A Bullied Teen Finds New Powers and Strength in a Virtual Reality Video Game Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: accel-world.net (Japan), vizanime.com/accel-world (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen
VIZ Media, LLC, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced that it has been named the North American master licensee for the sci-fi anime property, ACCEL WORLD (?????????, Akuseru Waarudo, 2012). ACCEL WORLD (rated TV-14) is currently available on the Neon Alley channel for PlayStation3 and Xbox 360 (dubbed), as well as on the company’s own streaming site VIZAnime.com (subtitled). ACCEL WORLD is based on the light novel created by Reki Kawahara, with adaptation by renowned animation studio Sunrise. VIZ Media will hold the North American licensed rights for Videogram, Television, and Online Distribution, as well as all merchandising licensing related to the property. In ACCEL WORLD, the year is 2046. Haruyuki “Haru” Arita is a young boy who finds himself on the lowest social rung of his school. Ashamed of his miserable life, Haru can only cope by indulging in virtual games. But that all changes when Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school, introduces him to a mysterious program called Brain Burst and a virtual reality called the Accel World. “Fan excitement for ACCEL WORLD has built since VIZ Media debuted the simulcast to North American last year, and we’re thrilled to become master licensor to cater to this growing demand,” says Daisuke Aoki, Vice President, Animation Licensing. “Becoming the master North American licensee for ACCEL WORLD will allow us to fully develop this property and bring a fun range of products with a variety of manufacturers to market.” Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s 24-hour, subscription-based anime channel featuring the world’s best titles (dubbed in English and uncut) and presented in HD (when available) for a low monthly subscription rate of only $6.99. Neon Alley is available for the PlayStation Network and the PlayStation3 (PS3) system as well as Xbox LIVE and the Xbox 360. For more information on Neon Alley and to register for updates, please visit NeonAlley.com. For more information on VIZ Media anime properties, please visit VIZAnime.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan`s largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology Shonen Jump magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.viz.com.