VIZ Media Announces Unprecedented Campaign To Provide Near Simultaneous U.S.-Japan Release Of New NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Animated Episodes
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

VIZ will release subtitled episodes of the new NARUTO
SHIPPUDEN series within days of their Japanese premiere.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2002 Masashi Kishimoto
/2007 Shippuden

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced an innovative and unprecedented multimedia plan to provide near-simultaneous Japan-U.S. release of NARUTO, one of the most popular Japanese animated and manga properties in the world. This campaign is the latest expansion of VIZ Media’s ongoing strategy to utilize the web to its maximum potential to stream a variety of hit animated properties.

Beginning on January 15th the latest episode of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (English-subtitled) animated series will be available for free viewing on the ultimate destination for anything NARUTO – the official NARUTO website, www.naruto.com, within days of its original airdate in Japan. A new English-subtitled episode will be added every Thursday thereafter.

On January 2nd, VIZ Media will also debut, for free, 8 uncut, English-subtitled episodes from the beginning of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series on naruto.com. Each Friday thereafter there will be an additional 8 uncut, English-subtitled episodes added on naruto.com until the series eventually catches up to the current third season of the hit program. Also, coming this week, an exclusive sneak peek of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (English-subtitled) debuting on naruto.com.
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Two of the Hottest Animated Series in North America are Now Available for Download-To-Own
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

The complete DEATH NOTE anime can now be Downloaded-To-Own. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media. © 2003 Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata, Shueisha, DNP, VAP, Madhouse

VIZ Media, LLC has announced the availability of the hit animated action series BLEACH and DEATH NOTE (both Uncut and English dubbed) on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment console from Microsoft. Fans in the U.S. will now have the ability to watch these episodes on a Download-To-Own (DTO) basis through Xbox LIVE for 160 Microsoft Points per episode.

BLEACH features episodes 1-41 dubbed in English with more to be added, and DEATH NOTE features the full 37-episode series dubbed in English. The two series join NARUTO Uncut, which has been offered on Xbox LIVE since November 2007 and currently features episodes 1- 52 dubbed in English as well as episodes 1 – 24 subbed (with English subtitles), with more to be added. Episodes and more information are available at xbox.com/live.
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Imagi Studios presents the new CGI ASTRO BOY film. ©2008 Summit Entertainment Ltd, Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd, Imagi International Holdings Ltd.

Studio and ASTRO BOY Distributor, Summit Entertainment, Also Unveil Global Marketing Alliances
Source: Imagi Studios press release
Official Website: Imagi Studios

Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy blasts onto theater screens in October of 2009!
©Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd

Imagi Studios announced that it has signed worldwide licensing agreements with American Greetings, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., Jazwares Inc., D3Publisher and IDW Publishing for ASTRO BOY, its upcoming CG-animated film based on the adventures of the superhero icon. The studio’s agreement with American Greetings also extends to future Imagi films.

ASTRO BOY, slated for domestic release on October 23, 2009, is being distributed worldwide by Summit Entertainment except for Imagi’s reserved territories of Japan, Hong Kong and China.
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SLAM DUNK is one of several Toei Animation series now available on Crunchyroll. Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. © Takehiko Inoue/I.T. Planning/Toei Animation

Online Media Distribution Giant and Leading Animation Production Studio Begin Online Streaming, Subscription and Download-To-Own of Many Titles
Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release
Special Thanks to Chase Wang

One of the most prolific animation production studios, Toei Animation Co., Ltd., is partnering with online media distribution giant, Crunchyroll, to provide streaming, subscription and download-to-own options for some of the several popular anime titles to begin October 27, 2008. More information can be found at www.crunchyroll.com.

Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is responsible for some of the most famous anime series including DRAGONBALL Z, ONE PIECE, and SAILOR MOON.“A partnership with Toei Animation is fantastic for Crunchyroll and the anime industry in the U.S. and international markets,” states Mr. Kun Gao Crunchyroll CEO, “it is great validation to have one of the oldest, largest Japanese animation studios using our platform to bring anime to a much larger audience and monetize through new digital channels.”

Toei anime titles that will be available on Crunchyroll as of October 27, 2008 include: DIGIMON ADVENTURE 02, FIST OF THE NORTH STAR, PRETTY CURE and SLAM DUNK. All episodes will be subtitled in English.
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Source: VIZ Media press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq

Cover of the December issue of SHONEN JUMP. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © VIZ Media, LLC

VIZ Media, LLC has announced special December issues of its magazines, SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, highlighting a variety of the latest video game titles and trends. Each magazine will also feature a holiday sweepstakes for a Nintendo Wii video game system. In addition, SHOJO BEAT includes a special supplement, the official guide to the hit shojo (girls) manga series Vampire Knight (rated T+ for older teens). The December issues of SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT go on sale nationwide on November 4th and 18th respectively.

