ACF 354: VIZ's New SHONEN SUNDAY Imprint To Publish 3 Manga Series - Free Previews Online

VIZ MEDIA PREVIEWS THREE EXCITING MANGA SERIES

TO BE PUBLISHED UNDER THE NEW
SHONEN SUNDAY IMPRINT

New Manga Chapters From Each Series Will Be Previewed
For Free On The Official SHONEN SUNDAY Website
With Print Versions Scheduled To Be Published In 2010

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) previewed three upcoming manga titles to be published under the company’s newest imprint – SHONEN SUNDAY – for a packed audience at its Anime & Manga panel discussion at the recent 2009 Comic-Con International show in San Diego, CA.

The new manga series will debut in 2010 and will include ARATA: THE LEGEND by renowned manga creator Yuu Watase, MAOH: JUVENILE REMIX based on the original story by Kotaro Isaka with story and art by Megumi Osuga, and HYDE & CLOSER by Haro Aso. Every month, the official SHONEN SUNDAY website at http://www.shonensunday.com/ will present a new chapter from each of the three new titles online for free, as well as post a new chapter from the ongoing action/fantasy adventure KEKKAISHI by Yellow Tanabe (rated ‘T’ for Teens; published domestically by VIZ Media).

The new manga line-up will complement the current online serialization of another SHONEN SUNDAY series, RIN-NE, which is now available at http://www.therumicworld.com/, the official North American website for all Rumiko Takahashi news. RIN-NE is the first SHONEN SUNDAY manga series to be published simultaneously in Japan and North America, and the graphic novels will go on sale nationwide on October 20, 2009.

“The expansion of our new SHONEN SUNDAY imprint and website with these new titles give manga fans a lot to be excited about,” says Shie Lundberg, Sr. Director, Strategy and Business Development. “The official SHONEN SUNDAY website is a comprehensive destination for new manga chapters, featured previews, trailers, downloadable wallpapers, news, creator interviews and more. We invite fans to visit the site regularly for free updates and keep and eye out for the debut of these acclaimed new series in 2010.”

ARATA: THE LEGEND · Rated ‘T’ for Teens ·
MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available: March 2010

In a mythical world where humans and gods co-exist, a ceremony marking the new governing princess is about to occur for the first time in 60 years. Only a girl from the Hime Clan may take this position, but the lack of females born to this family means that a boy called Arata must pose for the role. Meanwhile in modern-day Japan, a boy named Arata Hinohara is starting his new life in high school. He wants to put memories of his difficult past behind him, but things aren't going to be simple when he discovers a mysterious connection to the first Arata...

VIZ Media has also publishes the following works by Yuu Watase:
ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND
ALICE 19TH
CERES: CELESTIAL LEGEND
FUSHIGI YÛGI
FUSHIGI YÛGI: GENBU KAIDEN
IMADOKI!

MAOH: JUVENILE REMIX · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens·
MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available: May 2010

“As crazy as your ideas might be, as long as you believe in yourself and tackle the issue head-on, you can even change the world.”
Ando is a high school student who has the power to make others say out loud what he’s thinking. Inukai is the mysterious leader of a vigilante group called Grasshopper, which is at odds with the city’s redevelopment plan. In this chaotic city, these two will come together to weave a story of courage, determination and confrontation.

MAOH: Juvenile Remix is based on the original novel MAOH by Kotaro Isaka.

HYDE & CLOSER · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens ·
MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available: July 2010

Shunpei Closer is your average…well, slightly below average kid in junior high who finds himself in the middle of a great battle of dark sorcery. With cursed dolls coming after him one after another, Shunpei Closer’s life is in danger! If that weren’t enough, Hyde, the teddy bear given to him by his grandfather, suddenly comes alive to rescue him. With Hyde’s help, can Shunpei save himself and live to see another day?