Fans of “INUYASHA: The Final Act” will be happy to know that the final episode will be available to view tonight on VIZAnime.com! OK, maybe you’re not happy to see the end of your favourite series, however the final episode is coming your way shortly after it has been shown in Japan!

After the many episodes and films that the manga series (written by Rumiko Takahashi) has spawned, the finale will be streamed on VIZANime.com – but what if you have no idea what the series is about? Read this synopsis to get the gist:

Pulled back in time to Japan’s ancient past, Japanese high school girl Kagome finds her destiny linked to a dog-like half-demon named Inuyasha, who remembers Kagome’s previous incarnation as the woman who killed him – and to the Shikon Jewel, or “Jewel of Four Souls,” which can fulfill the greatest dreams of any man or monster. Now Kagome and Inuyasha must work together to search for the scattered shards of the jewel before everyone’s nightmares are given the power they need to come true.

The final episode of “INUYASHA: The Final Act” is titled “Toward Tomorrow” and will be available to view on VIZAnime.com. If you would like to check out the Inuyasha manga or the other Inuyasha anime series then head over to viz.com for more.

You can also find other Rumiko Takahashi titles there, or you can visit the Rumic World website!

This time we have vampires, ghosts, crime drama and teenage angst awaiting us. I won’t hold back – so what’s in store?

VIZ Signature releases include:

Children of the sea, Vol. 1 (available now) and Vol. 2 (available December 15, pictured – top right)

Rated ‘T+’ For Older Teens – $14.99 US / $17.50 CAN each

When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. Ruka’s dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans’ fish. CHILDREN OF THE SEA is a surreal and riveting aquatic adventure from Daisuke Igarashi. Igarashi was given the Award of Excellence by the Japan Cartoonists Association in 2009.

GOGO Monster

Rated ‘T’ For Teens – $27.99 US / $36.00 CAN

Third grader Yuki Tachibana lives in two worlds. In one world, he is a loner ridiculed by his classmates and reprimanded by his teachers for telling stories of supernatural beings that only he can see. In the other world, the supernatural beings vie for power with malevolent spirits who bring chaos into the school, the students’ lives, and even nature itself.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD!, Vols. 1-2

Rated ‘T+’ For Older Teens – $12.99 US / $16.00 CAN each

A poignant 2-volume collection of intersecting vignettes depicting twenty-something angst, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD! explores the various ways that modern life can be at once ridiculous and sublime, terrible and precious, wasted and celebrated. In Volume 1, what begins with a college dropout bored of her mediocre routine soon becomes a fantastic series of stories about the unexpected ways that different lives intersect. Filled with magical realism in the face of the cold reality of daily modern life, at their core these stories are about young people discovering something precious amidst the chaos of existence. Volume 2 continues to explore similar themes including the cruelty of childhood, the delusion of adulthood, the endurance of death and how people find a way to remain resolute and laugh in the face of reality.

SHONEN SUNDAY, SHONEN JUMP, SHONEN JUMP ADVANCED and SHONEN JUMP FICTON goodies include:

RIN-NE, Vol. 1

Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens – $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN

RIN-NE is the brand new series from celebrated manga creator Rumiko Takahashi (INUYASHA). As a child Sakura Mamiya mysteriously disappeared in the woods behind her grandma’s home. She returned whole and healthy, but since then she has had the power to see ghosts. Now a teenager, she just wishes the ghosts would leave her alone! At school, the desk next to Sakura’s has been empty since the start of the school year, then one day her always-absent classmate shows up, and he’s far more than what he seems!

INUYASHA (VIZBIG), Vol. 1

Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens – $17.99 US / $24.00 CAN

Rumiko Takahashi’s epic manga adventure INUYASHA is given an omnibus VIZBIG treatment that combines the first three volumes of the smash hit series. Pulled back in time to Japan’s ancient past, Japanese high school girl Kagome finds her destiny linked to a dog-like half-demon named Inuyasha, who remembers Kagome’s previous incarnation as the woman who killed him – and to the Shikon Jewel, or “Jewel of Four Souls,” which can fulfill the greatest dreams of any man or monster. Now Kagome and Inuyasha must work together to search for the scattered shards of the jewel before everyone’s nightmares are given the power they need to come true.