There is a strong inter-relationship between manga, anime and video gaming, as one genre often influences the others; millions of manga and anime fans across North America are also avid gamers. The Wii sweepstakes invites readers to submit an entry by mail or email explaining which Wii game they are most excited to play and why. Entries will be put into a random drawing, and one winner will be selected from each set of magazine submissions. Details on the sweepstakes are outlined in each of the December 2008 issues and readers can enter by mail or via the magazine websites shonenjump.com and shojobeat.com.
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Anime Clips Available with Free vSNAX Videos App
Source: Rhythm NewMedia, ADV Films
Special Thanks to Lisa Friedrichs

Anime Network video can now been seen on iPhone and
iPod Touch. Photo courtesy of Rhythm NewMedia.
© 2008 Rhythm NewMedia

The best shows from Anime Network, America’s #1 Anime Channel, are now available on the Anime channel of vSNAX Videos, a free app for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch. vSNAX is the destination for video on the iPhone, aggregating and refreshing short video clips from over 25 premium media partners every day. Anime Network titles, including AZUMANGA DAIOH, SAIYUKI and MYTHICAL DETECTIVE LOKI, are now accessible on the iPhone with updates throughout the day so that Anime fans will always have their favorite shows with them. The shows are available as short three to five minute clips, which are perfect for the mobile environment as a snack sized bite of entertainment on the go.

Anime fans can download the FREE vSNAX Videos app at phobos.apple.com.

“We chose Anime Network as one of our newest content partners because they have an excellent catalog and anime is what vSNAX users requested” said Ian Foley, senior director of business development for Rhythm NewMedia.

Our decision to collaborate with vSNAX Videos was an easy one, because vSNAX provides a great user experience,” said Stacy Dodson, Vice President at Anime Network. “Anime fans tend to be tech-savvy early adopters. vSNAX is tailor-made for them.”
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Source: Ernest Farino, Archive Editions LLC
Special Thanks to Loren Portillo

Cover art for Ray Harryhausen - Master of the Majicks Volume
2: The American Films. Photo courtesy of Ernest Farino.
© 2008 Archive Editions LLC.

Ray Harryhausen - Master of the Majicks Volume 2: The American Films
by Mike Hankin
Foreword by Jim Danforth (WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH, JACK THE GIANT KILLER, THE 7 FACES OF DR. LAO)

Written and produced over the past 10 years with Ray Harryhausen’s cooperation and support, the complete 3-volume definitive 295,000-word career/biography features interviews with Ray and his colleagues and is profusely illustrated with several hundred rare photographs, artwork, and illustrations (many of which have never been previously published).

Volume 2, focusing on Harryhausen’s break into feature films, has been released first and went on sale September 14. In-depth chapters cover MIGHTY JOE YOUNG, THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS, IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA, THE ANIMAL WORLD, EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS, 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH and THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD.

The hardcover book runs 370 pages and features a 104,000 word text and over 1,000 images— rare photos, artwork, posters, and technical diagrams— in Spectacular Color and “Glorious Black-and-White”.
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Collectible Miniatures Game Starter Sets Sell Out; European Release Announced
Source: Privateer Press press releases
Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com

The Terrasaur Armodax battles the giant warrior Zor-Raiden in promotional
art for MONSTERPOCALYPSE. © 2008 Privateer Press, Inc.

Privateer Press has made a pair of major announcements concerning their new collectible miniatures game MONSTERPOCALYPSE.

Starter sets for Series 1: Rise have sold out at the manufacturer level prior to the product’s upcoming launch date of October 10th, 2008. “We have seen such an overwhelming demand,” said Sherry Yeary, President of Privateer Press. “That we already have a re-stock of starter sets ordered and due to arrive in November.” Retailers should contact their distributors to inquire as to the availability of MONSTERPOCALYPSE starter sets.

Privateer has also revealed that the French-based publisher/distributor Play Factory has aquired exclusive distribution rights to MONSTERPOCALYPSE for France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
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Cover art for the MONSTERPOCALYPSE: Rise Strategy Guide.
Photos courtesy of Privateer Press. © 2008 Privateer Press, Inc.

