ACF 971: VIZ Media expands relationship with Netflix

VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS RELATIONSHIP WITH NETFLIX
TO OFFER POPULAR ANIME TITLES AVAILABLE
TO WATCH INSTANTLY FROM NETFLIX

Popular Series BLEACH, NARUTO, INUYASHA
and More Become Available Starting April

VIZ Media has announced that several of its most popular anime series will be offered to U.S. audiences by Netflix, Inc., the world’s leading Internet subscription service for enjoying movies and TV shows. Starting in April, BLEACH, NARUTO, and INUYASHA are among the popular titles which can be instantly streamed from Netflix. More titles will be announced shortly.

VIZ Media series (Uncut and Subtitled) to be offered by Netflix include:

BLEACH: Episodes 1-109 (Seasons 1-2; Rated TV-14)
NARUTO: Episodes 1-104 (Seasons 1-2; Rated TV-14)
HIKARU NO GO: Episodes 1-75 (Complete Series; Rated TV-G)
HONEY AND CLOVER: Episodes 1-36 (Complete Series; Rated TV-14)
NANA: Episodes 1-47 (Complete Series; Rated TV-MA)
INUYASHA: Episodes 1 – 167 (Seasons 1 – 7; Rated TV-14)

“VIZ Media is excited to bring some of our bestselling animated properties to its Netflix subscribers in the U.S.,” says Brian Ige, Senior Director, Animation. “Netflix is the market leader and the availability of these new VIZ Media titles through the service will give fans the flexibility to choose how and when they want to consume their favorite anime. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Netflix to include additional titles in the near future.”

“We are pleased to partner with VIZ Media as a means to offer popular anime series to our members,” said Lisa Nishimura, VP of Content Acquisition. “It is our goal to add a wide variety of content to our growing library of movies and TV shows, and building relationships like this, helps us move forward in our efforts.”

ACF 442: Feb 2010 DVD releases from VIZ

BLEACH© Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV Tokyo, dentsu, Pierrot SHONEN JUMP and BLEACH

are trademarks of Shueisha, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES
NEW DVD RELEASES FOR FEBRUARY 2010

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced their list of DVD titles scheduled for release in February 2010. This includes the next box sets of NANA and BLEACH, as well as the latest episodic release of the popular NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series. Also releasing is the live action feature film – 20th CENTURY BOYS 2: THE LAST HOPE from VIZ Pictures. VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

NANA Uncut Box Set 3 · Rated 'M' for Mature · MSRP: $59.90 US/ $85.99 CAN · Available February 2

Love can mend your life--but will it tear the Nanas apart? Nana K. is happily involved with Takumi from Trapnest, though she doesn't fully trust him. Nana O. graciously stays away from the apartment for a while, and both Nanas feel the loneliness of their separation. Then in the midst of Blast preparing to sign their first record deal, Nobu makes a surprise confession to Nana K. Now she must make a difficult choice, and someone's heart is bound to be broken.

For more information on NANA visit: http://www.nana.viz.com/.

SHONEN JUMP releases include:

BLEACH Uncut Box Set 4 Part 2 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN · Available February 16

The battle against the evil Bounts grows wider and fiercer as Ichigo and friends, reinforced by a group of Soul Reapers, try to take the fight to their hideout. But the Bounts have many tricks up their sleeves, and it looks like certain defeat for Ichigo and his comrades. Uryu, who had lost his Quincy powers, is the key to the Bount leader Kariya’s plans for reve nge against the Soul Society, as well as the key to his defeat. Will Uryu be able to regain his powers in time to save his friends?

BLEACH Volume 25 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available February 23

Jin Kariya, the leader of the Bounts, arrives at the Department of Research and Development and quickly dispatches the guards there. He has come to find the Bount Crest known as Jokaisho, which has the power to blow all of the Seireitei away, and only Ichigo and Chad stand in his way. Meanwhile, Uryu confronts the Bount Yoshi with his new Quincy powers, but he finds them difficult to control as he desperately tries to defend himself from the attacks of his ruthless opponent!