YU-GI-OH! r, Vol. 1 (available now) and Vol. 2 (available December 1)

Rated ‘T’ for Teens – $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN

YU-GI-OH! R is the shocking sequel to Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duelist and the prequel to Yu-Gi-Oh!: Millennium World. When the follower of an old enemy returns to take revenge, Yugi Mutou must duel to save a friend’s life. But can he overcome the power of the three “Jashin,” the terrifying Evil God Cards? Bonus trading card in the first print run.

TEGAMI BACHI: LETTER BEE, Vol. 1

Rated ‘T’ for Teens – $7.99 US / $9.50 CAN

In a land of perpetual night, your heart is your light. In this imaginative steampunk adventure, Amberground is locked in darkness. A man-made star casts only a dim light over the land. The pitch-black wilderness is infested with Gaichuu—colossal insects with metal exoskeletons. The Gaichuu make travel between the cities of Amberground extremely dangerous. But thankfully the Letter Bees, a brave corps of messengers, risk their lives in order to keep the hearts of Amberground connected.

ROSARIO+VAMPIRE, Vol. 10

Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens – $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN

All around teenager Tsukune can’t get accepted to any high school, save one… but on his first day, he finds the rest of the rest of the student body doesn’t appear average in the least. Best of all, the cutest girl on campus can’t wait to fling her arms around his neck! Wait a sec’ – are those her teeth around his neck too? Tsukune’s going to have one heck of a hickey when he gets home from Monster Hugh! But does he have a chance in hell of raising his grades at a school where turf war isn’t between jocks and nerds, but between vampires and werewolves?

DEATH NOTE: L change the WorLd Novel

$19.99 US / $24.00 CAN

DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd introduces the unwritten chapter of DEATH NOTE and reveals how the legendary detective “L” (Kenichi Matsuyama) spends the final 23 days of his life. The story begins as L takes on the “Kira” case, in which countless criminals are dying under mysterious circumstances. L successfully solves the case and stops Kira, but only after sacrificing his life, leaving himself with only 23 days left to live. For his final case, L faces down a bio-terrorist group trying to wipe out humanity with a deadly virus ten times more potent than Ebola. As L tries to formulate an antidote with a scientist, he must also save the lives of two children who have no one else to turn to. The DEATH NOTE novel features the same format as the original Japanese printing with a hardcover and clear acetate jacket with metallic ink.

Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media:

“We’re offering up the best of the best just in time for the holidays,” says Gonzalo. “There are new series from manga heavyweights like Taiyo Matsumoto with GOGO Monster, and Rumiko Takahashi with her newest creation, RIN-NE and many more. For new and familiar fans alike, or perhaps for ones who simply love good stories with exquisite art, any of these titles will make an especially unique gift to fit almost any budget this year.”

If you need more information on any of these items, make a visit to www.Viz.com.

“INUYASHA brought creator Rumiko Takahashi renowned fame throughout the world and the series has been enjoyed by millions of readers in Japan and North America,” says Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Media.

How does this edition differ from the standard, 5 x 7-1/2 graphic novel, you ask? The VIZBIG Omnibus edition of Inuyasha will still feature the original left-to-right manga style presentation, but the company’s SHONEN SUNDAY imprint has upped the ante with a whole-new spin on the fan-favorite. The 2002 award-winning series will be available in a larger, 5-3/4 x 8-5/8 size and packed with three volumes of the original graphic novel. The VIZBIG Omnibus Edition of Inuyasha is an exciting revival for long-time fans and newcomers alike to enjoy. Anyone interested in joining Kagome and friends on her quest to uncover her past and the powerful Shikon jewel may pick-up their copy for $17.99 U.S. / $24.00 CAN. The VIZBIG Omnibus Edition of Inuyasha is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens.

Episodes from the action-packed series conclusion – INUYASHA THE FINAL ACT – currently stream on ShonenSunday.com/anime and Hulu.com mere hours after they air in Japan. For more information on the INUYASHA animated series please visit www.ShonenSunday.com. Rumiko Takahashi is an artist who truly represents the very best from the world of manga.  Please visit the official North American web site for all Rumiko Takahashi related news and information located at www.TheRumicWorld.com.

The conclusion to the series will start showing on the 3rd of October on ShonenSunday.com/anime and Hulu.com (with subtitles), only hours after it has been shown to Japanese audiences! And every Saturday after that will bring you a new episode, so now you’ll have something else to do on Saturday nights huh?

