Viz Acquires Saikano Anime and Manga
VIZ, LLC ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN HOME VIDEO RIGHTS
FOR SAIKANO
First DVD volume to be released April 2004
October 29, 2003 (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) ― VIZ, LLC, a leading publisher of anime and manga in North America, today announced that they have acquired the North American home video rights for the anime series SAIKANO. VIZ will release all 13 episodes of the series in 2004, across four volumes, starting with the first volume in April 2004. In addition, VIZ, will also publish the manga, with the first volume shipping in June 2004.
“SAIKANO is a beautifully rendered anime series that combines romantic heroes and action-packed adventure,” said Koichi Sekizaki, VIZ, LLC's Director of Visual Entertainment. “We are thrilled to have acquired the rights to this series.”
“Anime represents a growing segment of the DVD market, and one in which our presence is growing,” said Liza Coppola, Vice President of Marketing for VIZ, LLC. “Based on the success of this series in Japan and anticipation from North American fans, we are confident that SAIKANO will be a strong success here.”
Also known as “She, the Ultimate Weapon, SAIKANO was created by Shin Takahashi and was first published in Japan as a manga series in Shogakukan's BIG SPIRITS COMICS, from 1999 to 2001. Seven volumes of SAIKANO comic books sold over two million copies in Japan. The anime series premiered on Japanese television in July 2002. In addition to manga and anime, SAIKANO has also spawned a videogame, trading cards and action figures.
ABOUT VIZ, LLC
Founded in 1986, VIZ is a multi-media entertainment company specializing in Japanese entertainment properties for U.S. audiences. VIZ offers an integrated product line including magazines, comics, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks. VIZ publishes over 20 titles every month including: DRAGON BALL Z, GUNDAM, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, POKéMON, RANMA 1/2, SHONEN JUMP, and YU-GI-OH!.
Based in San Francisco, VIZ is one of the top five comics publishers in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Shogakukan and Shueisha, Inc., two of the top publishers in Japan. VIZ is the leading publisher of manga for English speaking audiences, serving a growing market of dedicated fans of all ages. Estimating a core audience of nearly 15 million fans, the company holds more than a 50% market share of Japanese comics in the U.S. With some of the most innovative products in the industry, VIZ has expanded its offerings to its loyal fans through web sites such as www.animerica-mag.com, www.shonenjump.com, www.j-pop.com, and its corporate site, www.Viz.com.
FOR SAIKANO
First DVD volume to be released April 2004
October 29, 2003 (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) ― VIZ, LLC, a leading publisher of anime and manga in North America, today announced that they have acquired the North American home video rights for the anime series SAIKANO. VIZ will release all 13 episodes of the series in 2004, across four volumes, starting with the first volume in April 2004. In addition, VIZ, will also publish the manga, with the first volume shipping in June 2004.
“SAIKANO is a beautifully rendered anime series that combines romantic heroes and action-packed adventure,” said Koichi Sekizaki, VIZ, LLC's Director of Visual Entertainment. “We are thrilled to have acquired the rights to this series.”
“Anime represents a growing segment of the DVD market, and one in which our presence is growing,” said Liza Coppola, Vice President of Marketing for VIZ, LLC. “Based on the success of this series in Japan and anticipation from North American fans, we are confident that SAIKANO will be a strong success here.”
Also known as “She, the Ultimate Weapon, SAIKANO was created by Shin Takahashi and was first published in Japan as a manga series in Shogakukan's BIG SPIRITS COMICS, from 1999 to 2001. Seven volumes of SAIKANO comic books sold over two million copies in Japan. The anime series premiered on Japanese television in July 2002. In addition to manga and anime, SAIKANO has also spawned a videogame, trading cards and action figures.
ABOUT VIZ, LLC
Founded in 1986, VIZ is a multi-media entertainment company specializing in Japanese entertainment properties for U.S. audiences. VIZ offers an integrated product line including magazines, comics, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks. VIZ publishes over 20 titles every month including: DRAGON BALL Z, GUNDAM, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, POKéMON, RANMA 1/2, SHONEN JUMP, and YU-GI-OH!.
Based in San Francisco, VIZ is one of the top five comics publishers in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Shogakukan and Shueisha, Inc., two of the top publishers in Japan. VIZ is the leading publisher of manga for English speaking audiences, serving a growing market of dedicated fans of all ages. Estimating a core audience of nearly 15 million fans, the company holds more than a 50% market share of Japanese comics in the U.S. With some of the most innovative products in the industry, VIZ has expanded its offerings to its loyal fans through web sites such as www.animerica-mag.com, www.shonenjump.com, www.j-pop.com, and its corporate site, www.Viz.com.
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