ACF 660: Latest Season of BLEACH Airing on Adult Swim August 28th!

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE PREMIERE

OF THE LATEST SEASON OF BLEACH ON ADULT SWIM

Episode 168 Of The Smash Hit Supernatural Action Series

Launches This Month

More BLEACH news!!! VIZ Media has announced the nationwide premiere of the latest season of BLEACH on Adult Swim. The latest English-dubbed installment – Episode 168 – of the hit animated action series will air on August 28th. Check local times for availability. (http://www.adultswim.com/shows/bleach/)

In the newest season of BLEACH, after Sosuke Aizen’s rebellion, Gin Ichimaru’s departure from the Soul Society left the captain’s post of Squad Three empty. Shusuke Amagai is appointed as the new captain much to the squad’s dismay. But over time, Shusuke proves himself to be a good leader and wins over the team with his ability and personality. Meanwhile, a mysterious girl named Rurichiyo Kasumiohji appears in Karakura Town. Rurichiyo is the princess of a noble family in the Soul Society and a target for assassination. Worried for her safety, Rurichiyo’s guardians ask Ichigo to become her bodyguard. With new faces in the mix, another spectacular battle is about to begin in the Soul Society!

“BLEACH is a powerhouse property that delights millions of fans across North America each week, and we’re very pleased to have Adult Swim’s continued support for the series,” says Ken Sasaki, Senior Vice President & General Manager of VIZ Media. “Check out the newest adventures of the Soul Society in the launch of the riveting new story arc, and then stay tuned to Adult Swim for a new episode of the other hit VIZ Media anime series KEKKAISHI that immediately follows!”

BLEACH is a popular manga and animated series (both rated ‘T’ for Teens), distributed domestically by VIZ Media, that follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

BLEACH is also a tremendously successful property internationally. The manga series, created by Tite Kubo, has been licensed to more than a dozen countries and has sold over 50 million copies in Japan alone. In North America, the manga has sold more than 2 million copies, and the dubbed version of the animated series is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada on cable broadcast. This success has further spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures and other merchandise. The subtitled version of the anime can be viewed for free online anytime on VIZAnime.com.

More information on BLEACH is available at Bleach.viz.com.

ACF 657: BLEACH Latest Season Promo on iTunes includes FREE Downloads!

NEW FRIENDS JOIN FAMILIAR HEROES FOR SUPERNATURAL ADVENTURES IN THE LATEST EPISODES OF BLEACH

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD FROM iTUNES

VIZ Media invites anime fans and iTunes users to download episodes from the latest BLEACH season (English dubbed), featuring the story of new Squad 3 Captain Shusuke Amagai. The action-packed episodes will be available for download the day after broadcast on Adult Swim from the iTunes Store in the U.S. (www.iTunes.com) and Canada (www.iTunes.ca) starting August 29th.

Two additional promotions will be running back to back:
From now through August 30th, a sneak preview of the first episode in the story arc – Episode 168 – will be available as a FREE download. Starting September 1st through the 6th, Episode 168 will be offered as a FREE download in its entirety.

From now through September 6, the first episode from Season 1 will be available as a FREE download. Plus, BLEACH Seasons 1-5 (episodes 2-109) will be available Download-To-Own for only $0.99.

In the newest story arc of BLEACH (rated ‘T’ for Teens), after Sosuke Aizen’s rebellion, Gin Ichimaru’s departure from the Soul Society left the captain’s post of Squad Three empty. Shusuke Amagai is appointed as the new captain much to the squad’s dismay. But over time, Shusuke proves himself to be a good leader and wins over the team with his ability and personality. Meanwhile, a mysterious girl named Rurichiyo Kasumiohji appears in Karakura Town. Rurichiyo is the princess of a noble family in the Soul Society and a target for assassination. Worried for her safety, Rurichiyo’s guardians ask Ichigo to become her bodyguard. With new faces in the mix, another spectacular battle is about to begin in the Soul Society!

BLEACH is a popular manga and animated series (both rated ‘T’ for Teens), distributed domestically by VIZ Media, that follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

More information on BLEACH is available at www.Bleach.viz.com.

ACF 653: Bleach movies to air on Adult Swim starting Saturday, August 14th

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES ENCORE BROADCASTS OF
BLEACH FEATURE FILMS ON ADULT SWIM

Two Full Length Movies Based On Popular Anime
And Manga Series To Air This Month

VIZ Media has announced special encore presentations of two BLEACH animated feature films – BLEACH THE MOVIE: MEMORIES OF NOBODY and BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: THE DIAMOND DUST REBELLION (both rated ‘T’ for Teens) – on Saturday, August 14th on Adult Swim. Check local times for availability and airtimes (http://www.adultswim.com/shows/bleach/index.html).

