FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

VIZ MEDIA PRESENTS

EXCITING NEW JAPANESE ANIMATED SERIES AT 2008 MIPTV

 

Industry Leader To Showcase An Array of Series For All Ages from Booth#A012

 

CANNES, FRANCE, April 8, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, arrives at MIPTV this year with a variety of exciting new animated series available for the territories of North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania. . Held in Cannes, France, April 7 though April 11, MIPTV is the global content event for co-producing, buying, selling, financing and distributing entertainment content across all platforms.

 

MIPTV provides the key decision-makers in the TV, film, digital and audiovisual content, production and distribution industries with the only market conference and networking forum to discover future trends and trade content rights on a global level

VIZ Media will feature a rich selection of series including several that presently enjoy great success on major television networks in Japan, North American and Europe.

Properties being showcased by VIZ Media and VIZ Media Europe at MIPTV 2008 include:

BLEACH – 104 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Teen and up

(13 and up)

Ichigo Kurosaki is an ordinary 15-year-old boy who happens to be able to see ghosts.  His fate takes an extraordinary turn when he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper who shows up at Ichigo’s house on the trail of a Hollow, a malevolent lost soul.  Drawn to Ichigo’s high level of spiritual energy, the Hollow attacks Ichigo and his family, and Rukia steps in to help but is injured and unable to fight.  As a last resort, Rukia decides to transfer part of her Soul Reaper powers to Ichigo. Ichigo, now a full-fledged Soul Reaper, and Rukia, minus her powers, join together to face the challenges that lie ahead. Dedicated website at http://bleach.viz.com.

 

BLUE DRAGON –  51 episodes x  30 minutes each, Target Audience: Kids 6-11

The BLUE DRAGON animation is a classic adventure story of magical Shadow powers, flying air fortresses, and unbounded heroism! 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. Journey with them into the world of BLUE DRAGON! Dedicated website at http://bluedragon.viz.com.

 

BUSO RENKIN –  26 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Teens/13 and up

Alchemist Warrior Tokiko Tsumura comes to Ginsei City and uses herself as bait for the homunculi, artificial life forms that lurk in the darkness to devour unsuspecting humans. Unaware of Tokiko’s intentions, high school student Kazuki Muto tries to save her and is killed in the process. Tokiko restores Kazuki’s life with an alchemic talisman called a “kakugane,” and now he fights at Tokiko’s side to save his friends.

 

KILARI – 51 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Girls 6-12

Kilari is a happy-go-lucky 14 year-old schoolgirl. Unlike her friends, she is more interested in food and shows no interest in good-looking boys. One day, however, she accidentally bumps into Seiji, a pop idol, and develops a crush on him at first sight. Realizing how difficult it would be for her to become friends with him, Kilari makes a extraordinary decision, to become a star herself to be close to him! Thus begins her pop star adventure!

 

NAOKI URASAWA’S MONSTER – 74 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Teens 13 and up

What would you do if one of the young lives you saved turned out to be a monster… An ice-cold killer is on the loose, and brilliant Dr. Kenzo Tenma is the only one who can stop him! Consipiracies, serial murders, and a top-secret project with origins that trace deep within the mysterious past of former East Germany are all masterfully woven together in this compelling thriller. Tenma risks his promising medical career to save the life of a critically wounded young boy. Unbeknownst to him, this child is destined for a terrible fate. Who could have known that Tenma would create a monster! Dedicated website at http://monster.viz.com.

 

NANA – 50 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Mature (18 and up)

Twenty-year-old Nana Komatsu has endured an unending string of boyfriend problems. Moving to Tokyo, she’s hoping to take control of her life and put her capricious love life behind her.  Singer Nana Osaki arrives in Tokyo at the same time, with plans to kick down the doors to Tokyo’s rock ‘n’ roll scene. Though from completely different backgrounds, the two Nanas meet and become best friends in a whirlwind of love, music, fashion, gossip, and all-night parties!

 

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 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 Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions 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.

 

About VIZ Media Europe, S.A.R.L. (VME)

Headquartered in Paris, France, VIZ Media Europe (VME) is a subsidiary of San Francisco-based VIZ Media, LLC.   VME specializes in managing the development, marketing and distribution throughout Europe of Japanese animated entertainment and graphic novels (manga).   It handles some of the most popular Japanese manga and animation properties from initial production, through television placement and distribution to merchandise licensing and promotions for consumers of all ages. Current VME animated properties include BLEACH, DEATH NOTE, BLUE DRAGON, HONEY & CLOVER, M.A.R, ZOIDS GENESIS and KILARI. Contact VIZ Media Europe at 9, avenue de l’Opéra, 75001 Paris, France Phone +33 1 72 71 53 53; Fax: +33 1 42 96 97 36; and web site at www.vizeurope.com.