Source: Privateer Press press release
Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com
Special Thanks to Bobby Stickel

Privateer Press has announced additional products for its new collectible miniatures game, MONSTERPOCALYPSE. These products include the MONSTERPOCALYPSE Series 1: Rise Strategy Guide, two varieties of Accessory Packs and the MONSTERPOCALYPSE: Rise Map Pack.

The MONSTERPOCALYPSE Series 1: Rise Strategy Guide contains 64 full-color pages of tips, tactics, spoilers, and commentary. It will be available in October.

The Accessory Packs contain color-coded ID rings, an extra Monster Health Tracker and full set of Power, Action and Boost dice. The Monsterpocalypse: Rise Map Pack contains 3 double-sided maps plus the EXCLUSIVE “Government Building” figure. The Accessory Packs and the Map Pack will be arriving in stores in time for the Holidays.
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Both Titles Now on Sale
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

Cover art for Black Lagoon Volume 1. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media and MediaLab. © 2002 by Rei Hiroe

VIZ Media has announced the North American debut of the manga series Black Lagoon, as well as the DVD debut of BLUE DRAGON, a new animated series based on the popular Microsoft Xbox 360 Role Playing Game.

Black Lagoon by Rei Hiroe follows a misfit group of mercenaries and their adventures on the high seas of Southeast Asia. Black Lagoon is available now from the VIZ Media imprint and is rated “M” for Mature audiences. It carries an MSRP of $12.99 U.S./$15.00 CAN.

Readers will lock ‘n’ load with Dutch the Boss, Benny the Mechanic, Revy Two Hand, and Rock as they seek adventure and fortune aboard their World War II-era torpedo boat, the Black Lagoon. In the treacherous underworld of the Russian Mafia, Chinese triads, Colombian drug cartels, crazed assassins, and ruthless mercenaries, it’s hard to know who to trust. But if you’ve got a delivery to make, and you don’t mind a little property damage along the way, you can count on the crew of the Black Lagoon!

Also hitting store shelves this week is the BLUE DRAGON Volume 1 DVD. The disc is rated A for All Ages, features five anime episodes, and carries an MSRP of $14.98 (U.S.)/$19.99 (CAN). Brought together by fate, Seven Soldiers of Light must awaken the Shadow within themselves in time to overcome a despotic power and bring peace to their land. Their ensuing journey through a rich fantasy world is also an internal journey to awaken the great power within each of them.
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These limited edition Mega Form figures of Defender X, Cthugrosh, and Gorghadra will be sent to retailers who have ordered the
MONSTERPOCALYPSE Launch Event Kit. Photos courtesy of Privateer Press. © 2008 Privateer Press, Inc.

Giant Monsters Attack in new Collectible Miniatures Game
Source: Privateer Press press release
Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com
Special Thanks to Bobby Stickel

Privateer Press has announced that MONSTERPOCALYPSE, their new collectible miniatures game, has an official street date of October 10th, 2008. The long-awaited, action packed strategy game has already riveted the attention of the hobby game industry, making a big impression at the GAMA Trade show, International Comic Con in San Diego, Gen Con in Indianapolis and PAX in Seattle.

“We have set the stage for a highly successful launch and everyone is very excited,” said Matt Wilson, Creative Director for Privateer Press. Not wanting to give everything away at once, Wilson also added “This is really only the beginning for MONSTERPOCALYPSE, we have some great surprises we’ll be unveiling soon.”
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A Missed Opportunity: Where No Man Has STILL NOT Gone Before
Author: Michael Kure
Source: TOKYOPOP

Star Trek: the Manga – Uchu cover art by Felipe Smith.
Photo courtesy of TOKYOPOP. © 2008 CBS Studios Inc.
/TOKYOPOP

Star Trek the Manga – Uchu (which loosely translates to “universe” or “space”) continues TOKYOPOP’s trek into the final frontier with their third volume of the original series (TOS) tales, drawn in manga style. Ahhh, but there’s the rub, for only HALF of the stories in this volume were drawn that way.

Yes, you read that right – only two of the four stories published herein were illustrated in the manga style! Um, what’s the title of this book again?

I was hoping, actually, expecting, that TOKYOPOP would break out and offer new stories of the Federation illustrated by different manga artists, offering readers a whole new perspective on the art form. I don’t know how many other fans of Star Trek have been exposed to manga beyond this anthology series, or what their notion of manga might be after going through the first two volumes. But here was TOKYOPOP’s opportunity to present favorite Trek characters portrayed by talented manga artists from the global Trek community. How awesome would it be to see these new Trek adventures illustrated in various manga styles by talents from, say, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, or Brazil?

