VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT ANIME ON DVD & BLU-RAY

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT ANIME SERIES ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

Complete Anime Fantasy Action Adventure From Production I.G. To Be Released On DVD And Blu-ray

San Francisco, CA, August 21, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, delivers the riveting anime action fantasy series about a wandering warrior and a fallen prince to fans with the home media release of MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT on August 26^th.

The 26-episode series, based on a bestselling collection of Japanese fantasy novels by author Nahoko Uehashi, is rated ‘TV-14’ and will be offered on 4 discs available on DVD and Blu-ray formats. The series will carry a DVD MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN; Blu-ray MSRP will be $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN.  The series will also be available for digital download from a range of top media content providers including Apple iTunes, GooglePlay, Amazon Instant Video, PlayStation Network and the Xbox Marketplace on August 26^th (English dubbed version) and on September 2^nd (Japanese with English subtitles).     

The Blu-ray release features episodes presented in full 1080p High Definition 16x9 video, along with dubbed English and Japanese 2.0 dialogue as well as English subtitle options. The DVD edition features 16x9 Standard Definition video and available English and Japanese 2.0 audio and English subtitle options. Special bonus features for both sets include series trailers, a MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT promotional film, a “Pilot” production film, the series’ official press conference and discussion panels, as well as clean opening and closing segments.

Young Prince Chagum has been suspected of demonic possession by court advisors who see only one solution: death. But his salvation may lie in the hands of Balsa, the spear-wielding bodyguard from Kanbal, the kingdom across the mountains. Her vow to save eight worthy souls has led her to the imperiled Chagum and into the mystery of the water spirit, a mystical entity that may hold the key to saving millions of lives from drought. Her skill and tenacity are legendary, but can she fend off an entire empire?

“MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT is a thrilling anime series with some beautifully rendered artwork and a well developed plot from Production IG that North American action and fantasy fans will not want to miss,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Animation Marketing Manager. “The stage is set for lots of drama and action as Prince Chagum and his bodyguard journey through dangerous realm to uncover the Prince’s mysterious connection to a legendary water spirit.  We look forward to fans making this new release a riveting addition to their personal anime collections.”

For more information on MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT or other anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit: www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.

VIZ MEDIA RELEASES VAMPIRE KNIGHT: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION ANIME BOX SET

Return To Cross Academy For The Paranormal Romance And Dark Bloodlust In Both Seasons Of Acclaimed Gothic Anime Series Offered In A New Comprehensive DVD Box Set

 VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has released the brooding gothic melodrama – VAMPIRE KNIGHT – in a comprehensive DVD box set that contains both seasons of the hit anime series in a single new edition.

VAMPIRE KNIGHT: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION is available now and is rated TV-14. The 4-disc set is available exclusively on DVD with an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. /$43.24 CAN.

The new box set contains VAMPIRE KNIGHT as well as VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY, for a total of 26 episodes. Gorgeous O-card box art features foil embossed stamping, and a special illustrated chart is also included that shows the relationships between all of the series’ key characters. English dubbed 2.0 audio is available as well as the original Japanese dialogue track with English subtitles.

Yuki Cross can’t remember anything earlier than the day ten years ago when she was saved from a vampire attack by Pureblood vampire Kaname Kuran. Now Yuki, along with her partner, Zero, is a Guardian at Cross Academy, where two groups of students, the Day Class and the Night Class, coexist in relative harmony, despite the fact that the Night Class students are all vampires! But their peaceful existence is threatened when Yuki’s memories of a bloodstained past begin to emerge, and a dark shadow of evil looms ever closer!

“Audiences can return to the ominous Cross Academy and savor the gothic romance and bloodlust, dark characters, and beautiful artwork that have made the VAMPIRE KNIGHT series such a hit among anime fans,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager Animation Marketing. “For the first time, both seasons of VAMPIRE KNIGHT are available in a single complete DVD box set. For anyone that has yet to see this acclaimed series, the new release is also an ideal way to catch it in its entirety.”

