Paranormal anime action comedy BLOOD LAD available on Tuesday

 VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY

AND DVD COMBO PACK FOR THE PARANORMAL

ANIME ACTION COMEDY BLOOD LAD

An Otaku Vampire Obsessed With The Human World Falls

For a Pretty Girl That Becomes A Ghost; 10-Episode

Anime Series Also Features Talented English Dub Cast

VIZ Media gives fans and viewers the opportunity to add BLOOD LAD to their personal home media collections as it announces the release of the complete anime series as a special Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, and also as a Standard Edition DVD set, this Tuesday, September 2nd. VIZ Media is the exclusive North American master licensor for the BLOOD LAD anime property.

The 10-episode paranormal action comedy about a nerdy vampire that is obsessed with the human word is rated ‘TV-14’ and will be offered as a Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with an MSRP of $69.99 U.S. / $89.99 CAN. The special set comes packaged in a full-color chipboard box featuring 4 discs containing the entire series as well as the BLOOD LAD “BLOOD LAD-EX” OVA short film and a 96 page premium art booklet featuring episode guides, art, interviews and more. Other combo pack bonus features include an interactive art gallery, nearly a half-hour of English dub session outtakes, an Anime Central convention chalk art video along with series trailers and clean opening and ending segments.

The Standard Edition 2-disc DVD set for BLOOD LAD features the complete series and OVA film and will be offered at an MSRP $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and standard DVD set both feature English dubbed and original Japanese stereo audio selections (with English Subtitles).

The Demon World: a place where it's good to be bad. Werewolves, zombies, and even the Abominable Snowman fight day and night for the title of Territory Boss. The vampire Staz, however, finds the whole thing to be a serious pain. He spends his time watching anime, playing video games, and daydreaming about going to the Human World. That all changes when he meets Fuyumi, a human girl who instantly wins Staz's heart but subsequently loses her life to a man-eating plant. Staz refuses to give up on the girl of his dreams and travels across the Demon and Human Worlds in search of a way to bring Fuyumi back to life by any bloody means necessary.

The English dub cast for BLOOD LAD notably stars Bryce Papenbrook as Staz and Xanthe Huynh as Fuyumi and also features talented voice actors such as Johnny Yong Bosch, Kyle Hebert, Cristina Vee and Wendee Lee in key supporting roles.

“BLOOD LAD was adapted from Yuki Kodama's bestselling manga series and offers a hilarious, action packed story featuring plenty of adventure and laughable situations, and fans won’t want to miss the chance to own the complete series as a special Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Animation Marketing Manager. “The combo pack also features a wealth of entertaining bonus material including the BLOOD LAD OVA which picks up right after the series’ final episode and follows Staz and Fuyumi as they journey to the Demon Acropolis. Don’t miss this special release coming next month!”

For more information on BLOOD LAD, or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

Original graphic novel HELLO KITTY: JUST IMAGINE is available now

© 1976, (2014) SANRIO CO. LTD. Used under license.

 HELLO KITTY® SHOWS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF ONE JUST IMAGINES

IN ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL RELEASE FROM PERFECT SQUARE

Creativity And Friendship Combine In New All

Ages Release HELLO KITTY: JUST IMAGINE

VIZ Media invites readers of all ages to tap their creative sides for some whimsical new graphic novel adventures with the release of HELLO KITTY: JUST IMAGINE, available now.

HELLO KITTY: JUST IMAGINE is published under the Perfect Square imprint and expands the line of full-color HELLO KITTY® original graphic novels inspired by the global pop icon. JUST IMAGINE brings back the talented team of HELLO KITTY artists including Jacob Chabot, Ian McGinty and Jorge Monlongo, and introduces artist Giovanni Castro and special guest artist Sarah Goodreau. HELLO KITTY: JUST IMAGINE is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN. Anything is possible if you just imagine... Hello Kitty and her friends are letting their imaginations run wild – dreaming up rainy day adventures, inventing amazing machines and solving problems in the most inventive ways. When creativity and friendship combine, the possibilities are endless!

“As Hello Kitty marks her 40th anniversary she's as popular as ever, keeping up with the maker movement in HELLO KITTY: JUST IMAGINE," says Traci Todd, Senior Editor, Children's Publishing. “We hope the young and young at heart will enjoy these new stories and discover their own spirits of creativity and inspiration as well.”

Don’t miss additional full-color HELLO KITTY original graphic novel titles available in-print from Perfect Square including, HELLO KITTY: HERE WE GO!, HELLO KITTY: SURPRISE!, and HELLO KITTY: DELICIOUS!, as well as the brand new HELLO KITTY, HELLO 40 commemorative story and art anthology.

Created by Sanrio, Hello Kitty® is a true lifestyle brand that enjoys tremendous international popularity. In North America, and throughout the world, Hello Kitty is a leading brand that is loved by fans of all ages. The pop icon has more than 14 million followers on Facebook.

HELLO KITTY artist Jacob Chabot is a prolific New York City-based cartoonist, illustrator and writer. His comics have appeared in publications such as Nickelodeon Magazine, Mad Magazine, SpongeBob SquarePants comics, and various Marvel titles. He also illustrated HELLO KITTY editions including HERE WE GO!, DELICIOUS! and SURPRISE!, as well as VOLTRON FORCE: SHELTER FROM THE STORM and VOLTRON FORCE: TRUE COLORS for Perfect Square. His comic series, The Mighty Skullboy Army, is published by Dark Horse, and in 2008 Chabot was also nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Book for Teens. Artist Ian McGinty resides in Savannah, Georgia, and his portfolio includes Adventure Time: Candy Capers (kaBoom!), Bravest Warriors (kaBoom!), HELLO KITTY (VIZ Media), UGLYDOLL (VIZ Media), and Suckers (Zenescope). He is also creator of Chomp! (Top Shelf). Book and comic illustrator and game designer Jorge Monlongo hails from Spain and combines traditional and digital techniques to create worlds in beautiful colors that hide secrets. JUST IMAGINE… is his latest HELLO KITTY title for VIZ Media/Perfect Square and his work has also been featured in several prominent magazines, including Rolling Stone.

Artist Giovanni Castro was born in Colombia, studied art there, and now lives and works in Barcelona, Spain. He works mainly in editorial illustration and comics. Castro has worked with traditional media, but nowadays he does his illustrations digitally. He loves science fiction and historical themes and is interested in history, art and languages.

HELLO KITTY guest artist Sarah Goodreau was born and raised in Massachusetts. Pursuing a lifetime interest in art, she traveled south to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Afterwards she spent three years as an illustrator in New York City until moving to Amsterdam where she currently resides.

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

About Sanrio®
Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty®, who celebrates her 40th Anniversary this year with a museum exhibition and Hello Kitty Con 2014, the first ever Hello Kitty convention. Home to many endearing characters including Chococat® My Melody®, Badtz-Maru® and Keroppi®, Sanrio was founded on the ‘small gift, big smile®’ philosophy – that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique products and experiences. Today, more than 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are available in over 130 countries and upwards of 15,000 U.S. retail locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 80 Sanrio boutiques. For more information please visit www.sanrio.com and www.facebook.com/hellokitty.

