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Posts Tagged Legend of Zelda

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

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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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Perfect Square, Viz Media

Viz Media Bundles Kids’ Comics Under New Imprint, Perfect Square

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, July 18, 2013

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As part of their SDCC presence,Viz Media announced via press release yesterday that they’ve launched a new imprint for their kids’ targeted content – Perfect Square.

Manga series included under Perfect Square include the Legend of Zelda and Pokemon manga series, plus Happy Happy Clover. It also includes western media licenses such as UglyDoll, Ben 10 and Winx Club, and Viz Media’s newly acquired license for Bravest Warriors, which is a very fun series from the creators of Adventure Time. The new imprint already has a website set up at PerfectSquare.com.

The creation of this imprint isn’t likely to really impact Viz Media books as we know them. The majority of each manga series included have already been released under the previous imprint, VizKids. The only thing I see changing is book packaging which will now have the new Perfect Square logo on it. And who wouldn’t want that? It shows such excellent taste in colour choice – Kuriousity-approved! My only worry is that with the Pokemon manga on-going, we’ll suddenly have the collector-dreaded mismatch between spines when/if the books suddenly switch over to the Perfect Square logo mid-release.

Along with a cute logo, I like that Viz is promoting Perfect Square as having books “aimed at kids and “kids at heart.”” As someone who purchases all of their Pokemon manga and Legend of Zelda books, it’s nice to be acknowledged as a reader of comics which are appropriate and fun for all, regardless of age.

Along with the adjustment to their print titles, Viz Media will also soon be launching a smartphone & tablet app dedicated to their Perfect Square series.

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Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Happy Happy Clover, Legend of Zelda, Manga, Pokemon

Otaku USA: On The Shelf – January 30, 2013

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, January 31, 2013

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January’s going out with a bit of a whimper, but still, manga! And a Legend of Zelda book that is a must have for many. You can read about the manga titles out this week over at my On The Shelf article for Otaku USA.

Bloody Monday (Vol.09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
The Limit (Vol.03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]

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Categories: Features, News, On The Shelf, Release Lists
Tags: Dark Horse, Kodansha Comics, Legend of Zelda, Manga, Otaku USA, Vertical Inc, Video Games

PR: Viz Media Has Kids Manga & Anime for Holiday Gifting!

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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VIZ MEDIA FIRES THE IMAGINATIONS OF YOUNGER FANS AND READERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH NEW LEGEND OF ZELDA, MAMESHIBA AND POKÉMON RELEASES

San Francisco, CA, November 16, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has plenty to delight even the youngest manga (graphic novel) and anime fans this holiday season with a variety of new releases from VIZ KIDS to fill young minds with wonder and fire imaginations with fun adventures with characters from POKÉMON, MAMESHIBA and THE LEGEND OF ZELDA.

This year, VIZ Media highlights THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Box Set, which celebrates the series’ 25th Anniversary and bundles all 10 volumes of the fantasy action manga adventure series based on the hit Nintendo video game. MAMESHIBA will delight young readers with adorable characters in a winter-themed story and pop-out play scene. The timeless fun of POKÉMON is also well-represented this holiday season with the DVD release of the latest feature film, POKÉMON – ZOROARK: MASTER OF ILLUSIONS, as well as a POKÉMON DIAMOND AND PEARL ADVENTURE! Manga Box Set, and much, much more!

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Announces The Legend of Zelda Manga Box Set

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, October 27, 2011

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VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE LEGEND OF ZELDA MANGA BOX SET

Just in Time to Celebrate Video Game’s 25th Anniversary, Collection Features Complete Set of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Volumes In A Keepsake Box

San Francisco, CA, October 26, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will delight gamers and manga (graphic novel) fans nationwide with the release of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Box Set, just in time to celebrate the series’ 25th Anniversary. The set, available in stores now, is rated ‘A’ for All Ages, includes all 10 volumes of the fantasy action adventure series as well as a full color poster, and carries an MSRP of $69.99 U.S. / $80.99 CAN.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, and is the best selling role-playing, puzzle-solving, action title for Nintendo video game platforms. More information on the history of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA and its anniversary is available at: www.zelda.com/25th.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA manga series takes place in the mystical land of Hyrule, where three spiritual stones hold the key to the Triforce. Whoever holds them will control the world. A boy named Link sets out on a quest to deliver the Emerald, the spiritual stone of the forest, to Zelda, Princess of the land of Hyrule. The journey will be long and perilous, and Link will need all his skill and courage to defeat evil. The battle for Hyrule and the Sacred Realm has begun!

