VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES DVD RELEASES FOR OCTOBER 2009

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced their list of DVD titles scheduled for release in October 2009. This includes the first full season box set of NARUTO UNCUT and the next installment in the gripping DEATH NOTE: RE-LIGHT series, as well as the latest episodic releases of the popular BLEACH, NARUTO Shippuden and POKÉMON series. VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

New NARUTO releases include:

NARUTO Shippuden Volume 2 • Rated 'T+' for Older Teens • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available October 27

Naruto and Sakura have succeeded in bringing down Kakashi in the survival challenge using an unconventional technique! Tsunade then assigns them to a three-man squad led by Kakashi, who tells them that they are now his equals. Meanwhile, Gaara is facing his greatest challenge as Kazekage--to save the Sand Village from Deidara of the Akatsuki. Gaara has the power to protect his village, but will he have enough left over to save himself? With the Kazekage in danger, the Sand call upon their allies from the Leaf, and the reunited Team Kakashi get ready to spring into action!

NARUTO UNCUT Season 1, Volume 1 DVD Box Set • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • MSRP: $39.98 US / $57.99 CAN • Available October 6

Deep within the Hidden Leaf Village, young ninja Naruto Uzumaki carries sealed within him the spirit of the Nine-Tailed Fox, which once almost destroyed the village. Always an outcast because of his secret, now Naruto battles alongside his teammates Sasuke and Sakura to prove to himself and everyone else that he's the greatest ninja ever. But he's got a long list of challenges to face before he gets there!

Additional SHONEN JUMP releases include:

BLEACH Volume 21 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available October 20

Rukia becomes possessed by a doll placed in her chest by one of the Bounts and attacks her friends! Orihime desperately tries to protect herself and the others without harming her dear friend. But when Rukia's full Soul Reaper powers are drawn out in the battle, Orihime must make a painful choice.

DEATH NOTE: RE-LIGHT 2: L’s Successors • Rated 'T+' for Older Teens • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available October 27

Four years have passed since Light claimed his victory at L’s grave. Light has joined the National Police Agency and taken on the identity of the “new L.” Kira’s judgments of the citizens of the world have intensified, and many nations have come to accept Kira, either from fear or adulation. Near, L’s successor, must ponder the question of how L was defeated if he is to succeed where his famed predecessor failed. At the headquarters of the anti-Kira organization the SPK, he proclaims that the new L is none other than Kira and calls upon the Japanese task force to declare war on Light.

New POKÉMON Releases Include:

POKÉMON: DIAMOND AND PEARL BATTLE DIMENSION Box Set 3 • Rated 'A' for All Ages • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available October 27

Villainy is afoot as Ash and friends continue their journey through the Sinnoh region – but first, they’ll have to graduate from the Pokémon Summer Academy! Will they learn to handle Team Rocket’s newfound moxie, or Pokémon Hunter J’s latest poaching scheme? Ash gets to take on the Hearthome City Gym Leader, but first he’s going to have to deal with a new rival, Barry! And if Dawn thought the Celestic Town Pokémon Contest was a challenge, things really heat up when Team Galactic rolls into town!

POKÉMON: DIAMOND AND PEARL BATTLE DIMENSION Volumes 5 and 6 • Rated 'A' for All Ages • MSRP: $14.98 each US / $21.99 each CAN • Available October 27

The episodes of POKÉMON: Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension Box Set 3 split into two standard disc editions.

New VIZ Pictures Releases Include:

Yayoi Kusama: I Love ME • New People Artist Series Volume 2 • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available October 27

Artist Yayoi Kusama is an avant-garde sculptor, painter, and novelist and her visual style is often characterized by a liberal use of polka dots and nets to achieve a so-called “infinity effect.” The film documents Kusama’s creative process over the course of a year-and-a-half as she completes a series of 50 large monochrome drawings. As her work comes to life, one witnesses the essence of her artistic voice as builds on themes about the conflicts between life, death, and love – sometimes quietly and sometimes not. Her self-confidence and dignified spirit is evident throughout the insightful film. (live action Feature Film)

Naruto Shippuden 2 DVD box art