BOOM! Studios Launches Softcover Program for Archaia's Best-selling Original Graphic Novel Series 'Rust'

December 17, 2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios is excited to announce the March 2016 release of Royden Lepp’s Rust: The Boy Soldier, the vanguard of a new softcover program for the Archaia imprint.

 

Rust: The Boy Soldier collects the prelude stories from the first three original graphic novels (Rust: Visitor in the Field, Rust: Secrets of the Cell, and Rust: Death of the Rocket Boy) and presents them in  new reading order with the never-before-seen prelude from the upcoming fourth installment, Rust: Soul in the Machine (2017). The inaugural volume will ship with an introductory price of $10.99.

 

Rust: The Boy Soldier chronicles Jet’s experiences during a massive world war. Made to look like a boy, but actually a robot built for battle, Jet is caught in the middle. While trying to save countless lives, Jet discovers there’s more to him than he could have imagined. His experiences in the war set him on a journey to learn what it means to be both hero and human.

 

“With the fourth volume of Rust on the horizon, we want this softcover program to get existing readers excited all over again, plus invite new readers into this fantastic world that Royden has created,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Rust: The Boy Soldier is a great gateway for those not familiar with the story of Jet Jones the robot boy, and I think the never-before-seen prelude from the fourth volume is the perfect reason for longtime fans to pick it up!”

 

Outside of the prelude stories, the Rust series follows Jet, post-war, after he is thrust into the lives of the Taylor family, having crashed into the side of their barn. Oldest son Roman Taylor struggles to keep his family’s small farm afloat as the area heals from the war. While the rest of his family may not trust the mysterious boy with the jetpack, Roman believes the secrets of Jet’s past may be the key to their survival . . . The first volume, Rust: Visitor in the Field, will be released in softcover in fall 2016.

Rust: The Boy Soldier (6” x 9”, 144 pages, sepia-toned, softcover, $10.99), written and illustrated by Royden Lepp, will be available for sale in comic book shops (Diamond code JAN161192) and wherever books are sold (ISBN 978-1-60886-806-3) in March 2016.

DARK HORSE TO PUBLISH “HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE CLASSIC ANIMATED ADVENTURES”

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE “MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE” CARTOON DECEMBER 17, MILWAUKIE, OR—Following the critically acclaimed release of The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Minicomic Collection, Dark Horse and Mattel are set to deliver another must-have book in 2016: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures! From 1983 to 1987, He-Man and his twin sister She-Ra entranced a generation of boys and girls all around the word with their animated adventures, offering not only cartoon excitement but also important moral guidance. Now, Dark Horse Books is proud to present the first-ever official companion to the classic series, featuring nearly 600 pages of fascinating story synopses, behind-the-scenes artwork, and trivia for every single episode of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and She-Ra: Princess of Power. Written by He-Man and She-Ra expert James Eatock, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures also features never-before-seen Bruce Timm artwork and reveals Orko’s face for the first time! He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures is in stores August 17, 2016. Preorder your copy today at your local comic shop or through these fine retailers: Amazon Barnes and Noble IndieBound Praise for He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Minicomics Collection: “From the kid who used to pretend the arm of the couch was his Battle Cat, to the adult who’s showing this to his own child, this was a fantastic trip down Nostalgia Ave. May the Power of Grayskull be with you all.”—AiPT! “Simply put, this volume—along with The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe—is absolutely essential reading for any and all He-Man fans out there.”—Big Comic Page “This book has it all. There is so much to cover here that we simply don’t want to ruin any surprises for you! So make sure to buy one today!”—Toy Hype USA He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures (Hardcover) | 978-1-50670-064-9 | $39.99 Also available: The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Hardcover) | 978-1-61655-592-4 | $39.99 The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Ltd. Ed.| 978-1-61655-730-0 | $129.99 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Minicomic Collection (Hardcover) | 978-1-61655-877-2 | $29.99 HE-MAN, MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE and associated trademarks and copyrights are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel. About Dark Horse Comics Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers. ###

BOOM! Studios Launches Power Rangers Publishing Program with
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0
 

 

 
 

All covers by Goñi Montes
 

December 17, 2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - If you were a kid in the early ’90s, chances are Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series had a significant impact on your childhood. The iconic superhero franchise is a multi-generational, globally recognized pop-culture phenomenon and has seen continued success for more than 22 years. This coming January, award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios is partnering with Saban Brands to bring the fun and adventure of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers team to modern day with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0, written by Kyle Higgins (Batman Eternal, Nightwing) and illustrated by Hendry Prasetya (Green Lantern, Power Girl).