Over 35 Canadian cities to offer special theatrical screenings of ROAD TO NINJA – NARUTO THE MOVIE

VIZ MEDIA AND ELEVEN ARTS ADD SCREENINGS OF

ROAD TO NINJA – NARUTO THE MOVIE

FEATURE FILM TO MORE THAN 35 CITIES

IN CANADA THIS SEPTEMBER

VIZ Media, in partnership with Los Angeles-based film distribution company ELEVEN ARTS, will hold special Canadian theatrical screenings of ROAD TO NINJA – NARUTO THE MOVIE (dubbed) on Sunday September 7th and Thursday September 11th. These are in addition to the U.S. theatrical screenings starting today, August 29, 2014.

The sixth feature film in the massively popular NARURTO SHIPPUDEN series will debut in over 35 cities across Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and more. Tickets are now available, and additional information and a complete list of U.S. and Canada theatre locations are available at: http://www.elevenarts.net/th_gallery/naruto-roadtoninja.

Dive into the past and take a fateful adventure in the latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN feature film! Long ago, a mysterious masked shinobi unleashed the Nine-Tailed Fox onto the Village Hidden in the Leaves to spread chaos and destruction. But the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his wife Kushina Uzumaki sealed the Tailed Beast into their newborn son, Naruto, to save the village, foiling the shinobi’s plan. Years later, Naruto and his friends succeed in driving away the infamous Akatsuki, who have mysteriously returned from the dead. Upon returning to the village, the young shinobi are praised by their families for completing a dangerous mission. Reminded of how alone he is, Naruto begins to wonder what it’s like to have parents, when a strange masked figure appears before him – the same masked shinobi responsible for the death of his parents!

The NARUTO SHIPPUDEN feature films are based on the acclaimed NARUTO manga and animated series, following Naruto Uzumaki, who wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi…well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

Additional information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com.

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

KUNDO: AGE OF THE RAMPANT opens tomorrow, August 29th

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents a
Showbox/Mediaplex
Production

Kundo: Age of the Rampant / Kundo: min-ran-eui si-dae

Directed by  YOON Jong-bin

South Korea, 2014, 100 minutes

South Korean martial arts action adventure Kundo: Age of the Rampant will have its North American opening tomorrow, Friday, August 29th in fifteen cities in the U.S. and in Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. For the list of the cities & theaters that will be showing Kundo, and to buy tickets, click here.

Synopsis: 1859. The last days of the Joseon Dynasty, where the wages of greed bring poverty and death. A pack of bandits – calling themselves KUNDO - rise against the tyrants, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. In an era where status is decided by birth, this band of thieves risks their lives for honor, in the name of the poor and oppressed. But for one man, a debt of bloody revenge is owed to the aristocrat that robbed him of his family and his name.

Two BRAVEST WARRIORS original titles featuring Catbug available now

© 2013 Frederator Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE

OF TWO NEW BRAVEST WARRIORS ORIGINAL TITLES

Fans Of Pendleton Ward’s Smash-Hit Animated Action Series Invited

To Dive Into Brand New Multi-Dimensional Adventures In

BRAVEST WARRIORS PRESENTS: CATBUG’S TREASURE BOOK

And BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG

VIZ Media has announced two brand new original titles available now based on the popular action/adventure brand BRAVEST WARRIORS and featuring Catbug, the brand's adorable breakout star.

Published under the company’s Perfect Square imprint, the hardcover books, BRAVEST WARRIORS PRESENTS: CATBUG'S TREASURE BOOK and BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG, each blend the dynamic action, irreverent comedy and unique characters that have made the animated series created by Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time) a massive YouTube hit.

In these new books, Bravest Warriors fans get a peek into Catbug's innermost thoughts in the diary-like CATBUG’S TREASURE BOOK, while THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG is a beautiful seek-and-find full-color collection of illustrations from more than two dozen top pop culture and comics artists, highlighting the Bravest Warriors and their continuing search throughout the galaxy for Catbug.

BRAVEST WARRORS PRESENTS: CATBUG’S TREASURE BOOK•
MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN • Available Now!
Says Catbug: "This book has all my secret treasures and oregano dreams! ALSO FIRE! I will share them with you because you are my friend, but it has to be our secret, okay? I love you Treasure Book!"

© 2013 Frederator Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG •
MSRP: $14.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN • Available Now!
An amazing collection of artists venture to multiple dimensions to help you in...THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG! Catbug ate some weird new cubes of food that caused him to lose what little control he already had over his jump abilities! Now he’s careening through dimensions, unable to stop! Help the Bravest Warriors travel the galaxy and find Catbug. Just don’t eat any of those cube snacks or you might end up lost too! Artists include Alan Brown (BEN 10 OMNIVERSE), Mr. Warburton (Codename: Kids Next Door), Ian McGinty (UGLYDOLL, HELLO KITTY), Lee Ferguson (Miranda Mercury), Jorge Monlongo (Mr. Peabody & Sherman, HELLO KITTY), Stu Livingston (Steven Universe) and Mad Rupert (Regular Show, Adventure Time).

“Journey across the dimensional divide with the irrepressible Catbug in this unique pair of releases, guaranteed to bring smiles to BRAVEST WARRIOR fans of all ages,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, Perfect Square. “We’re thrilled to feature work from a dynamic team of artists on these collectible full-color hardcover editions of BRAVEST WARRIORS PRESENTS: CATBUG’S TREASURE BOOK and BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG!”

BRAVEST WARRIORS is a hit series on YouTube’s Cartoon Hangover and is the newest acclaimed animated creation from Pendleton Ward, the visionary creator of the Emmy Award-winning Cartoon Network show Adventure Time. In BRAVEST WARRIORS, four teenage travelers traverse the universe saving those in need...though not always in the way you’d expect...in fact...never! Along the way they meet aliens, phantoms and other inter-dimensional beings – including everyone’s favorite, Catbug. Sometimes...they even meet themselves!

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

TIME KILLERS manga collection coming September 2, 2014 from VIZ

TIME KILLERS KAZUE KATO TANPENSHU © 2011 by Kazue Kato /SHUEISHA Inc.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE SEPTEMBER RELEASE OF

NEW MANGA STORY COLLECTION TIME KILLERS

FROM THE CREATOR OF BLUE EXORCIST

Acclaimed Creator Kazue Kato Takes Readers To Locales Familiar

And Foreign, Whimsical And Realistic, With Collected Manga Short

Stories Published For The Very First Time In North America

VIZ Media delivers a noteworthy new manga title to fans with the release of Kazue Kato’s TIME KILLERS on September 2nd.

The single-volume standalone collection of manga shorts from the creator of the bestselling BLUE EXORCIST manga series will be published under the Shonen Jump imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN. TIME KILLERS also features 13 pages of full-color artwork as well as a fold-out, full-color gatefold poster.

A digital version of TIME KILLERS will launch digitally on September 2nd for $10.99 (USD/CAN) from VIZManga.com and through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones, as well as through the store fronts for comiXology, Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay.

