VIZ Media Dominates New York Times' Manga Best Seller List

VIZ Media has announced that 9 of its manga titles have made the New York Time’s Manga Best Seller list for the week ending April 10th.

VIZ Media Best Selling Manga Titles on the list include (In Listed Order):

1. ROSARIO + VAMPIRE: Season II, Vol. 1
2. YU-GI-OH! R, Vol. 4
3. NARUTO, Vol. 47
4. THE GENTLEMEN'S ALLIANCE †, Vol. 11
5. ONE PIECE, Vol. 40
6. ONE PIECE, Vol. 39
7. ONE PIECE, Vol. 41
8. ONE PIECE, Vol. 43
9. ONE PIECE, Vol.42

The rankings reflect sales of graphic novels at thousands of retailers and venues nationwide. These include hundreds of independent book retailers; national, regional and local chains; online and multimedia entertainment retailers; university, gift, supermarket, discount department stores and newsstands.

“It’s exciting to see such a wide variety of VIZ Media titles reach this level of popularity,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales, VIZ Media. “From the irresistible bite of ROSARIO + VAMPIRE to the high seas pirate adventures of ONE PIECE to the romantic shojo hijinks of THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE, these titles continue to show the diversity of the manga genre and its strong appeal among readers of all ages and interests.”

ROSARIO + VAMPIRE: Season II, Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T+’ (For Older Teens) • Shonen Jump Advanced
Average human teenage boy Tsukune accidentally enrolls at a boarding school for monsters – no, not jocks and popular kids, but bona fide werewolves, witches, and other unnamable monsters out of his wildest nightmares!

YU-GI-OH! R, Vol. 4 • Rated ‘T’ (For Teens) • Shonen Jump
The twisted Yako Tenma has taken control of the gaming company KaibaCorp, using its high-tech dueling machines to resurrect the dead... but the original master of KaibaCorp is not happy! Kaiba, Yugi's archrival, challenges Yako to a duel to see just who will control Japan's biggest gaming company. Can Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon stop Yako's evil plan. Look for an ultra-rare Angel 07 Card inside! (Limited quantities available). For more information on YU-GI-OH! and to read free online previews of the manga, please visit ShonenJump.viz.com.

NARUTO, Vol. 47 • Rated ‘T’ (For Teens) • Shonen Jump
Naruto inches ever closer to discovering the true identity of his nemesis, Pain, but is it worth it as the frustrated ninja begins to morph at last into the dreaded Nine Tails? Plus an unexpected confession reveals incredible secrets about his past as Naruto prepares for the ultimate battle with Pain. Can the chakra-challenged Naruto win when one misstep could spell disaster? For more information on NARUTO and to read free online previews of the manga, please visit www.Naruto.com.

THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE †, Vol. 11 • Rated ‘T+’ (For Older Teens) • Shojo Beat Haine goes to Shizumasa and Takanari's grandfather, the head of the Togu family, to ask him to release the twins from their fate. He tells her she must pass the same trial the twins went through for determining the Togu heir. Haine agrees, but little does she know that a former friend is now out for her life. For more information on THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE † and to read free online previews of the manga, please visit www.ShojoBeat.com.

ONE PIECE, Vol. 39 • Rated ‘T’ (For Teens) • Shonen Jump
Sanji, Usopp and Franky are on their own against the Navy as the rest of the Straw Hats hurry to catch up to the speeding Sea Train. But freeing Robin from the clutches of CP9 won't be an easy task with a train full of enemies. And even if they do reach her, does she even want to be rescued?!

ONE PIECE, Vol. 40 • Rated ‘T’ (For Teens) • Shonen Jump
Hankering for a fight, Luffy's got a jump start on the battle to rescue Robin and Franky before they're sentenced by the Navy's court at Enies Lobby. Now that the Straw Hats and the Franky Family have banded together, the World Government is in for an epic battle. But did the Navy deceive Robin into sacrificing herself in order to trap the Straw Hats?!

