Tag Archives: viz media

VIZ Media Will Publish Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker: The Manga

Posted on by
Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker: The Manga

VIZ Media adds the world-renowned Star Wars franchise to its publishing catalog with the acquisition of Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker: The Manga.

Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker: The Manga is scheduled for release in early 2020. The anthology will feature a collection of stories by a cadre of renowned manga luminaries that include Akira Himekawa, Haruichi, Akira Fukaya, Takashi Kisaki, and Subaru. Akira Himekawa created the bestselling The Legend of Zelda manga franchise, inspired by the classic Nintendo puzzle-solving, role-playing video games. Haruichi is the creator of Leia Organa: Ordeal of the Princess, an official Star Wars Line Webcomic based on the YA Novel, Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray.

Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker: The Manga is adapted from the hit Star Wars novel, Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi—The Legends of Luke Skywalker, written by the Nebula, Hugo and World Fantasy award-winning author Ken Liu.

For additional information on anime and manga titles available from VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.

NYCC 2019: VIZ Media Announces its Guests Including the Talent Behind Seis Manos and Castlevania

Posted on by

VIZ Media lines up a weekend of official panels and autograph sessions featuring the creative staff and voice cast from VIZ Media’s Seis Manos and Frederator Studios Castlevania at New York Comic Con 2019 (NYCC). NYCC takes place October 3rd–6th at the Javits Convention Center.

Get the latest news on upcoming anime, manga and video game releases during VIZ Media’s official panel, which will feature Frederator Studios Castlevania’s Creator, Writer and Executive Producer Warren Ellis and voice actors James Callis (voice of Alucard), Graham McTavish (voice of Dracula) and Alejandra Reynoso (voice of Sypha). Fans can dive even deeper into the hit series during the show’s official panel later that weekend, presented and hosted by VIZ Media, with additional appearances by director Sam Deats and asst. director Adam Deats. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet some of the special Castlevania guests during an NYCC autograph session.

VIZ Media’s first original animated property, Seis Manos, comes to New York Comic Con with a special screening of Episode 1 followed by a voice cast and staff Q&A session. Attendees can meet the Seis Manos guests, co-creator Alvaro Rodriguez (Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series), Jonny Cruz (Overwatch) and Angelica Vale (Jane The Virgin), in a special autograph session after the screening. Co-produced by Powerhouse Animation Studios, Seis Manos launches worldwide on Netflix October 3rd.

VIZ Media’s New York Comic Con 2019 Panels & Signings:

Friday, October 4th

5:15pm VIZ Media Official Panel with Special Guests from Frederator Studios CASTLEVANIA
Room 1A06

Join us as we talk about some of your favorite manga and anime. We’ll also be revealing big news, chatting with incredible guests and handing out prizes! The panel will feature CASTLEVANIA’s creator and writer Warren Ellis and voice actors James Callis (voice of Alucard), Graham McTavish (voice of Dracula) and Alejandra Reynoso (voice of Sypha).

7:00pm Warren Ellis Signing
NYCC Private Autograph Area*

Meet Warren Ellis, the Creator, Writer and Executive Producer of Frederator Studios CASTLEVANIA series for Netflix and receive a free poster.

Saturday, October 5th

1:00pm SEIS MANOS Screening with Special Guest Q&A
Room 1A06

Catch a special screening of SEIS MANOS, an upcoming Netflix Original Anime Series and a Q&A with special guests Alvaro Rodriguez (co-creator), Jonny Cruz (voice of Jesus) and Angelica Vale (voice of Garcia)!

2:30pm SEIS MANOS Voice Cast and Co-Creator Signing
NYCC Private Autograph Area*

Join the cast and crew of SEIS MANOS, including Alvaro Rodriguez, Jonny Cruz and Angelica Vale in a special signing session and receive a personally autographed SEIS MANOS poster. 

4:30pm  Frederator Studios CASTLEVANIA Creator and Voice Cast Signing
NYCC Private Autograph Area*

Meet Warren Ellis, Sam Deats, Adam Deats, James Callis, Graham McTavish and Alejandra Reynoso in this special signing session. 

