News Wire: VIZ Anime News Blast

I fell a little behind with my news postings, so here’s a round-up of Viz’s most recent anime announcements. You’ll find more information about all of these properties at www.viz.com.

NARUTO, BLEACH, AND DEATH NOTE AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON UNBOX

San Francisco, CA, January 25, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced the availability of three of its most popular and successful animated action series – NARUTO Uncut, DEATH NOTE and BLEACH – for digital download from Amazon Unbox, Amazon’s digital video download service. Amazon Unbox offers customers thousands of television shows, movies and other innovative video content from numerous studio and network partners from Hollywood and around the world. This service can be found at www.amazon.com/unbox.

NARUTO Uncut, DEATH NOTE and BLEACH are available now with episodes costing $1.99 each. NARUTO Uncut initially features episodes 1-25 dubbed, DEATH NOTE features the full series dubbed, and BLEACH features episodes 1-25 dubbed.

SECOND SEASON OF BLEACH TO DEBUT ON ADULT SWIM

San Francisco, CA, January 28, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced that the 52-episode second season of the hit supernatural action animated series BLEACH is expected to begin airing on Saturday, March 1st on Adult Swim…

BLEACH is based on a best-selling manga graphic novel of the same name by Tite Kubo which is published domestically by VIZ Media and rated TV 14. The manga has been translated into more than seven languages and has sold over 33.5 million copies in Japan. Both the manga and the animated series have become extremely popular in North America and have spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise. The first season of BLEACH is also currently available in a 3-disc DVD box set from VIZ Media, which is rated ‘T’ for Teens and has a suggested retail price of $89.98. For more information on BLEACH go to www.bleach.viz.com.

“BLEACH is a riveting story and the debut of the second season on Adult Swim has been highly anticipated by millions of fans,” says William Germain, VIZ Media Director of Animation Production. “The plot thickens in Season 2 as Ichigo and his friends battle soul reapers. With 52 episodes there will be plenty of surprises in store for viewers. BLEACH possesses a story and style that has transcended the graphic novel genre to become a very successful animated and video game property and we are committed to continuing its development.”

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW ANIMATED RELEASES FOR FIRST QUARTER 2008

San Francisco, CA, January 31, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media has announced an exciting array of new DVD releases for the First Quarter of 2008 that expand some of the most popular animated series in North America.

The new releases include DVD box bets, special editions containing collectible figurines, and the latest single disc editions for series including BLEACH, NARUTO, DEATH NOTE and PRINCE OF TENNIS, as well as much-loved classics like RANMA ˝ and POKéMON.

BLEACH

BLEACH Volume 8: THE ENTRY
Rated “T” for Teens · 4 Episodes · MSRP: $24.98 · Available Now!
Ichigo and his comrades are chased from one end of the Seireitei to the other while fending off furious attacks of the Soul Reapers that guard the city from intruders. When he and Ganju capture a meek member of Squad 4, they are shown a secret way into the White Tower where Ruika is being held prisoner. But at the steps of the fortress, an old nemesis named Renji Abarai appears, and a rematch pits Ichigo against the spirit energy of a powerful lieutenant.

BLEACH Volume 9: THE ENTRY
Rated “T” for Teens · 4 Episodes · MSRP: $24.98 · Available March 18, 2008
In the world of the living, Ichigo’s sisters find themselves in the spotlight as “Karakura Superheroes,” while in the Soul Society, an all-out war is declared against Ichigo and his comrades. But unrest stirs in all corners of the Seireitei, including among the ranks of the Soul Reapers themselves, when a prominent captain meets an untimely fate. Ichigo and the others attempt to ride the waves of chaos straight to the White Tower to rescue Ruika, but they’ll have to face a massive outpouring of spiritual energy to get there.

NARUTO

NARUTO Volume 19: PUSHED TO THE EDGE!
Rated “T” for Teens · 4 Episodes · MSRP: $19.98 · Available Now!
The Third Hokage summons his last ounce of strength in an attempt to seal away Orochimaru’s soul forever, while the shinobi of the Hidden Leaf bravely defend all they hold dear. And far from the village, Sasuke finally catches up with Gaara! But the Sand Ninja has begun an eerie transformation that may be more than Sasuke’s newly mastered Chidori jutsu can match. But there’s a certain scrappy ninja on his way that might just have what it takes – Naruto!

NARUTO Volume 20: LIGHT VS. DARK
Rated “T” for Teens · 4 Episodes · MSRP: $19.98 · Available Now!
With Sasuke’s strength wasted and Sakura slowing being crushed to death, Naruto must battle Gaara alone to defend what is precious to him. Can he prove that the path of friendship is stronger than the path of hate? In the battle-torn Hidden Leaf Village, the Third Hokage and the Leaf Ninja make their final stand against Orochimaru and his minions.

