ACF 2070: Digital release of PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ

© I.T. Planning, Inc. © Nikkei Business Publications, Inc 2011

First published in Japan by Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. 

All rights reserved.

 VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES GLOBAL DIGITAL RELEASE

OF NEW INTERACTIVE eBOOK EDITION OF

PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ

Available In 51 Countries, Gorgeously Illustrated Enhanced

Art Book Traces Master Manga Artist Takehiko Inoue’s Fascination

With The Legendary Catalan Modernist Architect Antoni Gaudí

VIZ Media has announced the global release today of a stunning new interactive eBook version of PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ.

This insightful illustrated travel diary and art book—by the famed artist and manga (graphic novel) creator of SLAM DUNK, REAL, and VAGABOND—is comprised of prose, sketches, and color illustrations inspired by his encounter with the work of Catalan master architect Antoni Gaudí. The enhanced eBook will feature interactive video footage of Takehiko Inoue’s travels. PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ is available in English for $12.99 worldwide from the iBookstore and all 51 countries it serves.

PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ traces an inspiring journey by one of the world’s foremost manga artists to Spain, where he became captivated by the work of Antoni Gaudí (1852 - 1926), the famous Spanish architect and leader of Catalan Modernism. Takehiko Inoue had long been obsessed with the architecture of Antoni Gaudí, and PEPITA is a travel memoir about Inoue’s travels to the Catalan region of Spain, the people he meets, and the stunning architecture he experiences. At the core of the journey is the massive Gaudí-designed Sagrada Família, an iconic Roman Catholic cathedral located in Barcelona and a perennial news item as it remains under continual construction after more than a century of work. The new eBook edition incorporates video footage from Inoue’s trip as well as other enhanced content and interactive multimedia elements created by Live2D technology.

Creator Takehiko Inoue states, "My manga was created with the intent that it would be released on paper in a physical format. But with the digital edition of PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ, I felt it would show a new form of expression available only on a tablet."

“The enhanced PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ eBook edition is VIZ Media’s first foray into the world of interactive digital books and opens a new range of possibilities for future e-publishing ventures,” says VIZ Media's Vice President of Publishing, Leyla Aker. “Inoue’s hyper-realistic style shines in this gorgeous edition that is extremely well-suited to the digital medium. The new video footage adds another dimension to Inoue’s contemplation of Gaudi’s work and the architecture, nature, and religion of his beloved Catalonia.”

Takehiko Inoue is the creator of one of the most popular manga of all time, SLAM DUNK (rated ‘T’ for Teens), which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and is published in North America by VIZ Media. He followed the success of that series with VAGABOND, a fictional account of the life of samurai Miyamoto Musashi, and REAL, a manga series about wheelchair basketball. VAGABOND (Rated ‘M’ for Mature) and REAL (Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) are both also available from VIZ Media. The print edition of PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ is available worldwide and was published in spring 2013 by VIZ Media, who also released Inoue’s SUMI (INK) and WATER collections in 2008.

Takehiko Inoue is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize and the Media Arts Festival Award. In addition to his work on manga, Inoue has worked on several television commercials, created character designs for video games, and is the founder of a scholarship to foster Japanese basketball talent.

For more information on other Takehiko Inoue titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.

ACF 1055: VIZ Manga App to add six new manga titles this month

VIZ MANGA APP ADDS SIX NEW DIGITAL MANGA TITLES
FOR THE iPAD, iPHONE AND iPOD TOUCH FOR JUNE

Latest Additions Complement Growing
Library Of Titles Available Digitally;
SMILE: PRAY FOR JAPAN Vols. 3-4 Also Debut

VIZ Media will launch six new manga (graphic novel) series during June that will be offered for digital download within the VIZ MANGA APP for the Apple iPad™, iPhone™ and iPod™ Touch. Also debuting are Vols. 3 and 4 of Takehiko Inoue’s SMILE: PRAY FOR JAPAN illustrations, with all VIZ Media proceeds donated to the Japanese Red Cross to aid vicitims affected by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

Scheduled to make their North American digital debuts today are the shojo dramas of BACKSTAGE PRINCE and THE STORY OF SAIUNKOKU. More shojo fun follows on June 20th with the launch of DENGEKI DAISY and AI ORE!, along with the critically acclaimed CROSS GAME. Finally, June 27th sees the debut of the lush and contemplative CHILDREN OF THE SEA. Updates to 22 other popular VIZ Media digital manga series are also scheduled.

The VIZ MANGA APP is now available for free for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices through the iTunes® Store, and all manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada from within the application for only $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) per volume.

AI ORE! Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • Available June 20th
AI ORE! takes readers on a rollicking rock-and-roll ride in this new series by Mayu Shinjo, the creator of SENSUAL PHRASE. 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!

BACKSTAGE PRINCE, Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • Available Now!
Set against the vivid backdrop of Kabuki theatre, Kanoko Sakurakoji’s BACKSTAGE PRINCE introduces readers to Akari, who is totally clueless about kabuki – and boys – but is eager to learn about both. Her first encounter with Ryusei doesn't go very well, but with the help of a cat named Mr. Ken, the two teenagers quickly become the prince AND princess of kabuki. Love was never so dramatic!

