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Posts Tagged Viz Media

Review: Butterflies, Flowers (Vol. 01)

By Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, November 22, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Yuki Yoshihara
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: December 2009

Synopsis: “Choko Kuze is the sensible daughter of a venerable family who went bankrupt. She joins a real estate company as an entry-level office worker, but her eccentric boss is harder on her than anyone else in the company! After hearing him inadvertently call her “milady,” she realizes he was the young servant boy she knew as a child. At work he’s a tyrant, but after hours he insists on treating her like a lady of the nobility. Is romance even possible for a couple locked in such a crazy role reversal?”

The cover of Butterflies, Flowers is quick to invoke the thoughts of a deep love between two individuals, one adorned in a suit with his protective disposition and the other a lovely woman in a kimono laying in his embrace – is this a sweet tale of adult romance? You may be inclined to think so but flip the book over and you’ll quickly realize something quite amiss with your initial impressions.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Butterflies Flowers, Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media

Review: LoveCom (Vol. 01)

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 20, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Aya Nakahara
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: July 2007

Synopsis: “Risa Koizumi is the tallest girl in class, and the last thing she wants is the humiliation of standing next to Atsushi Ôtani, the shortest guy. Fate and the whole school have other ideas, and the two find themselves cast as the unwilling stars of a bizarre romantic comedy duo. Rather than bow to the inevitable, Risa and Atsushi join forces to pursue their true objects of affection. But will their budding friendship become something more complex?”

Above average in height, Risa Koizumi wonders if she’ll ever be able to enjoy the normalcy of an average stature. The only one who seems to understand her is Atsushi Otani, the shortest boy in their class. Seeing worlds from different views, and arguing on nearly every one, the two manage to come to an agreement when being in love is involved – as long as it’s not with each other.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media

Review: Legend of Zelda – Oracle of Seasons

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, November 19, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Akira Himekawa
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: All Ages
Release Date: April 2009

Synopsis: “In a small village in Hyrule, a boy called Link has the mark of the Triforce on his left hand. It is a mark of destiny that once again leads Link on a fantastic adventure! Transported to the land of Holodrum, Link meets Din, the Oracle of Seasons. When a plot to steal the seasons from Holodrum unfolds, Link must battle the evil General Onox to save Holodrum and his friends from a terrible fate!”

The Link of this story isn’t as enthusiastic at the prospect of being a hero as those before him – in fact, the last thing he wants to be is a Knight in service to the throne. But, in an effort to find out what it is he really wants to do, he goes along with his Grandfather’s wishes and attends the Knights’ trial. Yet then he accidentally activates a trial of a different kind and is suddenly whisked across the countryside to a land in need of a hero.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Manga, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Delights Younger Readers This Holiday Season

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, November 17, 2009

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PONYO, POKÉMON AND ZELDA DELIGHT YOUNGER READERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IN NEW BOOKS AND MANGA RELEASES FROM VIZ MEDIA

San Francisco, CA, November 16, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will delight younger fans (as well as their parents) this holiday season with a fun variety of age-appropriate titles based on popular anime and manga (graphic novel) properties.

The releases include a trio of books capturing the unique art and tender story of PONYO, the new animated film from the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. Fans of POKÉMON won’t be disappointed with a variety of the latest manga editions along with puzzle books and a new posterzine, and THE LEGEND OF ZELDA fans can also look forward to a brand new manga adventure.

“These are all titles that parents can select with confidence for younger readers,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra Vice President, Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media “From the gorgeously illustrated PONYO FILM COMIC and PICTURE BOOK, to the fun puzzles of LET’S FIND POKÉMON and the magical fantasy of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, there are plenty of thoughtful selections to delight anyone on your holiday gift lists this year!”

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Viz Media

Review: Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden (Vol. 09)

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 13, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Yuu Watase
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2009

Synopsis: “Back in her own world, Takiko tries to forget about The Universe of the Four Gods. Determined to live the life of an ordinary girl in Tokyo in 1923, she returns to her father’s home and concentrates on being a loyal daughter–and, soon, a dutiful bride. But she can’t leave her other life behind. And while Takiko struggles to cool her still-burning heart, the Celestial Warriors battle through a new ice age!”

Those who’ve read the original Fushigi Yugi series already know how Genbu Kaiden is going to end, but this volume is a clear indicator that Yu Watase isn’t going to ignore those of us thinking we have the end pegged. With Takiko transported back to her world at the end of the last volume, she’s now torn between the life she has there and the love she feels for those she left behind.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Fushigi Yugi, Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media, Yuu Watase

PR: More Manga for Holiday Gift Ideas from VIZ Media!

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, November 12, 2009

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VAMPIRES, CRIME DRAMA, GHOSTS, TEENAGE ANGST AND MORE FOR THIS GIFT GIVING HOLIDAY SEASON

VIZ SIGNATURE, SHONEN SUNDAY, AND SHONEN JUMP IMPRINTS OFFER ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURES

San Francisco, CA, November 12, 2009– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, spotlights an inventive variety of manga (graphic novels) that are sure to delight both gift givers and recipients this holiday season with adventure, action, mystery, vampires and more.

