VIZ MEDIA SECURES THE NORTH AMERICAN MASTER LICENSEE RIGHTS FOR ANIME SERIES “K”

Kinetic Anime Action Series About A Psychic War Between Seven Kings To Be Fully Developed For The North American Market
 
San Francisco, CA, May 20, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, continues to expand its range of anime offerings for 2013 as it announces that it has become the North American master licensee for the anime series – K.

VIZ Media will manage the domestic home video, television rights, and online rights and distribution, as well as oversee the licensing and development of a range of new products and collectables based on the property.

K was developed and produced by GoHands, the Japanese studio that also created the cyberpunk anime film series, Mardock Scramble and the enigmatic writers’ collective GoRA Project. The highly detailed look of K’s production and its intriguing story have made it of keen interest among legions of domestic fans ever since VIZ Media first debuted the series on its VIZAnime online streaming service back in October 2012 – on the same day it launched on Japanese TV.

K is set in a world where history has taken a slightly different course from the one we’re familiar with and follows the story of a young boy whose life is caught in a supernatural war between seven kings. Yashiro Isana, also known as Shiro, is wanted for a crime he has no recollection of committing. He finds himself being hunted by the groups HOMRA, led by Mikoto Suoh, “The Red King,” and SCEPTER 4, led by Reisi Munakata, “The Blue King.” While on the run, another young man named Kuroh Yatogami helps him. Will this fated encounter change Shiro’s life forever?

“K has garnered a fast-growing and fervent North American fan base and we are extremely excited to represent this property across all domestic categories,” says Daisuke Aoki, Vice President, Animation Licensing. “VIZ Media has an unsurpassed track record of successfully developing anime properties for the North American market and we look forward to partnering with a variety of top manufacturers, agents and other businesses to make K a most-loved series among fans.”

For more information on VIZ Media anime properties, please visit www.viz.com/anime.

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 digital anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA 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.

VIZ MEDIA BECOMES THE NORTH AMERICAN MASTER LICENSEE FOR THE SCI-FI ANIME SERIES ACCEL WORLD

A Bullied Teen Finds New Powers & Strength In A Virtual Reality Video Game In Edgy New Series

 

San Francisco, CA, May 2, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), 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 (rated TV-14). ACCEL WORLD is currently available on the Neon Alley channel for PlayStation^®3 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 PlayStation^®3 (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:

www.viz.com/anime.

Ani-Jam is Proud to Announce the Return of Mari Watanabe as Guest of Honor

Fresno, CA – May 1, 2013 – Ani-Jam, Fresno’s premiere anime convention is proud to announce that singer Mari Watanabe will be returning as a Guest of Honor to Ani-Jam 2013 this summer.
The two-day event will be held on August 17-18 at the Valdez Hall (at the Fresno Convention Center).
Mari Watanabe is a Sailor Moon performer whose main role is to create bridges of friendship between countries by doing anime related concerts and presentations. Having performed in the U.S., Japan and Mexico, Mari Watanabe captivated the audience with her performance at Ani-Jam 2012, that fans wanted to see Mari return for a second consecutive year.
Mari has appeared in Japanese TV as well as American media. She received an honor award from the city of San Francisco for her volunteer work as Sailor Moon and her dream is to be a friendship ambassador between many countries.
Mari Watanabe joins previously announced Guest of Honors: DJ Lord Katsuhiko Jinnai, music producer Richie Branson, anime voice talents Greg Ayres, Cynthia Martinez, Chris Patton and veteran animator/ author, Aimee Major Steinberger (“The Simpsons” and “Futurama”).
More information about Ani-Jam can be found online at http://ani-jam.com or on our Ani-Jam News site at http://ani-jam.tumblr.com.

Ani-Jam is Proud to Announce the Return of Producer and DJ, Lord Katsuhiko Jinnai as Guest of Honor

Fresno, CA – May 1, 2013 – Ani-Jam, Fresno’s premiere anime convention is proud to announce the return of music producer and fan-mix DJ, Lord Katsuhiko Jinnai, as a returning Guest of Honor at Ani-Jam 2013 this summer.
The two-day event will be held on August 17-18 at the Valdez Hall (at the Fresno Convention Center).
Residing in Las Vegas, Lord Katsuhiko Jinnai has been a special guest of honor and DJ for Ani-Jam since 2007, while his music was originally featured at the very first Ani-Jam back in 2003.
Since 2000, Lord Katsuhiko Jinnai has been performing at anime conventions around the United States, mixing anime songs while incorporating his electronic music talent and DJ artistry. Jinnai has worked with independent artists such as Kristine Sa, Stephanie Yanez, SLY and anime/videogame rapper Maja.
In 2008, Jinnai was also involved in the “Animetoonz 3 – Lemon and Lime” album with singer Kristine Sa and in 2011, he released his latest album “Paranormal”. Jinnai is the host of his own weekly online radio show, “The Jinfluence” on animeradio.net.
Lord Katsuhiko Jinnai joins previously announced Guest of Honors: Music producer Richie Branson, singer Mari Watanabe, anime voice talents Greg Ayres, Cynthia Martinez, Chris Patton and veteran animator/ author, Aimee Major Steinberger (“The Simpsons” and “Futurama”).
More information about Ani-Jam can be found online at http://ani-jam.com or on our Ani-Jam News site at http://ani-jam.tumblr.com.