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which first premiered in 1993, is a live-action children’s television series about a group of ordinary teenagers who “morph” into superheroes to save the world from evil. Each Ranger is identifiable by their individual Ranger colors: Jason the Red Ranger, Zack the Black Ranger, Trini the Yellow Ranger, Billy the Blue Ranger and Kimberly the Pink Ranger. A sixth member, Tommy the Green Ranger, joins later in the series. Since Mighty Morphin Power Rangers debuted, Saban’s Power Rangers series has continuously aired on television, with the upcoming 23rd season, Power Rangers Dino Super Charge, premiering in early 2016. BOOM!’s comic series will focus exclusively on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and appeal especially to super fans who grew up watching the show in the ‘90s.

Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers make their BOOM! Studios comic debut in this kick-off #0 issue, which sets the stage for the rest of the series. After escaping Rita Repulsa’s mind control, Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger, joins the rest of the Power Rangers to combat her never-ending evil plans. Any semblance of a normal life is now gone for Tommy, but with his newfound family there lies hope for a brighter path. This issue also includes the short story from the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comics by Mairghread Scott (Toil and Trouble, Transformers: Windblade) and Daniel Bayliss (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Dragons), and the first installment of a Bulk and Skull-centric adventure by Steve Orlando (Midnighter) and Corin Howell (Ben 10).

“We’ve been teasing this launch for a while now, so it’s nice to finally unveil some of the big plans we have in store for the fans,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “We’ve worked to create something that is fun and fresh, yet still carries the authenticity of the original Power Rangers series we grew up loving and continue to be fans of today. We’re exploring one of our favorite Ranger’s toughest times and doing it in a way that we, as fans ourselves, are excited to dig deeper into.”

“The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers served as a launching pad for the now global Power Rangers franchise and it’s been exciting to see it come full circle through our partnership with BOOM! Studios,” said Marcy George, VP of Global Consumer Product for Saban Brands. “BOOM! has brought on notable artists, including Paul Pope and Kevin Wada, to bring to life these iconic characters. It will be fascinating for fans to explore completely new adventures through the comic books and learn more about the original team of Power Rangers.”

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0 arrives in comic shops on January 13th for $3.99 under Diamond Order code NOV151136. There will be a collection of seven intermixed Ranger covers by Spectrum Award-Nominated artist Goñi Montes (RoboCop), including the 1-in-50 Green Ranger cover and the ultra rare 1-in-100 White Ranger cover.

The final order cutoff deadline for retailers is December 21st. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one!

ABOUT SABAN’S POWER RANGERS

Saban’s Power Rangers franchise is the brainchild of Haim Saban, creator and producer of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers hit series that launched in 1993. Following its introduction, Power Rangers quickly became the most-watched children’s television program in the United States and remains one of the top-rated and longest running kids live-action series in television history. The series follows the adventures of a group of ordinary teens who “morph” into superheroes and save the world from evil. It is seen in more than 150 markets, translated into numerous languages and a favorite on many key international children’s programming blocks around the world. For more information, visit www.powerrangers.com.

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS

Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates New York Times best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints: the "Studios" imprint is home to The Woods, Grant Morrison's Klaus, and Big Trouble in Little China; imprint "BOOM! Box" publishes Lumberjanes, Steve Jackson Games' Munchkin, and Giant Days; All-Ages imprint "KaBOOM!" publishes Charles Schulz’ Peanuts; Jim Davis’ Garfield; and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. And the "Archaia" imprint is home to Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, and numerous Jim Henson Company properties. Since 2013, BOOM! Studios has had a unique first-look feature film relationship with 20th Century Fox and since August 2014 BOOM! has had a similar first-look relationship with Fox' television studio to develop properties for the small screen.

