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Author Archive for Lissa Pattillo

PR: Viz Media Announces A Manga Acquisition Double Shot with New Shojo Series, Bloody Mary and Honey So Sweet

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, March 6, 2015

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES A MANGA ACQUISITION DOUBLE SHOT WITH NEW SHOJO SERIES BLOODY MARY AND HONEY SO SWEET

A Heretical Supernatural Murder Pact Between Vampire and Exorcist In BLOODY MARY And An Adorable High School Romance Where A Girl Decides Whether A Tough Guy’s Love Is For Real In HONEY SO SWEET

San Francisco, CA, March 5, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces the acquisition of two new shojo manga (graphic novel) series – BLOODY MARY, by Akaza Samamiya, and HONEY SO SWEET, by Amu Meguro.

Both titles will be published in English under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint. They will also be available digitally via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from select VIZ Media content partners’ proprietary digital platforms. BLOODY MARY will launch in December; HONEY SO SWEET is scheduled to debut in January 2016.

Creator Akaza Samamiya’s BLOODY MARY is a heart-pounding tale of an unorthodox allegiance between a vampire and an exorcist who is thought to have inherited the power the kill vampires. The Shojo Beat imprint will release new volumes of the ongoing series quarterly.

HONEY SO SWEET is by new manga artist Amu Meguro, and is currently featured in Japan in the iconic shojo magazine, Bessatsu Margaret. Featuring whimsical artwork and an ensemble cast, HONEY SO SWEET offers a heartwarming story about love that begins out of an act of kindness. The ongoing series will be released quarterly.

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Tags: Bloody Mary, Honey So Sweet, Shojo Beat, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Launches the Dark Fantasy Manga Series, Requiem of the Rose King

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, February 27, 2015

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VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES THE DARK FANTASY MANGA SERIES REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING

New Series By The Creator Of OTOMEN Set In Medieval England Is Based On Shakespeare’s Political Drama Richard III

San Francisco, CA, February 26, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga (graphic novels) and anime in North America, delivers an engrossing new series from one of the most exciting voices in contemporary manga with the launch of REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING on March 10th.

Inspired by an early draft of William Shakespeare’s Richard III, one of literature’s most famous and polarizing political dramas, REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING was created by Aya Kanno, widely known for her previous manga series BLANK SLATE and OTOMEN (both published by VIZ Media). REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Future volumes of the continuing series are scheduled to be published domestically twice a year.

In the series, Richard, the ambitious third son of the House of York, is a tortured soul who believes he is damned from birth to eternal darkness. But is it truly fate that sets him on the path to personal destruction? Or his own tormented longings? Aya Kanno’s dark fantasy finds the man who could be king standing between worlds, between classes, between good and evil.

In the opening volume, set in medieval England during the age of the Wars of the Roses, a fierce battle rages between the House of York and the House of Lancaster. Young Richard of the House of York is determined that his family will ascend the throne…but he’s hiding a secret that could destroy everything he desires.

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Tags: Aya Kanno, Requiem of the Rose King, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Acquires Publishing Rights for New Shonen Jump Manga Series, My Hero Academia

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, February 19, 2015

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VIZ MEDIA ACQUIRES PUBLISHING RIGHTS FOR NEW SHONEN JUMP MANGA SERIES MY HERO ACADEMIA

New Action Title From The Pages Of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Magazine About An Aspiring Teen’s Quest To Become A Superhero Launches In Print And Digitally This Summer

San Francisco, CA, February 19, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced the acquisition of its newest title with the addition of MY HERO ACADEMIA to its extensive manga publishing catalog.

MY HERO ACADEMIA is a new breakout hit by Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of BARRAGE (also published by VIZ Media). His new series is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will launch in North America in August in print and also digitally across all territories serviced by VIZManga.com and the VIZ MANGA App. The title also will be available internationally from select VIZ Media content partners’ proprietary digital platforms.

MY HERO ACADEMIA is presently serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, which is published in Japan by VIZ Media parent company, Shueisha, Inc. The ongoing series also appears in the latest digital English editions of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP, which is published by VIZ Media on the same day as the Japanese counterpart with simultaneous, multi-territory global release. Current issues are available at www.shonenjump.com.

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested extraordinary superpowers called “Quirks” at age four? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Becoming a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? U.A. High’s Hero Program of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?
Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn’t got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all gives him a chance to change his destiny…

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Tags: My Hero Academia, Shonen Jump, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Announces Acquisition of ULTRAMAN Manga Series

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, February 18, 2015

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VIZ MEDIA ACQUIRES ULTRAMAN MANGA SERIES

Japan’s Most Famous Superhero Returns In A Sleek New Original Manga Series Inspired By The Classic Japanese Sci-Fi Action TV Show And Updated For A New Generation Of Fans

San Francisco, CA, February 18, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, brings the action-filled adventures of one of Japan’s greatest superheroes to English readers later this summer as it announces the acquisition of the ULTRAMAN manga (graphic novel) series.

