Viz Donates $100K in GN's to Libraries
Date: Friday, June 16, 2000VIZ DONATES $100,000 IN GRAPHIC NOVELS TO U.S. PUBLIC LIBRARIES
MANGA OUTREACH TO NEW AUDIENCES NATIONWIDE
San Francisco, CA (6/16/00)-Viz Comics, America's 5th-largest comics publisher and largest publisher of Japanese comics, has recently donated over $100,000 in books and videos to U.S. public libraries. "It is pleasing to discover the help of a gift such as yours in active support for the library," praised Marjorie Rump, Deputy Director, Kern County Library (CA). "Your gift has put some
new books on our shelves, a most important element in vital library service."
Comics are underrepresented in libraries, but the demand for manga (Japanese comics) has never been greater, especially with young readers. "I am certain that San Francisco teens will be thrilled with these titles," confirmed Jennifer Collins, Middle School Outreach Librarian, San Francisco Public Library.
The increasing popularity of Japanese animation--through TV broadcast of Pokémon, Gundam Wing and Dragon Ball Z, or direct-to-video releases--is leading millions of viewers to the original comics that inspired these popular series. Manga stories cover all genres and ages, and are equally enjoyed by males and females--romance, comedy, crime drama, science fiction, fantasy, action.
In Japan, popular titles regularly sell over 1 million copies per week before being collected in "graphic novel" (book) form, and they as much a staple of Japanese libraries as of bookstores. Viz has actively encouraged greater readership both among children with Pokémon, and teens with Ranma ˝. Viz has donated $100,000 of graphic novels, books, magazines, videos and comics to fifteen library regions:
Tucson, AZ
San Francisco, CA
Dallas, TX
Bakersfield, CA
Santa Clara, CA
San Antonio, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Carmel, IN
Seattle, WA
Oakland, CA
Brooklyn, OH
Spokane, WA
San Diego, CA
Columbus, OH
Madison, WI
Viz's Director of Sales and Marketing Oliver Chin explained the motivation for this large scale effort, "As a publisher, Viz has a enduring responsibility to help improve public literacy and young people's enjoyment of reading. Since 1997, we have increased the sales of anime and manga on all retail fronts. Simultaneously we have actively increased the supply of circulating copies among libraries which lack the budget and resources to satisfy reader demand. Response has been overwhelmingly positive, and Viz will to continue build enthusiastic readership at the grassroots level across the country."
In addition, Viz regularly donates to community non-profit organizations, such as the Japanese Community Youth Council, Los Angeles Tofu Festival, and San Francisco Rescue Mission. On June 6, 2000, Viz donated $12,000 of Pokémon calendars and comic books to San Francisco's Chinatown Branch Library for their Summer Reading program. "Thanks again for your support and generosity towards the public libraries here in the Bay Area (those graphic novels are still
flying off our shelves!)," commended Dorothy Yiu Chang, Branch Manager, Oakland Public Library.
***************
Viz Communications, Inc. is the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese animation and comics (anime and manga) for English-speaking audiences. Founded in 1987, Viz serves a growing market of dedicated fans of all ages, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shogakukan, one of Japan's three largest manga publishers.
Viz publishes dozens of popular titles such as Ranma 1/2, Pokémon, and
Dragon Ball Z, and an integrated line of entertainment media- magazines such as Animerica, videos, comic books, graphic novels, mail-order catalogs, merchandise, CD soundtracks, and websites. Readers and customers regularly visit Viz's home page at www.viz.com and its Web magazines at www.j-pop.com, www.vizkids.com and www.animerica-mag.com.
"Today's recommended graphic novel is Eagle...excellent."
-Warren Ellis, author of Transmetropolitan, Planetary and The Authority
"Kawaguchi is as brilliant an artist as he is a storyteller.an intense storyline, reality-smacking dialogue, and descriptive art make Eagle a must-read."-Previews, "Under the Reading Lamp"
EAGLE, BOOK 2
THE MAKING OF AN ASIAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT GRAPHIC NOVEL
San Francisco, CA (6/16/00)-Viz throws its hat into the ring with the October 2000 release of Eagle Book 2, collecting the second 4 issues of the acclaimed monthly series by Kaiji Kawaguchi. Now, the story of Democratic candidate Ken Yamaoka is available in one massive 424-page graphic novel.