ABOUT SABAN BRANDS

Formed in 2010 as an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) acquires and develops a world-class portfolio of properties in the entertainment and lifestyle sectors. SB applies a global 360-degree management approach to growing and monetizing its brands through content, media, marketing, distribution, licensing and retail to markets worldwide and consumers of all ages. Saban Brands Entertainment Group (SBEG) develops innovative branded content that resonates with consumers across all media platforms. SBEG’s growing entertainment portfolio of brands includes Power Rangers, Popples, Glitter Force, Cirque du Soleil – Luna Petunia, La Banda, Emojiville (working title) and others in development. Saban Brands Lifestyle Group (SBLG) drives major expansion within the company’s diverse portfolio of fashion and lifestyle properties. SBLG’s portfolio currently includes Paul Frank, Macbeth, Mambo and Piping Hot. SB operates a global network of offices in Los Angeles, New York, London and Sydney. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.

J-POP SUMMIT WILL RETURN TO HISTORIC

FORT MASON CENTER IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR 2016

The Bay Area’s Premiere Japanese Pop Culture Event Announces Dates For Summer 2016 Festival At Expansive New Home In San Francisco’s Historic Marina District

San Francisco, CA, December 18, 2015 – The J-POP SUMMIT Committee, the organization that presents the Japanese pop culture celebration held annually in San Francisco, has announced that the 2016 J-POP SUMMIT will be held at the historic Fort Mason Center, the weekend of Friday, July 22^nd thru Sunday, July 24^th.

The Bay Area’s popular celebration of Japanese pop culture, music, art, anime, fashion, food, technology, travel and film, marked its evolution into a ticketed event this year, and attracted more than 30,000 people to its first Festival staged at the historic Fort Mason Center in San Francisco’s Marina district earlier this summer. It was also complemented by additional events in Union Square and at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema in Japantown. Full details and images from the 2015 J-POP SUMMIT are featured at: www.J-POP.com.

“As we look ahead to presenting the 8^th consecutive J-POP SUMMIT, we will continue to deliver a unique showcase of Japan’s latest pop trends,” says Seiji Horibuchi, Chairman of the J-Pop SUMMIT Festival Committee and the founder of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “Every year we add new attractions and special events to highlight not only popular current trends but also emerging new aspects of Japanese pop culture. Fort Mason gives us many possibilities for future growth and we look forward to presenting another extraordinary line-up of artists and programming for 2016!”

Held since 2009, the J-POP SUMMIT is a one-of-a-kind, yearly event that has developed a unique festival format to present a diverse array of the latest in pop-influenced culture and artists from Japan. J-POP SUMMIT began as an annual street fair-style outdoor festival held in San Francisco’s Japantown and has drawn as many as 125,000 people in past years. Previous notable J-POP SUMMIT headliners have included Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, May’n, Tadanobu Asano, Takako Tokiwa, Tomomi Itano, Eir Aoi, Gacharic Spin, Tokyo Girls Style, and JAM Project.

About J-POP SUMMIT

The J-POP SUMMIT is an annual Japanese Pop Culture celebration held in San Francisco, CA that features live bands and artists from Japan, pop culture panel discussions, film premieres, fashion shows and events, food and spirits, art, and celebrity appearances. Details on J-POP SUMMIT are available at www.J-POP.com.

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IDW to Collect Al Williamson’s Classic Star Wars in Artist’s Edition   San Diego, CA (December 18, 2015) – The legendary late artist Al Williamson’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back stories are collected in the award-winning Artist’s Edition format this April. Included will be the complete adaptation, first published in issues #39 through #44 of the monthly Marvel Star Wars comic. In addition, pages from Star Wars #50, #98 and the Star Wars: Return of the Jedi mini series will also be presented. "Al loved drawing Star Wars,” said Williamson’s wife, Cori Williamson. “It’s a science fiction swashbuckler, the kind of story that really appealed to his sensibilities. As a lover and collector of classic comic-book and comic strip art, I think he would have been thrilled to see his work presented in this format." Williamson began his storied career as one of the star artists at EC Comics in the 1950s. In the 1960s Williamson drew the definitive comic-book version of Flash Gordon, Alex Raymond’s classic comic strip creation. Other highlights of Williamson’s work include the X-9: Secret Agent Corrigan newspaper strip, as well as the Star Wars newspaper strip. He is an Eisner Award-winning artist and was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic-Book Hall of Fame in 2000. “The collaboration between IDW and Marvel has produced some of the most exceptional collections of reprinted original comic book material ever to be offered,” says Marvel SVP Sales & Marketing David Gabriel. “Al Williamson’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Artist’s Edition of the original Marvel Comics film adaptation is a brightly glowing star within the galaxy of immaculate Star Wars content.” George Lucas commented after Williamson’s passing in 2010, "I was thrilled to be able to have Al depicting those early extended Star Wars adventures for the comic books and newspapers. In capturing the actors who portrayed the characters, he brought the feeling of the films to the page as few other artists have been able to do." This incredible Artist’s Edition will be a 160 page hardcover and measure a whopping 14”x21”. The Force is strong in this book, don’t you dare miss it! About Marvel Entertainment Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2015 MARVEL

