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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: Viz Media Launches Perfect Square Kids Imprint

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, July 18, 2013

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VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING INITIATIVE WITH NEW PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT

New Brand Delivers “Squarely Perfect Storytelling” And Will Launch BRAVEST WARRIORS Books And Be New Home Of Popular Kids Comics and Manga Titles

San Francisco, CA, July 17, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, has launched a brand new comprehensive publishing imprint aimed at kids and “kids at heart.”

The Perfect Square imprint was unveiled at the recent 2013 Comic-Con International and will be focused on delivering 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.

Among the original publishing projects Perfect Square plans to debut in 2014 will be books based on BRAVEST WARRIORS, the popular animated science fiction/action/adventure series created by Pendleton Ward (creator of Adventure Time) and produced by Frederator Studios. The animated comedy set in the far future follows the adventures of four teenaged heroes-for-hire as they warp through the universe to save adorable aliens using the power of their emotions. Since its debut November 2012, the Shorty Award-winning Bravest Warriors season 1 has averaged more than 1.5 million views per episode on Frederator’s innovative YouTube-funded channel Cartoon Hangover. Season 2 of Bravest Warriors will debut in fall 2013, and is heralded by five one-minute mini-sodes beginning in August.

“Frederator is honored to have VIZ Media join our team of Cartoon Hangover licensees and help BRAVEST WARRIORS leap from the digital world into the physical one with the new titles from Perfect Square,” says Fred Seibert, CEO and Executive Producer, Frederator Studios.

The Perfect Square imprint will also offer a wide range of original graphic novel series including HELLO KITTY®, MAX STEEL, BEN 10: OMNIVERSE, UGLYDOLLS, MONSUNO: COMBAT CHAOS, MAMESHIBA and MR. MEN LITTLE MISS™. Popular manga titles published by the VIZ Kids imprint, including POKÉMON and THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, round out the catalog. A digital component for the new imprint has also been announced with the launch of the Perfect Square App, which has titles available for the Apple iPad® and iPad® Mini.

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PR: Seven Seas Launches on Air, Land and Sea

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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LOS ANGELES, July 15, 2013 – Seven Seas Entertainment is delighted to announce a trio of military-themed manga series, each focusing on a different aspect of combat. The three licenses are Strike Witches, which zeroes in on aerial dogfights, Girls und Panzer which targets terrestrial tank battles, and Arpeggio of Blue Steel, which spotlights submarine and battleship duels. All three action-packed series are slated for publication in 2014.

Strike Witches (story by Shimade Fumikane, art by Tanaka Yuuki)

Strike Witches reimagines World War II as a confrontation between allied human forces and invading aliens, pitting super-powered human girls against alien aircraft. Strike Witches combines the popular “dieselpunk” genre with moe-styled characters.

Strike Witches has become a massive franchise, spanning novels, manga, video games, anime and other merchandising. The franchise has received two anime seasons, along with a movie that premiered in Japan last year. North American anime distributor FUNimation has released both seasons on home-video.

Strike Witches: Maidens in the Sky Vol. 1 will be released in February 2014. Volume 2 will follow in April 2014, and further related titles in the Strike Witches franchise will be released in summer and fall.

Girls und Panzer (story by Seisaku Iinkai, art by Saitaniya Ryouichi)

Girls und Panzer is part military tactics, part cute-girls-doing-cute-things…in tanks! Girls und Panzer brings an immensely entertaining experience to readers, juxtaposing an all-girls academy with a military backdrop.

Girls und Panzer has been adapted into an anime, which aired last fall in Japan and is currently streaming on Crunchyroll. In addition, Sentai Filmworks licensed the anime and will release it on home-video later this year. The anime has also spawned a theatrical animated film, which is set to debut in 2014.

Seven Seas will publish the first volume of the Girls und Panzer manga series in June 2014, with volume two to follow in September 2014.

In Fall, 2014, Seven Seas will launch the series prequel Girls und Panzer: Little Army.

Arpeggio of Blue Steel (story & art by Ark Performance)

Arpeggio of Blue Steel is set in the near-future, where humans must wage a war of survival against a mysterious invading force whose battleships are sentient girls. Humanity’s only hope is to launch its own sentient superweapon: a girl able to transform into a deadly submarine.

Arpeggio of Blue Steel, known in Japan as Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio, has recently received an anime adaptation, which is currently in production from renowned animation-studio SANZIGEN.

Arpeggio of Blue Steel is a beautiful, yet stark manga that displays humanity’s courage against overwhelming odds, and is sure to appeal to fans of Attack on Titan.

Volume 1 of Arpeggio of Blue Steel will be released in July 2014 and volume 2 will follow in October 2014.

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Tags: Seven Seas

PR: SuBLime Debuts Three New Yaoi Series

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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GLOBAL YAOI MANGA PUBLISHER SuBLime DELIVERS STEAMY SUMMER LOVIN’ WITH THE LAUNCH OF THREE NEW SERIES, SLEEPING MOON, FALSE MEMORIES, AND HIDE AND SEEK

Time Travel, Unexpected Reunions And Romantic Trysts Heat Up Summertime Reading

San Francisco, CA, July 15, 2013 – SuBLime, the global yaoi manga (graphic novel) publishing initiative between VIZ Media and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate), heats up summer reading for yaoi fans with the North American debut of creator Kano Miyamoto’s SLEEPING MOON, Isaku Natsume’s FALSE MEMORIES, and Yaya Sakuragi’s HIDE AND SEEK; all three available at retailers now. Each series is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers and carries an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

A digital version of FALSE MEMORIES will also be available for an MSRP of $5.99 U.S. / CAN each and will offer fans digital access to the debut volume in two ways on SuBLimeManga.com – a DRM-free downloadable PDF that is viewable on any enabled eReader device and computer, as well as via the online manga viewer found on the web site.

In Kano Miyamoto’s SLEEPING MOON, in order to solve the mystery of a rumored curse that brings early death to the male descendants in his lineage, Akihiko Odagawa goes back to stay in his family’s ancestral home. One night, he experiences a time slip that lands him 100 years in the past! There he meets Eitaro, a student from the Meiji Period who is also trying to solve the same mystery. Bridging the gap between the past and the present, the two men traverse time and space as they work together to unravel the family’s secret.

SLEEPING MOON creator Kano Miyamoto has developed over a dozen yaoi manga series, several of which have been published internationally. Her previous English language releases also include Say Please, Two of Hearts, and Lovers and Souls. She has also published over two dozen independent comics (doujinshi) under the penname “Curve.”

Creator Isaku Natsume’s FALSE MEMORIES offers a romantic story of a long lost high school romance that is rekindled. Although they were once best friends in high school, Nakano and Tsuda haven’t talked in ten years, which may have a little something to do with the fact that not only were they more than best friends, but also that Tsuda broke Nakano’s heart, leaving him to pick up the pieces. Now that they’ve been thrown back together thanks to a work project, Nakano is determined to put the past behind him, and both men decide to keep their relationship strictly professional. The question is, can they?

Manga artist Isaku Natsume’s previous works include DEVIL’S HONEY, also available from SuBLime, as well as Dash!, Tight Rope, and her debut title, No Color. She has also published several doujinshi (independent comics) titles under the circle names “139” and “Cheke-rara.”

Manga creator Yaya Sakuragi’s HIDE AND SEEK is a spinoff of the popular SuBLime yaoi series, BOND OF DREAMS, BOND OF LOVE. In this story, Shuji, a divorced single dad running a modest corner shop, has an easy-going attitude and an eye out for anything to break the boredom of his days. So when Saji, the serious, reserved pediatrician who’s been coming into his store, suddenly declares that he’s gay and wants to take Shuji home, Shuji goes along with it out of simple curiosity. He thought they’d just mess around, have some fun, and that would be that. But he gets a lot more than he bargained for in this story of opposites in love!

