VIZ MEDIA UNLEASHES MECHA ACTION WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THUNDERBOLT MANGA SERIES

Debut Of A New Series In The Classic Science Fiction Universe Delivers A Story Of Two Rival Mobile Suit Pilots Bent On Each Other’s Destruction

San Francisco, CA, November 7, 2016 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, unleashes a fresh take on the classic Gundam universe with the release of MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THUNDERBOLT on November 15^th.

The new manga series created by Yasuo Ohtagaki delivers an action-packed, character-driven story set in the distant future where the forces of the Earth Federation fight to quell an uprising by the rebellious Principality of Zeon. The preeminent weapons in this struggle are massive robots with human pilots called Mobile Suits.

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THUNDERBOLT will be published in print under the VIZ Signature imprint and is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens. Volume 1 will carry an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $19.99 CAN. Future volumes will be published on a quarterly basis.

“MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THUNDERBOLT is an exciting addition to the world of Mobile Suit Gundam, which has been thrilling legions of fans for almost 40 years,” says Michael Montesa, Editor. “The new series delivers a tense storyline filled with vivid battle scenes featuring plenty of imaginatively designed mobile suits, making this a fitting addition to one of science fiction’s most legendary action properties.”

In the Universal Century year 0079, the space colony known as Side 3 proclaims independence as the Principality of Zeon and declares war on the Earth Federation. One year later, they are locked in a fierce battle for the Thunderbolt Sector, an area of space scarred by the wreckage of destroyed colonies.

As the first volume opens, two veteran Mobile Suit pilots leap into this maelstrom of destruction: the deadly Zeon sniper Daryl Lorenz, and Federation ace Io Fleming. It’s the beginning of a rivalry that can end only when one of them is destroyed. The lightning-streaked debris fields are about to become the stage for an epic duel where death is the only true winner.

For additional information on MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THUNDERBOLT and other manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.