Vampires, Soul Reapers, Ninja, Mangaka, and Romance Heat Up the Summer Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will delight anime fans with several exciting new DVD and manga releases scheduled for the summer. Anime titles are scheduled to include the North American debut of VAMPIRE KNIGHT, as well as the latest episodic releases of the popular BLEACH and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series and a new POKÉMON collection. This summer also sees the launch of brand new manga series set to tantalize the most discriminating manga tastes and features romantic dramas, fantasy driven action, the trials of aspiring manga creators, and a tasty slice of life story set in a romantic bistro in Rome. For more information on other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit VIZAnime.com.
Anime
VAMPIRE KNIGHT Volume 1 Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens MSRP: $19.97 US / $28.99 CAN Available Now At the prestigious Cross Academy, there are two sessions of classes, the Day Class and the Night Class. As the school`s Disciplinary Committee, Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu keep watch over the Day Class students, who are all infatuated with the beautiful and elite Night Class students. As Guardians, Yuki and Zero must also protect the secret of the Night Class – they are all vampires! For more information on the VAMPIRE KNIGHT manga and to read free previews online please visit shojobeat.com. POKÉMON ELEMENTS: COLLECTION, Part 1 Rated `A` for All Ages MSRP: $29.92 U.S. / $42.99 CAN Available August 31st Following the POKÉMON All Star series, the POKÉMON ELEMENTS: COLLECTION bundles Volumes 1-5 of the most important episodes commemorating the different types of Pokémon.
Included are: Volume 1: Grass Volume 2: Fire Volume 3: Water Volume 4: Electric Volume 5: Ice NARUTO SHIPPUDEN BOX SET 3 Standard Edition Rated `T+` for Older Teens MSRP: $49.95 U.S. / $71.99 CAN Available Now After fierce battles with the Akatsuki, Sakura, Granny Chiyo, Kakashi and Naruto have finally retrieved Gaara from Deidara`s clutches. But is it too late? Back in the Leaf Village, Kakashi`s on bed rest for overusing his Mangekyo Sharingan, and Naruto prepares to recruit some of his friends for Team Kakashi. But the village elders have beat him to it, and their choice of the unfeeling Sai has Naruto spitting mad! NARUTO SHIPPUDEN BOX SET 3 Special Edition Rated `T+` for Older Teens MSRP: $69.97 U.S. / $99.99 CAN Available Now Features same DVDs as the Standard Edition but includes a special limited edition Sasori figurine.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Volume 11 Rated `T+` for Older Teens MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN Available Now Naruto is horrified to learn that he`s responsible for the destruction caused by his rampage under the influence of the Nine-Tailed Fox, which includes Sakura`s injuries. Though the battle takes a severe toll on his body, the team continues on to Orochimaru`s lair to find Sasuke. But the mysterious Sai has disappeared along with Orochimaru, and the implications could spell disaster for the Leaf Village. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Volume 12 Rated `T+` for Older Teens MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN Available Now The search for Sasuke is nearing its end as Team Kakashi infiltrates Orochimaru`s hideout. When Sai witnesses Naruto`s strong sense of loyalty for Sasuke, he`s reminded of the feelings he once had for his own brother. The moment finally comes when Naruto and Sakura face Sasuke once more, but everything may be spoiled when Sai`s true mission is revealed! Features episodes 49-53. NARUTO UNCUT BOX SET SEASON 3, Volume 2 Rated `T+` for Older Teens MSRP: $49.95 U.S. / $71.99 CAN Available August 31st Naruto has an irrepressible spirit, and even though his friend and teammate Sasuke has gone over to the evil Orochimaru, he`s determined to carry out his shinobi duties. His missions include searching for Orochimaru`s hideout, tracking an escaped prisoner, and saving a gold-mining town from a group of thugs. Then his leadership skills are put to the test when he takes Konohamaru and his pals on a training exercise to Mt. Takurami, where he gets them lost! Does Naruto have the chops to find his way out of a raging storm with a pack of eager young ninja in tow? Features episodes 136-163 For more information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, please visit NARUTO.com.
BLEACH Volume 30 Rated ‘T’ for Teens MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN Available Now Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki is determined to learn how to control his inner Hollow and visits Shinji Hirako at the Visoreds` hideout to find a way. But as much as Ichigo wishes to suppress his inner Hollow, Shinji wants to force him to release it. Ichigo must enter his inner world, where he`s greeted by a more powerful version of himself wielding a white Zangetsu, which may be his most formidable opponent yet! BLEACH Volume 31 Rated ‘T’ for Teens MSRP: $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN Available August 24th Ichigo and his friends undergo exhaustive training, and Captain Hitsugaya`s advance troops prepare for the showdown with Sosuke Aizen. But Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto is more interested in exploring life in the World of the Living, embarking on the shopping spree of a lifetime. Her fun is interrupted by the appearance of a formidable new enemy, Mock Arrancars that are wreaking havoc in Karakura Town. Features episodes 127-131 For more information on BLEACH, please visit BLEACH.viz.com.
Manga
Bakuman? Rated ‘T’ for Teens MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN Available Now By the creative team that brought you Death Note! Average student Moritaka Mashiro enjoys drawing for fun. When his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world? For more information on Bakuman? and other Shonen Jump titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShonenJump.com. Hyde & Closer Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN Available Now Shunpei Closer is your average... well, slightly below average kid in junior high who finds himself in the middle of a great battle of dark sorcery. With cursed dolls coming after him one after another, Shunpei`s life is in constant danger! If that weren`t enough, Hyde, the teddy bear given to him by his grandfather, suddenly comes alive to rescue him. Hyde was a gift from Shunpei`s grandfather, Alsyd Closer, who was the King of Sorcerers.
After a mysterious attack, Shunpei also learns that he is the target of sorcerers all over the world. With Hyde as his main protector and teacher, Shunpei must learn how to gain confidence in himself and use the magic that he has inherited to battle the dark forces that now threaten him. For more information on Hyde & Closer and other Shonen Sunday titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShonenSunday.com. Gente Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens MSRP: $12.99 US / $16.99 CAN Available August 17th Buona sera! Welcome to Casetta dell`Orso, a quaint little restaurant in the heart of Rome. The food`s delicious, but the handsome staff of bespectacled gentlemen is the real draw. Follow these dashing men home and witness their romances, heartaches, hopes and dreams in this delightfully whimsical continuation of Natsume Ono`s beloved Ristorante Paradiso. Seiho Boys` High School! Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN Available Now
Remote, lonely and surrounded by the ocean… This isn`t Alcatraz we`re talking about--it`s Seiho Boys` High School, where the student body is rife with sexually frustrated hunks! How can these young men get girlfriends when they`re stuck in the middle of nowhere? These are the stories of the students of Seiho High and the trouble they get into as they awkwardly pursue all girls who cross their paths. Dengeki Daisy Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN Available Now After orphan Teru Kurebayashi loses her beloved older brother, she finds solace in the text messages she exchanges with DAISY, an enigmatic figure who can only be reached through the cell phone her brother left behind. Meanwhile, mysterious Tasuku Kurosaki always seems to be around whenever Teru needs help. Could DAISY be a lot closer than Teru thinks? For more information on Dengeki Daisy, Seiho Boys` High School!, and other Shojo Beat titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShojoBeat.com.
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-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including magazines such as Shonen Jump and Shojo Beat, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; and web site at www.viz.com.