Yaya Sakuragi’s previous English-language yaoi releases include Tea For Two, Hey, Sensei?, and Stay Close to Me, in addition to BOND OF DREAMS, BOND OF LOVE.

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

PR: Viz Media Debuts Weekly Shonen Jump in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, July 10, 2013

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VIZ MEDIA DEBUTS WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP IN THE U.K., IRELAND, SOUTH AFRICA, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

The Home Of NARUTO, ONE PIECE, BLEACH And More Expands Global Audience For Acclaimed Weekly Digital Manga Magazine Featuring The Latest Chapters Released The Same Day As Japan Starting This Month!

San Francisco, CA, July 8, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, significantly expands the global English audience for WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP as it debuts the innovative digital manga (graphic novel) magazine in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa starting on July 4th. WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is VIZ Media’s weekly digital serial anthology that features the latest chapters from a variety of popular manga (graphic novel) series on the same day they appear in the Japanese Weekly Shonen Jump magazine.

Issues in the new territories will be available every Monday at 10 am Pacific Standard Time through the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Newsstand App available for the Apple iPad®, iPhone and iPod touch. WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP currently features the latest installments of some of the world’s most popular manga series including ONE PIECE, NARUTO, NISEKOI, BLEACH, TORIKO, WORLD TRIGGER and coming soon, JACO THE GALACTIC PATROLMAN by Akira Toriyama, released each week to English readers on the same day as their general release in Japan. 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 ONE-PUNCH MAN as well as a new color version of DRAGON BALL.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP International Subscription Pricing:

o UK – £1.99 / month
o Ireland – 2,69 € / month
o Australia – $2.99 (AUD) / month
o New Zealand – $4.19 (NZD) / month
o South Africa – R24.99 / month

“The launch of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP in these new territories is an important milestone for international manga publishing, and will give English reading fans in these countries access to the same award winning content contained the Japanese edition appearing on newsstands the same day,” says Andy Nakatani, Editor-in-Chief. “VIZ Media is committed to the global growth of the Shonen Jump brand and to utilizing digital technology and innovation to deliver manga content in the best possible way to readers everywhere. We look forward international fans joining the global WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP movement!”

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Tags: Shonen Jump, Viz Media

PR: Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Releases Authoritative Manga Guide for Librarians and Educators with Dark Horse!

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, June 26, 2013

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JUNE 26 (New York, NY)— This summer, Dark Horse is proud to publish CBLDF Presents Manga: Introduction, Challenges, and Best Practices, an authoritative yet accessible handbook designed to help librarians, educators, and parents navigate the vast and popular field of manga. Prepared by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the freedom to read, CBLDF Presents Manga provides what you really need to know about manga from those who really know it! The book will premiere at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, June 27–July 2, and at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, July 4–7.

Made possible with a grant from the Gaiman Foundation, CBLDF Presents Manga is a handbook designed to provide a concise and informed overview of manga—its history, genres, and issues. This educational work delves into the history of manga, its major demographic divisions, its most significant creators, and the challenges it has sometimes faced in North America.

What sets this book apart from other manga guides is its expert panel of writers, including not only scholars of the medium but veterans of the manga industry itself—professionals who have worked from both the North American and Japanese sides of manga in publishing, editing, review, and library services. Edited by Melinda Beasi of Manga Bookshelf, CBLDF Presents Manga is written by Manga Bookshelf columnist Sean Gaffney, Ed Chavez of Vertical, Erica Friedman of Yuricon and ALC Publishing, Shaenon Garrity of Viz Media and Otaku USA, and Robin Brenner and Katherine Dacey of School Library Journal.

CBLDF Presents Manga is an insider’s view on this dynamic and influential field and promises to be an essential resource for years to come!

CBLDF Presents Manga: Introduction, Challenges, and Best Practices is on sale in comic shops everywhere December 4.

