More hot new titles from Viz Media
New Releases By Company’s VIZ FICTION Imprint Include Novels For The
Popular RUROUNI KENSHIN And
The Award-Winning NARUTO
San Francisco, CA, September 15, 2006 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media),
one
of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive
publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the
upcoming release of three new additions to the company’s innovative
VIZ
Fiction imprint. These new original novels are based on the popular
anime and manga properties, RUROUNI KENSHIN and NARUTO and the
best-selling novel from Japan, BE WITH YOU, all present inspired
stories
in a traditional novel format that feature familiar characters from
popular VIZ Media properties, as well as new stories, and will
captivate
fans of adventure, romance and fantasy.
VIZ Media’s Fiction imprint has published a variety of titles
to-date,
including three Fullmetal Alchemist novels, STEAMBOY, GHOST IN THE
SHELL
2: INNOCENCE AFTER THE LONG GOODBYE, KAMIKAZE GIRLS and the romantic
SOCRATES IN LOVE.
"We are committed to making the VIZ Fiction line as dynamic and varied
as possible and these new releases will demonstrate a good cross
section
of the kinds of titles fans can look forward to," states Liza Coppola
senior vice president of marketing for VIZ Media. "We are confident
that
fans of titles like RUROUNI KENSHIN and NARUTO will enjoy being
presented with this dynamic new way to explore characters and plots
based on their favorite anime and manga properties. We are also excited
to publish BE WITH YOU domestically, as it has already captivated so
many readers in Japan with its heartwarming and romantic story of love
and devotion.â€
RUROUNI KENSHIN: VOYAGE TO THE MOON WORLD • MSRP: $9.99 USA/$12.99
CAN •
Available October 2006
The first domestic title based on the best selling RUROUNI KENSHIN
manga
(also published by VIZ Media). The novel, RUROUNI KENSHIN: VOYAGE TO
THE
MOON WORLD finds the wandering master swordsman Rurouni Kenshin now
living in Kyoto where he joins the Kamiya Kasshin-ryû dojo to learn
the
art of “swords that give life.†Along with his fellow apprentice
Yahiko,
Kenshin trains under their kind but demanding instructor, Kaoru. But
the
peaceful routine of the dojo is disrupted when Tae, a waitress at
Akabeko restaurant, asks for their help. A regular at the restaurant
has
lost his master’s precious book, and he’ll be kicked out in the
street
if he can’t recover it. The simple case of a missing book soon
becomes a
dangerous mystery as Kenshin and his friends are tangled in deep
secrets
and dark plots! RUROUNI KENSHIN has been critically acclaimed for its
epic story arcs, historically accurate character details rooted in late
19th century Japan, and plenty of riveting action. This first fiction
title takes the action a step further in an engrossing novel format
that
features all the familiar characters from the popular manga series. A
must-read for fans of either the anime, manga or samurai fiction.
BE WITH YOU • MSRP: $19.99 USA/$25.99 CAN • Available November 2006
A best selling novel in Japan by noted author Takuji Ichikawa, VIZ
Media
is pleased to bring BE WITH YOU to North American readers. The novel
was
widely praised upon initial publication, spawned a top-grossing film
and
helped define the “Pure Love†trend, which presents tear-jerking
but
heartwarming stories of true love lost and won that has captivated
millions of Japanese women. BE WITH YOU, which has also been optioned
as
a possible film release starring Jennifer Garner, tells the story of
the
young Aio family: Takumi, Mio and their six year old son Yuji, who were
tragically torn apart a year prior to the story’s start when Mio died
of
a long running illness. But the father and son find it difficult to
move
on. Yuji’s worried that giving birth to him was what made his mother
sick, and Takumi believes his own sickness (a debilitating motor
disease) meant Mio had to make one too many sacrifices as a wife to
accommodate. However, both look to make up for this very soon because
Mio promised the couple that a year after her death she would return to
spend the Rainy Season with them. With Mio’s promise resonating deep
within their hearts, Takumi and Yuji go out on a walk in the woods as
soon as the first downpours of June appear. In the ruins of an old
abandoned factory, they bump into a woman who bears an uncanny
resemblance to Mio, but the only problem is she seems to have no
memories whatsoever. Nevertheless, Takumi and Yuji bring the woman back
to their house and remind her of their former life together, but as Mio
starts to fall in love with her husband and son again and her memories
begin to slowly return, the rain starts to dry up, little by little.
NARUTO: INNOCENT HEART, DEMONIC BLOOD • MSRP: $9.99 USA / $12.99 CAN
•
Available November 2006
NARUTO is currently one of the best selling and top rated manga and
anime properties in North America (both are distributed and licensed by
VIZ Media). In this new novel, Naruto, a born troublemaker, has the
worst grades of anyone at Ninja Academy. But he has big dreams and
swears that someday he'll be a respected warrior and the leader of his
village! After barely graduating from the academy, Naruto officially
becomes a full-fledged ninja and starts accepting assignments. He's
thrilled about embarking on his first big job, a bodyguard mission, but
his enthusiasm soon turns to panic when his group is ambushed by the
powerful, vicious Demon Brothers. Can Naruto triumph over these
fearsome
foes? Jump into the world of Naruto for the first time or meet your
favorite ninja all over again as Naruto's early escapades—from his
pranks at Ninja Academy to his adventures in the Land of Waves—are
retold in vivid prose. The novel presents familiar characters and lots
of white-knuckled action in an exciting new format, and is sure to
thrill fans of the manga and anime series as well as those not yet
familiar with the property. Also includes a full-color exclusive
mini-poster!