“We’re offering up the best of the best just in time for the holidays,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media. “There are new series from manga heavyweights like Taiyo Matsumoto with GOGO Monster, and Rumiko Takahashi with her newest creation, RIN-NE and many more. For new and familiar fans alike, or perhaps for ones who simply love good stories with exquisite art, any of these titles will make an especially unique gift to fit almost any budget this year.”

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Children of the Sea, Rumiko Takahashi, Shonen Sunday, Viz Media

PR: Shojo manga From VIZ Media! – Great for Holiday Gift ideas!

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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VIZ MEDIA MAKES IT A HOLIDAY SEASON OF SHOJO WITH FUN NEW RELEASES

Selections Make Thoughtful Gift Ideas
To Delight Even The Most Discerning Fan

San Francisco, CA, November 11, 2009– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, presents several new shojo manga (graphic novel) titles that fans and gift givers of all types might consider for wish list priority this holiday season.

The releases include THE ART OF GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE †, a collection of lavish drawings and designs from the hit series by famed shojo artist, Arina Tanemura. New manga title, BEAST MASTER, as well as the latest volume of the popular gothic high school drama VAMPIRE KNIGHT, and the VIZBIG omnibus editions of FUSHIGI YUGI and HOT GIMMICK.

“Shojo manga fans have much to look forward to during this year’s holiday season, with a variety of selections that make wonderful gift ideas to suit any budget,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media. “Many of these series have dramatically expanded the core Shojo audience, receiving universal renown and acclaim. From VAMPIRE KNIGHT, which has become a national bestseller, to the launch of the wild new manga, BEAST MASTER, and gorgeous new omnibus editions of other shojo favorites, bookstore shelves have never been stocked with so much must-read Shojo manga!!

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Fushigi Yugi, Shoujo Beat, Vampire Knight, Viz Media, Yuu Watase

PR: Viz Media Releases Surreal GoGo Monster Manga

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, November 10, 2009

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VIZ MEDIA OFFERS AN EMOTIONAL MIX OF THE REAL AND IMAGINARY IN THE DEBUT OF
TAIYO MATSUMOTO’S GOGO MONSTER

New Manga Release Blends Bold Art And A Clever Story Of A Young Boy Who Tries To Balance His Own Lonely World With a Fantastic Supernatural Realm Only He Can See

San Francisco, CA, November 10, 2009 – 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 Taiyo Matsumoto’s celebrated manga GOGO MONSTER on November 17th. GOGO MONSTER will be published by the company’s VIZ Signature imprint, rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $27.99 U.S. / $36.00 CAN.

Third grader Yuki Tachibana lives in two worlds. In one world, he is a loner ridiculed by his classmates and reprimanded by his teachers for telling stories of supernatural beings that only he can see. In the other world, the supernatural beings vie for power with malevolent spirits who bring chaos into the school, the students’ lives, and even nature itself.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Viz Media

PR: VIZ Media manga releases for Q4 2009!

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, November 2, 2009

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VIZ MEDIA SERVES UP SCIENCE FICTION, ACTION FANTASY, ROMANCE AND JAPANESE CUISINE FOR NEW FOURTH QUARTER MANGA RELEASES

New Titles Span A Variety Of Genres To Delight Fans Of All Ages And Interests

San Francisco, CA, November 2, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has previewed an array of new manga (graphic novel) releases scheduled to debut throughout the Fourth Quarter of 2009. The new titles span a diverse range of genres everywhere from science fiction, fantasy/adventure, and crime thrillers to shojo (comics for girls) and teenage coming-of-age stories.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Rumiko Takahashi, Viz Media

PR: VIZ Media to release JORMUNGAND on November 10th!

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, October 29, 2009

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VIZ MEDIA LETS THE BULLETS AND ACTION FLY IN NEW MANGA SERIES JORMUNGAND

Death Is A Business And Business Is Good For A Crack Team Of Mercenaries; Staying Alive Becomes Even More Dangerous When A New Young Recruit Joins The Team

San Francisco, CA, October 29, 2009– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will premiere the exciting new manga series JORMUNGAND to readers across North America next month. The new action adventure by Keitaro Takahashi will be published by VIZ Media’s Signature imprint and will release on November 10th. JORMUNGAND is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Jonah is a child soldier, born amidst the chaotic conflicts that rage across West Asia. His family was lost to a war fueled by weapons supplied by the so-called Merchants of Death – international arms dealers. Despite Jonah’s hatred of weapons and violence, he employs them extremely well in the service of high-flying arms dealer named Koko Hekmatyar and her band of mercenaries. Their journey through the dark underbelly of the world’s arms markets may lead to damnation, but will Jonah somehow make his way back to the light? Only one thing is certain: it’s going to be a long, hard road out of hell… Death is their business, and business is good!

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Viz Media