ULTRAMAN depicts a new story inspired by the original classic Japanese superhero TV show that ran in the late 1960s. The ULTRAMAN manga series was created by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi and launches in print on August 18th under the VIZ Signature imprint. In Japan, the series currently appears in Hero’s magazine.

Decades ago, a being known as the Giant of Light joined Shin Hayata of the Scientific Special Search Party to save Earth from an invasion of terrifying monsters known as Kaiju. Now, many years later, those dark days are fading into memory, and the world is at peace. But in the shadows a new threat is growing, a danger that can only be faced by a new kind of hero – a new kind of ULTRAMAN… Shinjiro is an ordinary teenager, but his father is the legendary Shin Hayata. When he learns that his father passed on the “Ultraman Factor” to him, and that he possesses incredible powers, nothing will ever be the same again.

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Tags: Ultraman, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Announces the Print Debut of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure – Part 1, Phantom Blood

By Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, February 15, 2015

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VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE PRINT DEBUT OF JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 1 – PHANTOM BLOOD

Classic, Fan-Favorite Shonen Jump Series Makes Its Epic English-Language Debut! Digital Edition Also Available!

San Francisco, CA, February 4, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, launches the acclaimed multi-generational paranormal action adventure manga (graphic novel) series, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE, with the print debut of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 1 – PHANTOM BLOOD, Vol. 1 on February 24th.

Released in print in English for the very first time, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 1 – PHANTOM BLOOD will be published under VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump Advanced imprint in a deluxe hardcover edition featuring color pages and fresh cover art. The series is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN. JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE PART 2 – BATTLE TENDENCY is scheduled to debut in the Fall 2015.

A digital version of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 1 – PHANTOM BLOOD Vols. 1-3 is available now for $10.99 each (US/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 is be similarly available on digital storefronts for the Kindle, iBooks, GooglePlay, Kobo, ComiXology, and Nook.

In the series’ opening volume, young Jonathan Joestar’s life is forever changed when he meets his new adopted brother, Dio. For some reason, Dio has a smoldering grudge against him and derives pleasure from seeing him suffer. But every man has his limits, as Dio finds out. This is the beginning of a long and hateful relationship!

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Tags: jojo's bizarre adventures, Viz Media

PR: New POKEMON Feature Film Debuts on DVD and as Manga Adaptation In February!

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, January 27, 2015

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VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES HOME MEDIA AND MANGA RELEASES FOR POKÉMON THE MOVIE: DIANCIE AND THE COCOON OF DESTRUCTION

When Destruction Arises, Can Life Prevail? Fans Of All Ages Can Discover Exciting New Adventures In The Official DVD And Manga Editions For The Newest POKÉMON Feature Film

San Francisco, CA, January 27, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, announces new releases in support of POKÉMON THE MOVIE: DIANCIE AND THE COCOON OF DESTRUCTION, the first feature film of the new POKÉMON XY property.

Set for publication under the company’s Perfect Square imprint, the official manga adaptation of POKÉMON THE MOVIE: DIANCIE AND THE COCOON OF DESTRUCTION is set to debut in-print on February 3rd. VIZ Media also launches the official home media release of POKÉMON THE MOVIE: DIANCIE AND THE COCOON OF DESTRUCTION on DVD on February 17th.

The DVD edition of POKÉMON THE MOVIE: DIANCIE AND THE COCOON OF DESTRUCTION is rated ‘TV-Y7,’ for viewers ages 7 and older, and will carry an MSRP of $19.97 U.S. / $24.98 CAN. The official manga edition is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

In the underground Diamond Domain, where many Carbink live, the Mythical Pokémon Diancie serves as Princess. The Heart Diamond that sustains the land is beginning to fall apart, and Diancie is not yet strong enough to create a new one. Can Ash and his friends help Diancie discover its true power and save the Diamond Domain?!

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Tags: Pokemon, Viz Media

PR: Perfect Square Acquires THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST Graphic Novel for May Release

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, January 27, 2015

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VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT ANNOUNCES RETURN OF THE LEGEND OF ZELDA™:
A LINK TO THE PAST™ GRAPHIC NOVEL BY SHOTARO ISHINOMORI

Long Out-Of-Print Famed Comic Based On The Nintendo Video Game Returns This May

San Francisco, CA, January 26, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, is proud to announce the return of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST for the first time in more than two decades. The celebrated full-color graphic novel adaptation of the classic Nintendo game returns in a special single-volume edition scheduled for May release under the company’s Perfect Square imprint.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST is a unique adaptation of the internationally bestselling video game originally released for Nintendo’s Super Nintendo Entertainment System™. This comic book version by manga and anime legend Shotaro Ishinomori (Cyborg 009, Kamen Rider) was first serialized in Nintendo Power™ magazine and later collected into a graphic novel in 1993. Long out of print, this stunning, full-color graphic novel is now available once again for the first time in more than twenty years!

