HIT MANGA SERIES LOVELESS RETURNS AFTER FOUR YEARS WITH VIZ MEDIA’S RELEASE OF NEW VOLUMES OF THE POETIC SAGA OF SPELL BATTLES AND SECRET NAMES

Intense Psychological Masterpiece Resumes In Volume 9 Release;

VIZ Media Also To Publish Earlier LOVELESS Volumes In New

2-In-1 Manga Omnibus Editions

San Francisco, CA, September 13, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, thrills readers as it reboots the English-language publication of LOVELESS, the hit fantasy manga (graphic novel) series from creator Yun Kouga. Volume 9 is available now and is rated ‘T’ for Teens, with an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN / £6.99 UK.

VIZ Media has also announced plans to publish the earlier volumes of LOVELESS as new 2-in-1 omnibus editions beginning in October. These releases will feature updated translations, new lettering, retouched sound effects, and a fresh cover design. Volume 1 debuts on October 9^th and includes 6 full-color pages, as well as 50 pages of bonus comics and insightful artist commentary from Yun Kouga previously not published in North America. MSRP for the 2-in-1 editions will be $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN / £9.99 UK.

In LOVELESS, Ritsuka Aoyagi is alone in the world – never fitting in at school and alienated from his own past by a fragmented memory. When his beloved older brother Seimei is brutally murdered, Ritsuka is heartbroken but determined to find answers. His only lead is Soubi, a mysterious, handsome college student who offers him an intimate link to his brother’s other life: a dark and vibrant world of spell battles and secret names.

“Fans have eagerly anticipated the release of new LOVELESS volumes ever since VIZ Media first announced that it had rescued the publishing license last year,” says Hope Donovan, Editor. “This is the first new release in years of one of the best-selling manga series, and we’re excited to continue the story for existing fans, and captivate new readers who now have a chance to dive into the rich world of LOVELESS from the beginning!”

Manga creator Yun Kouga began her career as a doujinshi (or self-published) author and debuted in 1986 with the original manga, Metal Heart, which was later serialized in Comic VAL magazine. Kouga is the creator of the popular series, LOVELESS as well as Earthian, and has worked on several notable manga and anime projects, including the character designs for Gundam 00. Two of Kouga’s works, CROWN OF LOVE (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and GESTALT (rated ‘T’ for Teens), are published in North America by VIZ Media’s Shojo Beat imprint.

For more information on LOVELESS, or manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.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 manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA 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.