Based on the wildly popular animated series and best-selling BLEACH manga series, created by Tite Kubo (both distributed and published in North America by VIZ Media, and rated ‘T’ for Teens), BLEACH THE MOVIE: MEMORIES OF NOBODY begins as unidentified beings known as “Blanks” start popping up. They are soon followed by a Soul Reaper named Senna who makes them disappear. Puzzled by these unknown beings and the even more mysterious girl, Ichigo and Rukia set out to learn more, but uncover an evil plot when a menacing clan tries to kidnap Senna. Banished from the Soul Society long ago, the clan’s leader has sent sending the World of the Living and the Soul Society on a collision course, and Senna seems to be the key to his diabolical plot for revenge. Can Ichigo and his fellow Soul Reapers save the two worlds from annihilation?

BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: THE DIAMOND DUST REBELLION continues the action-packed adventures of Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki. After the treasured Ouin is stolen, Toshiro Hitsugaya disappears and becomes suspected of treason. When the Soul Society calls for his capture and execution, Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki vows to prove Hitsugaya's innocence. Will the secret of the Ouin and Captain Hitsugaya's motives be revealed before his honor, his life, and the Soul Society are destroyed?

The BLEACH manga and animated series follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

BLEACH animation can be viewed on Adult Swim and also through a variety of web-based video download and streaming outlets that have partnered with VIZ Media, including iTunes, Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Amazon, and HULU. To view subtitled BLEACH animated episodes for free online anytime, visit VIZAnime.com.

More information on BLEACH is available at www.Bleach.viz.com.

ACF 583: Anime series KEKKAISHI avail for free download for limited time

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES FREE KEKKAISHI DOWNLOAD EPISODE

Special Promotion To Celebrate the Domestic Broadcast
Launch of the Shonen Sunday Animated Series

VIZ Media invites fans to explore the demon-battling action adventure of popular Shonen Sunday KEKKAISHI anime series with a FREE Download-to-Own (DTO) episode through VIZ Media partners iTunes, Xbox Live's Zune Marketplace, PlayStation®Network and Amazon Video on Demand.

KEKKAISHI Episode 1 will be available for free download through June 17th to celebrate the recent domestic broadcast launch of KEKKAISHI on Adult Swim.

KEKKAISHI is based on the hit manga series by Yellow Tanabe (also published in North America by VIZ Media). A story of mystical forces powerful in the region known as Karasumori. For over 400 years, it has been the duty of a clan of “kekkaishi”—barrier masters—to guard this land and exterminate the supernatural creatures that are drawn to it night after night.

Yoshimori Sumimura is a junior high school student at Karasumori Academy, which is built upon the Karasumori grounds. By night, Yoshimori follows the tradition passed down through generations and fulfills his destiny as the twenty-second “kekkaishi” of the Sumimura clan. But by day, Yoshimori's got other demons to contend with, like an obsession with cake making and a seriously crotchety grandfather! Yoshimori's pretty neighbor, childhood friend and rival, Tokine Yukimura, is also a “kekkaishi,” but their families are caught up in a feud over who is the true practitioner of the art. Protecting ordinary people from the ever-present danger of the Karasumori grounds, Yoshimori will continue to grow stronger as he battles the forces of evil again tonight!

For more information on the KEKKAISHI anime and manga series (both rated “T” for Teens), please visit http://www.shonensunday.com/ or http://www.viz.com/.

ACF 579: KEKKAISHI Anime Series Licensed to Adult Swim

VIZ MEDIA LICENSES KEKKAISHI
ANIME SERIES TO ADULT SWIM

Life Is A Wild Adventure For A Teenager Balancing Girls,
Junior High School And Nighttime Demon Slaying

VIZ Media has licensed 52 episodes of the popular Shonen Sunday KEKKAISHI anime series to Adult Swim for domestic broadcast. KEKKAISHI will begin airing on May 29th.

KEKKAISHI is based on the hit manga series by Yellow Tanabe (also published in North America by VIZ Media). A story of mystical forces powerful in the region known as Karasumori. For over 400 years, it has been the duty of a clan of “kekkaishi”—barrier masters—to guard this land and exterminate the supernatural creatures that are drawn to it night after night.

Yoshimori Sumimura is a junior high school student at Karasumori Academy, which is built upon the Karasumori grounds. By night, Yoshimori follows the tradition passed down through generations and fulfills his destiny as the twenty-second “kekkaishi” of the Sumimura clan. But by day, Yoshimori's got other demons to contend with, like an obsession with cake making and a seriously crotchety grandfather! Yoshimori's pretty neighbor, childhood friend and rival, Tokine Yukimura, is also a “kekkaishi,” but their families are caught up in a feud over who is the true practitioner of the art. Protecting ordinary people from the ever-present danger of the Karasumori grounds, Yoshimori will continue to grow stronger as he battles the forces of evil again tonight!