Ani-Jam is Proud to Announce Music Producer Richie Branson as Guest of Honor

Fresno, CA – May 1, 2013 – Ani-Jam, Fresno’s premiere anime convention is proud to announce that music producer Richie Branson will be a Guest of Honor at Ani-Jam 2013 this summer.

The two-day event will be held on August 17-18 at the Valdez Hall (at the Fresno Convention Center).

Hailing from San Antonio, Richie Branson is best known for writing and producing the “Jersey Shore Fist Pump” in 2011 which landed him a worldwide distribution deal with the New York-based record label TuTone Entertainment.
Richie is also known for his involvement in Nerdcore pop music, having released mixtapes like “The Cold Republic (Star Wars Series)”, “Gundam”, “Wing Zero” and the song “Letter to Squaresoft” which became popular among the online gaming community.

Richie Branson also co-produced Demarcus “Bone” Hamilton’s “Homegurl” which stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 Hip Hop/R&B charts for 19 weeks and reached a radio audience of over 9 million people. Richie would go on to do production work with platinum recording artist The Dream, Bun B , Rick Ross and southern natives Chalie Boy and Slim Thug.

Richie Branson joins previously announced Guest of Honors: DJ Lord Katsuhiko Jinnai, singer Mari Watanabe, anime voice talents Greg Ayres, Cynthia Martinez, Chris Patton and veteran animator/author, Aimee Major Steinberger (“The Simpsons” and “Futurama”).
More information about Ani-Jam can be found online at http://ani-jam.com or on our Ani-Jam News site at http://ani-jam.tumblr.com.

VIZ MEDIA INVITES FANS TO CATCH AN EXCLUSIVE BERSERK ANIME DOUBLE FEATURE EVENT AT SAN FRANCISCO’S NEW PEOPLE CINEMA ON MAY 11th

Screening Event Includes North American Premiere Of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II – THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY, And All Ticketholders Receive Exclusive Gift Pack

VIZ Media reminds anime fans of the upcoming special double-feature theatrical presentation of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING and the exclusive North American premiere of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II – THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY taking place on Saturday, May 11th at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, located inside the dynamic Japanese pop culture entertainment venue in San Francisco’s Japantown at 1746 Post St. Two double-feature screenings (presented with dubbed English dialogue) are scheduled for 3:00pm and 8:00pm.

VIZ Media also invites Neon Alley members nationwide to catch back-to-back airings of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING and BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II – THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY taking place the same day at the same times – Saturday, May 11th – at 3:00pm and 8:00pm PST. More details and sign-up information are available at: www.neonalley.com.

Tickets to the NEW PEOPLE Cinema double-feature are $25.00 each and are available online at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/films/films-5-2013/. A special galley exhibit featuring original BERSERK production art from Studio 4ºC will also be showcased in the theatre lobby. Upon arrival, each ticketholder will also receive an exclusive gift pack that features exclusive BERSERK promotional collectables including a tote bag, fan, beverage koozie, bookmarks, and more.

A variety of other exclusive BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC memorabilia – including collectable figures, a special art book, cell phone charms, and Japanese theatrical pamphlets autographed by Studio 4ºC CEO Eiko Tanaka – will be given away to lucky winners who attend the screenings at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema premiere. Neon Alley viewers will also have a chance to watch and win one of 50 one-of-a-kind pieces of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC production art available exclusively during the premiere event. Please visit www.facebook.com/neonalleynetwork for more details on the special giveaway items.

BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING follows lone mercenary Guts as he travels the land where a hundred-year-old war is taking place. His ferocity and ability to take down enemies attracts the attention of Griffith, leader of the mercenary group “The Band of the Hawk,” and Guts is recruited to the unit. Thanks to their continued victories on the battlefield, the bond between Guts and Griffith deepens, but despite all their success, Guts begins to question his reasons for fighting for Griffith’s dream. Unknown to Guts, this unyielding dream is about to bestow a horrible fate on them both.

BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II – THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY picks up the story as Guts believed, for three years, that his mission was to pursue Griffith’s dream together with him. But in order to become Griffith’s equal and truly be called his friend, Guts realizes he will have to leave the Band of the Hawk. At the same time, a bloody battle to capture the impenetrable Fortress of Doldrey from the Empire of Chuder is about to begin. The Band of the Hawk will face an army 30,000 strong!
For more information on the BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy, please visit the official Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/BerserkFilm.

AniplexChannel.com is the New Channel for Fans to Access their Favorite Aniplex Shows in one place

SANTA MONICA, CA (April 25, 2013) – Anime fans will be delighted to hear that Aniplex of America will be launching their own Aniplex Channel starting today at AniplexChannel.com. Fans can now easily access all of their favorite Aniplex of America titles in one place for free. The channel features a convenient interface where users can enjoy high-quality streaming videos powered by HULU, a products page making purchases a breeze, and latest information regarding Aniplex releases and featured events.