For more information on BLEACH visit: http://www.bleach.viz.com/.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Volume 6 · Rated 'T+' for Older Teens · MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available February 9

While Naruto and Kakashi chase after Deidara, Sakura and Granny Chiyo together take on Sasori of the Red Sand. Sasori's masterful puppetry allows him to use the jutsu of the person he's transformed into a puppet, forcing Sakura and Chiyo to face the power of the Third Kazekage. But with Chiyo's guidance, Sakura learns to read Sasori's moves, and the training she received from Tsunade turns out to be invaluable as the attacks grow ever more fierce!

NARUTO Uncut Season 2 Volume 1 · Rated 'T+' for Older Teens · MSRP: $39.97 US / $57.99 CAN · Available February 16

Before the final round of the Chunin Exam, Naruto receives some special training from the legendary Toad Sage, Jiraiya. When the battles resume, Naruto is ready, but what about Sasuke? He's about to face the one ninja no one, not even Naruto, thinks he can beat. But in the midst of everything, a sinister plot is set in motion, and the Village Hidden in the Leaves finds itself under attack!

For more information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN visit: www.NARUTO.com.

From VIZ Pictures (Live Action Feature Films):

20th CENTURY BOYS 2: THE LAST HOPE · MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available February 16

It is now 2015, and Friend rules a disturbing new world. Kenji has been missing since the Bloody New Year's Eve of 2000, and his niece Kanna is now in high school. Her history textbook contains a fabricated story about Kenji and his friends being the terrorists behind the horrific events of 2000. Kanna, knowing the truth, openly resents this, and as a result she is marked as a problem child by her teacher and sent to the Friend Land program because of her anti-Friend behavior. Friend Land is a facility where people with rebellious behavior are re-educated. As the program begins, Kanna and her classmate Kyoko Koizumi achieve high marks and are sent to the advanced program called the Bonus Stage, where they find themselves in a virtual reconstruction of 1971, when Kenji and his friends were kids. There, each of the girls learns crucial secrets about Friend.

The surviving secret base members have been separated since Bloody New Year's Eve but each has spent the last 15 years in various activities opposing Friend and his regime. As Kenji's friends all try to find out the truth about Friend, they discover the shocking existence of The New Book of Prophecy, the sequel to The Book of Prophecy. The New Book describes an event: In 2015, at a church in Shinjuku, a savior will rise to uphold justice but will be assassinated. Who is the savior? Once again, Doomsday looms near...

For more information on VIZ Pictures visit: http://www.viz-pictures.com/.

ACF 389: November DVDs frrom VIZ Media

DVD RELEASES FOR NOVEMBER 2009
FROM VIZ MEDIA

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced their list of DVD titles scheduled for release in November 2009. This includes the first NARUTO Shippuden Movie as well as the latest episodic releases of the popular BLEACH, NARUTO Shippuden and POKÉMON series. November DVD releases also include the newest NANA, BLEACH and NARUTO Box Sets. VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

New NARUTO Releases Include:

NARUTO Shippuden The Movie · Rated 'T+' for Older Teens ·
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available November 10

A powerful spirit that once threatened to destroy the world is back! Naruto's mission is to protect a priestess named Shion, who is the only one with the power to seal away the monster. She also has the uncanny ability to predict someone's fate. her latest prediction: Naruto will soon die. Naruto's only hope is to abandon Shion, but that's not Naruto's style. He decides to face her fatal prediction head-on--and die!

NARUTO Shippuden, Volume 3 · Rated 'T+' for Older Teens ·
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available November 24

Gaara of the Sand has been kidnapped, and Team Kakashi are on their way! Sakura uses her skills as a medic ninja to treat the wounded Kankuro, impressing everyone with her sure and steady hands. Granny Chiyo of the Sand decides to accompany Team Kakashi, but before they can get to Gaara and the Akatsuki lair, the team is confronted by a familiar enemy--Itachi Uchiha.

Episodes: 9 – 13

NARUTO UNCUT Season 1, Volume 2 DVD Box Set · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens ·
MSRP: $39.97 US / $57.99 CAN · Available November 24

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura face deadly enemies and dark powers as the Chunin Exam continues in the Forest of Death. While they search for the Heaven and Earth scrolls, something evil is afoot, and it's after Sasuke! Then the genin must take on each other in one-on-one battles. Does Naruto have what it takes to stand up to his peers--and win?

