ACF 998: New manga series AI ORE! set to debut May 3rd, 2011 from VIZ Media

Aiwo Utauyori Oreni Oborero! Volume 1 © Mayu SHINJO 2010

COMEDY, ROCK ‘n’ ROLL AND ROMANCE SET THE STAGE FOR THE DEBUT OF VIZ MEDIA’S NEWEST SHOJO MANGA SERIES AI ORE!

The Boy (Who Looks Like A Girl) Meets Girl (Who Looks Like A Boy)
Romance From The Creator Of SENSUAL PHRASE

VIZ Media expands its extensive catalog of shojo manga (graphic novels for girls) titles with the launch of AI ORE! on May 3rd. The new series, created by Mayu Shinjo, will be published under the Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

Mizuki is the female "prince" of her all-girls school and the lead guitarist in an all-girl rock band. Akira is the male "princess" of his all-boys school and wants to join her band. Love may be on his mind, but romance is difficult when everyone keeps mistaking Mizuki for a boy and Akira for a girl!

“Cool rocker Mizuki, who has worked hard to cultivate her “princely” reputation, meets her match in Akira, a boy who isn’t afraid to use his “feminine wiles” to get what he wants in this fun romp by Mayu Shinjo,” says Nancy Thistlethwaite, Editor. “AI ORE! has the hallmarks that readers love about master creator Mayu Shinjo’s work—great characters and passionate romance—but this series also reveals Shinjo’s irrepressible sense of humor. Fans have been waiting for a new release by the creator of the hit series SENSUAL PHRASE, and we are pleased to bring this manga to North America.”

AI ORE! creator Mayu Shinjo hails from the city of Nagasaki and debuted as a manga artist in 1994 with I Want to be Dyed in Your Color in the pages of Shogakukan’s Shojo Comic magazine. She has been a prolific creator with over fifteen titles to her name.

For more information on AI ORE! and other VIZ Media shojo manga titles, visit www.ShojoBeat.com.

ACF 963: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura premieres April 5th

SAKURA-HIME KADEN © 2008 by Arina Tanemura/SHUEISHA Inc.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
OF NEW MANGA SERIES
SAKURA HIME: THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS SAKURA

Latest Fantasy Series By Visionary Shojo Creator Arina Tanemura

VIZ Media will delight shojo readers and fans of creator Arina Tanemura with the North American premiere of her current manga (graphic novel) series – SAKURA HIME: THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS SAKURA – on April 5th. The new title launches under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her...

“Arina Tanemura returns to fantasy in her latest series, SAKURA HIME,” says Nancy Thistlethwaite, Editor. “The story takes place during the Heian period of Japan and interweaves the myth of the moon princess with magical shojo and the supernatural. Wanting to escape a life arranged by others, Princess Sakura runs away from an impending arranged marriage to a man she’s never met, only to find she’s caught up to her true destiny as a descendant of the moon princess. This manga features the beautiful artwork and emotional impact that has given Tanemura a worldwide following.”

Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. She gained fame with the 1997 publication of I•O•N (published by VIZ Media), and ever since her debut Tanemura has continued to be a major force in shojo manga with popular series such as TIME STRANGER KYOKO, SHORT TEMPERED MELANCHOLIC, FULL MOON, and THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE † (all published in North America by VIZ Media) as well as KAMIKAZE KAITO JEANNE. Both KAMIKAZE KAITO JEANNE and FULL MOON have been adapted into popular animated TV series.

For more information on SAKURA HIME or other works by Arina Tanemura, visit www.ShojoBeat.com.

ACF 566: New literary manga Library Wars: Love and War due June 1st, 2010

A LOVE OF BOOKS AND READING INSPIRES A GIRL
TO STAND AGAINST CENSORSHIP IN NEW MANGA SERIES
LIBRARY WARS: LOVE AND WAR

New Shojo Adventure Follows A Young Recruit In The Library Defense Forces As She Protects The Right To Read

VIZ Media will bring a new literary manga adventure to North American readers with the release of LIBRARY WARS: LOVE & WAR on June 1st. The series, with story and art by Kiiro Yumi and based on the original concept by Hiro Arikawa, will be published under the Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

In the near future, the federal government creates a special committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. But the libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves – the Library Defense Forces!