Explore fantastic realms of imagination in this stunning collection of short stories by Kazue Kato. With her amazing and distinctive art leaping from the page, TIME KILLERS includes Kato’s first work, Boku to Usagi (Me and the Rabbit), and also features the stories and character designs that would become her breakthrough series, BLUE EXORCIST. Take off on a flight of fantasy with TIME KILLERS!

“This exciting new release offers a collection of captivating stories and a comprehensive look at Kazue Kato’s earlier work that preceded her current smash-hit manga series, BLUE EXORCIST,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “The stories in TIME KILLERS move at a quick pace and feature unique characters drawn in the exceptional style that has garnered Kato substantial critical acclaim and a strong international fan base. We invite readers to enjoy this new release from the Shonen Jump imprint in September!”

Manga creator, writer and illustrator Kazue Kato was born in Tokyo in 1980. In 2000, at the age of 19, she won the prestigious Tezuka Award for her work Boku to Usagi (Me and the Rabbit), which was published in Akamaru Jump. From 2005 to 2006 her series Robo to Usakichi, a sci-fi adventure featuring a rabbit (again!), was published in the monthly magazine Shonen Sirius (Kodansha). Her latest series, BLUE EXORCIST, began serialization in Japan Jump Square magazine in April of 2009 and is also published in North America by VIZ Media.

Catch the BLUE EXORCIST manga series available in-print and digitally from VIZ Media on VIZManga.com and other partner platforms as well as the BLUE EXORCIST anime series which streams on HULU and Neon Alley as well as a host of other digital platforms available throughout North America.

For more information on TIME KILLERS, or other shonen manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

TRIAD is available today

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents

Triad / Jat jik

Directed by Daniel Chan

Hong Kong, 2012, 92 minutes

Triad, the 2012 Hong Kong gangster film directed by Daniel Chan (Young and Dangerous: Reloaded), debuts today on DVD (SLP $24.98) and Digital from Well Go USA. The film centers on three young men and how their lives & friendships are affected by their membership in a triad.

The film begins in 2003 at the funeral of Brother Ming. An anonymous young triad member identifies no less than six figures attending the burial. These include Boss Mun, the triad's godfather; he's also known as the Dragon Head. Patrick (Patrick Tam, Zu Warriors) is Mun's favorite under-boss. Sister Irene (Irene Wan), who built a crime kingdom with her husband, the deceased, is at an equal level to Patrick in the hierarchy. (Note that the first names of almost every one of the main characters corresponds to the first names, in English, of the actors who are playing them. It's also interesting to note that in this introductory scene, we're not introduced to any of the three main characters.)

From the funeral, the film then jumps back in time to 1997, the year that Hong Kong was "handed off" from the British to mainland China. William (young and handsome William Chan, As the Light Goes Out) is a college student. His mother sells oranges from a cart in an open-air market. When some toughs attempt to extort protection money from her, glasses-wearing William comes to her aid and gets soundly thrashed for his trouble. Fortunately, his friend Derek sees what's happened and calls on Patrick to help out, which he does. In this sequence we also meet Edward, who's given to wearing sleeve-less shirts, the third friend of the group.

The film then follows their induction into the triad and the paths their lives take. William, who no longer wears glasses (guess he outgrew the need for them, or maybe he got contacts), specializes in debt collection for various clients, including Mr. Wong, a businessman, and Mr. Ho, a tycoon. William also becomes involved with Michelle (Michelle Wai, Golden Chickensss and Hardcore Comedy), Wong's daughter. After bringing us back up-to-date at the 2003 funeral, the film continues on to 2006, when William, like Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, aspires to have the gang's enterprises go legit.

Meanwhile there have been conflicts not only between rival gangs, but between factions within the triad to which William, Derek and Edward belong. Two of these conflicts arise over women at nightclubs. Edward comes to the aid of Kathy, who's drink has been spiked by the member of another gang; Edward and Kathy eventually marry and have a son.

William first comes to Michelle's aid when Irene bumps into her at a club. Some of Michelle's drink spills on her and she tosses the remainder at Irene. William and Michelle's romance is of the "on-again, off-again" variety, primarily because his involvement in the triad precludes a commitment to her.

There are some decent fight scenes, courtesy of action choreographer Fai Wong, in which large groups of gang members go at each other. Also a few scenes of individuals getting the crap beat and kicked out of them. But nothing that hasn't been seen before and nothing done in an exceptional way.

And that's pretty much true of the film as a whole. It never really grabbed me. It seemed to be primarily a showcase for some young, good-looking actors and actresses. Nice to look at, but not much substance or depth. Part of the problem may be attributed to the fact that the opening credits list eight (8) "screenplay by" credits. That many scribes is usually a sign of a troubled story-line, and that certainly seems to be the case here.

All-in-all, Triad is an okay film, a slight touch above mediocre, but it definitely falls short of being really good and engrossing. At IMDb, it currently carries a rating of 5.0/10 from 228 users. In this case, the IMDb rating happens to be pretty close to my opinion.

AsianCineFest Rating: 2.0 out of 4 stars; a fair, rather run-of-the-mill film.

Disc Specs:
Audio
- Cantonese 5.1 Dolby Digital
- Cantonese 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles
- English
- Off
Bonus Features
- "Making of" featurette (approximately 5 minutes)
- Trailer
- Previews (trailers of other Well Go USA offerings)

MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT available today from VIZ

© Nahoko Uehashi/KAISEI-SHA/Guardian of the Spirit Committee.

 VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF

MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT

ANIME SERIES ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

Complete Anime Fantasy Action Adventure From Production I.G.

To Be Released Today On DVD And Blu-ray

VIZ Media delivers the riveting anime action fantasy series about a wandering warrior and a fallen prince to fans with the home media release of MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT today, Tuesday, August 26th.

The 26-episode series, based on a bestselling collection of Japanese fantasy novels by author Nahoko Uehashi, is rated ‘TV-14’ and will be offered on 4 discs available on DVD and Blu-ray formats. The series will carry a DVD MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN; Blu-ray MSRP will be $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN. The series will also be available for digital download from a range of top media content providers including Apple iTunes, GooglePlay, Amazon Instant Video, PlayStation Network and the Xbox Marketplace on August 26th (English dubbed version) and on September 2nd (Japanese with English subtitles).

The Blu-ray release features episodes presented in full 1080p High Definition 16x9 video, along with dubbed English and Japanese 2.0 dialogue as well as English subtitle options. The DVD edition features 16x9 Standard Definition video and available English and Japanese 2.0 audio and English subtitle options. Special bonus features for both sets include series trailers, a MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT promotional film, a “Pilot” production film, the series’ official press conference and discussion panels, as well as clean opening and closing segments.

Young Prince Chagum has been suspected of demonic possession by court advisors who see only one solution: death. But his salvation may lie in the hands of Balsa, the spear-wielding bodyguard from Kanbal, the kingdom across the mountains. Her vow to save eight worthy souls has led her to the imperiled Chagum and into the mystery of the water spirit, a mystical entity that may hold the key to saving millions of lives from drought. Her skill and tenacity are legendary, but can she fend off an entire empire?

“MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT is a thrilling anime series with some beautifully rendered artwork and a well developed plot from Production IG that North American action and fantasy fans will not want to miss,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Animation Marketing Manager. “The stage is set for lots of drama and action as Prince Chagum and his bodyguard journey through dangerous realm to uncover the Prince’s mysterious connection to a legendary water spirit. We look forward to fans making this new release a riveting addition to their personal anime collections.”

For more information on MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT or other anime titles from VIZ Media, visit: www.VIZ.com.

THE ART OF PRINCESS MONONOKE will be available tomorrow, August 26th, 2014

 VIZ MEDIA RELEASES

THE ART OF PRINCESS MONONOKE

Studio Ghibli Library Imprint Celebrates Hayao Miyazaki

And His Groundbreaking Animated Film In A Gorgeous

Hardcover Art Book That Features A New Translation

VIZ Media captures the attention of anime fans and collectors with a special new edition of the acclaimed art book, THE ART OF PRINCESS MONONOKE, which features a new translation and beautiful hardcover presentation. The edition will debut tomorrow, Tuesday, August 26th.

VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli Library imprint celebrates the work of iconic Japanese film director Hayao Miyazaki and his famed animation studio. The imprint has collected and released a substantial catalog of full-color art books, film comics, children’s picture books and other releases for Studio Ghibli films such as Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and The Wind Rises.

THE ART OF PRINCESS MONONOKE
MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $39.99 CAN • Available August 26th
This new hardcover edition features insightful interviews, concept sketches, character art and finished animation cels from the critically acclaimed fantasy action film by Oscar-winning director Hayao Miyazaki. Released in 1997, Princess Mononoke was the first Hayao Miyazaki film to break into the American mainstream. The journey from initial idea to the big screen is captured here in stunning detail and also includes a look at Miyazaki’s original concept art and the use of computer graphics technology in the film’s production.

“We are very proud to expand our Studio Ghibli imprint with THE ART OF PRINCESS MONONOKE and invite devoted fans and serious collectors to savor the gorgeous artwork and updated translation it features,” says Masumi Washington, Senior Editorial Director. “PRINCESS MONONOKE was a groundbreaking achievement for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli and became the film that firmly established him on the international stage. THE ART OF PRINCESS MONONOKE is a beautiful testament to this creative visionary and his unique film.”

For more information on Studio Ghibli Library titles, please visit: www.viz.com.

Free screening of THE ROARING CURRENTS on Tuesday in New York

Korean Cultural Service New York

presents

Korean Movie Night 2014

Series Four: EPIC ACTION!

The Roaring Currents / Myeong-ryang - Hoe-o-ri-ba-da

Directed by KIM Han-min

South Korea, 2014, 126 minutes

When: Tuesday August 26, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

Doors open: 6:30 PM

Where: Tribeca Cinemas 54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal, NYC

Near the A, C, E @ #1 Canal Street subway stops

Map

Admission: FREE!!!

Things get totally epic in the brand new blockbuster, The Roaring Currents (a.k.a. The Admiral: Roaring Currents), which tells the story of Korea’s most astonishing military victory by the highly revered strategist, Admiral Yi Sunshin (Choi Min-Sik). With echoes of 300’s underdog story, in the midst of 1597’s Battle of Myeongryang, Yi Sunshin forms a devious yet brilliant plan that will lure over 300 Japanese ships into a deadly trap, where his tiny fleet of just 13 battleships hopes to turn the tides of war. Packed with suspense and intrigue, this mega-budget action spectacle is the perfect wrap up to Korean Movie Night's EPIC ACTION series and the summer.

The film has done fantastic business in its theatrical runs both in South Korea and the U.S. A big turnout is expected for Tuesday's free screening, and it's likely that many would-be viewers will sadly have to be turned away. To make sure you're not one of them, I suggest you arrive super-early.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP PRINT EDITION “Jump Pack” Issue 3

© 1996 KAZUKI Takahashi

© 2011 NAS • TV TOKYO

© 1999 Masashi Kishimoto

THE EXCITING WORLD OF MANGA

AWAITS FANS AS VIZ MEDIA RELEASES

NEW WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP PRINT

EDITION “JUMP PACK” ISSUE 3

Latest Jump Pack Features 100+ Pages Of Manga

Content, A 3-Month Digital Subscription And An

Exclusive YU-GI-OH! Collectable Trading Card

VIZ Media’s WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP manga magazine has released its third and latest edition of the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Jump Pack. The new issue is now available in-print throughout the U.S. and Canada, exclusively from retailers serviced by Diamond Comic Distributors and also from the leading online anime/manga retailer Right Stuf. The WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Jump Pack 2014, Issue 3 is rated ‘T’ for Teens and carries an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN.

The latest Jump Pack issue features individual manga chapters from a sampling of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP’s fan-loved, smash-hit continuing series including the paranormal exploits of BLEACH, the ongoing ninja saga of NARUTO, the high seas adventure of ONE PIECE, the apocalyptic vampire thriller SERAPH OF THE END: VAMPIRE REIGN, and the kinetic action of YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL.

The latest issue features a special promotional code for a 3-month weekly digital subscription to the magazine and also includes a limited edition Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Evening Twilight YU-GI-OH! trading card. This card is exclusive to Jump Pack Issue 3 and Weekly Shonen Jump annual subscribers.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is the world’s premiere manga brand and leading weekly manga magazine. The digital version published every week by VIZ Media features the latest installments of some of the world’s most popular manga series released to English readers on the same day as the magazine’s general print release in Japan.

VIZ Media offers North American fans single issues of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP for only $0.99 each. One-year Memberships are also available for only $25.99 (U.S. / CAN) and include 48 weekly digital issues as well as exclusive YU-GI-OH! Collectable Trading Cards, special one-shot manga, exclusive digital-only promotions, and access to additional subscriber-only content including creator interviews and insightful promo videos. Current subscribers can also access their accounts via VIZManga.com, the VIZ Manga App, or with the Apple iOS Newsstand App.

The digital version of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is also available to international readers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa via the Newsstand App for the Apple iPad® and iPad® Mini, or the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP App on the Google Play Store for Android devices. International issues debut each Monday at 10:00am (PST) and monthly subscriptions are available with automatic monthly renewals. Additional information on international subscriptions is available at: http://shonenjump.viz.com/international-wsj-app.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and other exclusive subscriber offers, visit shonenjump.viz.com.

Comic culinary battle manga FOOD WARS! is now available from VIZ

SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA © 2012 by Yuto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki /SHUEISHA Inc.

VIZ MEDIA DEBUTS THE COMEDIC CULINARY

BATTLE MANGA SERIES FOOD WARS!

A Talented Young Chef Enrolls At An Exclusive Culinary

School Known For Its Brutally Low Graduation Rate

VIZ Media invites readers and aspiring gourmands to savor the delicious new manga (graphic novel) series, FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, which is available now.

