VIZ Media Announces 2016 Anime Expo Activities & Convention Exclusives

Join The Fun Of North America’s Largest Anime/Manga Convention With BLUE EXORCIST Manga Creator, Special Events For SAILOR MOON, ONE-PUNCH MAN, Panel Discussions,

Retail Booth Exclusives And Much More!!

San Francisco, CA, June 27, 2016 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premiere company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, prepares to deliver a fun-filled, exciting weekend of anime and manga inspired fun and fan celebration as it announces its participation in the 2016 Anime Expo.

VIZ Media’s presence will be highlighted by special guest appearances, panel discussions, autograph sessions, promotional giveaways and a variety of exclusive and pre-street items that will be available for purchase.

The 2016 Anime Expo is the largest dedicated anime/manga fan convention in North America and takes place July 1^st–4^th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. Tickets and full details are available at: www.anime-expo.org. VIZ Media will be located on the main convention floor in Booth #2205.

This year, attendees and fans can join VIZ Media to welcome Kazue Kato, creator of the BLUE EXORCIST manga series, as a special Guest of Honor. Catch her live in person for several panel discussions and a pair of autograph events throughout the weekend.

VIZ Media also invites attendees to a series of fun panels and events including sessions on JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE, ONE-PUNCH MAN, SAILOR MOON, and WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP. 

The VIZ Media retail area will offer a variety of must-have 2016 Anime Expo convention exclusives. Each purchase comes with a special VIZ Media Summer 2016 exclusive tote bag offered in 2 designs featuring SAILOR MOON S and ONE-PUNCH MAN. In addition to BLUE EXORCIST items to celebrate Kazue Kato’s appearance, the at-show exclusives and presales include:

·         ONE PIECE Limited Edition Full-Color Framed Replicas: $230

·         ONE-PUNCH MAN 3 Punches For Charity Posters: $10 ea

• Three different designs, all profits will go to three different charities

·         SAILOR MOON S T-Shirt: $15

• A convention exclusive design in premium cotton with prismatic glitter details, celebrating the groundbreaking third season and featuring all of the Guardians' symbols! 

·         SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL Season 1 Set 1 Combo Pack: $65

• Preorder the home media debut and have it mailed as soon as it releases on August 16^th!  * Free shipping to US addresses only
• Receive a special limited Edition SAILOR MOON Suncatcher at Anime Expo as a free gift with at-show purchase.
• Receive a bonus foil stamped art card available only with preorders at the VIZ Media booth!   

·         PRE-STREET Manga Editions

Pick up the following titles ahead of their official print release

• HAIKYU!! Vol. 1 – $10
• ONE-PUNCH MAN Vol. 7 – $10
• JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: BATTLE TENDENCY Vol. 4 – $20
• KUROKO’S BASKETBALL Vol. 1 – $17
• YONA OF THE DAWN Vol. 1 – $10

·         Manga Page Replicas (black & white) Direct From Japan: $15 ea

Select from the following titles

• HAIKYU!! – Hyuga and Kageyama team up for their first combination!
• ONE-PUNCH MAN – Genos is intent on saving the citizens of City Z from a giant meteor!
• TOKYO GHOUL – Ken Kaneki’s Ghoul form manifests…

·         WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Annual Digital Subscription: $30

o   Includes YU-GI-OH! card “Number S0: Utopic ZEXAL” and an exclusive WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP T-shirt as a free gift with at-show purchase.

·         YOSHITAKA AMANO ILLUSTRATIONS: $30.00

o   Pick up the book featuring the work of this visionary artist before Yoshitaka Amano’s special Anime Expo Guest of Honor appearance.

Other fun activities taking place at the VIZ Media booth will include:

·         VIZ Media 30^th Anniversary Prize Wheel

Celebrate VIZ Media’s 30^th Anniversary and try your luck at our prize wheel for a chance to win exclusive goodies!

·         SAILOR MOON Quest for the Holy Grail

Help the Sailor Guardians on their quest to receive a SUPER prize!

·         SHONEN JUMP Poster Giveaway

Grab a BLUE EXORCIST or TOKYO GHOUL poster at the VIZ Media booth!

Please check the daily booth schedule for activity times.

VIZ Media Anime Expo Panels & Special Events Include:

Friday, July 1^st

1:30pm – 2:45pm        VIZ Media Panel (Main Events / Hall B)

Join VIZ Media for its 30^th anniversary celebration! Don’t miss exciting announcements, exclusive first looks, and a chance to win amazing prizes.

6:30pm – 7:45pm        JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE Panel

(LP1 / Petree Hall)

Get the inside scoop from the Japanese manga editors as well as loads of surprises including special guests and announcements!

Saturday, July 2^nd

10:00am                       ONE-PUNCH MAN Autograph Session

(Anime Expo Autograph Area)

Meet the team behind ONE-PUNCH MAN and get a signed poster! Ticketing information will be announced shortly.

11:00am – 12:00pm    WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Presents Kazue Kato

(LP2 / LACC 403AB)

Join VIZ Media to welcome the creator of BLUE EXORCIST, Kazue Kato, in her first North American appearance!

3:00pm                         Kazue Kato Autograph Session

(Anime Expo Autograph Area)

Don’t miss this special opportunity to meet the creator of BLUE EXORCIST and receive a personally autographed shikishi! ** Please pick up an autograph ticket prior to the session at the Anime Expo Autograph Ticket Booth on the day of the appearance. For more information, please visit: www.anime-expo.org/how-to-get-an-autograph.

Sunday, July 3^rd

10:30am – 12:00pm    SAILOR MOON Official Panel

(Main Events / Hall B)

Kick off another magical SAILOR MOON Day extravaganza with lots of special guests, announcements, famously hard trivia, loads of sparkle and fun hosted by VIZ Media. Be sure to bring your pure heart crystal and line up early because this event always fills up!

1:30pm                         SAILOR MOON English Voice Cast Signing

(Anime Expo Autograph Area)

Continue your SAILOR MOON Day fun, and meet the cast behind the legendary anime! Each attendee will receive a signed premium cardstock poster featuring beautiful art from SAILOR MOON S. ** Please pick up an autograph ticket prior to the session at the Anime Expo Autograph Ticket Booth.

4:00pm                         Kazue Kato Autograph Session

(Anime Expo Autograph Area)

Don’t miss an encore opportunity to meet the creator of BLUE EXORCIST and receive a personally autographed shikishi! ** Please pick up an autograph ticket prior to the session at the Anime Expo Autograph Ticket Booth.

6:30pm – 8:00pm        WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Meet-up

(Tom’s Urban)

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is having a party! Don’t miss this chance to meet fellow fans and win awesome prizes in this ultimate meet up for all SHONEN JUMP!

Monday, July 4^th

11:00am – 12:00pm    WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Official Panel

(LP2 / LACC 403AB)

Hang out with the English language editors of the world's most popular manga as they talk about the latest developments on new series, all-time fan favorites, and what they are doing to continue to deliver the world's best manga! 

For additional information on anime and manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.