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Tags: CBLDF, Dark Horse, Manga

PR: Viz Media Releases the Samurai Manga Action of Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Friday, June 7, 2013

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VIZ MEDIA RELEASES THE SAMURAI MANGA ACTION OF RUROUNI KENSHIN: RESTORATION

RUROUNI KENSHIN Creator Nobuhiro Watsuki Offers A Twist On His Original Smash Hit Samurai Story in a New Manga

San Francisco, CA, June 7, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, celebrates the return of one of manga’s most iconic samurai – Rurouni Kenshin – with the release of RUROUNI KENSHIN: RESTORATION. This new series is published under the Shonen Jump imprint, rated ‘T’ for Teens, and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. A digital edition is also available on VIZ Manga and the VIZ Manga App for $4.99 (U.S. / CAN).

Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of the original RUROUNI KENSHIN series (also published by VIZ Media in North America; rated ‘T’ for Teens) revisits his classic manga story. Action, romance, and historical intrigue abound in RUROUNI KENSHIN: RESTORATION, a tale of a wandering swordsman during Japan’s chaotic Meiji Restoration.

During the violent upheaval of the Bakumatsu era (1853-1868), Hitokiri Battosai was a feared and ruthless assassin. But now that the Meiji Restoration has begun to heal the wounds of civil war, Battosai has taken up a new name and calling! He is now Rurouni Kenshin, a ronin (masterless) wanderer who has vowed only to draw his sword to protect those in need. But not everyone is pleased with Kenshin’s new direction, and enemies from his dark past have vowed to bring him down!

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Rurouni Kenshin, Shonen Jump, Viz Media

PR: …SuBLime Launches The New Series Blue Morning

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Friday, May 17, 2013

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GLOBAL YAOI MANGA PUBLISHER SuBLime LAUNCHES THE NEW SERIES BLUE MORNING

Courtly Intrigue Between A Noble Family’s Capable Butler And His Young Charge Offers A Tender Story Of The Conflict Between What Duty Demands And What The Heart Desires

San Francisco, CA, May 16, 2013 – SuBLime, the global yaoi manga (graphic novel) publishing initiative between VIZ Media and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate), delivers an intriguing new series about aristocratic drama and the intricate relationship between the loyal butler of a noble family and a young heir he is duty-bounty to look after in the print debut of BLUE MORNING, by creator Shoko Hidaka. The new manga (graphic novel) series launched on May 14th, is rated M’ for Mature Audiences, and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

At only ten years of age, Akihito Kuze suddenly inherits the Kuze viscountship after his father’s death. The family’s capable butler, Tomoyuki Katsuragi, takes over the task of raising the boy, serving as his tutor and mentor. However, the handsome and intelligent Katsuragi, well respected even among the aristocracy, remains cool towards his charge. Akihito finds himself relentlessly drawn to Katsuragi, frustrated by the distance between them and driven to discover the reasons why.

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

PR: VIZ Media Celebrates 2013 Free Comic Book Day This Saturday May 4th

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, May 2, 2013

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VIZ MEDIA TO PARTICIPATE IN 2013 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY WITH 2 FREE COMICS SHOWCASING TOP KIDS AND TEEN SERIES

Readers Encouraged To Support & Visit Local Retailers To Receive Special Giveaway Comics Featuring UGLYDOLL, HELLO KITTY, DRAGON BALL And RUROUNI KENSHIN: RESTORATION

VIZ Media delights comic book and manga (graphic novel) fans as it announces its participation in this year’s Free Comic Book Day. Scheduled for May 4^th, Free Comic Book Day is an annual promotional campaign in the North American comic book industry to help bring new readers into independent comic book stores nationwide. Free Comic Book Day began in 2002 and is coordinated by the industry’s single largest distributor, Diamond Comic Distributors. Readers should visit freecomicbookday.com to find a local participating retailer. VIZ Media will participate this year as a Gold Level Sponsor and will offer two FREE releases (available while supplies last) – a VIZ Kids comic sampler and a VIZ Media manga sampler.