The action-packed, saucy comedy about a boy’s determination to become a top chef features a story by Yuto Tsukuda with artwork by Shun Saeki and is published under the Shonen Jump Advanced imprint. FOOD WARS! is rated “T+” for Older Teens and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. The ongoing series will see new volumes released on a bimonthly basis.

Digital versions of FOOD WARS Vols. 1 and 2 are already available for $6.99 each (USD/CAN) on VIZManga.com, through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone®, iPod® touch, and Android-powered smart phones, and through the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay stores.

In FOOD WARS!, Soma Yukihira’s old man runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town. Aiming to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, Soma hones his skills day in and day out until one day, out of the blue, his father decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school! Can Soma really cut it in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate? And can he convince the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school that he belongs there at all?!

“FOOD WARS! is a titillating and tasty new manga release that ranks as one of the most popular titles currently featured in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump. We are looking forward to North American fans discovering this funny and appetite-inducing series,” says Jennifer LeBlanc, Editor. “There is great attention to detail in the food preparation depicted in both the writing and art of this series, and each volume also includes special recipes that readers can try at home. See a different sort of hell’s kitchen unfold as young Soma faces a seemingly insurmountable array of challenges in his quest to become one of the world’s greatest chefs.”

Yuto Tsukuda won the 34th Jump Juniketsu Newcomers' Manga Award for his one-shot story Kiba ni Naru. He made his Weekly Shonen Jump debut in 2010 with the series Shonen Shikku. His follow-up series, FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, is his first title to be translated into English and released in North America.

Manga artist Shun Saeki made his Jump NEXT! debut in 2011 with the one-shot story Kimi to Watashi no Renai Soudan. FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA is his first Shonen Jump series.

For more information on FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, or other manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

Sentai Filmworks licenses THE AMBITION OF ODA NOBUNA

In an alternate past where the armies of Japan are led by female warlords, one woman’s dreams will shape a nation in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, The Ambition of Oda Nobuna. This historical action comedy series is directed by Yuuji Kumazawa (Sunday Without God, The Irregular at Magic High School [Assosicate Director]) with series composition by Masashi Suzuki (Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox, Koe De Oshigoto!), music by Yasuharu Takanashi (Fairy Tail, Smile Precure!) and animation production by Studio GOKUMI (A-Channel, Koe De Oshigoto!) x MADHOUSE (Death Note, High School of the Dead).

Synopsis: Thrust into the past, the young and ambitious Sagara Yoshiharu longs to fulfill an old man’s last wish. Yoshiharu is a curious high schooler who suddenly finds himself making an important promise to a wise elder, Kinoshita Tokichiro, who has just been hit by a stray bullet. Before Tokichiro dies on the battlefield, he describes the glorious world of his dreams to Yoshiharu. His fantasy was to be surrounded by women and living in a giant castle.

Luckily, in this version of the notorious Sengoku period where Yoshiharu finds himself, all of the important Samurai lords are cute girls who can help this dream come to life and satisfy those desires. In this world he meets a stunning young girl, Oda Nobuna. Strong-willed and beautiful Nobuna gives him the nickname “Monkey,” while he learns the ropes. During battle, it’s every man for himself, but what if the most impressive warriors are girls?

The Ambition of Oda Nobuna will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

Paranormal romance manga SPELL OF DESIRE debuts this month

MAJO NO BIYAKU © 2012 Tomu OHMI/SHOGAKUKAN

VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS A SEXY PARANORMAL ROMANCE WITH

THE LAUNCH OF NEW MANGA SERIES SPELL OF DESIRE

In This New Series From The Creator Of MIDNIGHT SECRETARY,

A Romance Develops Between A Young Witch

And Her Handsome But Mysterious Protector

VIZ Media brings a hot new paranormal romance to fans and readers this month with the debut of the manga series SPELL OF DESIRE.

Volume 1 of the new series, created by Tomu Ohmi, is available now and published under the Shojo Beat imprint. SPELL OF DESIRE is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Future English editions of the 5-volume manga series will be released quarterly.

A digital version is also now available for $6.99 (USD/CAN) on VIZManga.com and through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones, as well as through the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay stores.

In SPELL OF DESIRE, Kaoruko Mochizuki runs an herb shop in a small seaside town. One day, a mysterious man dressed in black named Kaname Hibiki enters her shop and reveals that Kaoruko is actually a witch. And what’s more, Kaoruko needs Kaname to help control her awakening power!

“SPELL OF DESIRE is a sexy supernatural romance story between a witch and her mysterious handsome bodyguard/protector. Shojo manga fans will love the gorgeous artwork and the passionate relationship that develops between Kaoruko and Kaname,” says Amy Yu, Editor. “Manga creator Tomu Ohmi first captured the attention of fans and received acclaim from critics with her other supernatural shojo series, MIDNIGHT SECRETARY, and we look forward to readers falling under the spell of her latest captivating manga release.” Manga creator Tomu Ohmi debuted in 2000 with the supernatural manga Kindan no Koi wo Shiyou. She also is the creator of MIDNIGHT SECRETARY, which is published in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand by VIZ Media’s Shojo Beat imprint.

For more information on SPELL OF DESIRE, or other shojo manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

VOLTRON: FROM DAYS OF LONG AGO, A 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION coming October 28th

TM & © World Events Productions, Ltd.
Under license to Classic Media, LLC.

VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT

PREVIEWS SPECIAL VOLTRON® 30th ANNIVERSARY

COMMEMORATIVE EDITION SET FOR FALL RELEASE

VOLTRON DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE: FROM DAYS OF

LONG AGO – A 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Explores

The History And Impact of The Classic ‘80s Sci-fi Animated Epic

VIZ Media marks the 30th Anniversary of the launch of VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE with the announcement of the upcoming release of a comprehensive new edition exploring the entire VOLTRON® universe and its notable impact on pop culture.

VOLTRON: FROM DAYS OF LONG AGO, A 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION will be released in print on October 28th from the company’s Perfect Square imprint. The book will carry an MSRP of $29.99 U.S. / $34.99 CAN.

Thirty years ago, Voltron: Defender of the Universe hit the airwaves, and the world of pop culture hasn't been the same. Now, VOLTRON: FROM DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicles the story of VOLTRON and its cultural relevance, taking a detailed look at the story behind the show and the many related toy releases, the mythology of both Lion Force and Vehicle Voltron (with a nod to Albegas), and concludes the exciting Voltron Force saga. This new book is truly for fans, by fans: authored by Brian Smith, writer on Perfect Square's VOLTRON FORCE® series of original graphic novels, Marc Morrell, co-host of the popular "Let's Voltron!" podcast, and Joshua Bernard, founder of CollectionDX; with a comic written by Smith and illustrated by Jacob Chabot, illustrator of the VOLTRON FORCE series; and a foreward by Jeremy Corray.

