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Press Releases

All press releases are posted as-is from companies and industry professionals. All press releases can be sent to lissa (a) kuriousity.ca. Kuriousity staff reserve the right not to post PR we do not feel is relevant to our site's readers.

PR: Happy 20th Anniversary to Sailor Moon! …

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Happy 20th Anniversary to Sailor Moon! Special Live Event at Nico Nico on July 6th!

TOKYO – June 29, 2012 – Twenty years ago, the legendary smash hit Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon debuted in Japan. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the original Japanese voice actors will once again reunite for an appearance which will be streamed live from Nico Nico. They will recount nostalgic memories, divulge behind-the-scenes secrets, unveil 20th anniversary merchandise, and surprise the fans with an exciting new announcement. In addition, Momoiro Clover Z will join this event at Japan Expo 2012 in Paris, which will be streamed live by satellite.

SAILOR MOON 20TH ANNIVERSARY TALK FEATURING MOMOIRO CLOVER Z

Time: 7:30PM – 8:30PM on Friday, July 6th 2012 (Japan time)(6:30AM-7:30AM on July 6th in EST) Streaming live on Nico Nico (requires registration https://secure.nicovideo.jp/secure/register) http://live.nicovideo.jp/gate/lv97379631

Attendees:

Kotono Mitsuishi (voice actor of Usagi Tsukino/Sailor Moon)
Toru Furuya (voice actor of Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask)
Momoiro Clover Z (live from Paris)
Fumio Osano (editor for Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha)
Naoki Yoshida (Moderator, Nippon housou)

Contents: Conversation with Kotono Mitsuishi and Toru Furuya about “The Hidden Happenings of Sailor Moon”
*Event subject to change. Invitation only.

WHAT IS PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON?

A ditzy – and often times klutzy – 14-year-old crybaby, Usagi Tsukino transforms to Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon when danger strikes, and she and her friends fight as guardians of love and justice. First created as a manga by Naoko Takeuchi, it was then serialized in the girl’s manga magazine, Nakayosi, beginning in February issue of 1992. An anime based on the manga aired on TV Asahi, a nationwide network in Japan, for five years starting in March 1992, and the realm of magical girls has never been the same since. Sailor Moon’s success was due not only to the thousands of young girls who are dedicated fans but also to a broad range of adults who took genuine interest in the story. That’s why Sailor Moon’s famous line, “In the name of the moon, I shall punish you!” has become a phenomenon itself.

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PR: DMP Platinum Brings Tezuka Manga for Kids to Kickstarter with “Unico”

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Friday, June 22, 2012

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Digital Manga, Inc.’s Platinum Manga imprint is returning to Kickstarter to publish the first ever full-color Osamu Tezuka manga in English!

Gardena, CA (June 21st, 2012) — Today Digital Manga, Inc. launched a project on crowd-funding site Kickstarter to translate and publish Unico, the children’s comic by Osamu Tezuka, in English for the first time. Until July 21, fans will be able to buy into the project to receive rewards including copies of the book and exclusive bonuses, such as T-shirts, posters, stickers and a digital companion with educational games and bonus material for young readers and their parents and teachers.

If fans pledge a total of $20,500 or more by the deadline, Unico will be released in a single volume edition in January 2013 through DMI’s Platinum Manga classics imprint. It would be the first manga released in full color in English by Tezuka, an important pioneer of manga and animation in Japan and perhaps the most prolific and acclaimed comics artist of all time. Digital Manga’s previous two successful Kickstarter campaigns were focused on two of Tezuka’s adult works, Swallowing the Earth and Barbara. In a twist, Digital Manga has announced that if the goal is met with sufficient time to spare, another Tezuka children’s license will be made available through Kickstarter immediately.

The book opens in mythological Greece, where Psyche takes care of Unico, and in return he uses his magical powers to bring her happiness. Jealous of Psyche, the goddess Venus orders the West Wind to wipe Unico’s memory and spirit him away where Psyche will never reach him. Unico’s adventures eventually take him to the Wild West, medieval Europe, and even more fantastic locales. Along the way he makes friends and turns back evil with the power of love.

“With Unico losing his memory every time he is transported to a new world, the book is not only a fun adventure for kids, it’s also a moral story, with considered spiritual themes,” said Ben Applegate, editor of the Platinum Manga imprint. “Unico already has a small fanbase in the United States thanks to the animated films, which were first released here in the ’80s and were recently re-released on DVD. However, we’re not just trying to appeal to nostalgic grown-ups like me. We’re doing the book specifically so that parents can read it with their kids. And teachers, too: We think this would make a great addition to primary school libraries and literature curricula.”

The digital companion, available exclusively through the Kickstarter campaign, will also include entertaining explanations of the Greek myths and historical locations used in the book.

