With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013
With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

Saturday, March 22, 2014

VIZ & WeLoveFine announce first-time ever BLEACH design contest

BLEACH Manga Creator Tite Kubo And Shueisha Series Editor Will
Personally Judge Fan Submissions, With The Grand Prize
Winner Receiving A Trip To Anime Expo 2014

VIZ Media has announced a special first-ever BLEACH design contest with BLEACH licensee WeLoveFine (WeLoveFine.com). Artwork submissions will be accepted through midnight on Tuesday April 8th, 2014.

Artistic fans across the U.S. are invited to tap their Bankai and create original and innovative designs that will have a chance to become officially licensed BLEACH t-shirts / merchandise. In addition to cash and other valuable premiums, one lucky winner will be awarded a Grand Prize package that includes airfare to Los Angeles, CA and a full show pass to attend Anime Expo 2014, July 3rd-6th, where they will meet the VIZ Media and WeLoveFine teams, and enjoy a fun weekend jam-packed with all things anime/manga. Grab your pens, tablets, mouse, or Zanpakutō and create that winning design today!

The contest’s judging panel includes BLEACH manga creator Tite Kubo and his series editor, Shueisha’s Yujiro Hattori, and representatives WeLoveFine, hip apparel retailer Hot Topic, and anime/manga/media site, Crunchyroll.com.

Full contest rules and a downloadable submission kit are available at: http://contest.welovefine.com/contest/79-bleach-design-contest#.UyNll_SwKCp.

All designs MUST incorporate characters and themes from the BLEACH anime and/or manga series. Art pieces should be scanned and submitted to WeLoveFine. Submittals must be 100% original and exact copies or tracing of BLEACH manga or anime will not be accepted.

One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive an all expense paid, 3-day 2-night trip to attend Anime Expo 2014, the nation’s biggest annual anime convention to be held in Los Angeles, CA, July 3rd-6th at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Prize package includes an Anime Expo membership badge, 1 round trip airfare ticket (limited to U.S. domestic flights only) and lodging near the convention center.

Other valuable prizes will also be awarded. Three (3) runner-up Guest Judge's pick winners will each win a $300.00 Cash Prize. One (1) Hot Topic Pick winner will receive a $300.00 Cash Prize and have their design carried exclusively by Hot Topic; One (1) Crunchyroll.com Pick winner will receive a $300.00 Cash Prize and have their design carried exclusively by Crunchyroll.com; and One (1) WeLoveFine Pick winner will also receive a $150.00 gift certificate from WeLoveFine.com.

The BLEACH animated film and TV series (distributed in North America by VIZ Media, rated ‘TV-14’) are based on a smash hit manga series created by Tite Kubo (also published in North America by VIZ Media, rated ‘T’) and follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow – a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

BLEACH is a tremendously successful multimedia property internationally. The manga has been licensed to more than a dozen countries and has sold over 50 million copies in Japan alone. In North America, the manga has been a sales hit and the popular animated series (both rated 'T' for Teens) is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada. This success has further spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise.

For more information on BLEACH click here.