VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW ANIMATED RELEASES FOR FIRST QUARTER 2008

New Volumes Of Popular Animated Series Kick Off the New Year!

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced an exciting array of new DVD releases for the First Quarter of 2008 that expand some of the most popular animated series in North America.

The new releases include DVD box bets, special editions containing collectible figurines, and the latest single disc editions for series including BLEACH, NARUTO, DEATH NOTE and PRINCE OF TENNIS, as well as much-loved classics like RANMA ½ and POKéMON.

BLEACH Releases Include:

BLEACH Volume 8: THE ENTRY • Rated “T” for Teens •  4 Episodes • MSRP: $24.98 • Available Now!

Ichigo and his comrades are chased from one end of the Seireitei to the other while fending off furious attacks of the Soul Reapers that guard the city from intruders. When he and Ganju capture a meek member of Squad 4, they are shown a secret way into the White Tower where Ruika is being held prisoner. But at the steps of the fortress, an old nemesis named Renji Abarai appears, and a rematch pits Ichigo against the spirit energy of a powerful lieutenant.

BLEACH Volume 9: THE ENTRY • Rated “T” for Teens •  4 Episodes • MSRP: $24.98 • Available March 18, 2008

In the world of the living, Ichigo's sisters find themselves in the spotlight as “Karakura Superheroes,” while in the Soul Society, an all-out war is declared against Ichigo and his comrades. But unrest stirs in all corners of the Seireitei, including among the ranks of the Soul Reapers themselves, when a prominent captain meets an untimely fate. Ichigo and the others attempt to ride the waves of chaos straight to the White Tower to rescue Ruika, but they’ll have to face a massive outpouring of spiritual energy to get there.

NARUTO Releases Include:

NARUTO Volume 19: PUSHED TO THE EDGE! • Rated “T” for Teens •  4 Episodes • MSRP: $19.98 • Available Now!

The Third Hokage summons his last ounce of strength in an attempt to seal away Orochimaru’s soul forever, while the shinobi of the Hidden Leaf bravely defend all they hold dear. And far from the village, Sasuke finally catches up with Gaara! But the Sand Ninja has begun an eerie transformation that may be more than Sasuke’s newly mastered Chidori jutsu can match. But there’s a certain scrappy ninja on his way that might just have what it takes – Naruto!

NARUTO Volume 20: LIGHT VS. DARK • Rated “T” for Teens •  4 Episodes • MSRP: $19.98 • Available Now!

With Sasuke’s strength wasted and Sakura slowing being crushed to death, Naruto must battle Gaara alone to defend what is precious to him. Can he prove that the path of friendship is stronger than the path of hate? In the battle-torn Hidden Leaf Village, the Third Hokage and the Leaf Ninja make their final stand against Orochimaru and his minions.

NARUTO Volume 21: EYE TO EYE • Rated “T” for Teens •  4 Episodes • MSRP: $19.98 • Available March 4, 2008

In the aftermath of Orochimaru’s attack, the Hidden Leaf Village mourns, but the life of a shinobi goes on! An eager Naruto departs on a training mission with Jiraiya to find a legendary kunoichi, while a troubled Sasuke reflects on the past. But who are the mysterious strangers that have slipped into town? And why are they looking for Naruto?

NARUTO Volume 22: THE LAST OF THE CLAN• Rated “T” for Teens• 4 Episodes • MSRP: $19.98 • Available March 25, 2008

Sasuke faces the brother he has longed vowed vengeance against, but finds that he is still no match for Itachi. Jiraiya steps in, but Sasuke has fallen into a deep coma, and the only one who can save him is the woman Jiraiya and Naruto seek – the legendary medical ninja, Tsunade. Their search takes them to a town festival, where after a little rest and relaxation, Jiraiya teaches Naruto a new, powerful jutsu – using water balloons and rubber balls!