“To celebrate VOLTRON's 30th, we wanted to do something really special,” says Traci Todd, Senior Editor. “There are so many fans out there, and we wanted to both honor their devotion and invite them to be part of this project. The book starts almost like a yearbook of fan memories and then dives right in with archival images, celebrity interviews, and an examination of the Voltron mythology that will blow your mind. Everyone who worked on this book is a huge Voltron fan. And we all hope you love Voltron: From Days of Long Ago as much as we love bringing it to you!”

VOLTRON® is a hugely successful brand that is recognized globally ever since it was introduced in the early 1980’s. VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint also publishes VOLTRON FORCE®, a full-color original graphic novel series that complements the animated series that airs on Nicktoons. The first season of VOLTRON FORCE debuted in 2011 and became the highest rated series premiere ever for the network. DreamWorks Animation has become the licensing agent for the Voltron brand and is planning a year-long celebration of Voltron’s 30th anniversary, launching in Fall 2014. Since the classic cartoon’s debut, related products have generated over $225 million in sales.

VOLTRON writer Brian Smith is a former Marvel Comics editor whose past credits include The Ultimates, Ultimate Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, and dozens of other comics.

Smith is also the co-creator/writer behind the New York Times best-selling graphic novel The Stuff of Legend, and the writer/artist of all-ages comic The Intrepid Escape Goat. Smith is also the illustrator of The Adventures of Daniel Boom AKA LOUDBOY!, named one of The Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youths 2009 by Booklist Online. His illustration clients include Time Out New York Magazine, Nickelodeon, MAD Kids Magazine, Harper Collins, Bongo Comics, Grosset & Dunlap, and American Greetings.

Marc Morrell is co-host of the "Let's Voltron!" podcast and head writer for ToonBarn.com.

Joshua Bernard is the founder of CollectionDX, a site devoted to the best coverage of Japanese toys, action figures and pop culture.

Jacob Chabot is a New York City-based cartoonist and illustrator. His comics have appeared in publications such as Nickelodeon Magazine, Mad Magazine, Spongebob Comics, and various Marvel titles. He also illustrated Voltron Force: Shelter from the Storm and Voltron Force: True Colors for VIZ Media. His comic The Mighty Skullboy Army is published through Dark Horse and in 2008 was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Book for Teens. More examples of Jacob's work can be found at www.beetlebugcomics.com.

Additional information on VOLTRON FORCE or other graphic novel titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

About Voltron®
In a galaxy plagued with chaos and evil, five robotic lions, piloted by a team of brave space explorers, combine to form the mighty robot hero, Voltron®. After blazing onto TV screens in 1984, Voltron: Defender of the Universe quickly became a top-rated animated series. The hit series inspired a best-selling toy line and made Voltron a pop-culture icon. An all-new 2D/CGI animated series, Voltron Force®, is currently airing in the U.S. on Nicktoons. Follow Voltron on Twitter @Voltron or join the official Voltron Facebook page at Facebook.com/VoltronOfficial for all the latest news.

14 BLADES will be in theaters and available on demand tomorrow

Radius-TWC 

Presents

14 Blades

Directed by Daniel Lee

Starring Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung

Hong Kong/China/Singapore, 2010, 116 minutes

The martial arts action thriller 14 Blades arrives in theaters & on demand tomorrow, Friday, August 22, 2014. (Check local listings.)

Donnie Yen as Qinlong

Trained in clandestine combat from childhood, the Jinyiwei were masters of the 14 Blades. Above the law and with a license to kill, they devoted their lives and lethal prowess to the service of the Emperor alone.

Sammo Hung as Prince Qing

When the Imperial Court is taken over by evil eunuch JIA, the best of the Jinyiwei, Qinglong (Donnie Yen) is assigned to steal a list identifying those still loyal to the Emperor. Unbeknownst to Qinglong, the Jinyiwei have fallen under the control of Jia, and during the mission he’s betrayed and barely escapes with his life.

Not sure who this character is, but I'm eager to find out!

Now the most wanted man in the land Qinglong must seek out and rally the loyalists to rise against Jia and restore the Emperor to power.

In his way are the deadliest assassins in the land, his former brethren, the Jinyiwei.

Sentai Filmworks acquires REIDEEN

An ancient artifact holds the key to victory for the human race as an alien terror rains down from beyond the skies in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, REIDEEN. This mecha sci-fi action series is directed by Mitsuru Hongo (Outlaw Star, Pilot Candidate) with animation direction by Takuya Saito (Sakura Wars: The Movie, Bunny Drop), prop design by Shinji Suetomi (Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion, Robotics;Notes) and animation production by Production I.G. (Haikyu!!, ANOTHER).

Synopsis: Mathematically gifted, Junki Saiga is a typical high school student, until his family hears that his father’s remains were discovered. His father was an archaeologist and researcher who had disappeared during an exploration years ago. Along with his remains were artifacts and notes near Japan’s pyramid, which is a place thought to be man-made.

Soon after the shock of his father’s remains being discovered, a meteor comes crashing from the sky carrying a foreign robotic life-form that immediately begins to cause havoc. This sequence of strange events simultaneously triggers a bracelet left from his father’s research to activate and merge with an ancient robot that had been hidden inside Japan’s pyramid, this is REIDEEN.

To save the world Junki and REIDEEN must fight this alien threat! Faced with multiple enemies, REIDEEN and Junki must overcome those that seek REIDEEN’s power and those that want to see REIDEEN and Junki destroyed. Without the help of the nation or even his friends, Junki must push himself to succeed in piloting REIDEEN.

REIDEEN will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

LILTING to open in NY on September 26th with national roll out to follow

Lilting

Directed by Hong Khaou

Starring Ben Whishaw, Leila Wong, Morven Christie, and Cheng Pei-pei

United Kingdom, 2014, 86 minutes

"Delicate… hauntingly sexy and even humorous at times, this debut ... wears its stylistic debt to In the Mood for Love on its elegant sleeve… the gentle study of

loss builds quiet emotional power.” - David Rooney, Variety 

British-Cambodian writer-director Hong Khaou's poignant feature film debut, Lilting, winner of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival's Best Cinematography Award, and scheduled to open in New York on Friday, September 26 (at the Angelika Film Center) and in Los Angeles on Friday, October 3 (at the Sundance Sunset Cinema and Laemmle’s Playhouse) followed by a national roll out.

Lilting takes place in contemporary London and features intensely moving performances by Asian cinema’s martial arts legend Cheng Pei Pei (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) as Junn, a Cambodian-Chinese mother grieving the untimely death of her only son Kai (Andrew Leung), and Ben Whishaw (I’m Not There, Bright Star) as her son's lover, Richard.

Set in her old-fashioned ways and not fully adjusted to the foreign culture she lives in, the mother’s fragile world is suddenly disrupted by the presence of a stranger (Whishaw) whose attempts to communicate are first met with rejection and distrust. Although they don’t share a common language, Vann (Naomi Christie), a young translator hired by Richard, helps piece together the tender memories of the man they both loved, and the two strangers gradually learn to develop a bond with each other. Vann also helps Junn go through the somewhat comical courtship of a smitten English gentleman. Graceful, moving and humorous, Lilting is a gem of a chamber piece about unlikely connections and how loss can bring us together even when cultures and generations set us far apart from one another.