6:30pm VIZ Media Presents Frederator Studios CASTLEVANIA Panel
Main Stage

Get an in-depth look into CASTLEVANIA, the hit Netflix Original Anime Series, with members of the cast and the creative team!  

*Tickets are distributed via pre-show lottery. Please see New York Comic Con’s Autograph Policy for more information.

NYCC 2019: VIZ Media Announces its Panels, Events, and Exclusives

Posted on by

VIZ Media invites New York Comic Con (NYCC) attendees to catch a fun series of panels, events, autograph sessions and retail exclusives available for purchase at the company’s booth in the Exhibit Hall throughout the weekend.

The Official Shonen Jump panel kicks off VIZ’s events on Friday and presents the latest from Team Jump. Later that evening, attendees can catch the VIZ Media Panel with special guests from Frederator Studios Castlevania, including Creator, Writer and Executive ProducerWarren Ellis and voice actors James Callis (voice of Alucard), Graham McTavish (voice of Dracula) and Alejandra Reynoso (voice of Sypha). Continue celebrating Castlevania on Saturday with an official panel and autograph session featuring the special guests.

Seis Manos

VIZ Media’s first original animated property, Seis Manos, debuts at NYCC with an autograph session and special screening of Episode 1 with a cast Q&A on Saturday. Transformers fans won’t want to miss The Evolutionary Art of Transformers, a panel celebrating 35 years of artwork from one of the world’s most beloved franchises. Transformers archivist and author Jim Sorenson will be signing autographs following the panel in the VIZ Booth (#1336).

Meanwhile the VIZ Originals imprint continues its participation in portfolio review sessions at New York Comic Con. Reviews will be conducted by Fawn Lau, Executive Editor for VIZ Originals.

In addition, the VIZ Media booth will offer a wide range of convention retail exclusives available for purchase. Attendees can also catch a variety of special giveaways as well as other fun in-booth activities.

Notable VIZ Media New York Comic Con 2019 Exclusives:

Each purchase comes with a special 2019 limited edition tote bag offered in two distinct designs: POKÉMON or SAILOR MOON (while supplies last)

  • MY HERO ACADEMIA & ONE-PUNCH MAN Manga Replicas – $15 each
  • NARUTO 20th Anniversary Poster – $50
  • NARUTO 20th Anniversary Skateboard Deck – $60
  • ONE-PUNCH MAN Enamel Pin – $10
  • SAILOR MOON: SAILOR STARS T-shirt – $20
  • SHONEN JUMP T-shirt – $30 ($25 when you show us your SJ app!)

VIZ Media 2019 New York Comic Con Panels & Signings:

Friday, October 4th

11:15pm Shonen Jump Official Panel
Room 1A10

Are you a fan of DRAGON BALL, ONE-PUNCH MAN, NARUTO, ONE PIECE or BLEACH? Hang out with Team SHONEN JUMP and get the latest developments on new series from Japan, all-time fan favorites and what we’re doing to bring you the world’s best manga!

5:15pm VIZ Media Official Panel with Special Guests from Frederator Studios CASTLEVANIA
Room 1A06

Join us as we talk about some of your favorite manga and anime. We’ll also be revealing big news, chatting with incredible guests and handing out prizes! The panel will feature CASTLEVANIA’s creator and writer Warren Ellis and voice actors James Callis (voice of Alucard), Graham McTavish (voice of Dracula) and Alejandra Reynoso (voice of Sypha).

7:00pm Warren Ellis Signing
NYCC Private Autograph Area*

Meet Warren Ellis, the Creator, Writer and Executive Producer of Frederator Studios CASTLEVANIA series for Netflix and receive a free poster.

Saturday, October 5th

1:00pm SEIS MANOS Screening with Special Guest Q&A
Room 1A06

Catch a special screening of SEIS MANOS, an upcoming Netflix Original Anime Series and a Q&A with special guests Alvaro Rodriguez (co-creator), Jonny Cruz (voice of Jesus) and Angelica Vale (voice of Garcia)!