About IDW IDW Publishing is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, MY LITTLE PONY and JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS; Paramount/CBS’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Toho’s Godzilla; Twentieth Century Fox’s The X-Files; Sony’s Ghostbusters, Temple Street Productions’ Orphan Black; multiple monthly DISNEY titles; and many more licensed and creator-driven titles. IDW Publishing is also home to acclaimed imprints such as; The Library of American Comics, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio; and the multiple award-winning IDW Artist’s Edition line. In 2015, IDW acquired Top Shelf Productions, an award-winning publisher of graphic novels. Top Shelf is known for publishing works of literary sophistication, including the #1 New York Times and Washington Post Best Seller March by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell and the authorized graphic-novel adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. IDW Games publishes both creator-owned and licensed tabletop games. The division was launched in 2014 and has quickly found success with one of the top-selling card games of the year with the Award-Winning Japanese import card game, Machi Koro. IDW Entertainment was started in 2013 to fund, develop, and produce television series based on IDW properties. IDW Entertainment is currently in development with a slate of properties for television including Wynonna Earp, licensed to Syfy and premiering in early 2016; Brooklyn Animal Control, sold to USA Network with executive producers David Goyer (DaVinci’s Demons, Dark Knight Rises) and Circle of Confusion (Walking Dead); and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, sold to BBC America with writer/executive producer Max Landis (Chronicle). IDW Entertainment also has several active theatrical projects in development, including Zombies vs. Robots, which is in development as a major motion picture with Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes and Sony.

Humble Bundle Celebrates 10 Years of BOOM! Studios with a Bundle Worth $759

December 16, 2015 (San Francisco, Calif.) - For the past 10 years, BOOM! Studios has assembled quite the portfolio of comics, so as a way of commemorating their arrival into the double digits, we've assembled their digital comics into a bundle!

 

In Humble Comics Bundle: 10 Years of BOOM!, customers can pay what they want for Irredeemable Vol. 1 - 2, Bee and Puppycat Vol. 1, Steed and Mrs. Peel: A Very Civil Armageddon Vol. 1, RoboCop Vol. 1, Sons of Anarchy Vol. 1, Bravest Warriors Vol. 1 + 2, Bill & Ted’s Most Triumphant Return #1 - 6, Hacktivist Vol. 1, Lumberjanes Vol. 1, and Clive Barker's Hellraiser Masterpieces Vol. 1.

 

Those who pay more than the average price will also receive Steed and Mrs. Peel: We’re Needed #1 - 3, Steed and Mrs. Peel Vol. 2 - 3, RoboCop Vol. 2 + 3, Sons of Anarchy Vol. 2 + 3, Bravest Warriors Vol. 3 - 5, Hacktivist Vol. 2, Clive Barker's Hellraiser Masterpieces Vol. 2, Bee and Puppycat #5 - 9, RoboCop: Dead or Alive Vol. 1, and Lumberjanes Vol. 2.

 

In addition, customers who pay $15 or more receive all of the above plus RoboCop: Dead or Alive #5 - 12, RoboCop: The Human Element, Sons of Anarchy #15 - 25, Irredeemable Vol. 3 - 7, Bravest Warriors #21 - 36, Lumberjanes #9 - 20, and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Omnibus (#1 - 24).

  

Name the price. Together, all of these comics are worth as much as $759. Here at Humble Bundle, though, you choose the price!

Read anywhere. These comics are available in multiple formats including CBZ, PDF, and ePub, so they work on your computer, e-readers, iPads, cell phones, and a wide array of mobile devices! Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here.

Support charity. Choose where the money goes—between BOOM!, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and, if you'd like, a second charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. For details on how this works, click here. If you like this bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too. 

Humble Comics Bundle: 10 Years of BOOM! will last until December 30, 2015. It can be accessed at bit.ly/HB10YearsOfBoom.