Ken Yamaoka, a third-generation Japanese-American, has all the qualifications of a presidential candidate: he studied at Yale, he fought in the front lines in Vietnam, and he has been a Senator for several terms. Now, as he challenges the Vice President for the Democratic presidential nomination, he summons a young Japanese journalist, Takashi Jo, to Washington, D.C. to cover his campaign. But Takashi soon discovers that he cannot be an impartial observer. He is Yamaoka's son out of wedlock, conceived while the future candidate was on a stopover in Okinawa during the Vietnam War. Now the bastard child knows the truth that could destroy Yamaoka's campaign.but why has his father told him this? Is the candidate a man of confidence and idealism...or arrogance and ruthless pragmatism? And, in the struggle of American politics, is there any way to know where one ends and one begins?
Intelligently written, exciting, critically acclaimed, Eagle presents a near-future vision of America as seen through the eyes of one of Japan's most politically aware manga artists: Kaiji Kawaguchi, the creator of the Cold War drama Silent Service, which the Los Angeles Times compared to a Japanese version of Tom Clancy. With a contemporary story and relevant characters, Eagle combines an
insider's attention to detail with a fascinating outsider perspective on American politics.
In This Volume: Takashi investigates Yamaoka's past, learning of the struggle between young Yamaoka and his father; the term in Vietnam that nearly killed him; and the story of Patricia Hampton, Yamaoka's wife and the inheritor of millions, who met him in their college years. But today, is he a hardened, pragmatic opportunist, or is he still the idealistic young man that Patricia loved? As the New York primaries approach, Yamaoka vies with Democratic front-runner Albert Noah for the endorsement of Gilbert Blackburn, mayor of NYC and political power broker. But as the TV debates begin, Takashi and his half-brother discover that racism in America is far from dead. Contains issues #5-8 of the monthly series.
Eagle, Book 2 is b&w, 424 pages long, and retails for $19.95 U.S./ $30.95 Canada.
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HUMANOID CRABS. MAGIC SWORDS. GRIM REAPERS. FROM THE CREATOR OF BATTLE ANGEL ALITA!
AQUA KNIGHT PART 2 MONTHLY COMIC SERIES
San Francisco, CA (6/16/00)-Viz Comics announces the October 2000
release of Aqua Knight Part 2, a 5-issue monthly series continuing
the new manga by Yukito Kishiro, the creator of Battle Angel Alita!
Aqua Knight mixes humor and action in the shonen manga style, with
atmospheric fantasy adventure in the tradition of Ursula K. LeGuin's
A Wizard of Earthsea.
Marmundo--a world of ocean and scattered isles. The Aqua
Knights--
Noble crusaders who wear "water armor" and ride killer whales. On the
remote island of Faro, not far from the World's Edge, Aqua Knight
Ruliya washes ashore after a storm. Befriending the lighthouse
keeper, Arrabarus, and his son Ashika, Ruliya promised to make the
naive but courageous boy her squire. When the aristocrat Alcontra
attacks the island, killing Arrabarus and kidnapping his son, Ruliya
vows to rescue Ashika and avenge his father, even if she has to
follow him across the world...
In This Part: Ashika has become a slave of the arrogant Alcontra, who
studies phrenology, mistreats his servants, and depends on superior
technology for his refined lifestyle. Ruliya pursues them, bearing
the magic dagger given to her by Vivoantes, the Death Knight. But
when a strange boatsman guides her to a giant, partially submerged
castle, she finds herself forgetting her mission, and coming under
the spell of the castle's master, the Akuma Knight. Will her one
friend in the castle save her from the claws of giant crabs? Plus,
see Ruliya's mother and father, and see Alcontra's ship cross the Sea
of Monsters!
Yukito Kishiro is the creator of the hit 9-volume cyberpunk series
Battle Angel Alita and the 1-volume Ashen Victor, both published in
Japan in the monthly comic magazine Ultra Jump. Kishiro is famed for
designing the worlds of his stories in great thoroughness and detail;
now, in Aqua Knight, he does for fantasy what he had previously done
for science fiction, creating a setting of legends with a style drawn
from the European Age of Exploration.
Aqua Knight Part 2 is a 5-issue monthly series written and drawn by
Yukito Kishiro. Each issue is 32-48 pages long and retails for $3.50
in the U.S. and $5.50 in Canada. Issue #1 includes a full-color
poster showing the universe of Aqua Knight (as perceived by its
inhabitants): a flat disc bordered by a mighty waterfall which
plummets into the maws of dragons.
***************
Viz Communications, Inc. is the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese
animation and comics (anime and manga) for English-speaking
audiences. Founded in 1987, Viz serves a growing market of dedicated
fans of all ages, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shogakukan, one
of Japan's three largest manga publishers.
