FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES A CAPTIVATING LINE UP OF NEW ANIMATED AND LIVE-ACTION DVD RELEASES FOR SECOND QUARTER 2009

 

San Francisco, CA, JULY 29, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced a diverse collection of new animated and live-action titles scheduled for release throughout the Second Quarter of 2009.

 

The new releases include DEATH NOTE RELIGHT: VISIONS OF A GOD, which retells the groundbreaking DEATH NOTE psychological crime drama from an entirely new perspective. Also set for release is the concluding DVD Box Set of the DEATH NOTE animated series. New BLEACH episodic and NARUTO box set editions are also scheduled for release, along with the next Box Set compilation of HUNTER X HUNTER. INUYASHA fans will delight in the debut of the final Season 7 Box Set edition containing the series’ cliffhanger finale, while younger fans can look forward to four new Pokémon DVDs that highlight their favorite characters.

 

Many of these releases are also available as Special Editions featuring collectible figurines. In the Live Action realm, VIZ Pictures will debut the live-action comedy/drama HAPPILY EVER AFTER. VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

 

New DEATH NOTE Releases Include:

 

DEATH NOTE RELIGHT: VISIONS OF A GOD · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available June 23

Light and L have battled to the bitter end over the Death Note — but what does the DEATH NOTE saga look like from Ryuk’s point of view? When rogue shinigami Ryuk deliberately drops his Death Note in the human world out of boredom, he has no idea how far the human who picks it up will take his newfound power. With the Death Note in hand, brilliant high school student Light Yagami vows to rid the world of evil, and when criminals begin dropping dead one by one, genius detective L steps in to track down the elusive killer known as Kira. An epic battle of wits pitting one brilliant mind against another unfolds — with the very future of humanity at stake! Ryuk’s not bored anymore!

 

DEATH NOTE DVD Box Set Volume 2 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $69.97 US / $99.99 CAN · Available Now!  

In the concluding DVD Box Set of this edgy crime thriller, Light Yagami is close to creating a world in which he holds ultimate authority over right and wrong through the power of the Death Note. But many obstacles remain, including a second Death Note user who has his own nefarious goals, and the two brilliant protégés of L, the genius detective who once vowed to expose the identity of the Death Note’s owner. Light is confident that he can prevail, but as the surviving players in the game converge for a final showdown, whose name will be the last one written in the Death Note? This is the final installment in the series, covering the last 17 episodes. A special bonus disc also includes 90 minutes of extra content.

 

New NARUTO Releases Include:

 

NARUTO UNCUT DVD Box Set Volume 13 Special Edition · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $69.97 US / $99.99 CAN · Available Now! 

Naruto summons a couple of old amphibious pals – Gamakichi and Gamatatsu – to help him solve a mystery surrounding a mysterious Cursed Warrior. Back at home, there’s nothing more motivating for Choji and Naruto than a bowl of steaming hot Ichiraku ramen, and they’re really going to have to sing for their supper when the owner’s daughter is kidnapped! Can they get her back and save the restaurant’s secret recipes in time for dinner? Then, Anko must face the darkness in her past when she’s called to lead a mission to a place she once visited with her former sensei, Orochimaru! Will facing the truth save the mission – or break her forever? Special Edition Box Set features 14 episodes on 3 discs and includes a collectible Mininja figurine of Kakashi.

 

NARUTO UNCUT DVD Box Set Volume 13 Standard Edition · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN · Available Now! 

Standard Edition set features the same episodes as Special Edition but no collectible Kakashi Mininja is included.

 

NARUTO UNCUT DVD Box Set Volume 14 Special Edition · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $69.97 US / $99.99 CAN · Available May 26

The ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village are summoned on a new mission to the Land of Stars, where a meteorite with incredible powers has been stolen! Naruto and the others begin to suspect it was an inside job when they learn that the ninja who stole the star used a special ninjutsu known only to the Star Village. Then, Choji, Hinata and Naruto set out for the Land of Greens to protect a group of merchants, one of whom turns out to be a princess! When Hinata is threatened by an evil ninja to reveal the princess’s whereabouts or Naruto will be hurt, will she choose to save a princess or the boy she loves? Special Edition Box Set features 14 episodes on 3 discs and includes a collectible Mininja figurine of Neji.

 

NARUTO UNCUT DVD Box Set Volume 14 Standard Edition · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN · Available May 26

Standard Edition set features the same episodes as Special Edition but no collectible Neji Mininja is included.

 

New BLEACH Releases Include:

 

BLEACH Volume 16 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available May 12

The latest BLEACH edition sees Ichigo and friends finally resuming their regular lives at home and school after their adventures in the Soul Society. But strange disappearances keep occurring and no culprit is in sight. Something strange has followed them home and it will put their faith and trust in each other to the test. Single Disc Edition features 4 original uncut episodes.