The Kickstarter campaign, with promotional materials and a video, can be viewed here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/digitalmanga/publish-osamu-tezukas-unico-in-english-in-full-col

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Digital, DMP, Kickstarter, Osamu Tezuka

PR: Viz Media Debuts New Shojo Manga Series, Jiu Jiu

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, June 20, 2012

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LEAP INTO THE FANTASY AND ROMANTIC INTRIGUE OF A TEENAGE GIRL’S DEEPENING BOND WITH TWO WOLF SHAPESHIFTERS, IN JIU JIU

High School Gets Complicated For A Girl From A Family of Demon Hunters In A New Shojo Series From VIZ Media

San Francisco, CA, June 19, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, unleashes the demon-hunting romantic fantasy of Touya Tobina’s shojo manga series, JIU JIU, on July 3rd. The new series will be published under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Born into a family of “Hunters,” Takamichi’s destiny is to pursue and slay demons. When her twin brother is killed, she is saved from despair by a pair of Jiu Jiu – shape-shifting familiars – in the form of two wolf pups named Snow and Night. Now Takamichi is in high school and an active Hunter. Snow and Night can’t wait to attend school in their human form to “protect” her. But are they ready to go off leash…?

“JIU JIU is an intriguing new series that offers a strong combination of romantic drama, supernatural action, and humor centering on the deepening bonds between a girl and two wolf shapeshifters,” says Annette Roman, Editor. “Growing up in a family of demon hunters isn’t easy. Things become more complicated when the pair of cute wolf pups grow up into her bodyguards, learn to shift into (hot!) human form, and decide to follow their mistress to school. Don’t miss this new rhapsody of swords, fangs and romance from Shojo Beat this summer!”

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Viz Media

PR: Viz Manga Announces Bleach Print Manga Speed-Up!

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, June 19, 2012

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VIZ MANGA ANNOUNCES BLEACH PRINT MANGA ‘SPEED UP’

2 New Volumes Of Hit Action Manga Debut Each Month Thru The End of 2012 To Synchronize Series With Japanese Counterpart

VIZ Media kicks the Soul Reaping drama of BLEACH into high gear as it announces a special speed up of the print editions of Tite Kubo’s hit supernatural action manga (graphic novel) series. Beginning this month and continuing through December 2012, two new BLEACH manga editions will debut every month.

BLEACH is published by VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. The accelerated schedule is designed to synchronize the series with its digital counterpart on VIZManga.com by the end of the year.

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. Find out why Tite Kubo’s BLEACH has become an international manga smash-hit!

Read more…

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Tags: Viz Media

PR: SuBLime Debuts Honey Darling and Three Wolves Mountain

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, June 13, 2012

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GLOBAL YAOI/BOYS’ LOVE MANGA PUBLISHER SuBLime DEBUTS FIRST PRINT RELEASES WITH
HONEY DARLING AND THREE WOLVES MOUNTAIN

Bold Yaoi/Boys’ Love Manga Publisher Releases
Two Acclaimed New Titles This June

San Francisco, CA, June 12, 2012 – SuBLime, the global yaoi manga (graphic novel) publishing initiative between VIZ Media and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate), delivers its first pair of print editions with the worldwide debuts of HONEY DARLING, by Norikazu Akira, and THREE WOLVES MOUNTAIN, by Bohra Naono. Both new manga (graphic novel) are available now, are rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers, and carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

Digital versions are available worldwide in a download-to-own format for $5.99 each from www.SuBLimeManga.com, are viewable as a PDF on any enabled eReader device or computer, and also may be accessed via the online manga viewer found on the web site.

HONEY DARLING by Norikazu Akira  Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers 
MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN  Available Now!
Chihiro drifts through life with no purpose, going from girl to girl, until one day he finds an abandoned kitten in a box. He quickly falls in love with little Shiro and couldn’t imagine his life without her. One evening, Chihiro finds Shiro has fallen ill. While searching aimlessly for an animal hospital, he runs into Kumazawa, a local vet who takes Shiro into his care. Watching Kumazawa in action, Chihiro realizes he wishes to learn the value of life and asks Kumazawa to consider hiring him at the vet clinic. Kumazawa agrees, but only if Chihiro serves as his live-in housekeeper. Has Chihiro finally found his purpose in life, or will living with the handsome vet be a little too much to handle?

Norikazu Akira is also the creator of the manga series Twin’s Labyrinth, Heart Strings, and Beast & Feast.

THREE WOLVES MOUNTAIN by Bohra Naono  Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers  MSRP: $12.99 US / $14.99 CAN  Available Now!
Way up in the mountains, far from any major cities or towns, Kaya Susugi runs a small café by day and guards a haunted cemetery by night. Then, one night, he comes across werewolf brothers Taro and Jiro. Cheerful but klutzy younger brother Jiro quickly falls head over heels for the capable loner Kaya. What results is a dive into the hot, tail-twitching delight of werewolf mating season!