ONE PIECE, Vol. 41 • Rated ‘T’ (For Teens) • Shonen Jump
Robin and Franky have been captured by CP9 and locked in the courthouse on Enies Lobby. The Straw Hats and Franky's crew must join forces if they want to save their friends. But before they can rescue them, they must face Spandam's six deadly assassins. Can the two groups work together, or will CP9 finally win?

ONE PIECE, Vol. 42 • Rated ‘T’ (For Teens) • Shonen Jump
The Straw Hats have infiltrated the Tower of Justice to save Robin, but they still need a special key to release her. One of the CP9 assassins holds the right key, but Luffy and his crew may have to defeat them all. Can the Straw Hats thwart CP9 and rescue Robin?

ONE PIECE, Vol.43 • Rated ‘T’ (For Teens) • Shonen Jump
Luffy has made it to the tower where Robin is being held captive, but in order to save her he must get past the deadly assassin Rob Lucci. The rest of the Straw Hats are busy fighting their own battles to find the key that will free Robin. Can the crew find the right key in time?! For more information on ONE PIECE and to read free online preview of the manga, please visit OnePiece.viz.com. For more information on these titles, or others from VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.

VIZ Media Launches "Kingyo Used Books" Next Week

VIZ MEDIA TRANSPORTS READERS TO KINGYO USED BOOKS – A FANTASTIC PLACE WHERE READERS FIND THEIR DREAMS IN MANGA

A Charming Bookshop with a Special Inventory Becomes a Place Where Lives Are Changed Through Manga

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, transports readers to an unassuming store that stocks all the manga a fan could ever desire with the release of KINGYO USED BOOKS on April 20th. The new series, by Seimu Yoshizaki, will be published under the VIZ Signature imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

In KINGYO USED BOOKS, a businessman discovers how his childhood memories can brighten his day. An art student finds inspiration. An archer hits a surprising bull's-eye. A housewife rediscovers romance. A teenager discovers his true self in the pages of a manga magazine. Welcome to Kingyo Used Books, a place where people find their dreams in manga...

“KINGYO USED BOOKS is the little shop that every fan dreams of. The endearing vignettes that take place there show how peoples’ lives can be affected by books in a significant way,” says Leyla Aker, Senior Editorial Manager, VIZ Media. “KINGYO USED BOOKS uses a variety of genres to take readers on a journey that traces the history and evolution of manga. We hope this new series will strike a chord that inspires fans to similarly revisit a cherished manga title from their own past.”

KINGYO USED BOOKS is currently featured in Japan in IKKI magazine, home to some of the most innovative and compelling titles in the world of contemporary manga. The series is also featured at SigIKKI.com, VIZ Media’s unique online destination for edgy new manga designed for mature audiences.

Seimu Yoshizaki was born in Kanagawa, Japan. She made her manga debut with Aka–chan to Tenshi (Baby and Angel) in 1989. Aside from Kingyo Used Books, which is currently being serialized in IKKI magazine, she is the creator of many other titles, including Telekinesis (Yamanote TV Kinema Room), Ugokashiya, Kaban Toshokan and Deka Girl.

For more information on other SIGIKKI titles and to check out a sneak peek of chapter one through eight of KINGYO USED BOOKS, please visit www.SigIKKI.com.

To the Victors Goes Kurashina Sensei

I read Kurashina Sensei's Passion Volume 2 (Yaoi)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which now has an iPhone app).

Bluewater Productions Announces Second Printing for "Logan's Run" #2

“LOGAN'S RUN: LAST DAY” #2 RACES OFF THE SHELVES AND GOES BACK FOR 2ND PRINTING WITH NEW COVER


Due to the high demand for the critically acclaimed new series from Bluewater Comics, LOGAN'S RUN: LAST DAY Issue #2 is headed back to the presses for a 2nd printing with a new cover.

“It's overwhelming the praise Logan's Run has been getting,” says Writer Paul J. Salamoff, “It's seems like ever day there's another glowing review and that's extremely validating especially given how much effort I put into telling a compelling story while staying true to the source material”.

With over two dozen stellar reviews from trendsetting websites such as:

Newsarama which raved that “The writing is pretty taut and immersive, making the book a speedy yet satisfying read…Bottom line: I loved it.”