Prior to Lilting, 38 year-old Hong Khaou wrote and directed two short films, which were selected for the Berlin and Sundance Film Festival. In 2013, he was named one of Screen International’s "Stars of Tomorrow", and in 2014, he won the Sundance Institute/Mahinddra Global Filmmaking Award – supporting a new generation of storytellers – for his screenplay Monsoon. Khaou was selected for this Summer’s Sundance Lab for his next project.

VIZ releases VAMPIRE KNIGHT: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

© 2008 MATSURI HINO, HAKUSENSHA/VAMPIRE KNIGHT PROJECT

VIZ MEDIA RELEASES

VAMPIRE KNIGHT: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

ANIME BOX SET

Return To Cross Academy For The Paranormal Romance And

Dark Bloodlust In Both Seasons Of Acclaimed Gothic Anime

Series Offered In A New Comprehensive DVD Box Set

VIZ Media has released the brooding gothic melodrama – VAMPIRE KNIGHT – in a comprehensive DVD box set that contains both seasons of the hit anime series in a single new edition.

VAMPIRE KNIGHT: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION is available now and is rated TV-14. The 4-disc set is available exclusively on DVD with an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. /$43.24 CAN.

The new box set contains VAMPIRE KNIGHT as well as VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY, for a total of 26 episodes. Gorgeous O-card box art features foil embossed stamping, and a special illustrated chart is also included that shows the relationships between all of the series’ key characters. English dubbed 2.0 audio is available as well as the original Japanese dialogue track with English subtitles.

Yuki Cross can’t remember anything earlier than the day ten years ago when she was saved from a vampire attack by Pureblood vampire Kaname Kuran. Now Yuki, along with her partner, Zero, is a Guardian at Cross Academy, where two groups of students, the Day Class and the Night Class, coexist in relative harmony, despite the fact that the Night Class students are all vampires! But their peaceful existence is threatened when Yuki’s memories of a bloodstained past begin to emerge, and a dark shadow of evil looms ever closer!

“Audiences can return to the ominous Cross Academy and savor the gothic romance and bloodlust, dark characters, and beautiful artwork that have made the VAMPIRE KNIGHT series such a hit among anime fans,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager Animation Marketing. “For the first time, both seasons of VAMPIRE KNIGHT are available in a single complete DVD box set. For anyone that has yet to see this acclaimed series, the new release is also an ideal way to catch it in its entirety.”

VAMPIRE KNIGHT and VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY are based on the best-selling manga series created by Matsuri Hino (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens; published in North America in-print and digitally by VIZ Media), who burst onto the scene in Japan with her debut title, Kono Yume ga Sametara (When This Dream Is Over) in LaLa DX magazine. With the success of subsequent series such as CAPTIVE HEARTS and MERU PURI (both also published domestically by VIZ Media), Hino has become a major force in the world of shojo manga.

Also don’t miss the VAMPIRE KNIGHT FANBOOK and THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT, both available from VIZ Media.

For more information on VAMPIRE KNIGHT, or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media,  visit www.VIZ.com.

THE ADMIRAL: ROARING CURRENTS doing boffo business in both the U.S. and South Korea

The Admiral: Roaring Currents is doing fantastic business in it's ongoing theatrical runs in South Korea and the U.S. And deservedly so. I watched an online screener of the film, and it was a most compelling drama with one of the greatest naval battles ever depicted on film. I'll have a review posted here soon (been away on vacation and have a lot of catching up to do). Meanwhile, here's some interesting information from a press release I recently received, followed by two links worth checking out.

 Most-Watched Film in South Korean History Lands

in U.S. with Successful Opening Weekend

The Admiral: Roaring Currents Tops Big Blockbusters

Guardians of the Galaxy and Teenage Mutant

Ninja Turtles in Per-Screen Average

Epic Historical War Film Becomes the Most-Watched Film

of All Time in South Korea with over 14 Million Admissions

South Korea’s record shattering epic – The Admiral: Roaring Currents – had an strong opening this past weekend in the U.S., while back in Korea it became the most-watched film in the country’s cinematic history by tallying admissions of over 14 million.

Since opening this weekend on 30 screens, after a one week preview at the CGV Cinema in Los Angeles, The Admiral has earned $687,000 pushing the film in top 20 at the box office. The per screen average for The Admiral: Roaring Currents was $18,744 placing it in 2nd, ahead of mega-blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy and Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles. The South Korean film is #4 among top engagements in the U.S. and Canada thanks in part to a slew of sold-out showings at the CGV Cinema.

The stateside success of The Admiral follows dominance in its home country. This past weekend in South Korea, it became the most watched film of all time, sailing to 14.22 million in admissions and taking the crown from James Cameron’s Avatar, which held the record at 13.62 million. In South Korea, The Admiral: Roaring Currents opened July 30.

Prior to the debut of The Admiral, the last time the U.S. saw such success from a Korean movie was Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2004), from director KIM Ki-duk, which was shown in over 160 theaters with an opening weekend box office earning of $357,495. “The Admiral” is only playing in 30 theaters and has surpassed that record.

The Admiral: Roaring Currents is currently playing at 32 theaters including Fullerton, San Francisco, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Virginia, Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta, Hawaii, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Tempe, and more. The film will open in additional theaters on August 22nd at New York (College Point) and Anchorage. For showtimes please visit www.CJ-Entertainment.com or the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AsianMoviesNMore.

Critical Acclaim:

“The sea battles are absolutely epic, more realistic and thrilling than John Woo's 2008 Red Cliff or even Peter Weir's 2003 Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” writes Martin Tsai of the LA Times.

The Hollywood Reporter’s Justin Lowe writes “Admiral Yi is as likely to achieve mythic status on-screen as he has in historic accounts.”

ABOUT THE ADMIRAL: ROARING CURRENTS:

The Admiral portrays the storied real life battle of Myeong-Nyang, the legendary naval battle that occurred during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1597. On the 16th of September in 1597, Admiral Yi Sun-shin (Choi Min-Sik) won the battle at Myeong-Nyang Sea with only 12 battleships against 330 Japanese battleships. This battle is considered one of Yi’s most significant victories because he defeated the Japanese without his famous Turtle Ships, which brought him victories in previous battles.

For further information:

THE ADMIRAL: ROARING CURRENTS Claims All Time Korean Box Office Crown

The Admiral: Roaring Currents Breaks Korea All-Time Box Office Record

ContemporAsian presents 13 film Lens on Tibet program at MoMA NY

Yartsa Rinpoche. 2013. China/France. Directed by Dorje Tsering Chenaktsang. 101 min.Courtesy of Chenaktsang and Trace Foundation

Lens on Tibet

When: August 21–31, 2014

Where: Museum of Modern Art

ContemporAsian, MoMA's showcase of Asian cinema, typically features weeklong engagements of films that capture the various styles, histories, and changes in Asian cinema. The series turns a Lens on Tibet with a 13-film program of recent Tibetan documentary and narrative films beginning this Thursday, August 21st.

