VIZ Participates in Jump to Japan Exhibit
Dynamic, interactive exhibit on Japanese pop art and culture to tour children's museums and feature VIZ anime and manga content.
San Francisco, Calif, January 22, 2004 – VIZ, LLC, one of the leading publishers and distributors of manga and anime for North American audiences, has announced its participation in Jump to Japan: Discovering Culture Through Popular Art.
The exhibit, which will tour children's museums at more than 70 U.S. cities over the next four years, is one of the most extensive explorations of arts-focused Asian pop culture ever staged. VIZ is supporting the effort by lending video content and imagery from its POKÉMON and HAMTARO shows, as well as a variety of panels from the popular SHONEN JUMP magazine, for the duration of the exhibit's run.
“VIZ is extremely pleased to support and lend content for the Jump to Japan exhibit,” states Liza Coppola, vice president of marketing for VIZ. “Manga and anime have grown tremendously popular in this country and VIZ has played an integral role for more than 15 years in helping to make these genres among the fastest growing of any entertainment medium. The popularity of anime programs like YU-GI-OH! on the Kids WB network, and SHAMAN KING on FOX's Fox Box are a testament to this. In addition to being fun, this exhibit represents an effective educational tool to expose children and young adults to the wonders of the Japanese pop culture and also the historic roots from which they are derived. VIZ is committed to fostering a reverence for these unique genres and works with several outlets to utilize manga and anime to promote literacy and an appreciation of these art forms. I hope that visitors will come away as new and excited fans after seeing everything the Jump to Japan exhibit has to offer.”
Jump to Japan debuts on January 24 at The Children's Museum at the Seattle Center in Seattle, WA and runs through June 6, 2004 before moving on to the next location. The 3,000 square foot exhibit is split into three areas that cover “Fantastic Animation,” “Manga Mania,” and “Artful Traditions.” For the duration of the tour, VIZ has offered video content and imagery taken from the popular POKÉMON series, as well as HAMTARO, the golden hamster main character of the anime program currently airing on Cartoon Network. In addition, an interactive, hand-cranked zoetrope stationed inside a life-sized “Cat Bus” from master animator Hayao Miyazaki's film, MY NEIGHBOR TOTOTRO will likewise feature imagery taken from the two series. Miyazaki, who won an Academy Award in 2003 for Best Animated Feature Film for SPIRITED AWAY, is regarded as a titan of the anime genre. VIZ distributes the authorized serialized manga versions of this critically acclaimed release as well for as Miyazaki's 1984 film NAUSICAA IN THE VALLEY OF THE WIND and CASTLE IN THE SKY.
“The Children's Museum welcomes VIZ's participation in the Jump to Japan exhibit,” notes Chris Cooper, director of external affairs for the Seattle Museum. “The enduring popularity of VIZ anime programs like POKÉMON and manga like YU-GI-OH! confirms the fervor with which children and young adults have embraced these genres. We believe that children learn best when they are placed in environments that are fun as well as educational. The Museum is committed to producing related multi-generational programming during the tenure of the Jump to Japan exhibit that will include a teacher open house workshop; artist-led workshops in animation, manga and woodblock prints; week-long workshops during major school holidays; adult and adult-child lecture series; artistic performances; and an animated film festival focusing on Hayao Miyazaki's work. We are pleased to have VIZ's support for this exhibit and look forward to visitors embracing the company's dynamic range of manga and anime offerings.”
In addition to the “Fantastic Animation” section, the “Manga Mania” area will introduce children and young adults to the world of Japanese comic book art. A recreation of a manga shop will allow visitors to see, read and touch a multitude of comics that include popular SHONEN JUMP titles. A variety of characters from popular VIZ and SHONEN JUMP serials like DRAGON BALL Z and SHAMAN KING will also be featured on a series of large, colorful panels in the manga exhibit area.
“Manga has been popular and read by millions of Japanese of all ages for decades,” states Yumi Hoashi, vice president of SHONEN JUMP. “The ‘Manga Mania’ section of the Jump to Japan exhibit will present a variety of VIZ titles straight out of the pages of the popular monthly manga magazine, SHONEN JUMP. All of these stories present positive and believable characters overcoming obstacles. This type of reinforcement is important in the positive development of children and young adults and this exhibit succeeds by stirring the imaginations of visitors, in addition to fostering a love of Asian pop art and culture.”
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, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks. VIZ releases over 20 titles every month including graphic novels for DRAGON BALL Z, FUSHIGI YÛGI, GUNDAM, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, RANMA 1/2, and YU-GI-OH!; and home video for BOYS OVER FLOWERS, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, POKéMON, PROJECT ARMS, and ZOIDS.
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, and its corporate site, www.Viz.com.
