VIZMedia delivers 3 new Sci Fi Novels From Haikasoru Imprint

VIZ Media will deliver out-of-this-world summer science fiction and fantasy reading with the release of three new novels under its Haikasoru imprint this summer – Harmony by Project Itoh, Rocket Girls by Housuke Nojiri and Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse by Otsuichi. Haikasoru is a unique imprint with a dedicated focus on publishing some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences. Harmony by Project Itoh Price: $14.99 U.S. / CAN $19.99 Available July 20th In the distant future, Utopia has finally been achieved thanks to medical nanotechnology and a powerful ethic of social welfare and mutual consideration. But this perfect world isn’t that perfect, and three young girls stand up to totalitarian kindness and super-medicine by attempting suicide via starvation. It doesn’t work, but one of the girls – Tuan Kirie – grows up to be a member of the World Health Organization. As a crisis threatens the harmony of

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Review: Time Stranger Kyoko

Title: Time Stranger Kyoko Story and Art by Arina Tanemura Genre: Shojo Beat Manga Publisher: Viz Media Issue # 1 Kyoko isn’t the typical princess. She wants to attend school and make friends. In other words, be normal. In the beginning of the story, we learn that she has two bodyguards who are with her all the time. Even in helping her with her disguise. In the first manga, Kyoko has to make a decision about coming out as a princess or allowing her friend to be attacked. The story gets more involved with fantasy when we learn that Kyoko has a sister Ui that has never been awake. She can only be woken up by the discovery of twelve God Stones and twelve telepaths. Kyoko is on a mission to wake up and meet her sister, but there are some personal lessons she will learn on the way. I

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VIZMedia welcomes Stan Lee at Comic-Con 2010

Stan Lee, the legendary comic book creator will be joining VIZ at their Shonen Jump panel, along with a special in-booth autograph signing at San Diego Comic Con this year. Fans can partake in this special signing on July 24th, at Booth #2813, the VIZ Media booth. Stan will be making his appearance to help celebrate the release of ULTIMO Volume 2. Ultimo is the historic collaboration between Stan Lee and famed Japanese manga creator Hiroyuki Takei, and has been serialized in Shonen Jump Magazine since its debut in 2009. Volume 2 is available in stores now. Starting at 4PM on Thursday, July 22nd, and Friday, July 23rd, the first 60 fans to purchase ULTIMO Volume 2 at the VIZ Media booth will receive a ticket to have their copy personally autographed by Mr. Lee on Saturday, July 24th, at 1:15PM. His panel appearance will be at 10:30 AM to

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Review: Arata The Legend, Volume 1

A princess, a boy who cross-dresses, bullies, and going back in time? It's all in the latest from Yuu Watase.

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Japanese Superheroes Take Over VIZCinema in Next Tokyo Scope Talk

NEW PEOPLE and VIZ Cinema offer an intriguing exploration of the exotic world of Japanese superheroes in TokyoScope Talk Vol. 5, taking place at the theatre at 7:00pm on Friday July 9th. Host Patrick Macias, Editor of Otaku USA magazine, will be joined by August Ragone (author, Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters) for an in-depth discussion of Japanese superheroes ranging from Ultraman and Kamen Rider to the Power Rangers. General admission tickets are $10.00. More details and advance tickets available at: www.newpeopleworld.com/films “TokyoScope Talk Vol. 5: Japanese Superheroes will explore the fascinating history and origins of the action packed world of celluloid superheroes using rare film clips and images from numerous tokusatsu, sentai, and henshin hero productions including Ultra Seven, Kikaida, Space Sheriff Gavan, and many others,” says Macias. “This will be a fun event for anyone who grew up watching Ultraman and Power Rangers as well as for those

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Naruto Volume 48 now available from VIZ

The gripping next installment of the hit SHONEN JUMP Manga, NARUTO Volume 48, is now available; Naruto Meets The True Face of Pein! Naruto, a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief and a wild sense of humor, is completely serious about his mission to be the world’s greatest ninja! In this volume, Naruto is finally face-to-face with his ultimate nemesis, and finds out there’s way more to the true Pain than he could have ever imagined. As the consequences of the tumultuous politics of the past come to light, an unexpected turn of events puts a new ninja in power in Konoha – the first act by the new leader will change Naruto’s world forever. This volume will also include one of the special collectible cards VIZ has circulated from the series. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Collectible Card from Bandai America, featuring Sakura Haruno. Part of an exclusive three-card promotion,

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Adult Swim to air Yellow Tanabe’s “Kekkaishi”

VIZ Media has announced that they’ll be bringing 52 episodes of Shonen Sunday’s Kekkaishi series to Adult Swim. The anime will begin airing on Saturday, May 29. The series, based on the manga written and illustrated by Yellow Tanabe, tells the story of junior high student Yoshimori Sumimura through his day-to-day trials and tribulations. On top of just being a teenager, Yoshimori is a “kekkaishi”; a demon hunter who uses his rare skills to protect his land from supernatural creatures. “Kekkaishi spotlights compelling cool characters, in an intense yet fun-filled supernatural action adventure saga. It possesses all of the hallmarks of great anime!” says William Germain, Director, Programming & Music Sales, VIZ Media. We are very excited to add Kekkaishi to the Adult Swim anime lineup for U.S. fans to enjoy.” Check out the official site to watch the trailer and view a few chapters of the manga.

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Viz Pictures releases the final chapter of the 20th Century Boys Trilogy

On May 19th, Viz Pictures finally released the conclusion of the 20th Century Boys Trilogy! VIZ Pictures celebrates the release with a film screening of *20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION* for one-night-only at VIZ Cinema in San Francisco on Thursday, May 20th at 7:00pm. VIZ Cinema is the nation’s only movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and is located at 1746 Post St., in the heart of the city’s Japan-town. Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi and presented in partnership with Nippon Television, the *20TH CENTURY BOYS* saga begins in 1969 when a young boy named Kenji and his friends write “The Book of Prophecy.” In the book, they write about a future where they fight against an evil organization trying to take over the world and bring about Doomsday. Years later in 1997, a mysterious cult being led by a man only known as “Friend” has emerged and gained strong

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Viz Cinema announces Bay Area Film series

This Viz Media post has less to do with Japanese culture and more to do with culture and innovative filmmaking everywhere. Starting in June, Viz Cinema at New People will launch the Bay Area Film Series. The series will start with Bicycle Bride on June 25th. At two special screening events there will be a Q&A with the director, Hassan Zee and the film’s actors. You can go here to get advanced tickets. Bicycle Bride is about a rebellious, young Indian-American woman named Beena whose family still celebrates old customs and traditions particularly about gender roles. Beena falls in love with a Swedish guy but her mother brings in a bachelor from India. The movie follows her as she figures out what is important. The Viz Cinema shows Japanese films and anime and is part of the New People, J-Pop Center in San Francisco. If you’ve never been, you should

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VIZ now streaming Cross Game online at VIZAnime.com

VIZ has just begun streaming the romantic comedy, Cross Game from their free online service, VIZAnime.com. Created by Mitsuru Adachi, Viz describes it as “CROSS GAME is a moving coming-of-age drama that is heartfelt and true and flows delightfully with a light and amusing touch. The series centers around a boy named Ko, the family of four sisters who live down the street, and their shared passion for the sport of baseball.” VIZ Manga also released Cross Game on their Shonen website, ShonenSunday.com. The published manga will be printed and available on October 12, 2010. Check out VizAnime.com or ShonenSunday.com for more information!

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