VIZ MEDIA’S SHOJO BEAT IMPRINT TO DEBUT THRILLING NEW MANGA SERIES HONEY BLOOD AND KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS

San Francisco, CA, March 3, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces exciting news for manga (graphic novel) fans as it expands its shojo catalog with the acquisition of two swoon-worthy new titles that are scheduled for release under the Shojo Beat imprint this Fall and Winter.

October will see the launch of the new supernatural romance series, HONEY BLOOD, followed in November by the magical girl adventure KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS. Both titles will debut in print and also digitally on VIZManga.com and the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad^®, iPhone^® and iPod^® touch, Android-powered smart phones. Volumes will also be available on the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores

HONEY BLOOD · Rated ‘T’ For Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available October 2014 

When a girl at her school is attacked by what seems to be a vampire, high school student Hinata Sorazono refuses to believe that vampires even exist. But then she meets her new neighbor, Junya Tokinaga, the author of an incredibly popular vampire romance novel… Could it be that Junya’s actually a vampire – and worse yet, the culprit?! Discover his true identity and other secrets in this new 3-volume manga series created by Miko Mitsuki.

KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS · Rated ‘T’ For Teens ·

MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available November 2014 

Anis Yamamoto has been told that if she ever removes the rose choker given to her by her father, a terrible punishment will befall her. Unfortunately she loses that choker when a bat-like being falls from the sky and hits her. Anis is granted four cards representing four knights whom she can summon with a kiss. But now that she has these gorgeous men at her beck and call, what exactly is her quest?! Find out in this new 9-volume series by creator Aya Shouoto.

“Sultry vampires and handsome knights are in store for manga fans later this year with these exceptional new Shojo Beat titles,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. “Stunning artwork and an array of captivating new storylines are sure to warm the hearts of readers everywhere throughout the Fall and Winter, and we look forward to announcing more details on these exciting titles in coming months.”

For more information on other popular shojo manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit: http://www.viz.com/manga/print/shojo-beat.

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.

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