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Expands Viz Kids With Full Slate of New Acquisitions

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, April 11, 2011

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VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS VIZ KIDS IMPRINTWITH A FULL SLATE OF NEW ACQUISITIONS

New Titles Include Global Blockbuster Franchises MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS, POKÉMON And VOLTRON FORCE, And Rising Stars MAMESHIBA and HERO 108

San Francisco, CA, April 11, 2011 – VIZ Media, the largest distributor of anime and manga in the United States, announced a full slate of acquisitions for its kids imprint, VIZ Kids. The acquisitions include DVD, Download-To-Own, and graphic novel licenses for a wide range of well-established global franchises.

“VIZ Media is excited to expand our kids imprint to include a variety of fun new properties,” said Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director of VIZ Media. “These new titles use strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics and empowering themes to engage a younger generation of fans.”

· HERO 108 – VIZ Kids will be distributing DVDs of this popular series which airs on Cartoon Network. HERO 108 chronicles the battle for peace in the Hidden Kingdom. In addition, VIZ Kids will make the episodes available for download through iTunes. DVDs will be available in May 2011 while downloadable episodes will launch in June 2011.

· MAMESHIBA – The irresistibly cute and irrepressibly curious Mameshiba are not quite beans, not quite dogs–they’re a hybrid of both! VIZ Kids will release a graphic novel, MAMESHIBA: ON THE LOOSE!, and a character guide, MEET MAMESHIBA, in July 2011.

· POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE: VIZ Kids will release manga, a travel activity kit, and other select merchandise based on the most recent incarnation of the juggernaut POKÉMON™ video game franchise, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Meet all-new Pokémon from the fastest-selling Pokémon video games in history. The travel activity kit will be available in May 2011; Volumes 1 and 2 of the manga will be available in July 2011.

· MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS – Mr. Happy, Little Miss Sunshine and all their Dillydale friends are about to take the graphic novel world by storm! Under the VIZ Kids imprint, VIZ Media will create and distribute original graphic novels starring the lovable MR. MEN and LITTLE MISSES. Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. Bump, Mr. Strong and Little Miss Daredevil books will be available in Spring 2012.

· VOLTRON FORCE – Voltron®, the ultimate space adventure from the 1980s, is ready to take the world by storm again! VIZ Kids will produce and distribute original graphic novels based on the all-new animated series VOLTRON FORCEÔ, set to debut on Nicktoons this summer. VOLTRON FORCE reignites the story of five brave space explorers who pilot mighty robot lions that combine to form Voltron, Defender of the Universe. Joining the team are three new cadets, who have the opportunity of a lifetime to fight alongside their heroes and unlock incredible new powers. Let’s Voltron! The books will be available in Spring 2012.

HERO 108, MAMESHIBA, MR. MEN, and VOLTRON FORCE are unique acquisitions because they are properties not owned by any of VIZ Media’s parent companies, Shueisha, Shogakukan and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions. These acquisitions join an already robust manga and anime VIZ Kids library, which includes THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, PANDA MAN, TARO, BEYBLADE and DINOSAUR KING.

For more information on VIZ Kids, visit www.VIZKids.com.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Viz Media

Swag Bag – Vast Volumes of Viz, Swords, Books and Zombies

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, September 10, 2010

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It’s the beginning of the month which means Viz’s new books are out! And wow, what a Viz haul there was to get this week (and I only got about half I think?). Lots of books I can’t wait to read!

From local comic shop Strange Adventures I picked up a handful of new titles out this week. The first title I picked up was the one non-Viz Media title I purchased this week: the third volume of Vertical’s Twin Spica (Vol. 03). The series hasn’t blown me away, mostly because it’s a very subtle sort of story, but it’s so sweet and so charming that I find myself recommending it wholeheartedly to many people. Hopefully volume three won’t break the trend.

Continuing to be the longest running series I’ve collected, Bleach (Vol. 32) was quick to go into my stack. Looks like another roaring battle but I’ve been looking forward to seeing Ichigo and Grimmjow fight, even if means an entire book of no Uryuu (boo!). I also bought Rin-Ne (Vol. 04) after being impressed with the third book following some lacklustre introductory volumes. Still, flipping through this fourth book it’s hard not to feel like I’ve read it a million times before – Rumiko Takahashi is definitely showing you can have too much of a good thing, especially when it’s the same thing again… and again… and again.

