), the suspenseful mystery follows Light Yagami, an ace student with great prospects who is bored out of his mind. All that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal - or his life? The first 15,000 units of the first volume of the DVD will contain a Ryuk Limited Edition Collector’s Figurine for an initial suggested retail price of $39.98. Later volumes will include Limited Edition Collector’s Figurines of Light, L, Misa, and other popular characters.
BLEACH BOX SET 1: THE SUBSTITUTE · Rated “T” for Teens · 20 Episodes · MSRP: $89.98 · Available November 20, 2007
BLEACH follows Ichigo Kurosaki, who is just like any other ordinary 15-year-old high school student – except for his special ability to see ghosts. So when a teenage girl materializes through his bedroom wall, it should be no call for alarm. The girl is a shinigami death spirit named Rukia, who is hunting a Hollow (an evil spirit that consumes souls). The Hollow proceeds to attack Ichigo’s family and Rukia is badly wounded. In order to defeat the evil spirit, Rukia must let Ichigo temporarily become a Soul Reaper by absorbing some of her energy. However, Ichigo inadvertently ends up with all of Rukia’s powers and must now take on all the responsibilities of a Soul Reaper until she can figure out how to get her powers back. Now this 15-year-old high school student begins a brand new vocation as a hyperkinetic, all-purpose ghost buster. With enough attitude to make a grown demon blush, Ichigo and crew are cleaning up the afterlife. See all the action of the entire first season in this 5-disc BLEACH Special Edition – limited to only 15,000 copies – that also includes an exclusive BLEACH Chain Of Fate wallet chain as a bonus.
RANMA ½ Season 4 Box Set · Rated “T” for Teens · 5 Discs · MSRP: $49.98 · Available November 27, 2007
The latest installment of the epic anime series (which has over 150 episodes) based on Rumiko Takahashi’s (INUYASHA, MAISON IKKOKU) popular manga series (also published by VIZ Media). It’s not easy being teenage martial artist Ranma Saotome, but it’s even worse when your martial artist father Genma takes you from home at an early age to embark on a decade long training mission in China. He doesn’t speak a word of Chinese but insists upon bringing his son to a cursed training ground called Jusenkyo, where falling into one of the many natural springs instantly turns the hapless victim into whoever or whatever drowned there last. From now on, a splash of cold water turns Genma into a giant panda and poor Ranma turns into a red-haired (and problematically well-built) female counterpart. Hot water reverses the effects but that is just the beginning of the comedic zaniness that has made this anime series a favorite for almost two decades!
VIZ MEDIA OFFERS ARRAY OF NEW BOOKS FOR 2007 HOLIDAY SEASON
Fourth Quarter Titles Feature Picture Book, Newest VIZ Fiction Novel and Beautiful Art Books - Perfect For Gift-Giving Season
San Francisco, CA, October 5, 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will captivate fans this holiday season with a range of vividly illustrated new art and picture books based on popular anime and manga series and a new long-anticipated addition to the VIZ Fiction imprint.
Among the new titles are THE CAT RETURNS ART BOOK, NAUSICAÄ WATERCOLOR IMPRESSIONS, THE ART OF NARUTO: UZUMAKI, THE ART OF FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2, and the novel DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD. Gift givers and their recipients can look forward to something special and out of the ordinary this year, as these selections are sure to captivate not only fans of anime, manga and pop culture, but also art aficionados. Each book is unique and can be picked up and enjoyed again and again.
THE CAT RETURNS PICTURE BOOK · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $14.99 · Available October 23, 2007
An adorable children’s book based on the popular Studio Ghibli animated movie now available on DVD from Disney, THE CAT RETURNS PICTURE BOOK illustrates the story of a young girl and her exciting adventures in a magical feline universe using actual cel artwork from the original movie. The story follows a Japanese girl named Haru who saves a cat carrying a present from being run over by a truck. The cat turns out to be the Prince of the Cat Kingdom and, in return of the favor, the king decrees that the whole kingdom repay her kindness with favors, including catnip in her garden, dozens of boxed mice in her locker, and even marriage to the crown prince of Cat Kingdom that she definitely doesn’t want. Overwhelmed and a little scared, she contacts the Cat Business Office. Together with CBO’s owner, the Baron, Haru enters the Cat Kingdom and the plot thickens as the pair tries to prevent her marriage.