Bohra Naono has created over 20 manga series, some of which have been adapted into drama CDs. She has also published “doujinshi” (independent comics) under the pen name of “NAIFU.” THREE WOLVES MOUNTAIN is Bohra Naono’s second English-language release, with her first being Yokai’s Hunger.

“The summer heats up in a sexy way with our publication of THREE WOLVES MOUNTAIN and HONEY DARLING in June,” says Jennifer LeBlanc, Editor, SuBLime. “THREE WOLVES MOUNTAIN creator Bohra Naono is one of the most requested creators among yaoi fans. In THREE WOLVES MOUNTAIN, readers will learn of all the strange things that go bump in the night at a foreboding cemetery as well as the love that binds two people together – even if one of them is a werewolf! HONEY DARLING is also not to be missed with its heartwarming tale of an unlikely love between a vet and his live-in housekeeper.”

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, SuBLime

PR: Viz Media Debuts New Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Manga Series

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Friday, May 18, 2012

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VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS THE LATEST YU-GI-OH! ADVENTURES WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEW YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL MANGA SERIES IN JUNE

Brand New Action Adventure Series Follows A Young Boy’s Quest To Fulfill His Destiny And Become A Dueling Champion; Vol. 1 First Editions Include Limited Edition YU-GI-OH! Trading Card

San Francisco, CA, May 17, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, notably expands its bestselling YU-GI-OH! manga (graphic novel) brand with the forthcoming release of the newest series in the popular franchise. YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL launches on June 5th under the company’s SHONEN JUMP imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Volume 1 First Editions will also contain a limited edition collectable YU-GI-OH! trading card.

YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL is based on an original concept by Kazuki Takahashi with story by Shin Yoshida and artwork created by Naohito Miyoshi. The new series takes place in a futuristic city where augmented reality Duels are all the rage. Duelists, using devices called D-Gazers, can interact with their environment and their opponents as never before. With more awesome monsters and unbelievable cards, the future of Yu-Gi-Oh! starts right here! No one loves Dueling more than Yuma Tsukumo, but unfortunately for him, no one is worse at it! This isn’t going to stop Yuma from trying though. When Yuma calls on the memory of his parents during the Duel, a strange being called Astral appears, and the encounter is the start of Yuma’s amazing Duel journey!

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Tags: Viz Media

PR: Kodansha Comics Adds Three New Titles to Fall List

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, April 24, 2012

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Kodansha Comics Adds Three New Titles to Fall List: Missions of Love, Battle Angel Alita: Last Order, and Danza

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (April 23, 2012) – Kodansha USA Publishing is excited to announce three new titles set to debut in the final two months of the year. November sees the publication of popular shojo author Ema Toyama’s newest manga, Missions of Love, while December marks the return of Yukito Kishiro’s classic manga, Battle Angel Alita: Last Order, and the debut of fan-favorite author Natsume Ono’s Danza.

Missions of Love was originally published as Watashi ni xx Shinasai! In school, Yukina is a cold and distant girl, while Shigure is the most perfect, good-looking guy. But the two of them have a secret, and their extraordinary “love” is about to start! Yukina, under the pen name ‘Yupina’, is actually a popular cell phone novelist. When she discovers Shigure’s devious womanizing ways, she blackmails him to complete daring ‘Missions of Love’ for her to write about. Will these missions give them an opportunity to fall in love with each other? Author Ema Toyama is well known to American audiences for I Am Here!, which is published by Kodansha Comics, and Pixie Pop.

Battle Angel Alita: Last Order takes readers back to the world of cyborg battles and intrigue made so popular by creator Yukito Kishiro. Alita is a cyborg reborn with no knowledge of her mysterious past. Fighting in the Zenith of Things Tournament is the only way to rescue the brain of her friend, Lou, and the tournament has entered into its final rounds. Will Alita survive to fulfill her quest? Find out in Battle Angel Alita: Last Order, volume 16, the first volume in the series to be published by Kodansha Comics!

Danza is a collection of six short stories that chronicle interpersonal relationships by House of Five Leaves and Ristorante Paradiso author Natsume Ono. In “Rubber Boots,” the death of a business partner brings an estranged father and his adult son back together. The sudden appearance of a mysterious stranger helps a widower father reconnect with his precocious young son in “Memories of the Lake.” A German-American man struggles to bond with his “Diorama”-constructing Japanese father-in-law. A young Italian officer experiences payback of a humorous nature in “The Gelateria and the Carabinieri.” “Smoke” finds a man confronting the older brother he resents when they are both trapped in the rubble of a castle after an earthquake hits. And in “Partners”, a rookie cop in the NYPD starts harboring distrust towards his veteran partner after hearing some unsettling rumors.