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Tags: Rurouni Kenshin, Viz Media

PR: Real Contemporary GEKIGA Collection Published in the US!

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, May 1, 2013

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GEN Manga Announces the Release of Alive Collection 1

Alive will be available nationwide April 2013!

New York, NY – GEN Manga Entertainment, Inc. announces the release of Alive. (Alive, 284 pages, black and white, US 2.99) will be available April 2013.

Alive: Seemingly mundane events twist with an unusual presence of the unreal as the psyche of ordinary people is explored. Characters struggle to connect with one another but never quite succeed. They are essentially alone. A world that is dark and disturbing—suicide is contemplated and feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and suppressed sexuality surface as identity itself becomes a terribly fragile thing.

GEN Manga and Diamond Comics sign exclusive deal:

GEN Manga Entertainment has signed exclusive distribution agreements with Diamond Comic Distributors and its sister company Diamond Book Distributors to be the sole worldwide distributor for English language sales into comic book specialty stores, book stores, and hobby and gaming stores.

GEN Manga is known as, “America’s #1 source for original underground Japanese manga!” The stories are created by elusive doujin creators in Japan’s secret underground circles and published by nobody else in the world. Some of the GEN Manga titles includeWOLF; VS. ALIENS; KAMEN; SOULS; SORAKO, ALIVE; GOOD-BYE GEIST; LET’S EAT RAMEN;ANOMAL; STONES OF POWER; ONE IS ENOUGH; and ANDROID ANGELS.

GEN Manga continues exciting new indie Korean manhwa collection:

Stone Collector: Pieces of curse fall from the sky as if to mock the cruelty and evil of humanity. These stones create wretched beasts and the blood of these beasts turn human flesh into the undead. There is only one thing that can destroy these hellish fiends—Jade Stone. This is the story of a Stone Collector. One who wields Jade forged blades. A man whose family was murdered by these evil abominations and he has now vowed to rid the world of the foul presence. —Author: Kevin Han —Artist: Zom-J

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Tags: GEN Manga, Manga

PR: Official Tie-In Manga to Smash Hit TIGER & BUNNY Now Available!

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Friday, April 12, 2013

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VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES TIGER & BUNNY MANGA SERIES—OFFICIAL TIE-IN TO SMASH HIT ANIME

Action-Packed Series Features Corporate Superheroes And An Unlikely Friendship Between A Washed-Up Veteran Crime Fighter And A Rookie With An Attitude

San Francisco, CA, April 11, 2013 – What would a future look like where corporate-sponsored superheroes battle evil – and often each other – for reality TV ratings? Find out in the TIGER & BUNNY manga (graphic novel), now available from VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America. The new series, published under the VIZ Media imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Volume 1 also features 4 pages of additional full-color character art.

The TIGER & BUNNY manga features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the smash hit animated series, created by the famed Tokyo-based anime studio Sunrise, that has thrilled legions of fans across North America on VIZ Media’s Neon Alley, VIZAnime, and Hulu. The 26-episode anime sci-fi/action adventure notably features character and hero designs conceived by Masakazu Katsura (VIDEO GIRL AI and I”S; both available from VIZ Media) that are also carried over to the new manga property.

The TIGER & BUNNY manga series introduces readers to super-powered humans, known as NEXT, that appeared in the world 45 years ago. Some of them fight crime in the city of Stern Bild while promoting their corporate sponsors on the hit show HERO TV. The people love their superheroes, even if they don’t completely understand them, and not all of the NEXT use their powers for good. Veteran hero Wild Tiger has years of experience fighting crime, but his ratings have been slipping. Under orders from his new employer, Wild Tiger finds himself forced to team up with Barnaby Brooks Jr., a rookie with an attitude. Overcoming their differences will be at least as difficult for this mismatched duo as taking down super-powered bad guys!

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Tiger & Bunny, Viz Media