2:30pm SEIS MANOS Voice Cast and Co-Creator Signing
NYCC Private Autograph Area*

Join the cast and crew of SEIS MANOS, including Alvaro Rodriguez, Jonny Cruz and Angelica Vale in a special signing session and receive a personally autographed SEIS MANOS poster. 

4:30pm Frederator Studios CASTLEVANIA Creator and Voice Cast Signing
NYCC Private Autograph Area*

Meet Warren Ellis, Sam Deats (director), Adam Deats (asst. director), James Callis, Graham McTavish and Alejandra Reynoso in this special signing session. 

6:30pm VIZ Media Presents Frederator Studios CASTLEVANIA Panel
Main Stage

Get an in-depth look into CASTLEVANIA, the hit Netflix Original Anime Series, with and incredible lineup of guests, including CASTLEVANIA’s creator and writer Warren Ellis, director Sam Deats, asst. director Adam Deats and voice actors James Callis (voice of Alucard), Graham McTavish (voice of Dracula), Alejandra Reynoso (voice of Sypha) and Ade M’Cormack (voice of Isaac)!

Sunday, October 6th

TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY

11:00am The Evolutionary Art of Transformers Panel
Room 1A06

Join TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY author Jim Sorenson, Hasbro Global Director of Publishing Michael Kelly, artists Livio Ramondelli and Andrew Griffith, and other special guests as they celebrate 35 years of artwork from one of the world’s most beloved franchises.

1:00pm TRANSFORMERS: A VISUAL HISTORY Writer Signing
VIZ Media Booth #1336

Transformers archivist and author Jim Sorenson visits the booth for a signing session.

*Tickets are distributed via pre-show lottery. Please see New York Comic Con’s Autograph Policy for more information.

NYCC 2019: VIZ Celebrates 20 Years of Naruto

Posted on by
Naruto 20th

VIZ Media will mark the 20th anniversary of Naruto with a national brand campaign, the Year of Naruto, launching at the upcoming New York Comic Con 2019 (NYCC). The beloved action/adventure franchise has become synonymous with Japanese pop culture and exemplifies the massive international popularity of anime and manga.

To celebrate Naruto’s manga origins and kick off the Year of Naruto, VIZ Media will debut one-of-a-kind, limited edition manga-inspired products at NYCC. The exclusive items available to North American fans for the first time include an official Naruto skateboard deck by Hypland and a hand-numbered, exclusive poster with hologram details featuring Naruto in various stages of his evolution, from a ninja-in-training, all the way to a full-fledged Hokage.

VIZ Media’s Year of Naruto campaign will continue throughout 2020 and will feature a wide range of yet-to-be announced officially licensed brand activations. These include video games, events featuring pop-up installations, panel discussions and other special live programming, and an array of product activations and collaborations with top global lifestyle brands.

VIZ Media Reveals September’s Anime and Manga Releases

Posted on by

This month, science fiction fans are invited to dive into the home media release of Infini-T Force, the superhero-action series that unites the four legendary heroes Gatchaman, Polimar, Casshan, and Tekkaman. All twelve episodes of the series will be available in one blu-ray set.

In partnership with The Pokémon Company International, the Pokémon: Black & White Movie Collection home media release arrives with four feature films that will delight Pokémon fans of all ages. 

New publishing debuts for September kick off with the Assassination Classroom Complete Box Set, which collects Yusei Matsui’s hit action comedy about a tentacled teacher with superpowers and a heart of gold.

VIZ Signature debuts for the month include Cats of the Louvre, the latest masterpiece from Eisner Award–winning creator Taiyo Matsumoto. No Guns Life is a cyberpunk series in which the protagonist’s head is replaced with a giant gun… and his memories erased. In the action-packed comedy The Way of the Househusband, a former yakuza legend desires to walk the straight and narrow. Finally, Levius debuts as a complete hardcover edition of the science fiction action series about cyborg arena fighters.

