Viz

VIZ Media has announced the release of the manga (graphic novel) series Blue Exorcist by creator Kazue Kato on April 5th, 2011. The new title will be published under the company’s Shonen Jump Advanced imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S./$12.99 CAN. Synopsis:

We're a bit hit or miss with our coverage of manga and anime, but when things cross our desk that we think might be of interest to our readers, we do our best to bring them to your attention. Today we have info on the North American premiere of new manga series Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura from visionary shojo creator Arina Tanemura. From the Press Release:

Looking forward to the new year? VIZ Media's recent announcement of its forthcoming releases for spring and summer 2011 should help build even more anticipation. The company's diverse new lineup offers something for everyone, from the supernatural adventures of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan and Blue Exorcist to the long-awaited artbook of the hit Vampire Knight series.

With teen bullying being a hot topic in headlines these days, VIZ Media couldn't have picked a better time than this week to release award-winning artist Yoshinori Natsume’s manga series Kurozakuro. The graphic novel is offered under the Shonen Sunday imprint and rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens. Its synopsis follows:

In stores next Tuesday, October 5th, comes Grand Guignol Orchestra, the latest manga from Kaori Yuki, the queen of all things Gothic. It will be filled with everything her fans have come to love - lush artwork and tales of horror and darkness ... mixed in with a bit of the supernatural! From the Press Release:

VIZ Media has announced the first names to join the voice cast for Vampire Knight, the upcoming animated series based on the bestselling manga by Matsuri Hino.

On Tuesday, March 16th, Viz Media's new series Dorohedoro will debut. The gritty urban sci-fi/horror saga is both written and illustrated by Q Hayashida, who is known for her bold art style and the way she seamlessly integrates alternate universes into her stories.

On Tuesday, February 2nd, Viz Media's new series Biomega will debut. The sci-fi/horror epic is both written and illustrated by Tsutomu Nihei.

Looking for something to satisfy that anime-loving friend or relative on your holiday shopping list? On December 8th Viz Media is releasing Naoki Urasawa’s Monster Box Set 1 on DVD. Based on the acclaimed manga creator’s tense psychological masterpiece, Monster Box Set 1 features 3 DVDs (Episodes 1-15) and includes an exclusive digital booklet, which is a digitized version of the original Japanese booklet.

VIZ Media is building on the psychological suspense of the popular Death Note series with the release of Death Note: L, Change the World, a new novel featuring the master detective from the hit animated and manga series. In this updated storyline detective L's name has been placed in a Death Note. He has twenty-three days to bring a terrorist group to justice, or they will use a deadly new virus to change the world...by killing off most of humanity.

VIZ Media has announced the debut of Naoki Urasawa's animated series Monster on Syfy beginning on October 12th as part of the latest season of the network’s "Ani-Monday" programming block. Monster is based on the critically acclaimed manga series by Urasawa that is published in North America by VIZ Media.

Viz Pictures announced today that the final chapter in its popular Death Note live action series, L, Change the World, directed by the legendary Hideo Nakata, will be hitting DVD on August 18th.

Tired of the same old/same old superheroes and looking for a new comic series to sink your teeth into? Well, search no further! VIZ Media has just launched in North America a manga entitled Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit that promises to send a chill down the spines of its readers.

Still on the fence as to whether or not you want to attend the two-night only theatrical event for Death Note: L, Change the World? Well, how about if you can watch the first 10 minutes and then snag a pair of tickets for Wednesday, April 29th's subtitled screening?

As a reminder to keep next week's two-night only theatrical event for Death Note: L, Change the World in the forefront of everyone's mind, Viz Pictures has prepared a trailer and is offering Dread Central readers a chance to win tickets.