SENTAI FILMWORKS LICENSES “UTA NO PRINCE SAMA 2”

HOUSTON, April 23, 2013 — The music is back but the song is definitely not the same in Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: Uta no Prince Sama 2.  The new season of the smash hit features direction and series composition by Koh Yuh (Loveless, Angelic Layer) with character designs by Mitsue Mori and music by Elements Garden (Love, Election & Chocolate, Bodacious Space Pirates).

After the amazing high note that capped the first season, would it be fair to expect Haruka and her hunky harem of beautiful boy singers to be able to top themselves?  Ah, but what if they had a little more help?  Yes, believe it or not, now there are even MORE gorgeous guys ganging up for the attention of the song-mistress who’s available for even more music making now that she’s moved into the dorms.  Only now StArish as some REAL competition, as the new golden throated warblers from the SENIOR MASTER COURSE make it their job to show the first six what it really takes to become a J-Pop star.  And what about that mysterious seventh member of StArish?  Yes, he’s back as well in his own catty fashion!  But does he plan to take Haruka to fantasyland?  Will the boys get kicked back to the street if they can’t stay in sync?  And will Haruka stay composed and keep composing when the sophomore slump hits her writing?  Find out if everyone can learn to live (and sing) in harmony as the hits keep on coming in UTA NO PRINCE SAMA 2!

Uta no Prince Sama 2 will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks celebrates its 5th Anniversary as one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Sam Goody, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores.  Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.
www.sentai-filmworks.com

SENTAI FILMWORKS LICENSES “THE SEVERING CRIME EDGE”

HOUSTON, April 22, 2013 — Experience hair raising thrills, razor-edged suspense and shear insanity in Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: The Severing Crime Edge!  This 13 episode series is directed by Yuji Yamaguchi (Fate / stay night TV) and features character designs by Katsuzo Hirata (Angel Beats!) with series composition by Tatsuhiko Urahata (Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere), sound direction by Yota Tsuruoka (CLANNAD) and music by Yasuharu Takanashi (Hell Girl).

Kiri Haimura loves cutting hair.  Actually, he doesn’t just love cutting hair, he obsesses over it and even has a special set of scissors he delights in using.  But when his mane obsession for a bit of trim draws him to Iwai Mushanokōji , whose long hair has never been cut, he finds himself entangled in a situation no shears can hack him out of.  Because Iwai is heir to a strange curse that makes her hair impossible to cut.  Or, at least, until Kiri’s clippers take off a lock, thereby revealing that his scissors are cursed as well!  But now that she’s shorn free, Iwai has a slew of “murderers” after her, each armed with their own cursed implements and eager for the chance to kill the “Hair Queen.”  And if that’s not enough to make Kiri wig out, it seems that many of them actually attend his own school!  Will this evil crew cut in on Kiri’s Hair Queen, or will he snip their ambitions in the bud?  The worst hair day ever turns into the ultimate series of close shaves, distressing situations and, yes, brushes with death in SEVERING CRIME EDGE!

The Severing Crime Edge will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks celebrates its 5th Anniversary as one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Sam Goody, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores.  Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

SENTAI FILMWORKS LICENSES “Uta no Prince Sama”

HOUSTON, April 19, 2013 — Get ready to make beautiful music with Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: Uta no Prince Sama 1.  This fan favorite 13 episode series is directed by Koh Yuh (Loveless, Angelic Layer) and features series composition by Tomoko Konparu (NANA, Nodame Cantabile) with character designs by Mitsue Mori, sound direction by Shoji Hata (You’re Under Arrest: Full Throttle, Okamkakushi ~ Masque of the Wolf) and music by Elements Garden (Love, Election & Chocolate, Bodacious Space Pirates).

When Haruka gets the chance to take the entrance exam for Saotome Academy for the Performing Arts, it seems as though she’s one step closer to her dream of composing songs for her favorite singer, Hayato.  However, this is no gleeful high school musical experience, and Haruka’s hiding a dreadful secret that may silence her musical ambitions forever.  And even if she does get into Saotome, the competition will be more brutal than going on Japan’s Top Idol!  That’s because, as a writer, Haruka could be paired with any one of six radically different male singers.  Will it be upbeat Otoya, serious Masato, flirtatious Ren, split-personality Natsuki, optimistic Syo, or the unapproachable Tokiya, who’s rumored to be Hayato’s brother?  And just to make things more complicated and awkward, writers and singers are expressly NOT allowed to become romantically involved!  Can one girl and six handsome young men learn to make beautiful music together in a strictly Platonic sense?  They can if the oddball staff of Saotome, most of whom are current and former idols themselves, have anything to say about it in Uta no Prince Sama!

Uta no Prince Sama 1 will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks celebrates its 5th Anniversary as one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Sam Goody, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores.  Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.
www.sentai-filmworks.com

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