New Home Media Releases for September:

INFINI-T FORCE: THE COMPLETE SERIES

Blu-ray MSRP: $44.98 U.S. / $52.99 CAN · Available September 10th 

When an interdimensional attack plunges the defiant, thrill-seeking teen Emi into a city-wide assault, a band of mysterious heroes from lost worlds appears to save her. But it seems both heroes and villains have their sights on The Case, a magical object with transmutational powers, currently in Emi’s possession! Only the combined strength of Gatchaman, Casshan, Polimar and Tekkaman could be enough to stop the man known as “Z” from destroying not only Emi’s world, but countless others.

INFINI-T FORCE: THE COMPLETE SERIES

POKÉMON: BLACK & WHITE MOVIE COLLECTION

Blu-ray MSRP: $24.98 U.S. / $29.99 CAN · DVD MSRP: $19.98 U.S. / $24.99 CAN Available September 17th  

Sets each contain the following four POKÉMON animated feature films on two Blu-rays or two DVDs:

POKÉMON THE MOVIE: BLACK—VICTINI AND RESHIRAM and POKÉMON THE MOVIE: WHITE—VICTINI AND ZEKROM

When Ash and his friends enter a battle competition in Eindoak Town, they meet the Mythical Pokémon Victini, who becomes their newest friend. But disaster strikes when the misguided wanderer Damon seizes Victini for his own plans! Can Ash prove himself a hero and earn the help of the Legendary Reshiram—or Zekrom—to rescue Victini and save Eindoak Town? Two legends…and two versions of the story! Follow them both in POKÉMON THE MOVIE: BLACK—VICTINI AND RESHIRAM and POKÉMON THE MOVIE: WHITE—VICTINI AND ZEKROM! It’s twice the Pokémon adventure!

POKÉMON: BLACK & WHITE MOVIE COLLECTION

POKÉMON THE MOVIE: KYUREM VS. THE SWORD OF JUSTICE 

Ash and Pikachu, along with their friends Iris and Cilan, are on a train headed to the next stop on their journey. From the train, Ash spots an injured Pokémon they don’t recognize. They’re planning a rescue when the train is attacked by the Legendary Kyurem! The Mythical Pokémon Keldeo is on a mission, to rescue its friends—Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion, the Legendary Pokémon known as the Swords of Justice—from Kyurem’s icy clutches. But Kyurem has other ideas, and when it transforms into Black Kyurem or White Kyurem for greater power, things look grim!

POKÉMON THE MOVIE: GENESECT AND THE LEGEND AWAKENED

A vast Pokémon habitat amid the hustle and bustle of the big city seems like the perfect new home for a group of five Genesect. The arrival of these Mythical Pokémon quickly becomes a problem, though: their nest threatens the city’s power supply, and they keep attacking those who approach it. When the Genesect are joined by the Legendary Pokémon Mewtwo—who sympathizes due to its own origins—things only become worse, and the confrontation quickly rages out of control. Can Ash and friends stop these two powerful Pokémon before they destroy the city?

New Publishing Releases for September:

ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM COMPLETE BOX SET

By Yusei Matsui
MSRP: $189.99 U.S. / $249.99 CAN · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens 
Available September 3rd

The complete bestselling Assassination Classroom series is now available in a boldly designed, value-priced box set! Includes all 21 volumes of this unique tale of a mysterious, smiley-faced, tentacled, superpowered teacher who guides a group of misfit students to find themselves—while doing their best to assassinate him. Action-packed, hilarious, and heartwarming, this title is famous for moving fans to tears through their laughter… Includes an exclusive, full-color, mini “yearbook” filled with images of favorite characters in different art styles and contexts (previously unreleased in the English editions).

ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM COMPLETE BOX SET By Yusei Matsui

CATS OF THE LOUVRE

By Taiyo Matsumoto
MSRP: $29.99 U.S. / $39.99 CAN · Rated ‘T’ for Teens 
Available September 17th    

The world-renowned Louvre museum in Paris contains more than just the most famous works of art in history. At night, within its darkened galleries, an unseen and surreal world comes alive—a world witnessed only by the small family of cats that lives in the attic. Until now…

CATS OF THE LOUVRE

NO GUNS LIFE

By Tasuku Karasuma
MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
Available September 17th      

After the war, cyborg soldiers known as the Extended were discharged. Juzo Inui is one of them, a man whose body was transformed, his head replaced with a giant gun! With no memory of his previous life—or who replaced his head and why—Inui now scratches out a living in the dark streets of the city as a Resolver, taking on cases involving the Extended.