 

About Humble Bundle

Humble Bundle sells digital content through its pay-what-you-want bundle promotions and the Humble Store. When purchasing a bundle, customers choose how much they want to pay and decide where their money goes -- between the content creators, charity, and Humble Bundle. Since the company's launch in 2010, Humble Bundle has raised more than $68 million through the support of its community for a wide range of charities, providing aid for people across the world. For more information, please visit https://www.humblebundle.com. Logos can be found in this press kit.

 

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS

Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates New York Times best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints: the "Studios" imprint is home to The Woods, Grant Morrison's Klaus, and Big Trouble in Little China; imprint "BOOM! Box" publishes Lumberjanes, Steve Jackson Games' Munchkin, and Giant Days; All-Ages imprint "KaBOOM!" publishes Charles Schulz’ Peanuts; Jim Davis’ Garfield; and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. And the "Archaia" imprint is home to Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, and numerous Jim Henson Company properties. Since 2013, BOOM! Studios has had a unique first-look feature film relationship with 20th Century Fox and since August 2014 BOOM! has had a similar first-look relationship with Fox' television studio to develop properties for the small screen.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES A NEW ACTION-PACKED NARUTO MANGA EPILOGUE AND THE RELEASE OF THE FINAL MANGA SERIES BOX SET EDITION

NARUTO Box Set 3 Contains Series’ Exciting Concluding Volumes; Find Out What Happens Next In NARUTO: THE SEVENTH HOKAGE AND THE SCARLET SPRING Spin-Off Manga

San Francisco, CA, December 14, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces plans to kick off 2016 with a pair of exciting NARUTO releases.

Set for release in print on January 5^th, NARUTO: THE SEVENTH HOKAGE AND THE SCARLET SPRING is the post-series spin-off to the world’s most popular ninja manga. A digital version is currently available via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Also set for release on January 5^th will be the NARUTO Manga Box Set 3, which contains the thrilling concluding story arcs to the worldwide smash hit manga (graphic novel) series. Also included is an exclusive double-sided poster and a bonus booklet featuring a special NARUTO story and an interview with series creator Masashi Kishimoto. Both releases are rated “T” for Teen.

NARUTO: THE SEVENTH HOKAGE AND THE SCARLET SPRING

MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available January 5^th!

Digital Edition Available Now For $6.99

In the years since the great ninja war, peace has bloomed in the ninja world, and a new generation has begun to take root. Naruto’s work as Hokage seems to be pretty mundane, but his son, Boruto, is constantly demanding attention. Luckily for Naruto, he can make clones of himself to babysit his son. But Sasuke’s daughter, Sarada, could be the target of a mysterious figure who has connections to the Uchiha clan!

NARUTO Manga Box Set 3

MSRP: $185.99 U.S. / $214.99 CAN · Available January 5^th!

The third and final NARUTO Box Set contains the thrilling conclusion to one of the most popular manga series of all time. The set features Volumes 49-72 at a substantial savings over buying them individually, along with exclusive premiums.

Manga author/artist Masashi Kishimoto was born in 1974 in rural Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Like many kids, he was first inspired to become a manga artist in elementary school when he read DRAGON BALL. After spending time in art school, he won the Hop Step Award for new manga artists with his story, Karakuri. After considering various genres for his next project, Kishimoto decided on a story steeped in traditional Japanese culture. His first version of NARUTO, drawn in 1997, was a one-shot story about fox spirits; his final version, which debuted in Japan in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, quickly became the most popular ninja manga in the world. The series would also spawn multiple anime series, movies, novels, video games and more. Having concluded the series in late 2014, Masashi Kishimoto has kept himself busy this year with the side story, NARUTO: THE SEVENTH HOKAGE AND THE SCARLET SPRING, and writing the story for the latest NARUTO movie, Boruto: Naruto the Movie, both of which focus on the title character's son, Boruto.

VIZ Media is the North American master licensor for NARUTO and publishes the bestselling NARUTO manga series in print and digitally and also distributes the NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN anime series and feature films. Additional information on NARUTO is available at www.Naruto.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 ONE PIECE, 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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NARUTO GAIDEN -NANADAIME HOKAGE TO AKAIRO NO HANATSUZUKI- © 2015 by Masashi Kishimoto/SHUEISHA Inc.