Episodes: 26 – 52

New BLEACH Releases Include:

BLEACH UNCUT Box Set 4, Part 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens ·
MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN · Available November 3

Ichigo and his friends return from the Soul Society to the World of the Living and try to resume their normal lives. But when strange abductions start happening, it's up to them to solve the riddle. More Soul Reapers arrive to help uncover the truth behind a mysterious clan known as Bounts. Will these allies be strong enough to stop the Bount leader from stealing human souls and feeding his dangerous ambition?

Episodes: 64 – 79 (Original and Uncut)

BLEACH Volume 22 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens ·
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available November 17

Rangiku Matsumoto and several other Soul Reapers arrive to help in the battle against the evil Bounts. Entering the cave hideout, they soon discover they've stumbled into a trap! Just in time to back up their comrades, Ichigo faces the Bount leader Kariya and must summon his bankai if he is to survive, while Uryû must rediscover his lost powers as well.

Episodes: 88 – 91

New POKÉMON Releases Include:

(C) 2009 Pokémon
(C) 1997-2009 Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK, TV Tokyo, Shopro, JR Kikaku.
Pokémon properties are trademarks of Nintendo.)

POKÉMON: ELEMENTS, Volume 5: Ice · Rated 'A' for All Ages ·
MSRP: $9.98 US / $14.99 CAN · Available November 24

POKÉMON: ELEMENTS, Volume 6: Dark · Rated 'A' for All Ages ·
MSRP: $9.98 US / $14.99 CAN · Available November 24

Following the POKÉMON All Star series set, the POKÉMON: ELEMENTS collection consists of the most important episodes commemorating the different types of Pokémon characters. Each disc showcases a Pokémon type with three all-time favorite episodes. Collect them all!

Volume 5 Includes 3 Ice–type episodes:
1. Freeze Frame
2. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snorunt!
3. Spring Fever

Volume 6 Includes 3 Dark–type episodes:
1. Absol-ute Disaster
2. Pop Goes The Sneasel
3. A Bite to Remember

New Shojo Releases Include:

NANA BOX SET, Volume 2 · Rated ‘M’ for Mature ·
MSRP: $59.90 US / $85.99 CAN · Available November 24

Careers, friendship, love--can two bright young women named Nana manage to have it all?

Nana K.'s Tokyo experiment is in jeopardy when she finds herself strapped for cash and her relationship with Shoji on uncertain ground. Nana O.'s love life takes an unexpected turn when she's reunited with her old flame, Ren from Trapnest. With such a close connection to her favorite band, will Nana K. get to meet the man of her dreams--Takumi? Sometimes dreams do come true... Episodes: 12 – 22

ACF 369: VIZ bringing out NANA 3 DVD box set on September 8, 2009

Based on the comic "NANA" by Ai Yazawa originally serialized in "Cookie" published by SHUEISHA Inc.(C) Yazawa Manga Seisakusho / Shueisha (C) NTV/VAP/SHUEISHA/Madhouse

VIZ MEDIA BRINGS THE STYLISH ANIMATED ROCK AND ROLL

MELODRAMA NANA TO NORTH AMERICA

IN A SPECIAL UNCUT DVD BOX SET

Romantic Drama About Two Women With The Same Name
Coming Of Age In Tokyo

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced that it will release the Uncut DVD Box Set for the animated romantic rock and roll melodrama, NANA, next Tuesday, September 8th, 2009. The 3-disc set featuring 12 episodes will be rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences and carry an MSRP of $59.90 U.S. / $85.99 CAN. The first box set will also include an exclusive NANA guitar pick.

The NANA anime is based on the popular manga by Ai Yazawa, which has sold over 43 million copies in Japan and is published in North America by VIZ Media under its SHOJO BEAT imprint. NANA follows the adventures of two girls both named Nana. While they share the same name, they couldn't be more different. Nana "Hachi" Komatsu follows her boyfriend to Tokyo in the hopes of finding a fresh start, while Nana Osaki, who arrives in the city at the same time, is a punk rock beauty with the ambition for making it big in the world of rock and roll. Although these two young women come from opposite backgrounds, they quickly become best friends while chasing their happiness and dreams.

Ai Yazawa is the creator of many popular manga titles, including Tenshi Nanka Janai (I'm No Angel) and Gokinjo Monogatari (Neighborhood Story). Another series, Kagen no Tsuk (Last Quarter), was made into a live-action movie and released in late 2004. American readers were introduced to Yazawa's stylish and sexy storytelling in 2002 when her title Paradise Kiss was translated into English.