NO GUNS LIFE

THE WAY OF THE HOUSEHUSBAND

By Kousuke Oono
MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens 
Available September 17th      

A former yakuza legend leaves it all behind to become your everyday househusband. But it’s not easy to walk away from the gangster life, and what should be mundane household tasks are anything but!

THE WAY OF THE HOUSEHUSBAND

LEVIUS

By Haruhisa Nakata
MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $46.99 CAN · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
Available September 17th    

It’s the 19th century, and the world has entered the Era of Rebirth, recovering from the devastating flames of war. The sport of mechanical martial arts has galvanized the nations. Cybernetically augmented fighters turn their blood into steam and their bodies into brutal fighting—and killing—machines. Young Levius is one of those arena battlers, hell-bent on winning in order to simply survive.

LEVIUS

VIZ Media Previews the New Video Game Release – Garden Story

Posted on by

VIZ Media has announced Garden Story, a new single-player social simulator and adventure RPG scheduled to launch in Spring 2020. Garden Story is developed by Picogram, and co-published by Rose City Games, developers of VIZ Media’s The World Next Door and Cat Lady games.

In Garden Story, players take on the role of Concord, the newly appointed village guardian. There’s lots to keep this helpful adventurer busy; not only do your neighbors need assistance, but a mysterious Rot has also seeped into the foundations of the once flourishing island. Fortunately, Concord won’t be working at this alone. Help your friends with their struggles, and they’ll help you through yours. Balance caring for the environment, exploring new regions, and fostering new friendships as you solve puzzles and help restore the Grove to glory!

VIZ Media’s Anime and Manga Releases in July 2019

Posted on by

The home media debut of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Set 4: Diamond is Unbreakable will be available as a special Limited Edition Blu-ray set and DVD set; Diamond is Unbreakable continues the multigenerational tale of the Joestar family with Josuke Higashikata. In partnership with The Pokémon Company International, Pokémon The Series: Diamond and Pearl Complete Season also arrives on DVD and includes all 51 episodes of Ash’s adventures in the Sinnoh region.

New manga publishing debuts for July include the indie darling Beastars, a high school drama in which animal students grapple with the very human issues of prejudice and discrimination. The new Shojo Beat series Daytime Shooting Star centers around a love triangle that develops when a high school girl is torn between a boy in her class and her teacher.

New Home Media Releases for July:

JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE SET 4: DIAMOND IS UNBREAKABLE Part 1

Limited Edition Blu-ray & Standard Edition DVD Sets
Blu-ray MSRP: $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN · DVD MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $51.99 CAN
Available July 2nd

It’s 1999, and Jotaro Kujo has just arrived in the idyllic Japanese town of Morioh—only this time, he’s not hunting DIO and his henchmen. His search for the illegitimate child of Joseph Joestar has brought him face-to-face with Josuke Higashikata, a Stand-wielding, butt-kicking high schooler who happens to be afraid of turtles. But behind Morioh’s tranquil facade is an invisible evil slowly eating away at the peace and well-being of its residents. Bizarre happenings are becoming commonplace, and the Joestar clan must rise to the occasion if they and the town of Morioh are to survive.

POKÉMON THE SERIES: DIAMOND AND PEARL COMPLETE SEASON

DVD MSRP: $44.98 U.S. / $52.99 CAN · Available July 30th

If Gary Oak is headed for the Sinnoh region, then Ash Ketchum won’t be far behind! Ready to take on the Sinnoh League, Ash brings along Pikachu and meets up with Brock in Sinnoh, where the pair of Trainers are soon joined by a third—Dawn, a novice Pokémon Coordinator determined to follow in the footsteps of her mother. Both Ash and Dawn struggle with their respective paths, but it’s easy for them to make new friends, gaining new Pokémon like Turtwig and Piplup.

