VIZ Media Takes on Blue Dragon

SAN FRANCISCO, April 18: VIZ Media has picked up the TV, home video and non-video
game merchandising rights for the Americas, Europe and Oceania to Blue
Dragon, a new anime series based
on an Xbox 360 video game, from a consortium including TV Tokyo and Shueisha.

The video game was
developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi (the creator of Final Fantasy). It also features characters by Akira Toriyama, the creator
of the best-selling Dragon Ball series of manga (which is published in North
America by VIZ Media and featured in SHONEN JUMP Magazine). The anime series debuted in Japan on TV Tokyo
earlier this month. It is produced by Studio Pierrot, known for their work on Naruto and Bleach.

“Blue Dragon represents the latest convergence of video gaming
and anime,” says Linda Espinosa, the VP of content management at VIZ Media. “We
look forward to leveraging the tremendous momentum that drives both to make
this property a success across multiple market sectors and age groups, Anime
continues to be one of the most robust segments of the entertainment arena. Blue
Dragon’s story of overcoming
conflicts through adventure and friendship will both entertain and inspire.”

The announcement was made
at MIPTV, where VIZ Media is offering buyers Bleach, MÄR,
Death Note, Honey and
Clover, Megaman Star Force and Zoids
Genesis.