Press Release
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced several new license partners for forthcoming products featuring its popular NARUTO SHIPPUDEN manga (graphic novel) and anime property. VIZ Media is the global master licensor for NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN.
Video game company Bandai Namco Games of America Inc., board game and trading card developer Cryptozoic Entertainment, Japanese figure manufacturers, GECCO Corp. and Bandai Co., Ltd, as well as Saito Inryo Industry Co., Ltd.’s Ramune Japanese soft drink importer JFC International Inc., are among the brand partners to license NARUTO SHIPPUDEN for an array of exciting upcoming products set for release in coming months.
Leading video game publisher and developer BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. will release Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and also for PC digital download in September. The action packed story of the Storm series continues with more than 100 playable characters including a new Mecha-Naruto and more exclusive new characters originally drawn by NARUTO creator Masashi Kishimoto. A co-promotion with card game developer Cryptozoic Entertainment will also give fans a special bonus Mecha-Naruto collectable trading card with purchase of the video game. Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution pre-orders will be available at the Bandai Namco booth at Anime Expo (Booth #101) and also at San Diego Comic-Con International (Booth #129). Additional information available at: www.bandainamcogames.com.
BANDAI CO., LTD. will debut the articulated Naruto Uzumaki character figure as part of its popular S.H. Figuarts collectable line for the first time in North America. The figure will make its debut at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International in the Bluefin Booth (#3545). Additional details on Bandai toys and collectable products are available at: https://www.facebook.com/Tamashii.USA
Leading board game and collectable trading card manufacturer Cryptozoic Entertainment will launch a Naruto Shippuden Deck-Building Game in July. Fans can play as world most popular ninja, Naruto, or as one of his comrades. Gather and use mysterious Chakra power to confront and defeat S-rank criminals such as Orochimaru and members of the Akatsuki and explore distant lands to become the greatest ninja ever! Additional details available at: www.cryptozoic.com/games/naruto-shippuden-deck-building-game
High-end collectable figure manufacturer GECCO Corp. will unveil a limited edition 1/6 scale statue of the world’s most popular ninja, to be offered exclusively at the VIZ Media booth (#2813) during the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International. In this limited edition version, Naruto Uzumaki is rendered in high quality full-color PVC, standing approximately 27cm tall and wearing the 4th Hokage’s famous coat. Additional information is available at: www.gecco.co.jp/naruto.html.
Japanese beverage distributor JFC International Inc. will bring a new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN themed version of the refreshing Ramune soft drink to U.S. retailers this summer. Enjoy NARUTO in a new way while enjoying one of Japan’s most popular beverages. More details on Ramune soft drinks available at: http://www.jfc.com.
Created by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga properties. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens, in print and digital editions) and animated counterpart (NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘TV-14’) are some of VIZ Media’s most successful titles and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.
In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He’s done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense training that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi… well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?
More information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com.
Additional information on titles available from VIZ Media is available at 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.