Lens on Tibet includes the world premiere of Tashi Chopel's The Son of a Herder (2014), an unembellished portrait of the life of a plateau herder in eastern Tibet's remote Zehok region. The film highlights an existence caught between ideals and reality, modernity and tradition, and individual choices.

Yartsa Rinpoche (Precious Caterpillar) (2013), directed by Dorje Tsering Chenaktsang, follows Darlo, an elder in the Amdo region, and his family as they journey 800 kilometers to collect Cordyceps sinensis (in Tibetan, Yartsa-gunbu), which has been called "Tibet's golden worm" and "The Viagra of the Himalayas."

Yartsa Rinpoche—which is presented in a weeklong run—receives its North American premiere along with Jocelyn Ford's breakout Nowhere to Call Home (2014), Dan Smyer Yu's Embrace (2011), Khashem Gyal's The Valley of the Heroes (2013), and Dukar Tserang's They Are One Hundred Years Old (2014).

For further information about each film, showtimes and to order tickets here.

Sentai Filmworks acquires QUEEN’S BLADE: BEAUTIFUL WARRIORS

The ladies of the Queen's Blade mythos are back and ready to blaze their own paths toward eternal glory in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Queen’s Blade: Beautiful Warriors. This 6 part OVA action series is directed by Kinji Yoshimoto (Queen’s Blade: The Exiled Virgin, Unbreakable Machine-Doll) with music production by Atsushi Yamamori (UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie, Dragonar Academy), art direction by Junichi Higashi (SaiKano, Samurai Girls) and animation production by ARMS (MAOYU, Mezzo).

Synopsis: The tournament may be over, but the paths of your favorite characters of the Queen's Blade competition continue on in preparation for a new age! Leina's absence in Gainos sparks a war that reaches all the way to the steps of the castle, even as a new but familiar threat appears before her eyes. Alleyne and Nowa become travel buddies as they roam the land, but run into the many hands of a sea monster while they relax at the beach.

The Swamp Witch Trio returns to cause havoc one last time, giving Airi and Melona the dubious task of retrieving Menace from her homeland. Nanael, tired of the heavenly life, decides to build a harem to call her own. And in the darkest reaches of Hinomoto, a group of women prepare themselves for the ultimate sacrifice in order to revive an ancient evil to the land of the living.

The air is always still before the start of rebellion, but the battling beauties of the Queen's Blade competition you know and love still have their stories to tell in Queen's Blade: Beautiful Warriors.

Queen’s Blade: Beautiful Warriors will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

New shojo manga series BLACK ROSE ALICE now available from VIZ Media

BLACK ROSE ALICE © 2008 SETONA MIZUSHIRO / AKITASHOTEN

A DARK VAMPIRE ROMANCE BLOSSOMS IN THE

NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES BLACK ROSE ALICE

In New Series From VIZ Media’s Shojo Beat Imprint, A Celebrated Opera

Singer Dies In A Tragic Accident, Returning As A Vampire With A

Diabolical Mission To Spawn The Next Generation Of Undead

VIZ Media expands its shojo manga (graphic novel) roster with the launch of the new series BLACK ROSE ALICE from award winning creator Setona Mizushiro.

BLACK ROSE ALICE, Vol. 1 is now available in print from the Shojo Beat imprint and is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens. Volumes each carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Future installments of this continuing series will be released in English on a bi-monthly basis.

A digital version of BLACK ROSE ALICE, Vol. 1 is also available for $6.99 (USD/CAN) from VIZManga.com and through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones, as well as through the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay stores.

In BLACK ROSE ALICE, Dimitri Lewandowski is a celebrated tenor in early 1900s Vienna. When he is killed in an accident, his corpse is colonized by the seeds of a vampire master. At first, Dimitri denies that anything has changed, but as the people around him start dying, he is forced to accept the ghastly truth.

“BLACK ROSE ALICE is a dark supernatural romance with a suspenseful storyline that puts its own unique twist on the vampire genre,” says Pancha Diaz, Editor. “After a prologue set in a beautifully rendered 1900s Vienna, the series flashes forward to modern Japan where Dimitri, who has become a fully developed vampire, appears in the dreams of a heartbroken woman to present a sinister proposal – he will save her fatally injured love, for a terrible price!”

Setona Mizushiro’s professional debut, Fuyu ga, Owarou Toshiteita (Winter Was Ending), won the 1993 Shogakukan Manga New Author Award. Her gender bending psychological thriller, After School Nightmare, was nominated for an Eisner Award and also recognized by YALSA as a Great Graphic Novel in 2007.

For more information on BLACK ROSE ALICE, or other shojo manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

Manga artist Takeshi Obata to appear at New York Comic Con in October

Wildly Popular Manga Artist and Creative Force Behind

Death Note, Bakuman。 and All You Need Is Kill to participate

in Panels and Autographing on October 9 and 10, 2014

New York Comic Con is rolling out power-packed appearances that showcase the hottest talent from around the globe. In continuing its unwavering commitment to celebrate the vast expanse of all things pop culture, ReedPOP, the world’s largest producer of pop culture events and producers of the event, today announced that renowned manga artist Takeshi Obata will be appearing as part of autographing and panels the Thursday and Friday of the show.

Obata 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. Following the hugely successful series Bakuman。 Obata’s latest work is All You Need Is Kill, a 2-volume adaptation of the novel which was also the basis for this year’s Tom Cruise blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow. Hikaru no Go, Death Note, Bakuman。and All You Need Is Kill are all published in North America by VIZ Media. Takeshi Obata is appearing at New York Comic Con with support of VIZ Media and the Japan Foundation.

“Our vision for New York Comic Con is to bring a wide range of pop culture content from all over the world to fans every year,” said Lance Fensterman, Global Senior Vice President of ReedPOP. “Takeshi Obata is one of the leading manga artists in the world and one of the best creative forces in entertainment today. We couldn’t be more excited about his participation in New York Comic Con this year.”

In addition to Obata’s appearance at New York Comic Con, he will also participate in a special signing outside the Javits Center as part of New York Comic Con's Super Week (www.newyorksuperweek.com). More information about Obata's events will be revealed in the coming weeks.

New York Comic Con (taking place on October 9- 12 at the Javits Center in New York City) is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention with the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies and television. New York Comic Con’s panels and autograph sessions give fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators, while screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit either big or small screens. New York Comic Con is the second largest pop culture convention in America and the only one that takes place in the comic book, publishing, media, and licensing capital of the world — Gotham City.

More exciting details about New York Comic Con, events, talent and sponsors will be revealed in the coming weeks. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.NewYorkComicCon.com or and New York Comic Con’s social media pages (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram).

ABOUT REEDPOP
ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions, which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) Prime, East, South and Australia, Star Wars Celebration, New York Super Week, Special Edition: NYC, Oz Comic-Con, BookCon and the UFC Fan Expo. In 2013 ReedPOP (has) added Star Wars Celebration Europe and PAX Australia to its rapidly expanding portfolio of international events. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific (including Australia). (www.reedpop.com )