NARUTO UNCUT BOX SET SPECIAL EDITION Volume 6 • Rated “T+” for Older Teens •  3 DVDs, 14 Episodes • MSRP: $69.98 • Available February 12, 2008

This special set includes a limited edition; hand sculpted and painted collectible figure of Pakkun as well as an illustrated storyboard booklet.

NARUTO UNCUT BOX SET STANDARD EDITION Volume 6 • Rated “T+” for Older Teens •  3 DVDs, 14 Episodes • MSRP: $49.98 • Available February 12, 2008
(DVD-only collection of episodes from the hit series.)

Sasuke returns at last to face Gaara in the final round of the Chunin Exam with his powerful new jutsu, Chidori. But the match is interrupted when Orochimaru’s scheme to bring down the Hidden Leaf Village is put into motion. While the Third Hokage faces his former protégé Orochimaru and his dreadful forbidden jutsu, Sasuke takes off after Gaara and the Sand Ninja, and Naruto, Sakura and Shikamaru take off after Sasuke. Will the ninja of Hidden Leaf survive the evil that has befallen them?

DEATH NOTE Releases:

DEATH NOTE Volume 3 With Limited Edition Collector’s Figure • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • 4 Episodes • MSRP: $39.98 • Available February 19, 2008

For genius detective L, Light’s behavior is too perfect to be true, and to get closer to him, he enrolls at the same university and even invites Light into the investigation. The murders continue, but with a new twist – there appears to be a second Kira at work! L has Light pose as the original Kira in order to lure out the copycat, and Light agrees, hoping to divert suspicion from him. But he’s surprised to discover that this new Kira has an ability that even Light lacks. This set is available both as a standard, single disc edition, and also as a limited edition with a collectible figurine of L.

DEATH NOTE Volume 3 Standard Edition • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • 4 Episodes • MSRP: $24.98 • Available February 19, 2008
DVD-only collection of episodes from the hit series, no figure included.

PRINCE OF TENNIS Releases:

PRINCE OF TENNIS DVD BOX SET Volume 4 • Rated “A” for All Ages •  3 DVDs, 13 Episodes • MSRP: $39.98 • Available Now!

The second half of the Metropolitan Matches begins! Kikumaru and Oishi start their doubles match against Yamabuki Junior High’s Higashikata and Minami. Oishi confronts the same pair that he was unable to beat in last year’s match. Sengoku counters Momoshiro’s signature dunk smash and the match slowly shift in his favor. Finally, Ryoma’s match with Akutsu from Yamabuki Junior High begins. With all the trouble Ryoma encountered with Akutsu a few days ago, everyone is worried for his safety.

RANMA ½ Releases Include:

RANMA ½ SEASON 5: MARTIAL MAYHEM • Rated “T+” for Older Teens •  5 DVDs • MSRP: $49.98 • Available Now!

RANMA ½ SEASON 6: RANDOM RHAPSODY • Rated “T+” for Older Teens •  5 DVDs • MSRP: $49.98 • Available March 25, 2008

It’s not easy being teenage martial artist Ranma Saotome, but it’s even worse when your martial artist father takes you from home at an early age to go on a decade-long training mission. He doesn’t speak a word if Chinese, and yet he insists upon bringing you to a cursed training ground known as Jusenkyo, where falling into one of the many springs there instantly turns you into whoever, or whatever, drowned there last. And then, the two of you have this little accident… From now on a splash of cold water turns Ranma’s father into a giant panda, while the son turns into a red-haired (and problematically well-built) female version. Hot water reverses the effects, but only until the next time. What’s a half-guy, half-girl to do? Find out in the exciting fifth season of the timeless anime classic.

POKéMON Releases Include:

POKéMON SEASON ONE BOX SET, Volume 3 • Rated “A” for All Ages •  3 DVDs • MSRP: $39.98 • Available February 12, 2008

Join Ash, Brock and Misty on their continuing quest to collect Pokémon, make friends, and battle their way to the Indigo League!