Based in San Francisco, CA, Viz publishes bestselling titles such as
Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, Gundam, and Ranma 1/2 in eleven entertainment
media, such as Animerica magazine, videos, comics, graphic novels,
catalogs, merchandise, CDs, and movies. Sign up for Viz's email
newsletters to get the latest product news and visit www.viz.com,
www.vizkids.com, www.j-pop.com, www.pulp-mag.com and www.animerica-
mag.com
"Briefly: the comedy is fun, the drama is good, and the action
sequences are outstanding. Toriyama's ability to shift back and forth
between comedic and serious scenes is masterful...For those who
aren't Dragon Ball fans, pick this one up and you'll be joining the
crowd soon enough."-TheComicStore.com
DRAGON BALL, VOL. 2
GRAPHIC NOVEL
THE ROAD TO THE SEVEN DRAGON BALLS
San Francisco, CA (6/16/00)-Viz Comics proudly announces the
October
2000 release of Dragon Ball Vol. 2, collecting the early episodes of
Akira Toriyama's hit martial arts manga! If you've seen Dragon Ball Z
on the Cartoon Network, step back in time to the beginning of the
story when all your favorite characters were younger, and the tone
was lighter and funnier.
Meet a naive young monkey-tailed boy named Son Goku, whose quiet life
changes when he meets a girl named Bulma who is on a quest to collect
seven "Dragon Balls." If she gathers them all, an incredibly powerful
dragon will appear and grant her one wish. But the precious orbs are
scattered all over the world, and Bulma needs Goku's help (and his
super-strength)! And so the unlikely pair sets off, meeting both
friends and foes on their journey...
In This Volume: To recover the sixth Dragon Ball, the Ox King sends
Goku on a mission: to find Kame-sen'nin, the Turtle Hermit, whose
mighty powers can put out the raging fires of Fry-Pan Mountain! Do I
hear a kamehameha? With the bandits Yamcha and Pu'ar on their trail,
our heroes continue their quest for the seventh and final Dragon
Ball, passing through the domain of Boss Rabbit, who can turn people
into carrots. But the seventh Dragon Ball turns out to be the
toughest yet, 'cause it's in the hands of Emperor Pilaf, who wants to
use his wish to rule the world! Our heroes' only hope turns out to be
in the most unlikely of places...This volume collects the monthly
Dragon Ball comics #7 through #12.
Widely known all over the world for his playful stories and humorous,
distinctive art style, Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama is also
known in his native Japan for the wildly popular Dr. Slump, his
previous manga series about the adventures of a mad scientist and his
android "daughter." His hit series Dragon Ball ran from 1984 to 1995
in Shueisha's weekly Shonen Jump magazine, where it was the most
popular title in the magazine's history, and generated innumerable
movies, video games and merchandise. Toriyama has also done design
work on video games such as Dragon Warrior, Chrono Trigger and Tobal
No. 1.
Dragon Ball Vol. 2 is written and drawn by Akira Toriyama. It is 192
pages long and retails for $14.95 USA/$23.00 Canada.
***************
Viz Communications, Inc. is the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese
animation and comics (anime and manga) for English-speaking
audiences. Founded in 1987, Viz serves a growing market of dedicated
fans of all ages, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shogakukan, one
of Japan's three largest manga publishers.
Based in San Francisco, CA, Viz publishes bestselling titles such as
Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, Gundam, and Ranma 1/2 in eleven entertainment
media, such as Animerica magazine, videos, comics, graphic novels,
catalogs, merchandise, CDs, and movies. Sign up for Viz's email
newsletters to get the latest product news and visit www.viz.com,
www.vizkids.com, www.j-pop.com, www.pulp-mag.com and www.animerica-
mag.com
"For those curious about Japanese perceptions of America, there may
be no more arresting a story than Banana Fish."-TheComicStore.com
BANANA FISH VOL. 4
PULP GRAPHIC NOVEL
A CRIME EPIC OF '80S NEW YORK, THE MOB, AND FINE YOUNG MEN
San Francisco, CA (6/16/00)-Viz Comics announces the November
2000
release of Banana Fish Vol. 4, the controversial series from Viz's
mature manga anthology Pulp: New Japanese Pop Culture. This graphic
novel contains the installments from Pulp Vol. 3#11 through Vol. 4#6.