THE ART OF NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND: WATERCOLOR IMPRESSIONS · MSRP: $34.99 · Available November 6, 2007
From the vaults of Academy Award-winning director, Hayao Miyazaki, THE ART OF NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND: WATERCOLOR presents original and never-before-seen illustrations and concept sketches for both the manga and film versions of NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, released in 1984 and still regarded as one of the director’s best works. This full-color, over-sized softcover book with jacket also includes Miyazaki’s earliest sketches that became the basis for some of his other notable works and gives a rare glimpse into the creative process of the most acclaimed anime director in the world today. NAUSICAÄ is ranked as one of the 50 greatest science fiction films by the Internet Movie Database IMDB. Set thousands of years in the future after a human cataclysm nearly destroys civilization, the world is a barren dangerous place overrun by a toxic jungle infested with huge new insect creatures. As humanity rebuilds and begins again in pockets of civilization, a spunky young princess attempts to hold her struggling people together against an invasion by a rival army. She must destroy a terrible new secret weapon that has the potential to wipe out what remains of humanity and bridge the gap between humans and the new creatures that have emerged in the aftermath. NAUSICAÄ is acclaimed for its innovative and beautifully portrayed story that also presents a subtle but strong humanitarian and ecological message.
THE ART OF NARUTO: UZUMAKI · MSRP: $19.99 · Available October 25, 2007
NARUTO has become the most successful anime and manga property in North America. Fans can relish creator Masashi Kishimoto’s artwork for the hit series in this new hardbound collection. Everyone’s favorite ninjas in training, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and a host of other characters are featured in over a hundred pages of gorgeous full-color images. These images have never before been published in North America. The book also includes an extensive interview with Kishimoto, step-by-step details on the process of creating a Naruto illustration, 20 pages of notes from the author about each image in the book and a beautiful double-sided poster! This is not one to miss for any fan of the manga and anime series.
THE ART OF FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2 · MSRP: $19.99 · Available October 16, 2007
A new hardcover art book featuring the characters and artwork from the top-selling and award-winning manga series by Hiromu Arakawa (published by VIZ Media). The new edition includes original color artwork and each illustration is presented in sequential order with added commentary from Arakawa herself. Also included are 9-pages of detailed character designs for the FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST PS2 video game plus two pages of brand new manga panels. FULLMETAL ALCHEMSIT is a hit in North America with 14 volumes of the manga series now in print. This is an ideal companion to the manga and is sure to delight fans.
DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $16.99 · Available November 20, 2007
VIZ Fiction offers a new printing with an updated translation of this acclaimed novel by Noriko Ogiwara. In the land of Toyoashihara, the forces of the God of Light and the Goddess of Darkness have waged a ruthless war for generations. But for 15-year-old Saya, the war is far away and unimportant – until the day she discovers that she is the reincarnation of the Water Maiden and a princess of the Children of the Dark. Raised to love the Light and detest the Dark, Saya must come to terms with her heritage even as she is tumbled into the very heart of the conflict that is destroying her country. The armies of the Light and Dark both seek to claim her, for she is the only mortal who can awaken the legendary Dragon Sword, the fearsome weapon destined to bring an end to the war. Can Saya make the dreadful choice between the Light and Dark, or is she doomed like all the other Water Maidens who came before her? Noriko Ogiwara was inspired to write by the classic Western children’s books she read as she was growing up. Dragon Sword and Wind Child is her first book and part of the award-winning Magatama Trilogy.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages.
Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.
Date Posted: Friday, October 05, 2007