Kuriousity | manga reviews and news » 2014

Archive for October, 2014

PR: Perfect Square to Debut New All-Ages Battle Robot Series LBX

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, October 31, 2014

VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT LAUNCHES LBX (LITTLE BATTLERS EXPERIENCE) MANGA SERIES

Extremely Popular New Series From Japan About A Boy And His Powerful Robot That Battle Evil Kicks Off In English This Fall

San Francisco, CA, October 30, 2014– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, delivers sci-fi battle robot action in a BIG way with the launch of the new manga (graphic novel) series – LBX (LITTLE BATTLERS EXPERIENCE). The action kicks off in the first two volumes of the series from the company’s Perfect Square imprint on November 4th. Future volumes will each be released on a bi-monthly basis.

LBX (LITTLE BATTLERS EXPERIENCE) is a hot new action/sci-fi/mecha property based on the LBX video game, a series of role-playing action games created by Level-5, with manga, an anime, and planned forthcoming toys and games debuting this fall.

Created by Hideaki Fuji, the LBX (LITTLE BATTLERS EXPERIENCE) manga series is rated ‘A’ for All Ages. Volumes 1 and 2 will be released on November 4th and will be available will a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN each.

Welcome to the world of Little Battlers eXperience! In the near future, a boy named Van Yamano owns Achilles, a miniaturized robot with super strong power. But Achilles is no ordinary LBX. Hidden inside him is secret data that Van must keep out of the hands of evil at all costs.

In Volume 1, “The New Dawn Raisers,” Van loves Little Battlers eXperience, also known as LBXs, the hottest toy in present-day 2050. And it’s kind of cool that his dad invented them! But now a secret organization is coming after Van to procure the secrets that might be hidden inside his own LBX robot, Achilles!

Share on Tumblr

Categories: Press Releases
Tags: LBX, Perfect Square, Viz Media

PR: Set Sail With The Straw Hats on their Continuing Adventures, in ONE PIECE MANGA BOX SET 2

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, October 23, 2014

No Comments »

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF
ONE PIECE MANGA BOX SET 2

New Box Set Edition Features The Continuing Adventures
Of The Straw Hat Pirates With Vols. 24-46 Of The
World’s Bestselling Manga Series

San Francisco, CA, October 23, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, delivers a special treat to fans with the latest Box Set installment for the world’s most popular manga series – ONE PIECE.

The ONE PIECE Manga Box Set 2 will be released on November 4th and is rated ‘T’ for Teens. The set contains Volumes 24-46, which comprise the series’ third and fourth story arcs – Skypiea and Water Seven – and will carry an MSRP of $185.99 U.S. / CAN. The Box Set also features a full-color poster and special ONE PIECE mini-comic.

As a child, ONE PIECE main character Monkey D. Luffy dreamed of becoming King of the Pirates. But his life changed when he accidentally ate the Gum-Gum Fruit, an enchanted Devil Fruit that gave him the ability to stretch like rubber. The only drawback? He’ll never be able to swim again – a serious handicap for an aspiring sea dog! Years later, Luffy sets off on his quest to find the “One Piece,” said to be the greatest treasure in the world…

Share on Tumblr

Categories: Press Releases
Tags: One Piece, Shonen Jump, Viz Media

PR: A Mystical Girl And Her Knights Embark on a Quest In KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, October 22, 2014

No Comments »

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES NEW PARANORMAL SHOJO MANGA SERIES KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS

A Mystical Girl Brings Forth Four Magical Knights To Help Her On A Quest To Save The World From The Forces Of Evil

San Francisco, CA, October 22, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces a thrilling new paranormal shojo manga (graphic novel) adventure with the launch of Aya Shouoto’s KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS on November 4th.

The new series will be available for the first time digitally as well as in print under the Shojo Beat imprint. KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

A digital version of KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS, Vol. 1 also will debut on November 4th for $6.99 (USD/CAN) from VIZManga.com and through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones, as well as through the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay stores. Future editions of the 9-volume series will be released in-print and digitally on a bi-monthly basis.

