Anime Expo 2010

VIZ Media Industry Panel

VIZ launched their industry panel by issuing a small flyer for current and upcoming releases of the Vampire Knight anime and manga, after which Director of Marketing Candice Uyloan introduced herself and began presenting current titles.

Vampire Knight volume 1 (episodes 1-4) will be released July 20 for an MSRP of $19.97. VIZ is doing an exclusive collectible card game promotion with Bandai that includes a raffle to win an autographed CCG card signed by Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto. The price of the Shonen Jump subscription is now $26.95 and two free Yu-Gi-Oh! cards are being offered as a subscription bonus.

Uyloan notes that VIZ does not have the Black Lagoon anime, which FUNimation has, but VIZ has Anime Expo exclusive Black Lagoon t-shirts.

Ultimo volume 2 will be released July 6 2010. Stan Lee will also be conducting a signing for Ultimo on July 16 2010 at 7pm at a Los Angeles Barnes & Noble store. Uyloan emphasizes that he will only sign copies of Ultimo at this event. Shaman King volume 29 will also be released on July 6 2010.

After a brief interlude of prize-giving, including early copies of the next Black Lagoon manga volume, Uyloan continued her list of release dates:

• Vampire Knight (anime) volume 2 - September 28 2010
• Vampire Knight (anime) volume 3 - November 16 2010
• Bleach Uncut DVD Box Set 6 - September 28 2010
• Naruto Shippuden Box Set 3 with Sasori figure - August 3 2010
• Naruto Shippuden Box Set 4 with Sasuke figure - October 19 2010
• Death Note Live-Action Double Feature - September 29 2010
• Bakuman volume 1 - August 3 2010
• One Piece volume 54 - July 6 2010
• Color Bleach+: Bleach Official Bootleg (guidebook) - August 10 2010
• Bleach (manga) volume 32 - September 7 2010
• Naruto (manga) volume 49 - October 5 2010
• Naruto Illustration Book - November 3 2010
• Genkaku Picasso volume 1 - November 3 2010
• Kekkaishi volume 23 - November 9 2010
• Cross Game Omnibus - October 12 2010
• Kuro Zakuro volume 1 - November 9 2010
• Itsuwaribito volume 1 - December 14 2010
• Ouran High School Host Club (manga) 14 - July 6 2010
• Black Bird volume 5 - August 3 2010
• Black Bird volume 6 October 5 2010
• Vampire Knight Official Fanbook - October 19 2010
• Vampire Knight volume 11 - December 7 2010
• Grand Guignol Orchestra volume 1 - October 5 2010
• Seiho Boys High School volume 1 - August 3 2010
• The Story of Saiunkoku volume 1 - November 2 2010
• Kamisama Kiss volume 1 (originally announced as Nice to Meet You Kamisama- December 7 2010
• Biomega volume 3 - August 10 2010
• House of Five Leaves volume 1 - September 21 2010
• March Story volume 1 - October 19 2010
• Dragon Sword and Wind Child (novel/paperback edition) - September 7 2010
• The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass volume 10 (final volume planned by VIZ at this time) - September 7 2010

Uyloan noted that ratings for Kekkaishi's run on Adult Swim have been strong.

Then came new manga acquisitions:

• Mistress Fortune by Arina Tanemura - February 2011
• Sakura Hime Kaden: The Legend of Princess Sakura by Arina Tanemura - April 2011
• Oresama Teacher by Izumi Tsubaki - March 2011
• Ai Ore by Mayu Shinjo - May 2011

And a new anime acquisition by VIZ Anime: Nurarihyon no Mago, to be called Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan; based on the manga by Hiroshi Shiibashi and airing in Japan starting July 5. VIZ Anime will simulcast the series also starting July 5 on VIZAnime.com.

Uyloan completed her giveaways but did not have time for a Q&A session.