Contact VIZ, LLC at: 655 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1612; Phone: (415) 546-7073; Fax: (415) 546-7086; Web site: www.VIZ.com
San Francisco, Calif, January 22, 2004 – VIZ, LLC, one of the leading publishers and distributors of manga and anime for North American audiences, has announced its participation in Jump to Japan: Discovering Culture Through Popular Art.
The exhibit, which will tour children's museums at more than 70 U.S. cities over the next four years, is one of the most extensive explorations of arts-focused Asian pop culture ever staged. VIZ is supporting the effort by lending video content and imagery from its POKÉMON and HAMTARO shows, as well as a variety of panels from the popular SHONEN JUMP magazine, for the duration of the exhibit's run.
“VIZ is extremely pleased to support and lend content for the Jump to Japan exhibit,” states Liza Coppola, vice president of marketing for VIZ. “Manga and anime have grown tremendously popular in this country and VIZ has played an integral role for more than 15 years in helping to make these genres among the fastest growing of any entertainment medium. The popularity of anime programs like YU-GI-OH! on the Kids WB network, and SHAMAN KING on FOX's Fox Box are a testament to this. In addition to being fun, this exhibit represents an effective educational tool to expose children and young adults to the wonders of the Japanese pop culture and also the historic roots from which they are derived. VIZ is committed to fostering a reverence for these unique genres and works with several outlets to utilize manga and anime to promote literacy and an appreciation of these art forms. I hope that visitors will come away as new and excited fans after seeing everything the Jump to Japan exhibit has to offer.”
Jump to Japan debuts on January 24 at The Children's Museum at the Seattle Center in Seattle, WA and runs through June 6, 2004 before moving on to the next location. The 3,000 square foot exhibit is split into three areas that cover “Fantastic Animation,” “Manga Mania,” and “Artful Traditions.” For the duration of the tour, VIZ has offered video content and imagery taken from the popular POKÉMON series, as well as HAMTARO, the golden hamster main character of the anime program currently airing on Cartoon Network. In addition, an interactive, hand-cranked zoetrope stationed inside a life-sized “Cat Bus” from master animator Hayao Miyazaki's film, MY NEIGHBOR TOTOTRO will likewise feature imagery taken from the two series. Miyazaki, who won an Academy Award in 2003 for Best Animated Feature Film for SPIRITED AWAY, is regarded as a titan of the anime genre. VIZ distributes the authorized serialized manga versions of this critically acclaimed release as well for as Miyazaki's 1984 film NAUSICAA IN THE VALLEY OF THE WIND and CASTLE IN THE SKY.
“The Children's Museum welcomes VIZ's participation in the Jump to Japan exhibit,” notes Chris Cooper, director of external affairs for the Seattle Museum. “The enduring popularity of VIZ anime programs like POKÉMON and manga like YU-GI-OH! confirms the fervor with which children and young adults have embraced these genres. We believe that children learn best when they are placed in environments that are fun as well as educational. The Museum is committed to producing related multi-generational programming during the tenure of the Jump to Japan exhibit that will include a teacher open house workshop; artist-led workshops in animation, manga and woodblock prints; week-long workshops during major school holidays; adult and adult-child lecture series; artistic performances; and an animated film festival focusing on Hayao Miyazaki's work. We are pleased to have VIZ's support for this exhibit and look forward to visitors embracing the company's dynamic range of manga and anime offerings.”
In addition to the “Fantastic Animation” section, the “Manga Mania” area will introduce children and young adults to the world of Japanese comic book art. A recreation of a manga shop will allow visitors to see, read and touch a multitude of comics that include popular SHONEN JUMP titles. A variety of characters from popular VIZ and SHONEN JUMP serials like DRAGON BALL Z and SHAMAN KING will also be featured on a series of large, colorful panels in the manga exhibit area.
“Manga has been popular and read by millions of Japanese of all ages for decades,” states Yumi Hoashi, vice president of SHONEN JUMP. “The ‘Manga Mania’ section of the Jump to Japan exhibit will present a variety of VIZ titles straight out of the pages of the popular monthly manga magazine, SHONEN JUMP. All of these stories present positive and believable characters overcoming obstacles. This type of reinforcement is important in the positive development of children and young adults and this exhibit succeeds by stirring the imaginations of visitors, in addition to fostering a love of Asian pop art and culture.”
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, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks. VIZ releases over 20 titles every month including graphic novels for DRAGON BALL Z, FUSHIGI YÛGI, GUNDAM, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, RANMA 1/2, and YU-GI-OH!; and home video for BOYS OVER FLOWERS, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, POKéMON, PROJECT ARMS, and ZOIDS.
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, and its corporate site, www.Viz.com.
Contact VIZ, LLC at: 655 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1612; Phone: (415) 546-7073; Fax: (415) 546-7086; Web site: www.VIZ.com
bookmark/share with:
