Comic-Con 2010 will be Wednesday July 21st through Sunday July 25th this year, and we've got a ton of stuff going on both at our booth (#2813) and around the convention center! Full press release here; highlights include:

• Special appearance by Stan Lee on Saturday for a ULTIMO Vol. 2 signing and at the Shonen Jump Panel!
• The VAMPIRE KNIGHT voice actors Mela Lee (Yuki), Ethan Murray (Kaname) and Vic Mignogna (Zero) will be our guests on Friday - look out for them at the in-booth trivia game, in-booth signing, and the VAMPIRE KNIGHT Panel!
• Exciting exclusives for sale, including limited edition Sage Naruto figures from Toynami, ONE PIECE Luffy Mallows, and more!
• Activities include the VIZ Media Treasure Trove, VAMPIRE KNIGHT and KEKKAISHI photo ops, the claw catcher game, trivia contests, video game demo of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Ultimate Ninja Storm 2!
• Giveaways galore, including the famous VIZ Media collectible tote bag, in a new color for 2010!

See you in San Diego! =)

For all you INUYASHA fans - here's your chance to own the INUYASHA movies and episodes at a reduced price from iTunes!

Until August 3rd, you can download-to-own INUYASHA movies 1-3 for $4.99 each on iTunes; episode 1 is FREE, and episodes 2-167 are available for only $0.99 each!

In addition, INUYASHA THE MOVIE: AFFECTIONS TOUCHING ACROSS TIME will be available on VIZAnime.com and Hulu for free viewing until August 11th!

Enjoy!

We are proud to announce Stan Lee as our special guest this year at Comic-Con 2010!

On Saturday, July 24th, the comic-book legend is helping celebrate the release of ULTIMO Volume 2, first with an appearance at the SHONEN JUMP panel at 10:30AM in Room 9, then at an exclusive autograph session at our booth (#2813) at 1:15PM! Check out our press release for more details!

Excelsior!

Straight from Japan - check out our new Shonen Jump anime, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, exclusive to VIZAnime.com! The first FREE episode is available for viewing now, and new episodes will be simulcast hours after it airs in Japan each Monday!

When night falls, the Yokai King will rise! =)

Happy Fourth of July weekend! =)

If you're attending AnimeExpo this weekend, or are in the Los Angeles area and haven't made plans yet (hint, hint!), come support us at our panel, at 10AM Saturday July 3rd, Live Programming Room 1 (Petree Hall)! We'll have the latest scoop for you on VIZ Media anime & manga!

More fun to add to your Memorial Day weekend agenda: the debut of the supernatural action adventure KEKKAISHI this Saturday May 29th at 12:30AM Eastern/Pacific (repeat at 4:30AM) on Adult Swim!

Get ready to "Ketsu! Metsu! Tenketsu!"  =) 

For those of you in the Pasadena CA area this weekend, ULTIMO co-creator Stan Lee will appear at Rock'n Comic-Con 2010 for an exclusive signing of ULTIMO Vol. 1!

Don't miss this opportunity to meet with the legendary man himself at the Pasadena Convention Center (300 East Green Street), Booth 402 from 2-3PM on Saturday May 29th!

VIZ Media is in the process of refining its focus and is restructuring
to adjust to changing industry and financial market realities.

As part of the restructuring the company had to refine its workforce by
eliminating certain positions and making cuts in other areas.

We are of course saddened by these departures, and sincerely appreciate
the hard work, passion and dedication of those that have moved on, but
we feel confident that with these changes VIZ Media will be more
streamlined and able to withstand the climate of the economy at this time.

This restructuring was not insignificant; however, this was primarily an
internal reprioritization to build toward our future. We wish to
apologize to our wonderful fans if this news has caused you concern. Be
assured VIZ Media remains committed in its obligations to you. We have no
plans at this time for additional drastic measures such as product cancellations
or business line closures. Your favorite series are not going away.

This fun new series is about librarians that join forces to protect issues like freedom of speech and censorship when the government in the future creates a special committee to rid society of books it feels unsuitable.

The series, with story and art by Kiiro Yumi and based on the original concept by Hiro Arikawa is available June 1st!

For more information, see the Press Release or visit www.shojobeat.com

Watch the first five episodes of VAMPIRE KNIGHT on VIZ Anime. New episodes will be avaialble every other Friday. Sign up for a VIZ Anime account so you can join other anime fans in following series and commenting on episodes.

About the VAMPIRE KNIGHT anime:
Yuki Cross is a first-year general education student at Cross Academy. As a member of the Disciplinary Committee, along with her childhood friend Zero Kiryu, her duty is to keep the infatuated Day Class students from chasing the beautiful Night Class students, all while performing the important task of protecting the secret of the Night Class. The secret…that all members of the Night Class are vampires!! The creation of the Night Class was an effort formed to end the long history of conflict by promoting a peaceful coexistence between human beings and vampires. As Guardians, Yuki and Zero are given the vital role of protecting the coexistence of the Day Class and the Night Class. Unlike Zero, who sees the vampires as enemies, Yuki believes vampires and humans can coexist.

Want to check out the VAMPIRE KNIGHT manga? Read the free preview.

As I watch VAMPIRE KNIGHT on VIZ Anime, I realize that Yuki is at crossroads. She needs to decide who she is and who she wants to become. Should she always protect Zero, knowing his secret, and give him the blood he needs? Or should she try to build a relationship with Kaname? Both decisions will prove dangerous for Yuki, but it's that danger that draws Yuki to Zero and Kaname even more. What should she do? What would you do? We'll need to wait to find out.

While you're waiting for the story to unfold, show your love for VAMPIRE KNIGHT with these awesome T-shirts. Get the black T-shirt with Yuki Cross in full color at F.Y.E. retail stores. Want the T-shirt with Yuki in haunting black and white? That one is at Hot Topic. Or, go Night Class with the VAMPIRE KNIGHT white T-shirt, available at Hot Topic and Hastings Entertainment.

— Rebecca Chow, Consumer Products Associate

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! And as coincidence would have it, today is also a special day for ONE PIECE, for we celebrate the birthday of our hero, protagonist and intrepid outlaw Monkey D. Luffy! There's many reasons why Luffy rocks our world: his boundless optimism and determination, his crazy-stretchy powers, his ability to overcome any situation thanks to the help of the crack pirate crew he's assembled, and his fierce loyalty to comrades as well as innocents needing assistance. Not to mention his, er, incredible appetite! Kind of hard to imagine that such a noble do-gooder is one of the most hunted and feared pirates on the high seas! But such is the price of fame.

Here's a few birthday wishes for the little big man from some folks here at VIZ Media who are intimately connected with One Piece:

"Happy birthday, Luffy! It's party time! Here's a big cake with lots of candles. And don't worry, we also have enough meat to fill you up. Hopefully this is the year you become king of the pirates!"
-- Alexis Kirch (ONE PIECE editor)

"Your Gum Gum attacks are the best in the biz, and your love of meat is quite charming. Happy birthday to the future King of Pirates!"
-- Lex Scheuble (VIZ Media Online Marketing Manager)  

In honor of this special occasion, we're giving you free access to an exclusive Luffy wallpaper -- just visit this page on onepiece.viz.com and enter the password "gumgumbirthday" to get your wallpaper! We're gonna celebrate by watching a bunch of ONE PIECE episodes -- join us and leave some birthday comments for Luffy on the latest episode page!

Wedged between May Day and Cinco de Mayo, we've hit May's installment of Shojo Tuesday. This happy recurring holiday marks the first Tuesday of the month, when VIZ Media releases new Shojo Beat manga. And this month, we're chock full of goodness.

Flower in a Storm

Check out the new series Flower in a Storm, the debut graphic novel by Shigeyoshi Takagi. The story of this imaginative romantic comedy stars Riko Kunimi, who is trying to lead a normal high school life when Ran Tachibana bursts into her classroom carrying a gun and tells her that her life is now his. Ran, the richest, most powerful 17-year-old in Japan wants her as his wife, and he's not taking no for an answer!

If Ran can't capture her by five o'clock the next day, he'll give up on her, but he has all that money can buy at his disposal. However, Riko has one trick up her sleeve--she has superpowers!

 More Shojo Beat Volumes

Plus, we're bringing you the latest volumes of your favorite series.

B.O.D.Y., Vol. 9

Dear Valentine,

You saw me at that club last night
And then you got into a fight.
I tried to make it up to you
But suddenly things aren't all right.

I didn't even want to go
And now I hurt more than you know.
You really want to say we're through?
Please tell me that the answer's no!

Be mine!

Black Bird, Vol. 4

Despite the constant danger Misao finds herself in, she's determined to stay by Kyo's side no matter what happens. But a chance meeting with one of Kyo's best friends shows her just how hard a human-demon relationship can be.

Tadanobu, heir to the Kitsune clan, gave up everything to be with his human girlfriend. But now he is being forced to take on the clan leadership and abandon his love--and it's all Kyo's fault!

Crown of Love, Vol. 2

With Hisayoshi as her tutor, Rima attempts to enroll in prestigious Hakuô High. Although Hisayoshi's feelings for her are distracting, Rima needs his help if she's ever going to pass the entrance exam. And when he lands his first job in a commercial, she realizes that he's got the potential to be a star...one bigger than herself!

Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time, Vol. 8

Princess Fuji informs Akane that the Eight Guardians must find the Four Sacred Talismans if they ever hope to control the Four Gods. That's going to be difficult since the location of these sacred objects is secret. Akane's got to be quick, however--Shirin and Sefle are looking for them too.

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 4

Kurumi's got it all--looks, popularity and friends. But underneath Kurumi's friendly exterior is a manipulative girl who'll do anything to get what she wants! And she wants Kazehaya! Will Kurumi's plotting drive Kazehaya and Sawako apart, or will it instead draw them even closer together?

Otomen, Vol. 6

Asuka's protégé Yamato has fallen in love with a girl and needs help winning her over. He pleads with Asuka to go on a practice date with him--and play the role of the girl! Practice makes perfect, but will that be the case for Yamato?

Sand Chronicles , Vol. 8

Revisiting scenes and people from earlier days drives Ann to an impulsive act of desperation. Who will stand by her now? And will she ever make peace with her past...and herself?

We Were There, Vol. 10

Don't regret.
Do everything you can while you still have the chance.
That's what I think it means...
...to have a "happy heart."

NANA Season 1, vol. 3 and NANA Season 1, vol. 4 hit the iTunes Store today, in all their dubbed glory. While it's great to watch the subtitled NANA episodes on VIZ Anime, it's also awesome to hear the dub. The English-language voice actors put their hearts and souls into their characters, so you can really hear their emotions play out.

In NANA Season 1, vol. 3:
Nana K, is happily involved with Takumi from Trapnest, though she doesn't fully trust him. Nana O. graciously stays away from the apartment for a while, and both Nanas feel the loneliness of their separation. Then in the midst of Blast preparing to sign their first record deal, Nobu makes a surprise confession to Nana K. Now she must make a difficult choice, and someone's heart is bound to be broken.

In NANA Season 1, vol. 4:
As if Blast's debut wasn't causing enough stress, Takumi and Nana K.'s announcement sends everyone reeling, but none more than Nana O. and Reira. While Reira turns to Shin for comfort, Nana O. is drawn to Yasu and his calm understanding, leaving her questioning her relationship with Ren. Nana K. meanwhile is happily nesting in her new home, but her continued estrangement from Nana O. weighs heavily on her heart.

(The NANA anime is rated M for Mature. Please check the VIZ Media Ratings page for more information.)

We launched another update of the vizanime.com site over this past weekend, with improvements in user comment displays, and a new poll function. Stay tuned because we're going to have fun with this new poll system over the next few months. And if you haven't caught up with the ONE PIECE anime, our most recent addition to the site, now's the perfect time as episodes 1-114 are now up, and we continue with the current Impel Down storyline with episode 448 this week. This month also brings some exciting series into the fold, so stay tuned for those as well...

An extraordinary view of the future shines in SATURN APARTMENTS manga series available May 8th.

Far in the future, humankind has evacuated Earth in order to preserve it. Humans now reside in a gigantic structure that forms a ring around the earth, 35,000 kilometers up in the sky. The society of the Ring System is strictly stratified: the higher the floor, the greater the status. Mitsu, the lowly son of a window washer, has just graduated. Five years after his father disappears and is assumed dead, Mitsu takes on his father's occupation. As he struggles with the transition to working life, Mitsu's job treats him to an outsider's view into the living-room dioramas of the Saturn Apartments.

You can check out previews of this manga online at www.sigikki.com

For more information on this series, see the Press Release.

Tsubasa wangles a date with Sakura (or so he thinks) by inviting her to visit a haunted cedar tree at their old school. No sooner do they arrive than they encounter an evil spirit that warns them to stay away…or else! Read RIN-NE chapter 47 now on Shonen Sunday

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You may have noticed that we have mininja running around on naruto.com (like Neji here), along with some of their signature lines. Click on 'em when you see 'em and you'll earn free icons that you can use anywhere. There's currently eight ninja on the site, so make sure you nab them all!

And if you want the real thing (and with figurines this cute, who wouldn't?), we've helpfully included links to the special-edition DVD box sets that include these figurines. Have fun and happy hunting!

Your favorite art-school anime is back at the iTunes Store with Honey and Clover, Season 2.

Yuta returns from his journey of self-discovery only to find everyone around him deep in their own struggles to shape their futures. Ayumi finds herself increasingly included in projects involving Takumi and Rika, and the strain is breaking her. Far away in America, Shinobu and his brother's endless quest for money finally helps them achieve their ultimate goal, while back home Hagumi must face the devastating consequences of an accident that could change her life forever. Can the pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of art ever be one and the same?

The bizarre haunting of the track team takes an unexpected turn. Just when Rinne thinks he has things figured out, a startling development forces him to rethink his plans. Could Kazami, the team’s captain, be holding something back after all?

Read RIN-NE chapter 46 now on Shonen Sunday.