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.
Popular RUROUNI KENSHIN And
The Award-Winning NARUTO
San Francisco, CA, September 15, 2006 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media),
one
of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive
publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the
upcoming release of three new additions to the company’s innovative
VIZ
Fiction imprint. These new original novels are based on the popular
anime and manga properties, RUROUNI KENSHIN and NARUTO and the
best-selling novel from Japan, BE WITH YOU, all present inspired
stories
in a traditional novel format that feature familiar characters from
popular VIZ Media properties, as well as new stories, and will
captivate
fans of adventure, romance and fantasy.
VIZ Media’s Fiction imprint has published a variety of titles
to-date,
including three Fullmetal Alchemist novels, STEAMBOY, GHOST IN THE
SHELL
2: INNOCENCE AFTER THE LONG GOODBYE, KAMIKAZE GIRLS and the romantic
SOCRATES IN LOVE.
"We are committed to making the VIZ Fiction line as dynamic and varied
as possible and these new releases will demonstrate a good cross
section
of the kinds of titles fans can look forward to," states Liza Coppola
senior vice president of marketing for VIZ Media. "We are confident
that
fans of titles like RUROUNI KENSHIN and NARUTO will enjoy being
presented with this dynamic new way to explore characters and plots
based on their favorite anime and manga properties. We are also excited
to publish BE WITH YOU domestically, as it has already captivated so
many readers in Japan with its heartwarming and romantic story of love
and devotion.â€
RUROUNI KENSHIN: VOYAGE TO THE MOON WORLD • MSRP: $9.99 USA/$12.99
CAN •
Available October 2006
The first domestic title based on the best selling RUROUNI KENSHIN
manga
(also published by VIZ Media). The novel, RUROUNI KENSHIN: VOYAGE TO
THE
MOON WORLD finds the wandering master swordsman Rurouni Kenshin now
living in Kyoto where he joins the Kamiya Kasshin-ryû dojo to learn
the
art of “swords that give life.†Along with his fellow apprentice
Yahiko,
Kenshin trains under their kind but demanding instructor, Kaoru. But
the
peaceful routine of the dojo is disrupted when Tae, a waitress at
Akabeko restaurant, asks for their help. A regular at the restaurant
has
lost his master’s precious book, and he’ll be kicked out in the
street
if he can’t recover it. The simple case of a missing book soon
becomes a
dangerous mystery as Kenshin and his friends are tangled in deep
secrets
and dark plots! RUROUNI KENSHIN has been critically acclaimed for its
epic story arcs, historically accurate character details rooted in late
19th century Japan, and plenty of riveting action. This first fiction
title takes the action a step further in an engrossing novel format
that
features all the familiar characters from the popular manga series. A
must-read for fans of either the anime, manga or samurai fiction.
BE WITH YOU • MSRP: $19.99 USA/$25.99 CAN • Available November 2006
A best selling novel in Japan by noted author Takuji Ichikawa, VIZ
Media
is pleased to bring BE WITH YOU to North American readers. The novel
was
widely praised upon initial publication, spawned a top-grossing film
and
helped define the “Pure Love†trend, which presents tear-jerking
but
heartwarming stories of true love lost and won that has captivated
millions of Japanese women. BE WITH YOU, which has also been optioned
as
a possible film release starring Jennifer Garner, tells the story of
the
young Aio family: Takumi, Mio and their six year old son Yuji, who were
tragically torn apart a year prior to the story’s start when Mio died
of
a long running illness. But the father and son find it difficult to
move
on. Yuji’s worried that giving birth to him was what made his mother
sick, and Takumi believes his own sickness (a debilitating motor
disease) meant Mio had to make one too many sacrifices as a wife to
accommodate. However, both look to make up for this very soon because
Mio promised the couple that a year after her death she would return to
spend the Rainy Season with them. With Mio’s promise resonating deep
within their hearts, Takumi and Yuji go out on a walk in the woods as
soon as the first downpours of June appear. In the ruins of an old
abandoned factory, they bump into a woman who bears an uncanny
resemblance to Mio, but the only problem is she seems to have no
memories whatsoever. Nevertheless, Takumi and Yuji bring the woman back
to their house and remind her of their former life together, but as Mio
starts to fall in love with her husband and son again and her memories
begin to slowly return, the rain starts to dry up, little by little.
NARUTO: INNOCENT HEART, DEMONIC BLOOD • MSRP: $9.99 USA / $12.99 CAN
•
Available November 2006
NARUTO is currently one of the best selling and top rated manga and
anime properties in North America (both are distributed and licensed by
VIZ Media). In this new novel, Naruto, a born troublemaker, has the
worst grades of anyone at Ninja Academy. But he has big dreams and
swears that someday he'll be a respected warrior and the leader of his
village! After barely graduating from the academy, Naruto officially
becomes a full-fledged ninja and starts accepting assignments. He's
thrilled about embarking on his first big job, a bodyguard mission, but
his enthusiasm soon turns to panic when his group is ambushed by the
powerful, vicious Demon Brothers. Can Naruto triumph over these
fearsome
foes? Jump into the world of Naruto for the first time or meet your
favorite ninja all over again as Naruto's early escapades—from his
pranks at Ninja Academy to his adventures in the Land of Waves—are
retold in vivid prose. The novel presents familiar characters and lots
of white-knuckled action in an exciting new format, and is sure to
thrill fans of the manga and anime series as well as those not yet
familiar with the property. Also includes a full-color exclusive
mini-poster!
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.
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