In 1973, in Vietnam, an American soldier goes mad and guns down his
companions. In 1985, in New York City, gang leader Ash Lynx is drawn
into a mystery when he is given a strange drug by a dying man. As Ash
begins to investigate, his discovery sparks the unwanted interest of
Mafia boss Papa Dino, and a series of puzzling suicides tears apart
the New York crime community. And a common thread runs behind the
seemingly random acts of violence...a common thread known only by a
crippled Vietnam vet, who for 12 years has spoken only the
words "Banana Fish"...the name of J.D. Salinger's fictional "fish of
death"...
In This Volume: Ash's father reveals the abuse in Ash's past, and his
own complicity, before the group's stay in Cape Cod is cut short by
Dino Golzine's hitmen. Fleeing to Los Angeles, they meet Max Lobo's
ex-wife and search for the missing Professor Dawson, whose private
files hold the secret of "Banana Fish". Meanwhile, Dino makes a deal
with Chinese crime boss Lee Daai Yan, who sends his dreaded agent Yut
Lung to deal with our heroes...and force Shorter Wong to betray his
friends!
Banana Fish, which ran in Japan from 1985 to 1994, is the work of
shojo (girls') manga artist Akimi Yoshida. Yoshida's art style has
often been compared to Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira). "A hard-boiled action
thriller...an addiction and an emotional roller-coaster ride, with
every episode bringing new twists and turns into the complicated
plot," says Frederik Schodt in Dreamland Japan. "A very smart,
complex, character-oriented crime-fiction comic book," says Comics
Buyer's Guide.
Banana Fish Vol. 4 is written and drawn by Akimi Yoshida. Due to
adult themes it is recommended for mature readers only. It is b&w,
192 pages long, and retails for $15.95 USA/$24.95 CAN.
***************
Viz Communications, Inc. is the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese
animation and comics (anime and manga) for English-speaking
audiences. Founded in 1987, Viz serves a growing market of dedicated
fans of all ages, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shogakukan, one
of Japan's three largest manga publishers.
Based in San Francisco, CA, Viz publishes dozens of popular titles
such as Ranma 1/2, Dragon Ball Z, and Neon Genesis Evangelion, and an
integrated line of entertainment media-magazines such as
Animerica,
videos, comic books, graphic novels, mail-order catalogs,
merchandise, CD soundtracks, and websites. Readers and customers
regularly visit Viz's home page at www.viz.com and its Internet
magazine of Japanese popular culture at www.j-pop.com
STICK OR TREAT!
POKEMON STICK & PLAY BOOK
POKEMON TALES
POKEMON TALES GIFT BOXES
San Francisco, CA (6/16/00)-Viz Communications proudly presents a
new batch of Pokemon books for all ages, including new volumes of
Pokemon Tales. Don't be scared this Halloween by these surprising
Pokemon products!
POKEMON STICK & PLAY BOOK
Tell your own Pokemon stories with removable stickers! This book
comes with tons of removable Pokemon stickers, plus pictures of
different settings from the TV series--forests, grasslands,
cities, underwater--so you can put any Pokemon anywhere you want.
Then, when you want a change, just restick them somewhere else!
Unlimited possibilities. Color book with stickers, $11.95 USA/$18.50
CAN
POKEMON TALES
"These books are perfect for all of the younger Pokemon fans out
there, but will also be a treat for older fanatics as well.a
great addition to any Pokemon fan's collection."-GameFan
Viz presents two new Pokemon Tales! Each of these charming board
books is beautifully illustrated in full color in a different style.
Featuring original artwork direct from Japan (not just the same old
images you've seen a million places), they're perfect for reading
aloud to very young Pokemon fans, or for collecting by older
enthusiasts. Color, 18 pages, 4 1/2" x 6". Each book retails for
$4.95 USA/$7.95 CAN.
. Vol. 15: FIRST PRIZE FOR STARMIE
When a group of Starmie race each other across the galaxy, our hero
sees the wonders of the cosmos. Story by Kazuyuki Yamamoto, art by
Kagemaru Himeno.
. Vol. 16: SEEL TO THE RESCUE
Seel, the kindly water Pokemon, rescues a shipwrecked sailor and
takes him to a strange island. Story by Kazayuki Yamamoto, art by
Naoyo Kimura.
POKEMON TALES GIFT BOXES
These compact boxed sets (with convenient handles for carrying)
contain five Pokemon Tales each! Open and close them, take them
anywhere you go. Each gift box retails for $19.95 USA/$30.95 CAN.
. Vol. 1: Pikachu, Squirtle, Charmander and Bulbasaur, and the
"I'm Not Pikachu!" Movie Special.
