Viz Media Announces Activities and Convention Exclusives for 2011 Comic-Con International

Viz Media Celebrates 25th Anniversary And Returns To The Nation’s Biggest Sci-Fi And Comics Event With A Full Slate Of Activities, Panel Discussions, And Special Giveaways

San Francisco, CA – Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, gears up for the 2011 Comic-Con International with a packed agenda of exciting events, product giveaways, panel discussions, interactive activities, and convention exclusives. Comic-Con is the nation’s largest comic book, science fiction and pop culture event, and takes place July 20-24 at the San Diego Convention Center, CA. Viz Media will be located in Booth 2813. Complete details on Comic-Con are available at: www.comic-con.org.

Viz Media’s Booth (#2813) will be a hub of continual activity on the main show floor. The VIZ MANGA APP is the latest technological innovation for digital manga comics for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Fans that drop by the booth and show the App installed on their Apple device will receive a special free tchotchkie as a ‘thank you’ from Viz Media while supplies last.

Video game fans will also want to be sure to check out playable demos for Namco Bandai’s Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, which will be released in Spring 2012, and NIS America’s new Bleach: Soul Ressurreccon, launching in August 2011.

Sunday July 24th is Kid’s Day at the Viz Media booth. Young and older fans alike are invited to pose for pictures with Kon from Bleach, Naruto (Classic Version), Edamame from Mameshiba, and more. Visitors can also attend screenings of Episode 1 of the new Voltron Force anime series and stay for special free VIZ Kids samplers and product giveaways.

Don’t miss other exclusive Viz Media product giveaways during special times throughout the show (attendees should check the booth for a daily schedule). There will be free Naruto ninja headbands and whisker tattoos, as well as Mameshiba headbands and the ever-popular Viz Media convention tote bag. This year the tote commemorates Viz Media’s 25th Anniversary. Don’t miss the chance to score this special convention exclusive!

The 25th Anniversary celebrations continue with a special Viz Media panel discussion on Friday, July 22nd at 2:00pm in Room 9. The session will be packed with exciting news and prizes for fans and will provide the latest updates on new acquisitions and upcoming releases, as well as give the scoop on groundbreaking new projects. Get in line early and secure a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes such as iTunes gift cards, special prizes from Viz Media partners, and more!

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a manga creator? This year the Shonen Jump panel will give you a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn the secrets to being a professional artist and a storywriter. Attend the panel discussion on Friday, July 22nd at 3:00pm in Room 9 and get inside tips from those in the industry! Weekly Shonen Jump Editor-in-Chief Hisashi Sasaki will give you straightforward tips and advice on how to improve your manga. Don’t miss this unprecedented opportunity to learn from the editor of Japan’s #1 manga magazine! PLUS, a chat with Hiroshi Matsuyama, the President of CyberConnnect2, about the upcoming Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm GenerationsS video game

Finally, the 2011 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, considered the Oscars of the comic book industry, are scheduled for Friday, July 22nd at 8:00pm at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel, and Viz Media is honored to be have titles nominated in four categories.House of Five Leaves, by Natsume Ono, is nominated for Best U.S. Edition of International Material – Asia, while Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys is nominated in two categories for Best Continuing Series and also for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia. In addition, Naoki Urasawa is nominated for Best Writer/Artist, for his work onNaoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys.

About Viz Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., Viz Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact Viz Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone: (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and website at www.VIZ.com.