Anise Yamamoto has been told that if she ever removes the rose choker given to her by her father, a terrible punishment will befall her. Unfortunately she loses that choker when a bat-like being falls from the sky and hits her. Anise is granted four cards representing four knights whom she can summon with a kiss. But now that she has these gorgeous men at her beck and call, what exactly is her quest?!

Share on Tumblr

Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Aya Shouoto, Kiss of the Rose Princess, Shojo Beat, Viz Media

PR: DEATH NOTE Artist Takeshi Obata’s ALL YOU NEED IS KILL Manga Debuts November 4th

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, October 22, 2014

No Comments »

VIZ MEDIA PREMIERES OMNIBUS PRINT EDITION OF ALL YOU NEED IS KILL MANGA

Sci-Fi Action Manga By Takeshi Obata, Creator Of DEATH NOTE, Adapts The Award-Winning Japanese Novel That Inspired The Summer Blockbuster Film Edge Of Tomorrow

San Francisco, CA, October 22, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces the print launch of famed manga artist Takeshi Obata’s latest manga (graphic novel) masterpiece with the release of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL as an oversized omnibus edition on November 4th.

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL collects both volumes into this complete edition and features color inserts, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will be available under the Shonen Jump Advanced imprint with a print MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Digital editions for the pair of individual volumes are also available for $6.99 each across all platforms serviced by VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, and are similarly available on the storefronts for the Kindle, iBooks, GooglePlay, Kobo, ComiXology, and Nook. The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. With the dynamic platform, fans can explore and enjoy a massive catalog of classic manga series that spans more than 2,200 volumes across more than 200 different series.

Takeshi Obata’s ALL YOU NEED IS KILL originally premiered in VIZ Media’s WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP digital manga anthology earlier this year and is the stunning manga realization of the popular Japanese sci-fi novel, written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. In this rousing action story, when the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally – the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji’s escape or his final death?

The bestselling ALL YOU NEED IS KILL novel also inspired the live-action summer blockbuster – Edge of Tomorrow – which starred Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton.

The original novel also was the launch title in 2009 for Haikasoru, VIZ Media’s unique literary imprint dedicated to publishing the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences. VIZ Media also published a special movie tie-in version of the ALL YOU NEED IS KILL/EDGE OF TOMORROW novel over the summer to support the release of the live-action film.

Share on Tumblr

Categories: Press Releases
Tags: All You Need Is Kill, takeshi obata, Viz Media

PR: Discover the Terrifying Beginnings of the Deadly C-Virus in RESIDENT EVIL: THE MARHAWA DESIRE!

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, October 16, 2014

No Comments »

VIZ MEDIA UNLEASHES THE TERRIFYING
RESIDENT EVIL MANGA SERIES
AND OFFERS A SPECIAL FREE PREVIEW FOR
HALLOWEEN COMICFEST 2014

Discover The Source Of The Outbreak Of The Deadly C-Virus In The Gritty Manga Prequel To CAPCOM’s Popular
Resident Evil® 6 Game Property

San Francisco, CA, October 16, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, gives gamers and action fans a special FREE sneak preview of its forthcoming RESIDENT EVIL: THE MARHAWA DESIRE manga (graphic novel) series as part of the company’s participation in 2014 Halloween ComicFest.

The terrifying 5-volume apocalyptic action thriller was created by Naoki Serizawa and serves as a prequel to the storyline of CAPCOM’s bestselling Resident Evil® 6 game property. The manga series is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers and will launch on November 18th under the VIZ Signature imprint. RESIDENT EVIL: THE MARHAWA DESIRE Vol. 1 will carry a print MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

Held each year, Halloween ComicFest is celebrated at scores of comic shops and retailers nationwide on the Saturday before Halloween. On this day, participating shops offer fans and visitors a special FREE Halloween ComicFest sampler filled with previews of scores of exciting upcoming titles. For additional information and a list of participating retailers, please visit: www.halloweencomicfest.com.