. Vol. 2: Psyduck, Clefairy, Butterfree, Dragonite, and
the "Pikachu's Unparalleled Adventure" Movie Special 2 starring
Pikachu and Pokemon Gold and Silver character Elekid.
Plus, don't miss Viz's ongoing Pokemon monthly comics for October
2000: Pokemon Adventures Part 3 #3: "Saffron City Showdown", Magical
Pokemon Journey Part 2 #3: "Hot Springs Pikachu", and Pokemon the
Movie 2000 Animation Comics: The Power of One #4!
***************
Viz Communications, Inc. is the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese
animation and comics (anime and manga) for English-speaking
audiences. Founded in 1987, Viz serves a growing market of dedicated
fans of all ages, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shogakukan, one
of Japan's three largest manga publishers.
Based in San Francisco, CA, Viz publishes bestselling titles such as
Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, Gundam, and Ranma 1/2 in eleven entertainment
media, such as Animerica magazine, videos, comics, graphic novels,
catalogs, merchandise, CDs, and movies. Sign up for Viz's email
newsletters to get the latest product news and visit www.vizkids.com.
Pokemon ©1995, 1996, 1996 Nintendo, CREATURES, GAME FREAK. TM & ® are trademarks of Nintendo. ©2000 Nintendo.
FIVE YEARS AGO, THE LUCIFER HAWKS KILLED KATSUMI'S MOTHER.
IN 2028, THEY'VE COME BACK TO FINISH THE JOB...
SILENT MOBIUS
VOLUME 5
GRAPHIC NOVEL
"Top-quality manga...the art is beautiful, the concept is strong"
-Comics Buyer's Guide
San Francisco, CA (6/16/00)-Viz Comics presents the October 2000
release of Silent Mobius Vol. 5, the latest volume in the
supernatural science-fiction thriller by Kia Asamiya (Martian
Successor Nadesico, Dark Angel, Steam Detectives, Star Wars: The
Phantom Menace Manga). Silent Mobius Vol. 5 collects the entire run
of the Silent Mobius: Karma 7-issue monthly comic series.
In the 21st century the "Lucifer Hawks" broke through into our
dimension...and the human race needed new heroes. Meet the A.M.P.,
seven young women with incredible powers who must protect the human
race from monstrous entities from another world! In the gigantic
megacity of 2028 Tokyo, they are the human race's defenders--
sorcerors Katsumi Liqueur and Mana Isozaki, 'visionaire' Lebia
Maverick, cyborg Kiddy Phenil, psychic Yuki Saito, priest Nami
Yamigumo, and Rally Cheyenne, in whose blood flows the magical power
of the devils who are their enemies...
In This Volume: An emergency call to a threatened space elevator
sends Katsumi on a trip through her memories to when she first joined
the A.M.P....when she discovered that she was the inheritor of
magical powers on both her mother's and her father's side. Now, the
devil who took her mother's life has returned, and Katsumi is its new
target! Can the daughter succeed where the mother failed...or will
Tokyo's tallest building be her tomb? Silent Mobius: Karma is a self-
contained storyline which was the inspiration for/adaptation of the
first Silent Mobius movie which was released in America by Streamline
Pictures.
Kia Asamiya is currently the most widely translated manga artist in
America, with no less than 5 monthly or bimonthly series running
concurrently in English. Silent Mobius was his debut as both artist
and writer, which first appeared in Japan in May 1998 in Kadokawa's
RPG-oriented comic magazine Comic Dragon. It has since been adapted
into two animated movies, a Japanese PlayStation game, and a 1998-
1999 Silent Mobius animated TV series (which was released in the U.S.
by Bandai Entertainment). Even Kia Asamiya's Silent Mobius
sketchbooks have been translated.
Silent Mobius Vol. 5 is written and drawn by Kia Asamiya. It is 200
pages long and retails for $15.95 in the U.S. and $23.95 in Canada.
***************
Viz Communications, Inc. is the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese
animation and comics (anime and manga) for English-speaking
audiences. Founded in 1987, Viz serves a growing market of dedicated
fans of all ages, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shogakukan, one
of Japan's three largest manga publishers.
Based in San Francisco, CA, Viz publishes dozens of popular titles
such as Ranma 1/2, Dragon Ball Z, and Pokemon, and an integrated line
of entertainment media-magazines such as Animerica, videos, comic
books, graphic novels, mail-order catalogs, merchandise, CD
soundtracks, and websites. Readers and customers regularly visit
Viz's home page at www.viz.com and its Web magazines at www.j-
pop.com, www.pulp-mag.com and www.animerica-mag.com
