VIZ Media Europe Announces Blue Dragon Anime Series To Air On Italia Uno Network

Paris, France, September 14, 2009 – VIZ Media Europe (VME), has announced that the BLUE DRAGON animated series will premiere on Italia Uno, one of Italy’s leading broadcast networks, beginning today. Episodes from the first and second season of BLUE DRAGON will air three times a week as part of the network’s regular animated programming. VME specializes in managing the development, marketing and distribution throughout Europe of Japanese manga (graphic novels) and animated entertainment.

Mediaset/RTI owns and operates Italia Uno and is Italy’s leading commercial broadcaster with more than 9.9 million viewers and a total audience share of nearly 40 percent. VIZ Media is the master licensor for the television, home video and non-video game merchandising rights for BLUE DRAGON in the Americas, Europe and Oceania. Mediaset’s launch of BLUE DRAGON follows Cartoon Network Italy’s broadcast of the series which began last April.

BLUE DRAGON is a fantastic 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!

The video game “BLUE DRAGON” debuted on the Xbox 360 entertainment system, and was developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi (the creator of Final Fantasy) and features characters designed by Akira Toriyama, the creator of the best-selling DRAGON BALL series of manga (which is published in North America by VIZ Media and featured in SHONEN JUMP Magazine).

About VIZ Media Europe, S.A.R.L. (VME)
Headquartered in Paris, France, VIZ Media Europe (VME) specializes in managing the development, marketing and distribution throughout Europe of Japanese animated entertainment and graphic novels (manga). VME 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, BLUE DRAGON, DEATH NOTE, HAMTARO, HONEY & CLOVER, KEKKAISHI, KILARI, M.A.R NEURO, A PENGUIN’S TROUBLES and ZOIDS GENESIS. 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.

via VIZ Media Europe

VIZ Media to Publish Books Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo

VIZ Media is set to release a series of new books based on Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo, which is due to be released by Disney in the United States on August 14 2009.

Ponyo  an animated film by the Japanese anime studio Studio Ghibli, written and directed by famed anime filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.

Among VIZ Media’s offerings are a four-volume Ponyo film comic book that uses full-color frames from the film, a Ponyo picture book and The Art of Ponyo, which goes behind the scenes on the making of the film. Ponyo Film Comic, Vols. 1-2 which is rated ‘A’ and cost $9.99 each will be available on August 4. Vols. 3-4 will be available on August 11, 2009

The picture book also uses art from the film, as well as simplified text, to tell the story of the film for younger readers. It will be available August 4 and cost $19.99.

The Art of Ponyo will be out on August 11 for $34.99. It is a comprehensive soft cover edition that features striking watercolor and pastel concept sketches and layout pages from the film, as well as interviews with production principals and the complete screenplay to give an inside look at the entire creative process behind PONYO.

VIZ Media Joins Playstation Video Delivery Service

VIZ Media is coming to the PlayStation Network, offering three of North America’s most popular Anime series. Bleach, Death Note and Naruto are accessible for download via PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation Portable (PSP) systems in the United States.

The service begins immediately with 13 episodes of Naruto, 20 of Bleach and the entire 37-segment Death Note series. The episodes are available for $1.99 each via the Network’s new VIZ Media Channel page.

Episodes will be English-dubbed in standard definition.

“Naruto, Bleach and Death Note are compelling additions to the PlayStation Network and an ideal complement to the dynamic library of content, games and applications available for the PS3 and PSP,” says Ken Sasaki, VP of strategy and business development for VIZ Media. “Together, these series have set a new standard for anime throughout the world and the ease of download, combined with portability and interoperability between many media devices, will allow fans to watch their favorite ninjas in training, Soul Reapers and Shinigami Death Gods whether at home or on the go, wherever and however they want.”

About PlayStation Network
The PlayStation Network is an entertainment network that unites people and innovative entertainment to deliver captivating experiences worldwide. In addition to offering new and original forms of entertainment, the PlayStation Network supports free and community-centric online gameplay, communication tools, and PSP and PS3 connectivity. As of May 2009, the PlayStation Network has more than 24 million registered accounts worldwide.

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 and on the web site at www.VIZ.com.