The NANA manga series has over 43 million copies printed to date in Japan. It is considered an all-time best selling shojo title from Japanese publishing giant, Shueisha and was the recipient of the Shogakukan Manga Award in the Girls' category. Its tremendous success further inspired two live-action feature films which are available on DVD in North America from VIZ Pictures

“NANA has already captivated millions with its best-selling manga and live action films, and we are very excited to release the animated series as a special Uncut DVD Box Set,” says Brian Ige, Director, Home Entertainment Sales, VIZ Media. “The compelling, deeply-layered connections between the two Nanas and those around them are brought to life through the richness of the characters and all the great elements of the shojo genre that are combined to make NANA one of the most vibrant and stylish series to hit North America. This is definitely a series to watch!”

For more information on NANA please visit the dedicated website at nana.viz.com.

ACF 352: VIZ announces hit shojo anime series on HULU in U.S.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THE LATEST
IN SHOJO ANIME ON HULU IN THE US

Innovative Online Video Streaming Services To Now Carry
Favorite Girls anime series – NANA and HONEY AND CLOVER

VIZ Media, LLC., has announced that the latest in great shojo anime from VIZ Media – NANA and HONEY & CLOVER are now available on Hulu in the US. Hulu is an online video services that offers hit TV shows, movies and clips at Hulu.com and other online destination sites, anytime in the U.S. The first 11 episodes of NANA and the first 12 episodes of HONEY & CLOVER will be included in the Hulu debut.

Hulu provides convenient 24/7 accessibility and offers users the freedom to legally share full-length episodes or clips via e-mail or embed them on other web sites, blogs and social networking pages. The launch of these exciting new anime episodes is the latest expansion of VIZ Media’s ongoing plan to make available a variety of hit animated series through some of the most innovative web-based, video streaming outlets.

Based on the popular manga by Chica Umino, HONEY AND CLOVER is a romantic comedy about a group of art school students who try to find their way. But when an innocent and talented 19-year-old girl enters their lives, things get a lot more complicated as love triangles result. For more information on HONEY AND CLOVER please visit dedicated website at HoneyandClover.viz.com.

The NANA anime is based on the popular manga by Ai Yazawa, which has sold over 43 million copies in Japan, and is published in North America by VIZ Media under its SHOJO BEAT imprint. It is considered an all-time best selling shojo title from Japanese publishing giant Shueisha, and was the recipient of the Shogakukan Manga Award in the Girls' category. Its tremendous success further inspired two live-action feature films which are available on DVD in North America from VIZ Pictures.

NANA follows the adventures of two girls, both named Nana. While they share the same name, they couldn't be more different. Nana "Hachi" Komatsu follows her boyfriend to Tokyo in the hopes of making a new start, while Nana Osaki, who arrives in the city at the same time, is a punk rock beauty who has the ambition of making it big in the world of rock and roll. Although these two young women come from different backgrounds, they quickly become best friends while chasing their happiness and dreams. For more information on NANA please visit the dedicated website at Nana.viz.com.

To view NANA (anime is rated ‘M’ for mature) and HONEY AND CLOVER (anime is rated ‘T+’ for older teens) episodes, please visit Hulu.com.

For more information on NANA please visit Nana.viz.com. For more information on HONEY AND CLOVER please visit Honeyandclover.viz.com. For general information on all VIZ Media properties please visit http://www.viz.com/.

ACF 335: NANA anime now on iTunes!

VIZ MEDIA’S NANA ANIME
NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ITUNES STORE

There's been a whole slew of exciting announcements from VIZ in the last few days. I'll be putting them up as quickly as my schedule permits.

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced the availability of its popular shojo animated series NANA on the iTunes Store (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/storeFront) in the US and the iTunes Store in Canada (http://www.itunes.ca/). NANA will be exclusive to iTunes until August 31, 2009. Plus, every purchase of a NANA Season 1 pass will include a free, bonus episode download. Find out more at www.itunes.com/tv/nana.