 

BLEACH Volume 17 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available June 16

A powerful new enemy has appeared in Karakura Town. Known as Bounts, these creatures literally suck the souls from humans. Rukia, Yoruichi and Soi Fon are sent from the Soul Society to investigate, and Urahara enlists the help of three mod souls to assist Ichigo and friends in preventing the deadly attacks. Single Disc Edition features 4 original and uncut episodes.

 

New HUNTER X HUNTER Releases Include:

 

HUNTER X HUNTER Box Set Volume 2 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN · Available Now!

The second of four complete DVD box sets of the HUNTER X HUNTER action/adventure fantasy series from Yoshihiro Togashi the creator of YUYU HAKUSHO. Gon and his friends have passed the first two stages of the Hunter Exam, but they still have three more grueling phases to complete. In the latest episodes, the hopeful candidates must escape the maze-like Trick Tower and survive a free-for-all on an isolated island before they can battle it out in the final tournament. As the wild adventures with treasure hunting, magical beasts, and bounty hunters continue, will Gon and his friends prove their worth and earn the right to call themselves Hunters? Find out in this new Box Set that features 15 episodes on 3 discs.

 

New INUYASHA Releases Include:

 

INUYASHA Season 7 DVD Box Set Special Edition · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $119.89 US / $169.99 CAN · Available April 28

This set is the final installment of the legendary INUYASHA series inspired by Rumiko Takahashi’s smash-hit manga series. The story of the priestess Kikyo and half-demon Inuyasha ended in tragedy. As the series reaches its exciting finale, will Inuyasha and Kagome’s story have a happier ending? Each battle draws the group closer to their ultimate goal – the border of the afterlife and the final shard of the sacred Shikon Jewel. But the last stage of the journey is the most difficult of all. In their final battle with Naraku, will the bond between Kagome and Inuyasha prove strong enough to vanquish him at last? The Box Set features 21 episodes on 4 discs. Special Edition also includes a collectible figure of Inuyasha wielding his powerful Tetsusaiga sword.

 

INUYASHA Season 7 DVD Box Set Standard Edition · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $99.94 US / $142.99 CAN · Available April 28

Standard Edition set features the same episodes as Special Edition but no collectible Inuyasha figure is included.

 

New POKÉMON Releases Include:

 

POKÉMON ALL STARS Volume 19 Torchic · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages · MSRP: $9.98 US / $14.99 CAN · Available Now!  

 

POKÉMON ALL STARS Volume 20 Onix · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages · MSRP: $9.98 US / $14.99 CAN · Available Now!  

Following the Pokémon 10^th Anniversary celebration set, the Pokémon All Stars series consist of DVD releases commemorating top Pokémon characters.  Each disc showcases a single character with three all-time favorite episodes featuring their adventures.  Collect them all!

 

Volume 19 Includes 3 Torchic episodes:

1. In The Knicker Of Time

2. Having A Wailord Of A Time

3. A Shroomish Skirmish

 

Volume 20 Includes 3 Onix episodes:

1. Showdown In Pewter City

2. To Master The Onixpected

3. Hooked On Onix

 

POKÉMON: ELEMENTS Volume 1: Grass · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages · MSRP: $9.98 each US / $14.99 each CAN · Available July 28

 

POKÉMON: ELEMENTS Volume 2: Fire · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages · MSRP: $9.98 each US / $14.99 each CAN · Available July 28

 

Following the POKÉMON All Star series set, the POKÉMON: ELEMENTS collection consists of the most important episodes commemorating the different types of Pokémon characters.  Each disc showcases a Pokémon type with three all-time favorite episodes.  Collect them all!

 

Volume 1 Includes 3 Grass-type episodes:

1. Grass Hysteria!

2. The Grass Root

3. Now That’s Flower Power!

 

Volume 2 Includes 3 Fire-type episodes:

1. The Flame Pokémon-athon!

2. Good ‘Quil Hunting

3. All Torkoal, No Play

 

New VIZ Pictures Releases Include:

 

HAPPILY EVER AFTER · NOT RATED · MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available May 12

In this new live-action release, Yukie Morita (Miki Nakatani) works hard to make ends meet while her husband Isao (Hiroshi Abe) hangs around all day gambling away their savings and getting into trouble. Isao’s uncontrollable temper often results in the dinner table getting overturned and their meal on the floor. Everyone advises Yukie to leave Isao, but their unconditional love keeps them together through happiness and through hard times.

 

HAPPILY EVER AFTER was a box-office hit in Japan and based on a best-selling manga. This bittersweet comedy combines a visually-striking cinematography, a heartwarming storyline with love and friendship and a top cast of actors and will be enjoyed by all members of the family.

 

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) 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. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.