For those unfamiliar with INUYASHA, you should know that it is an anime series based on a popular manga series by Rumiko Takahashi (creator of the popular series Ranma ½) and features the doglike half-demon InuYasha and the high school girl Kagome who is essentially master to InuYasha. For more concise information, be sure to visit ShonenSunday.com.

Ken Sasaki, Vice President Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media:

“INUYASHA is one of the longest running anime series in North America and we’re very proud to present the final episodes of this epic adventure to fans in the U.S. mere hours after episodes air in Japan,” says Ken. “Rumiko Takahashi created a classic with INUYASHA, and ShonenSunday.com/anime will be THE online destination where INUYASHA fans can watch all 167 previously available episodes, as well as follow the newest episodes from INUYASHA THE FINAL ACT!”

To catch “INUYASHA: The Final Act” make sure to drop by ShonenSunday.com/anime or Hulu.com on October 3rd. And remember that it’s rated “T” for Teens!

Also as an added reminder, you can check out Rumiko Takahashi’s new manga “RIN-NE” or her other INUYASHA offerings at ShonenSunday.com or try www.viz.com instead!

Arata: The Legend (Yuu Watase)

In a mythical world where humans and gods co-exist, a ceremony marking the new governing princess is about to occur for the first time in 60 years. Only a girl from the Hime Clan may take this position, but the lack of females born to this family means that a boy called Arata must pose for the role. Meanwhile in modern-day Japan, a boy named Arata Hinohara is starting his new life in high school. He wants to put memories of his difficult past behind him, but things aren’t going to be simple when he discovers a mysterious connection to the first Arata. (Coming March 2010)

MAOH: Juvenile Remix

Ando is a high school student who has the power to make others say out loud what he’s thinking. Inukai is the mysterious leader of a vigilante group called Grasshopper, which is at odds with the city’s redevelopment plan. In this chaotic city, these two will come together to weave a story of courage, determination and confrontation.

MAOH: Juvenile Remix is based on the original novel by Kotaro Isaka. (Coming May 2010)

HYDE & CLOSER

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 Closer’s life is in danger! If that weren’t enough, Hyde, the teddy bear given to him by his grandfather, suddenly comes alive to rescue him. With Hyde’s help, can Shunpei save himself and live to see another day? (Coming July 2010)

Artwork is copyright Viz Media

The long running and extremely popular series about a girl who can travel between worlds via the well in her yard and the demon she frees from a cursed arrow, INUYASHA, joins the broadcasting internet phenomenon today. INUYASHA is by far the most well-known of Rumiko Takahashi’s works. Based on the 56 volume manga that ran from November 1996 until June of 2008, the 167 episode anime will begin its Hulu streaming today with the first 32 episodes available. Each week more episodes will be added to the online catalogue.

Also coming to Hulu this week are NANA, two girls who share the same name but come from completely different worlds, and Honey & Clover, a romantic comedy involving an art group and the girl who enters their world and complicates it. Both of these anime series are based on manga series and have become successful franchises.

The first 11 episodes of NANA and the first 12 episodes of Honey & Clover are launching on Hulu today with more to come in the following weeks.

Images copyright Viz Media.

To coincide with the launch of their new label, they are releasing a new Manga series called “RIN-NE” by Rumiko Takahashi, who is probably best known for the series “INUYASHA”. What makes it even better is that for the first time ever the North American launch of this Manga is happening at the same time it is being launched in Japan!

“RIN-NE” tells the story of Sakura Mamiya. As a child Sakura disappeared on a venture behind her Grandma’s house, however she returned safely enough but with added ghost-seeing abilities. Now she is a teenager and she just wants the ghosts to leave her alone! Also, the seat next to her at school has always been empty since the beginning of the school year. One day the seat is no longer empty when the long-absent classmate starts showing up for class, but is he more than what he seems?

Viz are going to make some more announcements about “Shonen Sunday” titles to be released in 2010 at San Diego Comic Con, on Friday, July 24th from 3:00-4:30 in Room 32AB to be specific.

They will also be moving a few existing Manga titles (such as “INUYASHA”, “KEKKAISHI”, “CASE CLOSED”, “HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER”, and “YAKITATE!! JAPAN”) under the “Shonen Sunday” label, and you will see some Anime DVD titles sporting it as well in the near future.

The Viz Media “Shonen Sunday” website (http://www.shonensunday.com/) goes live on July 22nd and promises to have trailers, previews, news and interviews available exclusively on their site for our enjoyment.