Famous Monsters of Filmland extolled that, “The action is well paced and the story develops just enough to leave me wanting more.”

Aint it Cool News lauded that “Logan's Run: Last Day definitely will have me back to the stores for more.”

To commemorate the success, Bluewater has commissioned a brand new cover from artist Daniel Gete for the re-release, which is now available for order. The Diamond order code for Logan's Run #2 is: DCD # DEC090719

High-resolution images and interview opportunities are available upon request.


About Bluewater Productions:
Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts,” et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry's top artists and writers.

Following its commitment to green publishing, Bluewater comic books are printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. FSC certification guarantees that the paper used in Bluewater books contains fiber from well-managed and responsibility harvested forests that meet strict environmental and socioeconomic standards.

For more information, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/.

Maid Sama at the Beach

I read Maid Sama! Volume 4

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which now has an iPhone app).

Vampire Hunter D on Playstation's Digital Comics

IDW AND DIGITAL MANGA LAUNCH VAMPIRE HUNTER D ON PLAYSTATION’S DIGITAL COMICS


Partnership brings first manga title to PSP™(PlayStation®Portable)

IDW Publishing and Digital Manga Publishing forge ahead in the world of digital comics today by bringing the first manga title to Sony’s hot new PSP Digital Comics offering: Vampire Hunter D, as part of continued growth to become one of the best selling manga titles globally. Vampire Hunter D first gained notoriety when it landed ashore as an anime property in the late 1980’s. Its popularity has continued to grow with subsequent feature anime films, English adapted novel series and jumping boundaries over to manga form. With over 17 million copies sold in books, video, and merchandise worldwide, the Vampire Hunter D property now debuts in this new digital medium.

“We’re very excited to release the very first digital manga on the PSP and to kick off our partnership with Digital Manga,” said Jeff Webber, Director of ePublishing at IDW. “Vampire Hunter D is an excellent story to launch the PSP manga catalogue, offering this popular series for manga fans worldwide through this new platform. We’ll be rolling out the first volume of the series as a new chapter each week for the next six weeks.”

With the success of the Vampire Hunter D manga series, Digital Manga Publishing teams up with IDW Publishing to bring what every manga, sci-fi and horror fan has been waiting for through Sony’s PSP. Set in the far future, Vampire Hunter D chronicles the fallout of massive world war. From the darkness of war’s devastation, mutants and a race of vampires known as the Nobility have spawned. They rule the weak with no remorse. Once bitten by a Nobility, one is cursed to become a member of the undead. Villagers cower in fear, hoping and praying for a savior to rid them of their undying nightmare. All they have to defend against this fate is a different kind of danger – a Vampire Hunter.

“We’re sure every fan’s anticipation will be met with this launch,” commented Fred Lui, VP Production for Digital Manga Publishing. “DMP and IDW are very proud to have a title such as this—so known throughout the years in the anime/manga fandom – be able to debut it as the first of its kind for PSP. This is just the start of many things to come from IDW and DMP.”

The first chapter of Vampire Hunter D came out last week, and was #1 in the US, and #2 in the UK and European Union in sales for the PSP platform. Stay on top of releases of Vampire Hunter D through the Sony PSP blog.

Vampire Hunter D Volume 1: Chapter #1 ($1.99) is now available through the PlayStation®Store here.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to sign up for updates and learn more about the company and its top-selling books. For more information about Vampire Hunter D, visit the official website at www.vampire-d.com

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro's The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; the BBC's Doctor Who; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for EA Comics and ComicMix.

IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

About Digital Manga Publishing
Located in Gardena, CA, Digital Manga Publishing is one of the industry's most unconventional and innovative companies, specializing in building corporate and cultural bridges from Japan to the Western Hemisphere - specifically through the licensing, importation and localization of anime (Japanese animation), manga (Japanese comic books) and related merchandise for the North American mainstream and subculture markets. In this capacity, Digital Manga Inc. serves as a catalyst for the expansion of Japanese pop culture institutions into global arenas. The company's diverse manga imprint line includes high profile manga/anime titles such as Vampire Hunter D; popular romance titles--Only the Ring Finger Knows; classic iconic titles--Speed Racer Mach GoGoGo; and award nominated titles--Itazura Na Kiss (Young Adult Library Service Assoc.) and Antique Bakery (Eisner Award). Digital Manga Publishing also caters to the young audience with a vast array of educational and instructional line of books with their Edu-Manga series and Let’s Draw Manga series.

Digital Manga Publishing has also established domestic co-publishing ventures with Dark Horse Comics (Trigun, Hellsing, Berserk), as well as foreign co-publishing partnerships with Taiyoh Tosho Publishing, Oakla Publishing, and Shinshokan Publishing--DokiDoki imprint.

For more information about Digital Manga Publishing, visit http://www.digitalmanga.com/

About the Author
Hideyuki Kikuchi is one of Japan’s top horror writers. Over the past two decades, several of his works have been adapted into live-action and anime movies, including Vampire Hunter D and his first novel, Demon City Shinjuku. Drawing from such inspirations as Horror of Dracula, Kikuchi has spawned over 20 novels in his Vampire Hunter D series.

About the Illustrator
Saiko Takaki, a professional graphic designer, illustrator, and manga artist for close to a decade, has worked on numerous projects for the manga and game industry in Japan. A very close friend of the author, Hideyuki Kikuchi, Takaki was commissioned by DMP to undertake the daunting task of adapting his famous novel into manga form. Hand-picked by Kikuchi himself, Takaki has proven to be one of Japan’s up and coming manga horror artists.

"Takaki's artwork is dynamic, expressive and remarkably detailed yet flows effortlessly as if you are watching rather than reading this story, it is engaging and you find yourself at the end before you've even realized it leaving you wanting more." -SciFi Online

"...stands in the very small circle of great vampire comics." -Comic Book Bin

VIZ Media to Preview "Bakuman" in "Shonen Jump" Magazine

FIND OUT WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP AS A MANGA CREATOR IN THE NEW SHONEN JUMP SERIES BAKUMAN

Two Students Must Have Perseverance, Innovation And An Uncompromising Will To Succeed In The New Series From The Creators Of DEATH NOTE

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the upcoming release of the manga series BAKUMAN。. The series, rated ‘T’ for Teens, will be released on August 3rd under VIZ Media’s popular Shonen Jump imprint and will carry a MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Previews for the series will start to run in the May 2010 issue of VIZ Media’s popular monthly manga anthology – SHONEN JUMP magazine which is on stands now.

BAKUMAN。is written by the author of DEATH NOTE, Tsugumi Ohba, and the artwork is by Takeshi Obata, the artist known for series such as DEATH NOTE, HIKARU NO GO and RALΩGRAD. The story follows average student Moritaka Mashiro, who enjoys drawing for fun, but when his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world?

In the opening volume, Moritaka is hesitant to seriously consider Akito's proposal because he knows how difficult it can be to reach the professional level. Still, encouragement from persistent Akito and the motivation from a girl he has a crush on help push Moritaka to test his limits!

“BAKUMAN。is an outstanding, behind-the-scenes manga about manga, and the artists who create it, written and drawn by the creative team that produced the DEATH NOTE series,” says Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director at VIZ Media. “The series is a great read for all manga fans, and especially fun for aspiring artists.”

Born in Tokyo, Tsugumi Ohba is the author of the hit series DEATH NOTE. The writer's current series BAKUMAN。is serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan.

Takeshi Obata was born in 1969 in Niigata, Japan, and is the artist of the wildly popular SHONEN JUMP title HIKARU NO GO, which won the 2003 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize: Shinsei "New Hope" award and the 2000 Shogakukan Manga award. Obata is also the artist of Arabian Majin Bokentan Lamp Lamp, Ayatsuri Sakon, Cyborg Jichan G, and the smash hit manga DEATH NOTE.

For more information on this title, and other Shonen Jump titles, please visit http://shonenjump.viz.com.