“Kekkaishi spotlights compelling cool characters, in an intense yet fun-filled supernatural action adventure saga. It possesses all of the hallmarks of great anime!” says William Germain, Director, Programming & Music Sales, VIZ Media. We are very excited to add KEKKAISHI to the Adult Swim anime lineup for U.S. fans to enjoy.”

For more information on KEKKAISHI visit http://www.shonensunday.com/.

ACF 553: Kekkaishi to air on Adult Swim beginning May 29th

VIZ MEDIA LICENSES KEKKAISHI ANIME
SERIES TO ADULT SWIM

Life Is A Wild Adventure For A Teenager Balancing Girls,
Junior High School And Nighttime Demon Slaying

VIZ Media has licensed 52 episodes of the popular Shonen Sunday KEKKAISHI anime series to Adult Swim for domestic broadcast beginning May 29th, 2010.

KEKKAISHI is based on the hit manga series by Yellow Tanabe (also published in North America by VIZ Media). A story of mystical forces powerful in the region known as Karasumori. For over 400 years, it has been the duty of a clan of “kekkaishi”—barrier masters—to guard this land and exterminate the supernatural creatures that are drawn to it night after night.

Yoshimori Sumimura is a junior high school student at Karasumori Academy, which is built upon the Karasumori grounds. By night, Yoshimori follows the tradition passed down through generations and fulfills his destiny as the twenty-second “kekkaishi” of the Sumimura clan. But by day, Yoshimori's got other demons to contend with, like an obsession with cake making and a seriously crotchety grandfather! Yoshimori's pretty neighbor, childhood friend and rival, Tokine Yukimura, is also a “kekkaishi,” but their families are caught up in a feud over who is the true practitioner of the art. Protecting ordinary people from the ever-present danger of the Karasumori grounds, Yoshimori will continue to grow stronger as he battles the forces of evil again tonight!

“Kekkaishi spotlights compelling cool characters, in an intense yet fun-filled supernatural action adventure saga. It possesses all of the hallmarks of great anime!” says William Germain, Director, Programming & Music Sales, VIZ Media. We are very excited to add KEKKAISHI to the Adult Swim anime lineup for U.S. fans to enjoy.”

More information on KEKKAISHI at http://www.shonensunday.com/.

ACF 283: BLEACH Arrancar showing on Adult Swim

VIZ MEDIA BRINGS ACTION PACKED NEW EPISODES OF SMASH-HIT SERIES BLEACH TO ADULT SWIM

BLEACH Arrancar Story Arc Debuts With
Two New Back-To-Back Episodes To Air Each Week

Exciting news from VIZ for fans of the popular Bleach series:

San Francisco, CA, APRIL 24, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, brings the latest action-packed English dubbed episodes of BLEACH to Adult Swim. Beginning with episodes 110 and 111 of the Arrancar story arc, Adult Swim premiered two new BLEACH episodes back-to-back on Saturday, April 18th and will continue air two new back-to-back episodes each week.

Check local times for availability at: http://www.adultswim.com/shows/bleach/index.html

BLEACH is a popular manga and animated series (both rated ‘T’ for Teens), distributed domestically by VIZ Media, that follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

In the new Arrancar story arc of Bleach, Ichigo meets an unusual new student named Shinji Hirako, who has come to Karakura Town to recruit Ichigo into the Visoreds, a group of ex-Soul Reapers that have crossed over into the realm of the Hollows. Meanwhile, ex-Soul Reaper Captain Sosuke Aizen has sent his vicious mob of Arrancars to the World of the Living. When Ichigo is faced with this new and extremely powerful adversary, it will be up to him to protect everyone!

“BLEACH remains a massively popular series and this is one of the most gripping plot developments yet,” says Bill Germain, Director, Programming Sales, VIZ Media. “Fans will be glued to the edge of their seats as Ichigo and Ruika face a wicked new force of tremendous power. Will the Arrancars succeed in their evil plan to topple the Soul Society? Find out in two new episodes each week!”

BLEACH is a tremendously successful multimedia property internationally. The manga has been licensed to more than a dozen countries and has sold over 50 million copies in Japan alone. In North America, the manga has been a sales hit and the popular animated series is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada on cable broadcast. This success has further spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures and other merchandise.

BLEACH animation can be viewed through a variety of other web-based, video download and streaming outlets that have partnered with VIZ Media, including iTunes®, Xbox Live JOOST and HULU. For more information on BLEACH please visit www.bleach.viz.com.