News
Viz Media Becomes Master Licensee for Accel World
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
North American distributor Viz Media announced on Thursday that it has become the master licensee for the science-fiction television anime Accel World. Viz's rights include videogram, television, online distribution, and all merchandising licensing for the series. The press release does not state whether the company will release the series on home video.
“Fan excitement for Accel World has built since Viz Media debuted the simulcast to North American last year, and we're thrilled to become master licensor to cater to this growing demand,” Viz Media's anime licensing vice president Daisuke Aoki said. “Becoming the master North American licensee for Accel World will allow us to fully develop this property and bring a fun range of products with a variety of manufacturers to market.”
The series is based on Reki Kawahara's (Sword Art Online) series of light novels. The "future teen" story of Accel World revolves around a bullied middle school boy named Haruyuki. One autumn day in 2046, he has an encounter with Kuroyukihime, the prettiest girl in his school, that changes his life. Through a mysterious piece of software from Kuroyukihime, Haruyuki learns of the existence of the virtual "Accel World." In that moment, the lowest of the "school caste" becomes "Burst Linker," a knight defending a princess.
Viz Media premiered the Accel World English dub on the company's Neon Alley streaming service on April 19. The series premiered in Japan last year and Viz streamed the series with English subtitles on its website as it aired in Japan.