The sad purchase of the week was Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass because I believe it’s the last Zelda book Viz will be putting out. It’s a shame because I really, really like them – though I also can’t imagine they’ve been hugely popular and I don’t know if there even is anymore past this. I’m eager to read this one so I can finally learn who this Linebeck character is so many friends have raved about (so far he looks like a skuzzy pirate?). Lastly from that trip I picked up Library Wars (Vol. 02) – hopefully more action, less talk about action! I want to see some sleeves rolled-up and some books being defended.

FedEx had a delivery for me this week as well, delivering a bunch more Viz Media titles to go through with gusto. First was Seiho Boys High School (Vol. 02), which I read straight away after Deb Aoki‘s praise for the series after doing so herself (I was notably underwhelmed by volume one). Well, volume two has definitely ensured I’ll be picking up volume three, I can say that. Huge improvement and hopefully one I’ll get to in a full review later.

Some more volumes of continuing favourites include Cactus Secret (Vol. 03) – a charming little shoujo-comedy, and Stepping on Roses (Vol. 03) which I’m sure will be as much a guilty pleasure as it’s been all along. Continuing with the trend of volume three’s comes the third volume of Yuu Watase’s Arata, which took self-control not to start reading as soon as I opened the package. Why I exercised that self-control, I’m not sure but I’m sure the wait will just make it all the better.

Topping it all off is the beginning of a new series but one of my favourite manga artists, Kaori Yuki – Grand Guignol Orchestra (Vol. 01)

“Lucille and the orchestra encounter a town overrun with the worst kind of audience: the living dead! Well, not really. They’re people who have been turned into doll-like zombies. And they are definitely not a crowd to take lightly. Can a group of roving musicians use their skills to calm the beasts? Or is this curtains for the Grand Orchestra?!”

Lots to look forward to reading – but what to read first? Otherworldly fantasy, musicians battling zombies, librarians weilding guns, a Shinigami battling a giant cat-man or a midget in a green tunic, to ponder a few. Hmm…

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Categories: Features, Swag Bag
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Rumiko Takahashi, Vertical Inc, Viz Media, Yuu Watase

Anime Expo 2010 – Viz Media

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, July 3, 2010

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This afternoon Viz Media had their panel down at Anime Expo. During the panel they confirmed a number of Viz Media titles that’ve popped up on Amazon and retail sites in recent months (such as Genkaku Picasso and Itsuwaribito) and had some new titles for eager ears as well!

You can check out the complete list of titles under the cut:

Read more…

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: Conventions, Kamisama Kiss, Legend of Zelda, Manga, Sakura Hime, Shoujo Beat, Vampire Knight, Viz Media

Review: Legend of Zelda – Oracle of Seasons

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, November 19, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Akira Himekawa
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: All Ages
Release Date: April 2009

Synopsis: “In a small village in Hyrule, a boy called Link has the mark of the Triforce on his left hand. It is a mark of destiny that once again leads Link on a fantastic adventure! Transported to the land of Holodrum, Link meets Din, the Oracle of Seasons. When a plot to steal the seasons from Holodrum unfolds, Link must battle the evil General Onox to save Holodrum and his friends from a terrible fate!”

The Link of this story isn’t as enthusiastic at the prospect of being a hero as those before him – in fact, the last thing he wants to be is a Knight in service to the throne. But, in an effort to find out what it is he really wants to do, he goes along with his Grandfather’s wishes and attends the Knights’ trial. Yet then he accidentally activates a trial of a different kind and is suddenly whisked across the countryside to a land in need of a hero.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Manga, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Delights Younger Readers This Holiday Season

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, November 17, 2009

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PONYO, POKÉMON AND ZELDA DELIGHT YOUNGER READERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IN NEW BOOKS AND MANGA RELEASES FROM VIZ MEDIA

San Francisco, CA, November 16, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will delight younger fans (as well as their parents) this holiday season with a fun variety of age-appropriate titles based on popular anime and manga (graphic novel) properties.

The releases include a trio of books capturing the unique art and tender story of PONYO, the new animated film from the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. Fans of POKÉMON won’t be disappointed with a variety of the latest manga editions along with puzzle books and a new posterzine, and THE LEGEND OF ZELDA fans can also look forward to a brand new manga adventure.

“These are all titles that parents can select with confidence for younger readers,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra Vice President, Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media “From the gorgeously illustrated PONYO FILM COMIC and PICTURE BOOK, to the fun puzzles of LET’S FIND POKÉMON and the magical fantasy of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, there are plenty of thoughtful selections to delight anyone on your holiday gift lists this year!”

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Viz Media