San Francisco, CA, June 5, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, brings some of the hottest anime properties to the Licensing International Expo, taking place June 10 through June 12 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. VIZ Media will be located in Booth # 4505.
The Licensing International Expo is the largest and most important annual event for the more than $180 billion licensing industry. It features more than 500 leading licensors and agents, representing more than 6,000 properties and brands, with upwards of 25,000 attendees expected including key decision-making retailers, manufacturers, and marketing professionals across all consumer and product categories.
VIZ Media is a key licensor delivering manga and animated content to a fast growing international audience. The company offers a diverse selection of unique animated properties designed for diverse interests and viewers of all ages including children, teens and young adults and adults.
The properties VIZ Media will be highlighting at 2008 Licensing International Expo:
NARUTO
NARUTO has become the hottest animated series across North America and is one of VIZ Media's most successful manga and animated properties in terms of sales. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, the series depicts the adventures of a young boy named Uzumaki Naruto who trains to become a ninja. But the boy is cursed with the spirit of a nine-tailed fox demon and is forced to live a bullied life discriminated against by his fellow villagers. But Naruto is resilient and undaunted in his quest to become a master ninja and his determination often inspires those around him. Through amazing adventures, the young ninja learns the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right vs. wrong. Dedicated website at www. naruto.viz.com. Rated T for Teens.
BLEACH
BLEACH is an animated, epic action series aimed at teens. Ichigo Kurosaki is an ordinary 15-year-old boy who happens to be able to see ghosts. His fate takes an extraordinary turn when he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper who shows up at Ichigo's house on the trail of a Hollow, a malevolent lost soul. Drawn to Ichigo's high level of spiritual energy, the Hollow attacks Ichigo and his family, and Rukia steps in to help but is injured and unable to fight. As a last resort, Rukia decides to transfer part of her Soul Reaper powers to Ichigo. Ichigo, now a full-fledged Soul Reaper, and Rukia, minus her powers, join together to face the challenges that lie ahead. Dedicated website at www.bleach.viz.com. Rated T for Teens.
DEATH NOTE
DEATH NOTE is currently one of the hottest animated titles in Japan. The series depicts the adventures of Light Yagami, an ace student with great prospects but who is bored out of his mind. All of that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals mysteriously begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to investigate, and he is soon hot on the trail of Light, who must now reevaluate his one noble goal. Dedicated website at www.deathnote.viz.com. Rated T+ for Older Teens.
BLUE DRAGON
Based on the popular Microsoft Xbox 360 video game developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi (the creator of Final Fantasy) and featuring character designs by Akira Toriyama (the creator of Dragon Ball), the BLUE DRAGON animation is a classic adventure story of magical Shadow powers, flying air fortresses, and unbounded heroism! Brought together by fate, Seven Soldiers of Light must awaken the Shadow within themselves in time to overcome a despotic power and bring peace to their land. Their ensuing journey through a rich fantasy world is also an internal journey to awaken the great power within each of them. Journey with them into the world of BLUE DRAGON! Dedicated website at www.bluedragon.viz.com. Rated A for all ages.
KILARI
Kilari is a happy-go-lucky 14 year-old schoolgirl. Unlike her friends, she is more interested in food and shows no interest in good-looking boys. One day, however, she accidentally bumps into Seiji, a pop idol, and develops a crush on him at first sight. Realizing how difficult it would be for her to become friends with him, Kilari makes an extraordinary decision, to become a star herself to be close to him! Thus begins her pop star adventure! Rated A for all ages.
Other featured properties include:
BUSO RENKIN, DETECTIVE CONAN, DEKO BOKO FRIENDS, HONEY AND CLOVER, HUNTER X HUNTER, INUYASHA, NANA and more.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the UK and Ireland, and South Africa and is a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels,videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages.
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