Read more…

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Tags: Kodansha Comics, Missions of Love, Negima

PR: Viz Media Announces New Shojo Manga – Strobe Edge & Demon Love

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, April 19, 2012

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VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN PUBLISHING LICENSES FOR NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES STROBE EDGE AND DEMON LOVE SPELL

VIZ Media announces its latest manga (graphic novel) licenses with the acquisition of the domestic publishing rights to two new shojo series – STROBE EDGE, by Io Sakisaka, and DEMON LOVE SPELL, by Mayu Shinjo. Both titles are scheduled to begin publication later this year under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint.

Creator Io Sakisaka’s STROBE EDGE (rated ‘T’ for Teens) asks the timeless question, “What is love?” Ninako Kinoshita’s friends tell her it’s one thing, but Ninako wants to discover this mysterious emotion herself. When she meets Ren Ichinose, a handsome, enigmatic guy worshipped by all the girls at her school, she finds her heartbeat quickening with excitement! Is Ninako about to experience the many facets of love?

Celebrated manga creator Mayu Shinjo (AI ORE!, SENSUAL PHRASE) also returns with her new supernatural romance, DEMON LOVE SPELL (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens). In the series, Miko is a shrine maiden who has never had much success at seeing or banishing spirits. Then she meets Kagura, a sexy demon who feeds off of women’s feelings of passion and love. Kagura’s insatiable appetite has left many girls brokenhearted at school, so Miko casts a spell to seal his powers. Surprisingly the spell works – sort of – but now Kagura is after her!

“STROBE EDGE has been one of the most requested titles that our readers have asked to be licensed, and the romantic coming-of-age story will be a perfect series for young teen readers in particular,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. “Mayu Shinjo’s new series, DEMON LOVE SPELL, will intrigue older teen readers and young adults with its fun mix of comedic supernatural romance and gorgeous artwork. We look forward to launching both series later this year and will be announcing more information on the forthcoming debuts soon!”

For more information on Shojo Beat manga titles, please visit: www.ShojoBeat.com

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Tags: Demon Love Spell, Shoujo, Viz Media

PR: VIZ Media’s Alvin Lu Promoted to Executive Vice President, Publishing!

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, April 17, 2012

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VIZ MEDIA PROMOTES ALVIN LU TO
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLISHING

San Francisco, CA, April 16, 2012 – VIZ Media, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, has promoted Alvin Lu to Executive Vice President of Publishing.

“Compelling content has been driving our business for 25 years,” said Ken Sasaki, President and CEO of VIZ Media. “Alvin always made sure VIZ Media had the best manga titles direct from Japan, and his creative instincts are unparalleled in the industry.”

Alvin Lu, who among other accomplishments has overseen the remarkable growth of VIZ Media’s graphic novel publishing line over the years, will head the publishing team. In his new role, he will focus on maintaining VIZ Media’s position as the leading trade graphic novel publisher in North America and taking the program in bold new directions. Lu began his career at VIZ Media in 2000 as the Editor-in-Chief of the critically renowned PULP magazine and has since worked to serve as one of the main bridges between the North American and Japanese publishing industries during the years of manga’s phenomenal growth. More recently he has led VIZ Media’s charge into original graphic novel content and digital delivery.

“Manga is more than a term that translates as ‘comics from Japan’,” said Lu. “It’s a unique art form with its own grammar, history, and pedigree. Increasingly, it’s become a visual language that can be read by young people around the world and a form for young artists to aspire to. I see VIZ Media as being at the heart of the global migration of the language of manga.”

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PR: Viz Media Recieves Multiple Nominations for Eisner 2012 Awards

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, April 5, 2012

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VIZ MEDIA RECEIVES MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2012 EISNER AWARDS

NAOKI URASAWA’S 20TH CENTURY BOYS and
SATURN APARTMENTS Are Nominated For Annual Comics Industry Publishing Award

San Francisco, CA, April 4, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced that two of its critically acclaimed manga (graphic novel) series have been nominated for the 2012 Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards, as announced by Comic-Con International on April 4, 2012.

The nominations include NAOKI URASAWA’S 20th CENTURY BOYS, by Naoki Urasawa, for Best Continuing Series, and SATURN APARTMENTS, Vols. 3-4, by Hisae Iwaoka, for Best U.S. Edition of International Material. Both titles are published by VIZ Media’s VIZ Signature imprint.

Named for pioneering writer and comic artist Will Eisner, the awards recognize exemplary comics, graphic novels and other pop writings, and are given each year as part of the annual Comic-Con International convention, at which VIZ Media will be a major exhibitor and participant in the programs offered. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 13th during Comic-Con. In 2011, NAOKI URASAWA’S 20th CENTURY BOYS won an Eisner Award in the category of Best U.S. Edition of International Material – Asia.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: 20th Century Boys, Viz Media, Viz Signature