In the opening volume, Iku Kasahara has dreamed of joining the LDF ever since one of its soldiers stepped in to protect her favorite book from being confiscated in a bookstore when she was younger. But now that she's finally a recruit, she's finding her dream job to be a bit of a nightmare. Especially since her hard-hearted drill instructor seems to have it in for her!

“Manga lovers will root for the cute librarians in this fun new series that also addresses some important issues like liberty, freedom of speech and censorship,” says Candice Uyloan, Director, Consumer Marketing, VIZ Media. “LIBRARY WARS is based on a collection of novels also written by Hiro Arikawa that were extremely popular in Japan, selling more than one million copies. Fans will definitely want to add this adventure to their summer reading lists!”

Hiro Arikawa won the 10th Dengeki Novel Prize for her work Shio no Machi: Wish on My Precious in 2003 and debuted with the same novel in 2004. Arikawa is probably best known for the LIBRARY WARS series and also her trilogy about Japan’s military Self Defense Forces, Jieitai Sanbusaku (The SDF Trilogy), which consists of In the Sky, The Bottom of the Sea, and City of Salt.

Kiiro Yumi won the 42nd LaLa magazine Manga Grand Prix Fresh Debut award for her manga Little Billy's Depression. Her latest series, LIBRARY WARS: LOVE & WAR is currently featured in Japan’s LaLa magazine.

For more information on this title and other shojo titles from VIZ Media, visit www.shojobeat.com.

ACF 531: Conclusion of manga THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE† is released

THE GENTLEMEN ALLIANCE -CROSS- © 2004 by Arina Tanemura/SHUEISHA Inc.

VIZ Media has announced the release of the conclusion of Arina Tanemura’s popular shojo drama THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE†. Here's some info about it:

This entertaining love story for older teens is set in a high society high school where a spirited girl falls for the President of the student body.

Published under the popular Shojo Beat imprint, THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE† is from creator Arina Tanemura known best for her spunky female characters and beautiful artwork.

Don't miss the conclusion to this fun shojo story that proves why Arina Tenemura has international fame in the shojo arena.

ACF 455: Crown Of Love

Renai Crown copyright 1998 by Yun Kouga/Sobisha Inc.

HOW FAR WILL A BOY GO FOR LOVE?
FIND OUT IN NEW MANGA SERIES
CROWN OF LOVE

The Story of a Teenage Boy Who Becomes a Pop Idol
To Get Close To The Pop Idol Girl He Adores

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced the debut of Yun Kouga’s shojo manga (graphic novels for female readers) CROWN OF LOVE on February 2nd. CROWN OF LOVE is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, will be published by the Shojo Beat imprint, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Sixteen-year-old Hisayoshi "Kumi" Tajima wasn't looking for love. But after he accidentally bumps into teen idol Rima Fujio, he can't stop thinking about her. Living worlds apart, he'll never have a chance to meet her again. Until Rima's former agent Ikeshiba gives him the perfect opportunity – by turning Hisayoshi into an idol himself! Too bad Rima only sees him as competition for Ikeshiba's attention.

“CROWN OF LOVE offers a complex story of unrequited love between a pair of teenagers who are each on the brink of stardom,” says Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Media. “Creator Yun Kouga has already attracted legions of North American fans with her popular manga series GESTALT, also published by VIZ Media, and we look forward to readers enjoying this new story about two driven characters who find out that fame and life in the limelight isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

Yun Kouga began her career as a manga artist in 1986 with the series METAL HEART, which was serialized in Comic VAL. She is also the creator of the popular series LOVELESS and EARTHIAN, along with many other manga and anime projects, including developing the character designs for GUNDAM 00.

For more information on this title, or other shojo titles from VIZ Media, visit http://www.shojobeat.com/.