NARUTO Volume 21: EYE TO EYE
Rated “T” for Teens · 4 Episodes · MSRP: $19.98 · Available March 4, 2008
In the aftermath of Orochimaru’s attack, the Hidden Leaf Village mourns, but the life of a shinobi goes on! An eager Naruto departs on a training mission with Jiraiya to find a legendary kunoichi, while a troubled Sasuke reflects on the past. But who are the mysterious strangers that have slipped into town? And why are they looking for Naruto?

NARUTO Volume 22: THE LAST OF THE CLAN
Rated “T” for Teens· 4 Episodes · MSRP: $19.98 · Available March 25, 2008
Sasuke faces the brother he has longed vowed vengeance against, but finds that he is still no match for Itachi. Jiraiya steps in, but Sasuke has fallen into a deep coma, and the only one who can save him is the woman Jiraiya and Naruto seek – the legendary medical ninja, Tsunade. Their search takes them to a town festival, where after a little rest and relaxation, Jiraiya teaches Naruto a new, powerful jutsu – using water balloons and rubber balls!

NARUTO UNCUT BOX SET SPECIAL EDITION Volume 6
Rated “T+” for Older Teens · 3 DVDs, 14 Episodes · MSRP: $69.98 · Available February 12, 2008
This special set includes a limited edition; hand sculpted and painted collectible figure of Pakkun as well as an illustrated storyboard booklet.

NARUTO UNCUT BOX SET STANDARD EDITION Volume 6
Rated “T+” for Older Teens · 3 DVDs, 14 Episodes · MSRP: $49.98 · Available February 12, 2008
Sasuke returns at last to face Gaara in the final round of the Chunin Exam with his powerful new jutsu, Chidori. But the match is interrupted when Orochimaru’s scheme to bring down the Hidden Leaf Village is put into motion. While the Third Hokage faces his former protégé Orochimaru and his dreadful forbidden jutsu, Sasuke takes off after Gaara and the Sand Ninja, and Naruto, Sakura and Shikamaru take off after Sasuke. Will the ninja of Hidden Leaf survive the evil that has befallen them? (DVD-only collection of episodes from the hit series.)

DEATH NOTE

DEATH NOTE Volume 3 With Limited Edition Collector’s Figure
Rated “T+” for Older Teens · 4 Episodes · MSRP: $39.98 · Available February 19, 2008
For genius detective L, Light’s behavior is too perfect to be true, and to get closer to him, he enrolls at the same university and even invites Light into the investigation. The murders continue, but with a new twist – there appears to be a second Kira at work! L has Light pose as the original Kira in order to lure out the copycat, and Light agrees, hoping to divert suspicion from him. But he’s surprised to discover that this new Kira has an ability that even Light lacks. This set is available both as a standard, single disc edition, and also as a limited edition with a collectible figurine of L.

DEATH NOTE Volume 3 Standard Edition
Rated “T+” for Older Teens · 4 Episodes · MSRP: $24.98 · Available February 19, 2008
DVD-only collection of episodes from the hit series, no figure included.

PRINCE OF TENNIS

PRINCE OF TENNIS DVD BOX SET Volume 4
Rated “A” for All Ages · 3 DVDs, 13 Episodes · MSRP: $39.98 · Available Now!
The second half of the Metropolitan Matches begins! Kikumaru and Oishi start their doubles match against Yamabuki Junior High’s Higashikata and Minami. Oishi confronts the same pair that he was unable to beat in last year’s match. Sengoku counters Momoshiro’s signature dunk smash and the match slowly shift in his favor. Finally, Ryoma’s match with Akutsu from Yamabuki Junior High begins. With all the trouble Ryoma encountered with Akutsu a few days ago, everyone is worried for his safety.

RANMA ˝

RANMA ˝ SEASON 5: MARTIAL MAYHEM
Rated “T+” for Older Teens · 5 DVDs · MSRP: $49.98 · Available Now!

RANMA ˝ SEASON 6: RANDOM RHAPSODY
Rated “T+” for Older Teens · 5 DVDs · MSRP: $49.98 · Available March 25, 2008
It’s not easy being teenage martial artist Ranma Saotome, but it’s even worse when your martial artist father takes you from home at an early age to go on a decade-long training mission. He doesn’t speak a word if Chinese, and yet he insists upon bringing you to a cursed training ground known as Jusenkyo, where falling into one of the many springs there instantly turns you into whoever, or whatever, drowned there last. And then, the two of you have this little accident… From now on a splash of cold water turns Ranma’s father into a giant panda, while the son turns into a red-haired (and problematically well-built) female version. Hot water reverses the effects, but only until the next time. What’s a half-guy, half-girl to do? Find out in the exciting fifth season of the timeless anime classic.

POKéMON

POKéMON SEASON ONE BOX SET, Volume 3
Rated “A” for All Ages · 3 DVDs · MSRP: $39.98 · Available February 12, 2008
Join Ash, Brock and Misty on their continuing quest to collect Pokémon, make friends, and battle their way to the Indigo League!