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.

Web-comic Review: Supernormal Step

By Temper

Magic, face punching and a robot or two; that is the tagline for this month’s web comic recommendation, Supernormal Step. Written, drawn, and colored by Michael Lee Lunsford; Supernormal Step centers on the misadventures of the blue haired heroine Fiona Dae. The plot starts when she gets transported to an alternate dimension Earth where magic is prevalent and where a man named Henderson is the lifetime leader of the United States.

Fiona doesn't care much about her current situation.  The plot mostly centers on her getting used to life on this new version of Earth while also trying to find a way back to her old life on the “normal” Earth. However, Fiona doesn't have to go on this adventure alone, she will have many allies. They will range from the wandering mage that sort of summoned her into this word, to a man trapped in the body of a stuffed bunny because he was a prick. The world of Supernormal Step has diverse characters from various mythical races along with the wonderful art of Lunsford.  During the evolution of the series, each character is portrayed beautifully.

What first attracted me to Supernormal Step was, believe it or not, Lunsford’s involvement with the Create a Wrestler Community that surrounds VGCW. SNST, as he is known over on Twitch, created some of the best looking wrestlers. So naturally, when he announced that he would no longer be making any more CAWs to concentrate more on his art, my interest was peaked. 

I Googled Supernormal Step and it led me to the web-comic. As I usually do with new web-comics, I read from the number one publication to the most recent page at the time. I thought Lunsford’s art was awesome. Fair Warning! Lunsford is also known as Zet13 and he does draw NSFW material, so Google him at your own risk.

Supernormal Step has a fun story, comedy, action, romance, and one of the most comprehensive portrayals of an asexual character I have ever seen. I won’t spoil who it is, but you can go on over to http://supernormalstep.com/ and find out. I highly

recommend it.

Netflix Addiction: 24

By. Doctor Sparta

 

  In a world, where heroes do things bad guys wouldn’t even cringe about in their nightmares, comes a true legend my brothers. The man, whose interrogation methods alone struck fear into the heart of terrorism for eight seasons, is coming back. Before you behold this man’s return to deliver justice the American way, sit back and watch his accomplishments. This man, of course, is Jack Bauer. Whose tale is told through the wonders of Netflix in eight seasons of 24.

  Jack isn’t your average hero my fellow whales. The man single-handedly handed slaps with the terrorists’ own hands for 192 episodes. He survived explosions, nerve gas, bullets, electricity, fists, kicks, stabs, car crashes, e.m.p. , and his family. He never did anything outside of what was necessary for his country. It shattered your softened hearts–every time– whenever he made the ultimately-hard decisions to get the job done. Jack Bauer, who after interrogating a man cut his head off in order to infiltrate an organization by showing how “evil” he was. I know what you are thinking brothers and sisters…. inspiring.

  By the end of this show you will learn how and when to say “DAMN IT” when things don’t go as planned. How to perfectly execute the ultimate “WHERE IS IT?” question.  To the point you will ask some stranger on the street “WHERE IS IT?”, and they will have no other choice but to tell you. You will find it. It doesn’t matter what you are asking for, as long as you do it the JACK BAUER way.

  If you haven’t seen 24 yet,do. If you have, do it again. It’s that good. With that, I take my leave whales. How excited are you for 24’s return? This is Dr. Sparta, recommending terrorists to just surrender before Jack unleashes his Bauer.  

Comebacks: From nostalgia to present day epic-ness

The 80s and 90’s, what glorious memories ravage through our thoughts! Sylvester Stallone training for that fight with that seemingly unbeatable foe. Arnold taking names left and right as a behemoth-killing machine. Ahh! Such sweet fond childhood memories! The Die Hard movie experience delivered the greatest Christmas movie, possibly of all time. If you lived as I did, your childhood was GODLY.

Nowadays we are seeing more and more comebacks from the great heroes of our time: Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Willis. All of our heroes are delivering the great action that we were raised on.

Truth be told, not all comebacks have been great. But the ones that have come back successfully, this is a very heartfelt and warmed up, THANK YOU.

It started, what seems like a decade ago, with Rocky’s return to the big screen. Rocky V didn’t live up to the fan’s expectations and left a bad taste in our mouths. Rocky Balboa, on the other hand, did give us that one; true, real, last rocky fight that the fans wanted. The nostalgia was everywhere. Stallone took advantage of how much we missed him, and he returned as another one of our childhood heroes: RAMBO

To watch Rambo again, on the big screen, was as close to a religious experience as I have had. Some people say it was unsatisfactory, to them I say: TO HELL WITH YOU. That movie was AWESOME! You see before the movie Rambo became a verb, to truly comprehend its epic-ness, one had to singlehandedly face an entire army to the extreme all alone. And that he did brothers and sisters……he did that.

Following that comes THE EXPENDABLES. Need I say more? Alright, it’s true that I do appreciate the second one more, but the first one had something we had all dreamed of when we were but violent wee ones; all of our heroes together in a single movie. It was amazing. It brutally delivered all we hoped. Now the sequel…can’t describe it. It’s too awesome. It’s on Netflix. LOOK IT UP!

Arnold has also made his comeback. He has also successfully delivered. Note that he accepts he is old, but that hasn’t stopped him from delivering boot to ass! With movie titles like The Last Stand, Escape Plan, and Expendables 2, he’s shown us that he has yet to slow down his terminator ways. And we hope he doesn’t stop anytime soon.

To a disappointing end, we saw the last Die Hard movie, which shattered our hopes with its bad CGI and Bruce Willis’ evident boredom of the role. He has shown better movies, like Red. I just beg the gods, that he realizes the error of taking up old roles without desiring to do them. For the fans of John McLane, we were baffled by the last movie’s failed attempt at showing us what he is known for; being human.

Whales and whalettes I must leave you. What was your favorite childhood obsession and has it made the comeback? If it has, did you ADORE IT?

With that said, take Commando, Demolition Man and call me in the morning. 

This is Dr. Sparta.