ACF 414: Holiday SHOJO releases from VIZ

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

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced 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 GENTLEMEN ALLIANCE -CROSS-ARINA TANEMURA ILLUSTRATIONS
(C) 2004 by Arina Tanemura/SHUEISHA Inc.)

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!!

The VIZBIG editions each compile three volumes from the original graphic novel series, presented in a in a larger 5-3/4 x 8-5/8 size (larger than the standard 5 x 7-1/2 manga) with special features including new cover art, bonus color pages and added content such as author interviews, updated text and character art. The new editions serve as comprehensive introductions for new readers to some most-loved shojo manga titles, or a great way for seasoned fans to revisit favorite titles from a new perspective.

BEAST Master Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ For Older Teens · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available November 3rd

Leo Aoi looks like a crazy animal with wild eyes – and no one at his new high school will go near him! He does seem to have a special connection with animals, which intrigues overzealous animal lover, Yuiko Kubozuka. In reality, Leo isn’t nearly as frightening as he appears, but Yuiko finds out that he goes berserk whenever he sees blood! Will Yuiko be able to get through to Leo during one of these violent fits? Or will his ferocious side eventually devour her? The debut volume also includes a special bonus short story called FLY.

Manga artist Kyousuke Motomi debuted in 2002 in Japan’s popular shojo manga magazine Betsucomi with No Good Cupid, and she was also the creator of Handsome! Beads Club. Her latest work, Electric Daisy, is also currently serialized in Betsucomi.

VAMPIRE KNIGHT (C) Matsuri Hino 2008 / HAKUSENSHA, Inc.

VAMPIRE KNIGHT Vol. 8 · Rated ‘T+’ For Older Teens · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available Now!

Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorms, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy’s dark secret – the Night Class is composed of vampires!

In Volume 8 of this best-selling series by Matsuri Hino, after trying to recall her past, Yuki’s hallucinations become more vivid and she tries to strangle Zero during a fit of temporary madness. Locked in her room, all she can see is a world dyed in blood, but things will become really dangerous when the vampire Kaname comes for her and tells her it’s time to wake up and sinks his fangs into her neck!

THE ART OF GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE † · MSRP: $19.99 US / $27.00 CAN · Available November 17th

Renowned manga artist Arina Tanemura exemplifies the shojo style with this collection of highly stylized artwork presented with a swirl of billowing ribbons, romance and heartbreak. The glossy illustrated edition features designs for all the major characters from THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE † and includes exclusive art for the North American edition and a full color double-sided, fold-out poster. Tanemura is a prolific manga artist and the creator of several popular shojo series such as I-O-N, TIME STRANGER KYOKO and FULL MOON (all of which are published in North America by VIZ Media).

HOT GIMMICK VIZBIG Edition, Vol. 3 · Rated ‘T+’ For Older Teens · MSRP: $17.99 US / $24.00 CAN · Available December 15th

Miki Aihara turned the manga world upside down with her salacious, outrageous, and funny hit series which concludes in this final VIZBIG omnibus edition. If you think being a teenager in America is hard, wait until you read HOT GIMMICK These Tokyo boys and girls are really messed up!

FUSHIGI YUGI VIZBIG Edition, Vol. 4 · Rated ‘T+’ For Older Teens · MSRP: $17.99 US / $24.00 CAN · Available December 15th

Read the manga by creator Yuu Watase that helped to define the shojo genre! Fifteen-year-old Miaka Yuki is transported back to an ancient Chinese kingdom by an old library book called The Universe of the Four Gods. Following the legend of the book, Miaka becomes the Priestess of Suzaku and must find her seven Celestial Warriors before she can save the kingdom and return home. In the latest VIZBIG volume, with one of the Celestial Warriors lost forever, Miaka and her men are more desperate than ever to obtain the two Shentso-Paos in order to summon Suzaku. But once Miaka has one in her grasp, it’s stolen away by the Seiryu Warrior Nakago. Miaka goes to Nakago to get it back, but he assaults her. Believing she is no longer worthy of becoming Tamahome's bride, Miaka flees on her own, only to be saved by a man whom she initially thought was her enemy. Meanwhile, Tamahome falls under the Seiryu Warrior Tomo's power of illusions.