VAMPIRE KNIGHT and VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY are based on the best-selling manga series created by Matsuri Hino (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens; published in North America in-print and digitally by VIZ Media), who burst onto the scene in Japan with her debut title, Kono Yume ga Sametara (When This Dream Is Over) in LaLa DX magazine. With the success of subsequent series such as CAPTIVE HEARTS and MERU PURI (both also published domestically by VIZ Media), Hino has become a major force in the world of shojo manga.

Also don’t miss the VAMPIRE KNIGHT FANBOOK and THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT, both available from VIZ Media.

For more information on VAMPIRE KNIGHT, or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

VIZ MEDIA RELEASES RANMA ½ ANIME SERIES VOLUME 2 LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY BOX SET

Don’t Miss The Legendary Martial Arts Comedy In Stunning High Definition In A 3-Disc Set Filled With Special Bonus Features And Extras; Standard Edition DVD Set Also Available

San Francisco, CA, June 9, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, delivers the next installment of the celebrated return of the classic RANMA ½ anime series in new, digitally restored, High Definition Limited Edition Blu-ray and Standard Edition DVD Box Sets with the release of Volume 2 – covering Episodes 24-46 – on June 24^th.

VIZ Media is releasing the revered gender-bending martial arts action comedy, based on the popular manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi, in its original Japanese series order across seven Limited Edition Blu-ray and DVD Box Sets. Each contains a wealth of special bonus features and other extras that fans will not want to miss. RANMA ½ is rated TV-14.

The RANMA ½ Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set, Volume 2 carries an MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN. The set features 23 episodes on 3 discs, presented for the first time ever in full 1080p High Definition resolution with the series’ original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio. The Standard Edition DVD set is available with an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN.

Guaranteed to become a highlight of any anime fan’s media collection,  the Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set comes packaged in a premium chipboard box with gold foil stamping that is beautifully illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi and also includes a 32-page booklet, complete episode guide, and a collectable full-color RANMA ½ art card. Special bonus features available exclusively on the Blu-ray edition include, ’We love Ranma’ Part 2 – Favorite Scenes,’ the continuation of an ongoing series of insightful interviews tracing the legacy and impact of the groundbreaking anime show.

The RANMA ½ Standard Edition DVD set features 23 episodes presented in HD with the original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio, and bonus features that include clean openings and endings and trailers.

Dialogue options for both DVD and Blu-ray formats include original Japanese with accurate English subtitles or dubbed English audio, along with a secondary subtitle track for signs and songs.

The latest RANMA ½ box set continues the zany adventures of Ranma Saotome, the boy who turns into a girl with a splash of water and always has his hands full fending off enthusiastic admirers! One of the most enthusiastic is Shampoo, the powerful Amazon from China who wants to kill the girl Ranma and marry the boy Ranma! And when she falls into a cursed spring and turns into a cat, the claws come out! But Shampoo has a suitor of her own, Mousse, who shows up one day and challenges Ranma to a battle over…Ranma’s fiancée, Akane? Then, Ranma’s dad, Genma, and Akane’s dad, Soun, studied under the same master, Happosai, who happens to be a bit of a perv. Surely there could be no connection between his sudden appearance and the disappearance of some neighborhood ladies’ undies!

RANMA ½ manga creator Rumiko Takahashi is one of Japan’s most prolific and respected manga artists and is the creator of several long running series including MAISON IKKOKU, RANMA ½, and INUYASHA – all published in North America by VIZ Media. The spotlight on her prolific career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and also spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another— MAISON IKKOKU ran from 1980 to 1987, RANMA ½ from 1987 to 1996, and INUYASHA from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include MERMAID SAGA, RUMIC THEATER, ONE-POUND GOSPEL, and RIN-NE (all also published in North America by VIZ Media).

For more information on RANMA ½ and other Rumiko Takahashi titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.