VIZ MEDIA OFFERS FANS THE HOTTEST ANIME TITLES IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

New Series Debuts For ACCEL WORLD and ZETMAN, As Well As The Latest Releases For BLEACH, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, POKÉMON And TIGER & BUNNY Arrive In Time For The Holidays

San Francisco, CA, November 14, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, invites fans, friends and family to consider the gift of anime this holiday season.

Things kick off with the stylish visuals and tense action of ACCEL WORLD and ZETMAN. Both new series are available in just-released DVD and Blu-ray sets that feature a range of bonus material and exclusive extras. From the continuing soul reaper and ninja action in new releases for BLEACH and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, timeless all-ages fun of POKÉMON, to the riveting superhero adventures of TIGER & BUNNY, there are a variety of exciting titles to suit any gift list in plenty of time for the holidays!

New Anime Series Holiday Debuts:

ACCEL WORLD SET 1 · Rated “TV-14” · DVD MSRP: $44.82 U.S. /

$43.24 CAN; Blu-ray MSRP: $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN · Available Nov. 26^th  

In the year 2046, people use portable devices called Neuro-linkers to manage their daily lives in virtual reality networks. But advances in technology haven't managed to do away with bullies, and 13-year-old Haruyuki Arita finds himself a frequent target. Haruyuki escapes his miserable life in virtual games – until the day Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school, introduces him to a mysterious program called Brain Burst and a virtual reality called the Accel World. Set contains episodes 1-12 on 2 discs. Order from select retailers and receive a free 48-page ACCEL WORLD art booklet while supplies last!

ZETMAN THE COMPLETE UNCUT SERIES · Rated “TV-MA” · DVD MSRP: $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN; BLU-RAY MSRP: $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN · Available Now! 

Jin and Kouga may come from very different walks of life, but both boys are searching for the real meaning of justice and what it means to be a hero! Jin may be poor, but he lives a happy life with his grandfather, until the day tragedy strikes and changes his life forever. Kouga, born into a wealthy family, is in line to inherit his family’s power and fortune. But what is true strength? What does it really mean to be human? Jin and Kouga’s fates intertwine in their struggle to harness the power that lies within each of them! Set contains Episodes 1-13 on 2 discs. Order from select retailers and receive a free ZETMAN and ALPHAS decal set while supplies last!

Fan Favorite Holiday Debuts:

BLEACH UNCUT DVD SET 19 · Rated “TV-14” · MSRP: $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN · Available Dec. 10^th!  

As Ichigo and Ulquiorra battle, Loly and Menoly find a golden opportunity to dispose of Orihime. Unable to defend herself, Orihime is attacked without remorse, while a new enemy arises. Yammy breaks through the floor of the 5th Tower as Ulquiorra's reinforcement.  Despite the combined attacks of Ichigo and Uryu, they all seem useless against Ulquiorra and Yammy. Meanwhile, in the World of the Living, the mysterious Visoreds step onto the battlefield. Will they be friend or foe? Set contains Episodes 268 – 279 on 2 discs.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE LOST TOWER · Rated “TV-14” · DVD MSRP: $19.98 U.S. / $24.98 CAN; BLU-RAY MSRP: $24.98 U.S. /

$27.50 CAN · Available Now! 

The rogue ninja Mukade is about to be caught by Naruto's team when he summons forth the power of the Ryumyaku–an ancient underground channel of chakra. Naruto gets caught up in the chakra and is sent back in time to the city of Loran, known for its thousand towers. There, he encounters the future Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze on a top-secret mission and the Queen of Loran, Sara, whose rule is threatened by Mukade. Will Naruto be able to return to his own time, and can a chance encounter in the past save the future? Plus, in the exclusive Naruto animated short, Naruto and his friends come across a magical genie in a bottle. The time has come for the last wish, but Naruto just may squander it!

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN UNCUT DVD SET 16 · Rated “TV-14” ·

MSRP: $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN · Available Now! 