The highly virulent C-virus became a global disaster, but where did the outbreak start? In the series’ opening volume, at the prestigious and elite Marhawa Academy in Singapore, a female student suffers a horrifying transformation. Called in to investigate, Professor Doug Wright and his nephew Ricky find themselves caught up in a deadly and growing tragedy. As things get rapidly out of hand, Chris Redfield and his team from the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance arrive on the scene, while behind it all a mysterious figure looms.

Share on Tumblr

Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Manhwa, Resident Evil, Viz Media

PR: Yen Press Announces New Licenses at New York Comic Con

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, October 11, 2014

No Comments »

Yen Press Announces New Licenses at New York Comic Con

NEW YORK, NY (October 10, 2014) – At its panel at New York Comic Con today, Yen Press announced a number of highly-anticipated forthcoming manga publications.

The light novel series Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? and A Certain Magical Index were already on the new Yen On list, specializing in translated light novels. Today, Yen Press announced the acquisition of the manga series as well. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is by Kunieda; the original story is by Fujino Omori and the character design by Suzuhito Yasuda. A Certain Magical Index is by Chuya Kogino; the original story by Kazuma Kamachi and the character design by Kiyotaka Haimura.

Also announced were Emma by Kaoru Mori, author of the acclaimed A Bride’s Story and Kaoru Mori: Anything and Something, also published by Yen Press; and Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova, author of Nightschool and illustrator of James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard, both also published by Yen Press.

The other announced publications were:

Trinity Seven, by Kenji Saitou and Akinari Nao;
Chaika, The Coffin Princess (manga) by Shinta Sakayama, original story by Ichirou Sakaki, character design by Namaniku ATK;
First Love Monster by Akira Hiyoshimaru;
Prison School by Akira Hiramoto; and
Alice in Murderland by Kaori Yuki.

Share on Tumblr

Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Alice in Murderland, Chaika the Coffin Princess, First Love Monster, NYCC, Prison School, Trinity Seven, Yen Press

PR: Viz Media Announces New Manga Licenses at 2014 New York Comic Con

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, October 9, 2014

No Comments »

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF MANGA LICENSES FOR
TOKYO GHOUL AND SO CUTE IT HURTS!!

North America’s Leading Manga Publisher Thrills Fans At New York Comic Con 2014 With The Announcement Of A Harrowing New Action Horror Series And A Hilarious New Shojo Manga Title

San Francisco, CA, October 9, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announced the acquisition of a pair of exciting new manga (graphic novel) titles during panels held during the recent New York Comic Con 2014.

Fans attending the East Coast’s biggest pop culture and comics event enthusiastically welcomed the announcement of the Summer 2015 launch of creator Sui Ishida’s horror action series, TOKYO GHOUL, which will be published under the VIZ Signature imprint, as well as Go Ikeyamada’s cross-dressing comedy, SO CUTE IT HURTS!!, set to be published under the Shojo Beat imprint. Both titles will be released in print as well as digitally.

TOKYO GHOUL  Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens 
Print MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN  Available June 2015
This riveting horror/action series about a reluctant monster has been one of the year’s most fan-requested new titles. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

SO CUTE IT HURTS!!  Rated ‘T’ for Teens 
Print MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN  Available June 2015
The fun begins when the cross-dressing starts in this hilarious new high school shojo manga comedy. The Kobayashi twins, Mego and Mitsuru, were named after historical figures, but only Mego has grown up with a taste for history. So when Mitsuru is in danger of losing his weekends to extra history classes, he convinces his sister to swap clothes with him and ace his tests! After all, how hard can it be for them to play each other?

Share on Tumblr

Categories: Press Releases
Tags: NYCC, So Cute It Hurts, Tokyo Ghoul, Viz Media