VIZ MEDIA STEPS INTO THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING FOR THE RELEASE OF KING OF STRONG STYLE: 1980-2014
Gripping Autobiography Of Japanese Pro Wrestling Star
Shinsuke “The Artist” Nakamura Set For Release This Summer
San Francisco, CA, February 8, 2018 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a
premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution,
and global entertainment licensing, springs into the wild world of
professional wrestling as it announces the acquisition of the
English-language publishing rights for KING OF STRONG STYLE: 1980-2014.
Originally published in two paperback volumes in Japan, (1980-2004, 2004-2015), the
autobiography of one of Japan’s greatest professional wrestlers,
Shinsuke Nakamura, will be released as a single-volume hardcover print
edition as well as a digital edition by VIZ Media in the summer of 2018.
Both hard copy and digital releases will feature select color and
b&w photographs.
Nakamura now appears weekly on USA Network’s Tuesday night program, Smackdown Live, which has over 2 million weekly viewers, where he is frequently featured in the main event match-ups.
Before
he became a star of American professional wrestling, Shinsuke Nakamura
was Japan’s “King of Strong Style.” His autobiography traces an amazing
life and career from the amateur grappling ranks to the Nippon Budokan.
Thrill to his matches against such legends as Kurt Angle and Brock
Lesnar, his reign as the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and his
success as a mixed martial artist.
“Professional
wrestling is at the crossroads of extreme sports, over-the-top theatre
and pop culture, and Shinsuke Nakamura, already a huge star in Japan, is
seeing his star rising fast among millions of U.S. fans,” says Masumi
Washington, Sr. Director, Publishing Production. “His autobiography, a
riveting story depicting one man’s quest to conquer the world both
inside and outside the wrestling ring, is a unique and special addition
to the VIZ Media catalog.”
Born
in Kyoto, February 24, 1980, Shinsuke Nakamura began amateur wrestling
in high school before attending university at Aoyama Gakuin University.
After a brilliant career there, he joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling in
March 2002 and made his professional debut at Nippon Budokan in a match
against Tadao Yasuda on August 29, 2002. On December 9, 2003, a mere
sixteen months into his professional career, he crushed Hiroshi Tenzan
and was crowned the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion in history. Even
as he pursued greatness in the professional wrestling ring, Nakamura
participated in MMA, facing Daniel Gracie of the legendary jiu-jitsu
family, and superheavyweight kickboxing champion Alexey Ignashov. Now he
thrills fans in the United States and beyond on a weekly basis as one
of the top wrestlers in the world.
For additional information on KING OF STRONG STYLE: 1980-2014 or other anime, manga and literary titles distributed by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Established
in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields 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.
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