In the aftermath of the attack on the village, Naruto and Sakura are shocked to discover that Danzo has been selected as the new Hokage. And his first order of business involves Team 7's own Rogue Ninja--Sasuke! Then, the Kage from each village gather for a summit in the Land of Iron, and Naruto seeks a pardon for Sasuke from the Raikage. But the cycle of hatred runs deep in the shinobi world, and while the Five Kage discuss how to deal with the Akatsuki, the mysterious one calling himself Madara steps forward to reveal truths that will turn Naruto’s world upside down! Set contains Episodes 193-205 on 2 discs.

New TIGER & BUNNY Holiday Debuts:

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING · Rated “TV-14” ·

DVD MSRP: $19.98 U.S. / $24.98 CAN; BLU-RAY MSRP: $24.98 U.S. /

$27.50 CAN · Available Now! 

In the metropolis of Stern Bild, there are heroes who wear the logos of sponsors and protect the city from danger. Their exploits are broadcast on the popular HERO TV. Wild Tiger (Kotetsu T. Kaburagi) is a veteran superhero past his peak who is ordered by his company to team up with the rookie hero Barnaby Brooks Jr. Can these two mismatched superheroes overcome their differences to protect the city?

TIGER & BUNNY SETS 1 & 2 · Rated “TV-14” ·

DVD MSRP: $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN each; BLU-RAY MSRP: $54.97 U.S. /

$66.15 CAN each · Available Now! 

Set 1: Stern Bild City is a thriving metropolis where superheroes called "NEXTs" protect the streets, sponsors pull the strings, and a hugely popular show called Hero TV captures all of it. Veteran hero Kotetsu T. Kaburagi (AKA Wild Tiger) and hotheaded new hero Barnaby Brooks, Jr. (nicknamed Bunny by Kotetsu) are forced to team up not only to protect Stern Bild City, but to earn as many points on Hero TV as possible. Joined by a diverse cast of heroes, all with different powers and answering to their own corporate sponsors, Tiger and Bunny must find a way to work together, uncover the secret of the "Ouroboros," and earn enough points to become this year's "King of Heroes." Set 1 contains Episodes 1-13 on 2 discs, and Set 2 contains Episodes 14-25 on 2 discs.

New POKÉMON Holiday Debuts:

POKÉMOn BLACK & WHITE: RIVAL DESTINIES SET 1 · Rated “TV-Y7” ·

MSRP: $19.97 U.S. / $24.98 CAN · Available Now! 

Ash battles for his fourth Unova Gym Badge at the Nimbasa City Gym. The stakes are high, and he’s taking no chances! Later, as the group prepares to leave Nimbasa City, Ash’s rival Trip introduces them to someone they only dreamed of meeting. Then, on the road to Driftveil City, our heroes come across some very special Pokémon in a very special place! Set contains Episodes 1-12 on 2 discs.

POKÉMOn THE MOVIE: GENESECT AND THE LEGEND AWAKENED ·

Rated “TV-Y7” ·  MSRP: $19.97 U.S. / $24.98 CAN · Available Dec. 3^rd! 

When big trouble threatens the big city, it’s up to Ash, Pikachu, and their friends to stop it! A vast Pokémon habitat amid the hustle and bustle of the big city seems like the perfect new home for a group of five Genesect. The arrival of these mythical Pokémon quickly becomes a problem though, their nest threatens the city’s power supply, and they keep attacking anyone who approaches it. On top of that, they’ve attracted the attention of the Legendary Pokémon Mewtwo, who sympathizes with them because its own origins also involve human tampering. Their leader, a red Genesect, doesn’t trust Mewtwo, and their confrontation quickly rages out of control! Can Ash and friends stop these two powerful Pokémon before they destroy the city?

For more information about these and other anime 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 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.

###

© Masakazu Katsura / SHUEISHA, ZETMAN Project

©2013 Pokémon. ©1998-2013 PIKACHU PROJECT. TM, ® and character names are trademarks of Nintendo.