The NANA anime is based on the popular manga by Ai Yazawa, which has sold over 43 million copies in Japan, and is published in North America by VIZ Media under its SHOJO BEAT imprint. It is considered an all-time best selling shojo title from Japanese publishing giant Shueisha, and was the recipient of the Shogakukan Manga Award in the Girls' category. Its tremendous success further inspired two live-action feature films which are available on DVD in North America from VIZ Pictures

NANA follows the adventures of two girls, both named Nana. While they share the same name, they couldn't be more different. Nana "Hachi" Komatsu follows her boyfriend to Tokyo in the hopes of making a new start, while Nana Osaki, who arrives in the city at the same time, is a punk rock beauty who has the ambition of making it big in the world of rock and roll. Although these two young women come from different backgrounds, they quickly become best friends while chasing their happiness and dreams.

Ai Yazawa is the creator of many popular manga titles, including Tenshi Nanka Janai (I'm No Angel) and Gokinjo Monogatari (Neighborhood Story). Another series, Kagen no Tsuki (Last Quarter), was made into a live-action movie and released in late 2004. American readers were introduced to Yazawa's stylish and sexy storytelling in 2002 when her title Paradise Kiss was translated into English.

“NANA has touched millions of fans in Japan and North America with its realistic portrayal of two young women coming of age in life’s fast lane in modern Tokyo,” says Ken Sasaki, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. “The anime series possesses all of the attributes that made the original manga such a smash hit and combines them with a rocking soundtrack and creatively designed characters that audiences can really root for, laugh and even cry with. We invite fans to check out NANA on iTunes and take these girls’ adventures along as they navigate their own busy lives.”

What is Shojo?….In Japan, manga comics and anime have enjoyed widespread popularity among both children and adults, men as well as women. Shojo (which means young girl in Japanese) is widely known and embraced for their characteristic lush designs and tales of love and romance set against action, academic, or fantasy driven plots. Women and young girls in North America quickly discovered that comic books and anime are no longer just for boys and shojo stories appeal to the desires for stories and characters girls and women can relate to.

While plots and settings for shojo vary widely (everywhere from outer space to alternate realities to the local middle school), several constants remain the themes of romance, angst and heartbreak, and ultimately finding the one you love despite obstacles and setbacks. And what young girl isn't interested in that? The fact that shojo is largely an entertainment medium developed by women for women with stories women and girls can relate to is also driving the popularity of shojo in North America.

For more information on NANA (rated ‘M’ for mature) please visit the dedicated website at Nana.viz.com or the VIZ Media website at http://www.viz.com/.

ACF 098: NANA

NANA
Directed by Kentaro Otani
Starring Aoi Miyazaki (left, above) and Mika Nakashima (right)
Screenplay by Kentaro Otani and Taeko Asano
Based on the manga by Ai Yazawa
Japan, 2005, 114 minutes

Once upon a manga, and now upon a movie, there were two girls named Nana. One, Nana "Hachi" Komatsu (Aoi Miyazaki), has a wide smile, dresses conventionally and goes to Tokyo to reunite with her boyfriend. The other, Nana Osaki (Mika Nakashima), is an aspiring punk rocker who goes to Tokyo to seek fame and fortune after her boyfriend has left her.

They meet on the train to the big city and again when they both arrive to look at the same apartment, which they decide to share. But it's more than living quarters they share, as each stands by and supports the other in matters of life and love.

The film is narrated at times by Nana Komatsu, and it's primarily the story of the punk singer Nana, whose name is spelled "NANA" in the subtitles. Details of her breakup with her boyfriend (the two were in the same band), are revealed in a number of flashbacks.

There are some lovely shots in this tale of a sweet but oddball friendship. And though it's clearly a youth-oriented movie, it's themes of ambition, loyalty, and caring have a universal appeal that go beyond any particular age group.

The cast is attractive and endearing, and the script avoids treacle. I did feel that the ending was somewhat pat and sudden, probably because of the need to compress a multi-volume manga (available from VIZ Media) into a conventional length feature film.

NANA is another example of the many fine youth movies that Japan produces. But you don't have to be young to enjoy it, only young at heart. NANA gets a solid ACF recommendation of 3 out of 4 stars.

NANA, presented by VIZ pictures, played in Los Angeles for seven days at the end of March. It screens starting today, Friday, April 4th, 2008, through the 10th at the ImaginAsian Theatre on East 59th Street in Manhattan. For further info and showtimes. click here.

For those who couldn't or can't make it to a theatrical screening, I'm pretty sure a DVD will be available from VIZ in the not too distant future. That's been the case with their other releases. I'll have further news if and when it's available.

All photos copyright 2000 "NANA" Production