CHILDREN OF THE SEA, Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • Available June 27th
Daisuke Igarashi’s riveting manga series CHILDREN OF THE SEA is an intriguing aquatic adventure that also delivers a strong message about preserving the world’s oceans. When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. Ruka's dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans' fish.

CROSS GAME, Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • Available June 20th
CROSS GAME is a moving drama that is heartfelt and true, yet in the brilliant hands of creator Mitsuru Adachi. The story delightfully flows with a light and amusing touch and centers on a boy named Ko, a family of four sisters that live down the street, and the game of baseball. This poignant coming-of-age story will change readers’ perception of what shonen manga can be.

DENGEKI DAISY, Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • Available June 20th
After orphan Teru Kurebayashi loses her beloved older brother, she finds solace in the text messages she exchanges with DAISY, an enigmatic figure who can only be reached through the cell phone her brother left behind. Meanwhile, mysterious Tasuku Kurosaki always seems to be around whenever Teru needs help. Could DAISY be a lot closer than Teru thinks?

SMILE: PRAY FOR JAPAN, Vols. 3 & 4 • Available Now!
Legendary manga creator Takehiko Inoue (SLAM DUNK, VAGABOND, REAL, and more), through the use of his iPad and an app called Zen Brush, drew breathtaking and touching illustrations as a gesture of support for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11th. All VIZ Media proceeds from these purchases will be donated directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

THE STORY OF SAIUNKOKU, Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • Available Now!
THE STORY OF SAIUNKOKU will draw readers in with its beautiful artwork and story of a young girl’s rise in the imperial court to become a royal confidant and advisor. Shurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne’er-do-well ruler to govern.

Additional new manga volumes available on the VIZ Manga App this month include:

ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND Vol. 6
ARATA Vol. 3
BLACK BIRD Vols. 5-6
BLEACH Vols. 16-17
BLUE EXORCIST Vol. 2
CLAYMORE Vols. 11-12
D. GRAY MAN Vols. 12-13
DRAGON BALL Z Vols. 12-15
FUSHIGI YUGI: GENBU KAIDEN Vol. 3
HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES Vol. 2
HYDE & CLOSER Vol. 2
KEKKAISHI Vols. 6-7
MAOH: JUVENILE REMIX Vol. 2
NARUTO Vols. 29-32
NATSUME’S BOOK OF FRIENDS Vol. 5
NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN Vol. 3
ONE PIECE Vols. 29-32
OTOMEN Vol. 7
OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB Vols. 7-8
ROSARIO + VAMPIRE Vols. 8-9
RUROUNI KENSHIN Vol. 15-16
VAMPIRE KNIGHT Vol. 8

The VIZ MANGA APP is the leading application to read Japanese manga on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, with an extensive downloadable library of the most popular manga series in the world. The app now offers over 250 volumes available for download. Readers should check the app regularly, as new additions to the store and free Chapter 1 previews of other forthcoming manga series are featured.

For more information on the VIZ MANGA APP, visit www.VIZ.com/apps/.

ACF 1023: Takehiko Inoue's Smile: Pray for Japan illustrations now available from VIZ

VIZ MEDIA AIDS FUNDRAISING FOR JAPANESE
DISASTER RECOVERY WITH TAKEHIKO INOUE’S
SMILE: PRAY FOR JAPAN ILLUSTRATIONS

Lifelike Portraits Drawn By Legendary Manga Creator
In The Days Following The Earthquake And Tsunami
To Be Available On iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad In North America

VIZ Media continues to assist international fundraising efforts for Japanese disaster relief. The company has announced that it will make legendary manga (graphic novel) creator Takehiko Inoue’s newest Smile series of illustrations available to North American iPhone™, iPod™ Touch and iPad™ users via the VIZ Manga App. All VIZ Media proceeds from these purchases will be donated directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society to aid victims in the areas ravaged by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

Fans can enjoy these breathtaking and touching illustrations on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. SMILE: PRAY FOR JAPAN Volume 1, contains Inoue’s illustrations numbered 34 through 100 and will be available for $9.99. SMILE: PRAY FOR JAPAN Volume 2 will contain illustrations 101 to 120 for $1.99. As Inoue creates additional pieces, VIZ Media will continue to make them available in sets of 20 for $1.99.

Takehiko Inoue (creator of VAGABOND, REAL, and SLAM DUNK, all published by VIZ Media) created these pieces as a gesture of support for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11th. Using his finger and an iOS iPad app developed by Psoft Mobile called Zen Brush, he initially began drawing images of people smiling and posting them online as an experiment. But circumstances would have the Smile series take a different turn. On March 12th, the day after the massive earthquake, Inoue posted Smile illustration number 34, entitled “Pray,” with the victims of the devastating disaster in mind. Since then he has continued to draw piece after piece, with over 125 illustrations currently in the series. In Japan, the Smile series is also used to help with disaster recovery fundraising efforts.

“Takehiko Inoue’s lifelike portraits of everyday Japanese people smiling have inspired hope in the wake of the terrible events that struck the country on March 11th, and we’re honored to help with ongoing fundraising efforts by making them available to fans in North America,” says Hyoe Narita, Executive Vice President of VIZ Media. “We encourage iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad users to contribute to the Japanese Red Cross Society and enjoy these moving images as a testament to the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Japanese people.”