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Tags: Legend of Zelda, Perfect Square, Viz Media

PR: Catch a Manga Triple Threat on February 3rd With The New YU-GI-OH! 3-in-1 Omnibus!

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, January 13, 2015

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VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS A MANGA TRIPLE THREAT WITH THE LAUNCH OF YU-GI-OH!
3-IN-1 OMNIBUS SERIES

Catch 3 Complete Volumes Of Creator Kazuki Takahashi’s Original Bestselling Fantasy Action Manga Series In New Omnibus Format

San Francisco, CA, January 13, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, triples its dueling power as it announces the launch of Kazuki Takahashi’s YU-GI-OH! manga series in a new 3-in-1 omnibus on February 3rd.

Published under the Shonen Jump imprint, YU-GI-OH! 3-in-1, Vol. 1 is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. It is the latest title to join VIZ Media’s extensive roster of 3-in-1 omnibus releases for some of manga’s greatest series. Future YU-GI-OH! 3-in-1 editions will cover the entire 38-volume series and will be published quarterly for a total of 13 volumes.

Tenth-grader Yugi always had his head in some game – until he solved the Millennium Puzzle, an Egyptian artifact containing the spirit of a master gambler from the age of the pharaohs! Possessed by the puzzle, Yugi becomes Yu-Gi-Oh, the King of Games, and challenges evildoers to the Shadow Games…weird games with high stakes and high risks!

The games begin in the opening YU-GI-OH! omnibus volume! Meet Seto Kaiba, master of the world’s most dangerous collectible card game. When Kaiba discovers that Yugi’s grandfather owns the incredibly rare “Blue-Eyes White Dragon” card, he will stop at nothing to get it…even if he has to duel with Yugi’s dark alter ego Yu-Gi-Oh! Then, out of the sands of Egypt, the mystic Shadi has come to test Yugi’s powers, which will give Yugi his greatest challenge yet. If he loses, his best friends will die!

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Tags: Omnibus, Viz Media, Yu-Gi-Oh

PR: An Unlucky Girl May Finally Be Lucky in Love in METEOR PRINCE, New Manga Available Now!

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, January 8, 2015

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VIZ MEDIA OPENS 2015 WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES METEOR PRINCE

An Unlucky Girl Experiences A Reversal Of Fortune When She Encounters A Handsome Alien Prince Who Only Has Eyes For Her

San Francisco, CA, January 7, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, kicks off 2015 with the launch of the new shojo manga (graphic novel) series – METEOR PRINCE – available now.

This romantic comedy about a princely alien that meets his match in a human girl was created by Meca Tanaka. The series is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will be offered in print under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint and digitally via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. The concluding edition of this 2-volume series will be released in the spring.

In METEOR PRINCE, strange accidents always seem to happen around Hako Natsuno – so much so that she’s been dubbed the “Queen of Bad Luck.” It’s hardly surprising then that a naked alien prince falls from the sky to tell her that out of all the girls in the universe, he’s come to Earth to mate with her. Does this mean Hako’s luck has changed, or…?

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Tags: Meteor Prince, Shojo Beat, Viz Media

PR: VIZ Media Opens 2015 With Launch Of JACO THE GALACTIC PATROLMAN Manga

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, December 19, 2014

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VIZ MEDIA OPENS 2015 WITH THE RELEASE OF AKIRA TORIYAMA’S MANGA COMEDY
JACO THE GALACTIC PATROLMAN

From The Creator Of DRAGON BALL This Hilarious Manga About An Unlikely Friendship Between A Clumsy Interstellar Cop And A Hermit Scientist Debuts In Print And Digital!

San Francisco, CA, December 17, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, prepares to thrill manga (graphic novel) readers and fans of legendary creator Akira Toriyama with the launch of JACO THE GALACTIC PATROLMAN in print and digital on January 6th.

The complete-in-one-volume interstellar comedy will be published under the company’s Shonen Jump imprint. JACO THE GALACTIC PATROLMAN is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

A digital version of JACO THE GALACTIC PATROLMAN also debuts on January 6th for $6.99 (USD/CAN) from VIZManga.com and through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones. The digital volume of JACO THE GALACTIC PATROLMAN can also be purchased through the Nook, Kobo, ComiXology, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay stores.

Manga legend and creator of DRAGON BALL Z, Akira Toriyama, is back with the quirky comedy JACO THE GALACTIC PATROLMAN! Retired scientist Omori lives alone on a deserted island while continuing his research into time-travel. His quiet life is interrupted when galactic patrolman Jaco crash-lands and decides to move in with him. This agent from space claims to be elite, but sometimes it can be a little hard to believe. Can Jaco get along with the old man long enough to save the earth from a dangerous threat?

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Akira Toriyama, Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, Viz Media