VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES AN EXCITING SPRING SEASON OF HOT NEW ANIME PROGRAMMING ON

NEON ALLEY

Innovative 24/7 Anime Channel To Premiere ACCEL WORLD, BLEACH, FATE/ZERO and ZETMAN, With New Seasons of Favorite Hits Also Debuting

San Francisco, CA, April 16, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has unveiled its new spring programming line-up for Neon Alley with 7 exciting premieres for the innovative anime channel available for the Xbox 360^® and Xbox LIVE^® as well as for the PlayStation^®3 (PS3™) gaming system and the PlayStation^®Network.

Set to premiere on Friday, April 19^th will be ACCEL WORLD, FATE/ZERO, and the Season 2 opening episode of LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE. Saturday, April 20^th offers the Neon Alley debut of BLEACH Season 1, as well as the exclusive English dub premiere of new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN episodes, the start of Season 2 of NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, and the launch of the intense action series, ZETMAN. Check NeonAlley.com for specific airtimes in your geographical area.

Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s 24-hour, console-based anime channel that features a variety of the world’s best titles (dubbed in English and uncut) and presented in HD (when available) for a low monthly subscription rate of only $6.99. For a limited time only, the service is also offering a one-week free trial available to all fans that sign up at NeonAlley.com.

“The new schedule of spring anime premieres is the most exciting we’ve launched on Neon Alley,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager, Animation Marketing. “From continuing action anime favorites like NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, and NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, to brand new series such as ZETMAN, ACCEL WORLD, the highly acclaimed FATE/ZERO, and the addition of one of the most popular anime of all time, BLEACH, there will be plenty of reasons to tune into Neon Alley this month. We look forward to lots of North American anime fans experiencing this exciting way to enjoy some of the best in animated entertainment from Japan!”

ACCEL WORLD · Rated “TV-14” · Premieres Friday April 19^th

The year is 2046. Haruyuki Arita is a young boy who finds himself on the lowest social rungs of his school. Ashamed of his miserable life, Haruyuki can only cope by indulging in virtual games. But that all changes when Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school, introduces him to a mysterious program called Brain Burst and a virtual reality called the Accel World. Please watch the sneak peek at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhPZdp1OLFM.

FATE/ZERO · Rated “TV-14” · Premieres Friday April 19^th

FATE/ZERO is based on a popular Japanese light novel, written by Gen Urobuchi and illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi. This is the story that goes back to zero, back to the beginning. The ultimate battle royal, in which seven Masters vying for control of the miracle-granting Holy Grail summon seven Servants and fight until only one remains... The Holy Grail War! Catch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql_bWLNPIjo.

LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE, SEASON 2 · Rated “TV-MA” ·

Premieres Friday April 19^th

Thousands of years ago, mankind was at the height of its glory, an advanced civilization extending into the far reaches of space. To defend against its galactic enemies, mankind developed giant humanoid robots called “Vox,” never anticipating that the powerful robots would lead to the destruction of their own civilization. Fearing their infinite power, the Space Federation known as Polyhedron hid away the existence of the Vox and Earth itself from the rest of the galaxy. Now, the Vox are a mere legend, and in Kamogawa, Japan, robots are the furthest thing from Madoka Kyono’s mind. She’s an energetic high school girl who just wants to help people in need. But Earth is under threat once more, and when a mysterious girl named Lan asks Madoka to pilot a resurrected Vox robot, her life will never be the same!

BLEACH · Rated “TV-14” · Premieres Saturday, April 20^th

Catch the epic supernatural action series based on the smash hit manga series by Tite Kubo from the very beginning! For as long as he can remember, 15 year-old Ichigo Kurosaki has always been able to see ghosts. But when he suddenly meets Rukia, a Soul Reaper from the Soul Society who battles evil spirits known as Hollows, his life will change forever. Now, with a newfound wealth of spiritual energy, Ichigo discovers his true calling – to protect the living and the dead from evil at all costs!

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (Latest Episodes) · Rated “TV-14” ·

Premieres Saturday, April 20^th

Catch the latest action-packed NARUTO SHIPPUDEN adventures beginning with Episode 188! Naruto Uzumaki is back! After a long training journey with the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, Naruto has returned older, a little bit wiser, and a lot stronger! Sakura's been studying under another of the Sannin, Tsunade, and is now an accomplished medical ninja with a few new battle skills of her own. To show off their new skills, Naruto and Sakura team up to take on their old master, Kakashi. While the three battle it out, the Village Hidden in the Sand is infiltrated by the Akatsuki, who are after Naruto's old rival and the newest Kazekage of the Sand – Gaara!

NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, SEASON 2 · Rated “TV-14” ·

Premieres Saturday, April 20^th

Rikuo Nura looks like your typical junior high student, but in reality, he is a quarter yokai and is the grandson of Nurarihyon, the leader of all yokai! As the Third Heir to the Nura Clan, Rikuo has successfully brought an end to the territory conflict against the Shikoku yokai. Now, Rikuo must face his most powerful enemies yet—the Hagoromo-Gitsune and her Kyoto yokai!  With her absolute power and charisma, the Hagoromo-Gitsune is taking the ancient capital of Kyoto by storm in a quest to fulfill her four-hundred-year-old wish. Joined by the Oshu-Tono Family yokai and the Keikain Clan Onmyoji, Rikuo and his Nura Clan will take on the Hagoromo-Gitsune for an epic showdown!

ZETMAN · Rated “TV-MA” · Premieres Saturday, April 20^th

“ZET” is the one who is entrusted with the future of mankind. “ALPHAS” are the ones searching for the meaning of true justice. They will be the ones who will change the world. Is it coincidence or fate that brings these two heroes together? Soon, the two will learn what fate has in mind for them…

Neon Alley’s schedule includes a dynamic mix of action, adventure, sci-fi, supernatural, fantasy, and horror anime. Other current shows include TIGER & BUNNY, BLUE EXORCIST, DEATH NOTE, NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, ONE PIECE, INUYASHA, KEKKAISHI, BUSO RENKIN, and VAMPIRE KNIGHT.

Neon Alley is specially designed to be studio agnostic, featuring titles from other anime producers and content distributors, including Aniplex, FUNimation, NTV, Taiseng, and Anime News Network. Members can also share real-time thoughts and status updates using social media technology from Tout (Tout.com), some of which will air on the network. 

For more information on Neon Alley, please visit www.NeonAlley.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 digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP 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.

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