VIZ MEDIA INVITES FANS TO EXPLORE THE SUPERNATURAL WORLD OF THE HIT MANGA SERIES BLEACH IN NEW

BLEACH MASKED: OFFICIAL CHARACTER BOOK 2

Informative Character And Story Guide Features Extensive Data,

Full Color Poster, Color Art, Creator Interviews And Much More!

San Francisco, CA, March 5, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, offers BLEACH fans a treasure trove of information about the smash hit manga (graphic novel) series with the release of BLEACH MASKED: OFFICIAL CHARACTER BOOK 2 on March 6^th. The new edition is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Uncover the many secrets of BLEACH in this informative profile book that contains extensive data on the characters and storylines from Volumes 21-37 of the manga series (also published by VIZ Media; digital manga available on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iOS devices). The new release also includes exclusive color art, a full-color poster, bonus materials and a special interview with creator Tite Kubo. Step into the ghostly world of BLEACH like never before!

Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts – he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow, a malevolent lost soul, Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper and dedicates his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured spirits find peace.

“BLEACH fans will not want to miss the release of this enlightening new edition that contains plenty of interesting story and character background from the hit action series,” says Alexis Kirsch, Editor. “BLEACH is one of the world’s most popular manga titles, and this new edition is an ideal companion that will give manga readers plenty of inside information and back stories to their favorite characters as well as insights from creator Tite Kubo!”

BLEACH (rated ‘T’ for Teens) is author/creator Tite Kubo's second manga title. Kubo made his debut with ZOMBIE POWDER (also published in North America by VIZ Media), a four-volume series appearing in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. To date, BLEACH has been translated into numerous languages and has also inspired an animated TV series that began airing in Japan in 2004. Beginning its serialization in 2001, BLEACH remains a mainstay in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump. In 2005, BLEACH was awarded the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award in the shonen (boys) category.

For more information on BLEACH please visit Bleach.viz.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.