For more information on VIZ Media titles please visit www.Viz.com.

ACF 358: KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU

(KIMI NI TODOKE © 2005 Karuho Shiina / SHUEISHA Inc.)

VIZ MEDIA DEBUTS CELEBRATED ROMANTIC MANGA SERIES
KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU

Karuho Shiina’s celebrated romantic shojo manga (graphic novels for girls) series KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU is now available from VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media). The new series, published under VIZ Media’s SHOJO BEAT imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and carries an MSRP of $8.99 U.S. / $10.50 CAN. Bonus stickers are also included in limited quantities of Volume 1.

Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine – for a horror movie! With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, she’s often mistaken for the haunting movie character Sadako. But behind her scary façade is a very misunderstood teenager. Too shy to fit in, all she wants to do is make some friends. But when the most popular boy in class befriends her, she's sure to make more than just that – and she's about to make some enemies too!

KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU is creator Karuho Shiina’s second manga series following several one-shot stories, but it has received numerous accolades and appeared on many "Best Manga of the Year" lists. Winner of the 2008 Kodansha Manga Award for the shojo category, KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU also placed fifth in the first-ever Manga Taisho (Cartoon Grand Prize) contest held in 2008. An animated series is in production in Japan as well. In North America, KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU was recently selected as a Hot Fall Graphic Novel for Libraries at the 2009 Book Expo America (BEA), the nation’s largest publishing event.

“Sawako is actually very sweet and considerate and readers will root for her as she struggles to overcome her shyness and open up to the one boy in her school who can see beneath her seemingly dark and cold exterior,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales & Marketing for VIZ Media. “KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU shows how appearances can be deceiving, and lots of drama ensues as Sawako becomes the subject of jealousy and judgments from her peers. For anyone who has experienced this situation or appreciates the adage of ‘opposites attract,’ KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU will be a heartwarming read.”

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 336: First episode of "Honey and Clover" is free download at iTunes store

VIZ MEDIA’S HONEY AND CLOVER ANIME
NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ITUNES STORE

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced the exclusive availability of its popular shojo animated series HONEY AND CLOVER on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com) in the US and the iTunes Store in Canada (www.itunes.ca). iTunes will exclusively offer the first episode of HONEY AND CLOVER as a free download until August 31, 2009. Plus, every purchase of the complete first season of HONEY AND CLOVER will include a free, bonus episode download. Find out more at www.itunes.com/tv/honeyandclover.

Based on the popular manga series created by Chica Umino, HONEY AND CLOVER is a romantic comedy about a group of art school students who try to find their way through college. But when an innocent and talented 19-year-old girl enters their lives, things get a lot more complicated as love triangles result.

The HONEY AND CLOVER manga series was created by Chica Umino and has sold more than 5,300,000 copies in Japan. In 2003, the series won the 27th Kodansha Manga Award, Japan's most prestigious comics award. The series was also adapted into an anime series in 2005 and finally into a live action film in 2006.

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) manga and anime is widely known and embraced for its 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. Shojo stories appeal to the desires for stories and characters that 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.

"We are thrilled to add this endearing romantic comedy to our library of great anime now available on iTunes. HONEY AND CLOVER showcases the challenging journey that everyone must take to transform from adolescence into adulthood while balancing the demands of school, work, and love and VIZ Media is committed to nurturing the series for a new audience in North America.” says Ken Sasaki, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. “iTunes is a critical channel, providing the high quality, ease of download and flexibility that will allow fans to enjoy this captivating series however and whenever they want.”

The HONEY AND CLOVER manga and anime series are both rated ‘T+’ (for older teens). For more information on HONEY AND CLOVER please visit the dedicated website at honeyandclover.viz.com. For general information on VIZ Media and other titles, please visit www.viz.com.