Instead, TOKYOPOP gives us the same old-same old and even disregards its own editorial directive by inexplicably publishing two non-manga stories. TOKYOPOP could have taken us to where no one has artistically gone before. Could have, but did not. What a major missed opportunity.
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Author: Dan Ross
Special thanks to Gregory Starr, Kodansha International Ltd.

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Writers… or mysterious Japanese yokai? Yokai Attack!
authors Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda. Photo courtesy of
Matt Alt.

A new book has arrived in the English speaking world on the Japanese phenomena known as “yokai”. These are the goblins that haunt the night in modern cities and reside in classic folktales. They are as old as Japanese mythology itself and as new as the latest urban legends. Yokai Attack!: The Japanese Monster Survival Guide by co-writers Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda takes a look at a selection of the mythical beasties and brings them to the Western world.

SFJ: What brought you to the decision to write a book on yokai for the Western mainstream?

Hiroko: Well, we touch on this in the book, but both of us feel that yokai represent the roots of Japanese pop culture. Huge amounts of anime, manga, and films have been exported abroad, some of them even featuring yokai-related themes, but the yokai themselves have been left behind. In Japan, the basic descriptions of many yokai are commonsense knowledge, across both genders and all age demographics. Everyone knows a kappa has a dish of water on its head. Or that a tengu has a long nose. Or that tanuki and kitsune are tricksters.

Matt: There’s all sorts of references to yokai in movies and films and even daily life that really sail over the heads of most foreigners. When you start looking for it, you realize that yokai are everywhere in Japan. There are tanuki statues outside of many restaurants. Tengu masks are everywhere. People drink Kirin Beer and eat kappa maki sushi. Yokai really do represent the pulse that beats beneath the surface of modern Japanese culture.
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Source: Kodansha International Ltd.
Special Thanks to Matt Alt and Gregory Starr

Cover art for the new book Yokai Attack!: The Japanese
Monster Survival Guide. Photo courtesy of Kodansha
International. © 2008 Kodansha International Ltd.

The legends of Japan are replete with tales of the strange creatures known as yokai. Not quite apparitions, monsters, or ghosts, the yokai are mystical beings that secretly live in the world of men. Mostly unseen, they come in a variety of bizarre forms— some hideous, some cute— and have incredible supernatural powers. They tend to be mischievous and playful, but they are sometimes dangerous towards humans because the yokai are not restrained by the laws of nature. Most avoid people and simply haunt the province where they were “born”, but others enjoy the company of men and travel all over Japan.

Following their prominent place in Japanese folklore, the yokai have been the subject of numerous films over the years. Notable examples include the classic trilogy produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in the late 1960s; THE HUNDRED MONSTERS (Yokai Hyaku Monogatari, 1968), SPOOK WARFARE (Yokai Daisenso, 1968), and ALONG WITH GHOSTS (Tokaido Obake Dochu, 1969); plus Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar winning blockbuster SPIRITED AWAY (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, 2001), director Tomoo Haraguchi’s SAKUYA (Sakuya Yokaiden, 2001) and KIBAKICHI (Kibakichi Bakko Yokaiden, 2004), Takashi Miike’s THE GREAT YOKAI WAR (Yokai Daisenso, 2005), and the recent box office hit KITARO (Gegege no Kitaro, 2007).

Now publisher Kodansha International is releasing the first English-language guide to yokai. Entitled Yokai Attack!: The Japanese Monster Survival Guide, the book is a fun and informative look at nearly 50 of these odd creatures by authors Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt (Hello Please! Very Helpful Super Kawaii Characters from Japan) and manga artist Tatsuya Morino (Kibakichi).

The book was released in Japan this past June and is now on sale in North America and Europe.
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Among the VIZ 2009 titles is Naoki Urusawa’s 20th
Century Boys. The hit sci-fi manga is currently being
adapted into three live action films from Toho. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2008 Naoki Urusawa
/Shogakukan Inc.

Latest News Includes New Manga Titles for 2009, an Eisner Award, and the Launch of Stan Lee & Hiroyuki Takei’s ULTIMO
Source: VIZ Media

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga 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.

VIZ has made several recent announcements about new and upcoming projects that includes an Eisner Award win for Tekkonkinkreet: Black & White, the launch of several major titles in 2009 (such as Naoki Urusawa’s 20th Century Boys and the Astro Boy update Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka), and the new Shonen Jump magazine series ULTIMO, which was co-created by comic book legend Stan Lee.
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