Blue Dragon promo image.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF BLUE DRAGON ANIMATED SERIES ON DVD

Fantasy Action Series Based on Popular Xbox 360 Video Game and Features Captivating Character Designs by Famed Manga Creator Akira Toriyama

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the North American DVD debut of BLUE DRAGON, a new animated series based on the popular Microsoft Xbox 360 Role Playing Game. BLUE DRAGON Volume 1 is rated A for All Ages, and just hit store shelves this week. It features five episodes and carries an MSRP of $14.98 (U.S.)/$19.99 (CAN). The BLUE DRAGON animated series is a classic adventure story of magical Shadow powers, flying air fortresses, and unbounded heroism! Brought together by fate, Seven Soldiers of Light must awaken the Shadow within themselves in time to overcome a despotic power and bring peace to their land. Their ensuing journey through a rich fantasy world is also an internal journey to awaken the great power within each of them. Journey with them into the world of BLUE DRAGON.

The Xbox 360 game “BLUE DRAGON” was developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi (the creator of Final Fantasy). The game and animated series feature memorable characters designed by Akira Toriyama, the creator of the best-selling DRAGON BALL series of manga (also published in North America by VIZ Media and featured in SHONEN JUMP Magazine). The BLUE DRAGON animated series is produced by Studio Pierrot, which is well-known for its work on NARUTO and BLEACH, also licensed by VIZ Media. The “BLUE DRAGON” video game has already established itself in Japan as one of Microsoft’s hottest releases in the RPG category and also enjoys a sizable and growing fan-base in North America.

“We’re very excited to announce the eagerly anticipated DVD debut of the new BLUE DRAGON series,” says Brian Ige, Director of Sales, Home Entertainment, VIZ Media. “The first volume introduces a captivating adventure story inspired by the popular Xbox 360 game and possesses a balanced mix of action and comedy that will both entertain and inspire. Fans of DRAGON BALL will recognize instantly Akira Toriyama’s masterful character designs. As the convergence of animation and video gaming continues, we look forward to BLUE DRAGON establishing a strong following across North America among diverse audiences including tweens and teens as well as young adults.”