New Publishing Releases for July:

BEASTARS

by Paru Itagaki
MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN / $8.99 Digital · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
Available July 16th    

At a high school where the students are literally divided into predators and prey, friendships maintain the fragile peace. Who among them will become a Beastar—a hero destined to lead in a society naturally rife with mistrust?

DAYTIME SHOOTING STAR

by Mika Yamamori
MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN / $6.99 Digital · Rated ‘T’ for Teens
Available July 2nd   

After arriving in Tokyo to live with her uncle, Suzume collapses in a nearby park when she remembers once seeing a shooting star during the day. A handsome stranger brings her to her new home and tells her they’ll meet again. Suzume starts her first day at her new high school sitting next to a boy who blushes furiously at her touch. And her homeroom teacher is none other than the handsome stranger!

DC Bounces Back in May to Challenge Marvel in Unit Share as May Improves on April

Posted on by

After a brutal April, May was an improvement for the comic industry in month to month gains. DC Comics challenged Marvel in a close race for top unit share while Marvel continues to dominate the dollar share according to data Diamond Comic Distributors released today.

Comics, graphic novels, and toys all improved in double digits in May 2019 versus April 2019. Comics improved 15.6% in dollars and 14.51% in units. Graphic novels improved 50.97% in dollars and 44.63% in units. Together, they improved 24.51% in dollars and 16.35% in units. Toy sales continue to be the story of 2019. For the month, thy improved 27.91% in dollars and 46.27% in units.

Compared to the same time last year, comics and graphic novels are generally down while toys have still improved. Comics in May 2019 are down 7.81% in dollars and down 4.30% in units compared to May 2018. Graphic novels improved 5.36% in dollars but down 5.36% in units. Combined, comics and graphic novels are down 4.15% in dollars and 4.38% in units. Toys are up 40.65% in dollars and 40.25% in units compared to May 2018.

In May 2018, DC shipped 8 more comics and one more graphic novel compared to April 2018 while Marvel shipped 12 more comics and one more graphic novel. Compared to the same month in the previous year, DC shipped 14 less comics and 3 more graphic novels. Marvel shipped 26 more comics and and 6 less graphic novels. 16 comic more titles and 17 more graphic novels shipped for all publishers. in May 2019 versus May 2018.

The year to date is mixed. Comics are down 0.45% in dollars and down 5.12% in units. Graphic novels are down 1.21% in dollars and 5.94% in units. The two together are down 0.66% in dollars and 5.18% in units compared to the same point last year. Toys though are up 23.04% in dollars and 30.09% in units.

Marvel Comics was May’s top publisher with a dollar share of 40.46% (-5.05) and a unit share of 39.75% (-10.95). DC placed second with a 28.22% dollar share (+2.49) and a 38.58% unit share (+12.69). In third was Image Comics with a 6.88% dollar share (-1.05) and a 5.53% unit share (-2.07). Dark Horse Comics ranked fourth with a 3.78% dollar share (+0.87) and 2.19% unit share (+0.27), followed by IDW Publishing with a 3.61% dollar share (+0.35) and a 2.98% unit share (+0.22), then BOOM! Studios with a 2.21% dollar share (-0.25) and a 1.76% unit share (-0.99), VIZ Media with a 1.84% dollar share (+0.77) and a 0.65% unit (+0.25) share, and Dynamite Entertainment with a 1.78% dollar share (+0.07) and a 1.50% unit share (-0.03). Oni Press and Titan Comics again make the top ten list while Valiant Entertainment and Aftershock Comics fell off from previous month’s listing.

In total, DC had six titles in the top ten including the top comic of the month, DCeased #1. They also took second place with Doomsday Clock #10 and #3 with Batman: Last Knight on Earth #1. Batman focused comics made up four of DC’s six titles while the top two were “event” focused. Marvel Comics had four titles in the top ten: Gerry Duggan and Mike Deodato’s Savage Avengers #1 ranked #4, Marvel’s top comic of the month. Among the premier publishers, Image Comics‘ The Walking Dead #191 ranked #27; Dark Horse Comics‘ Stranger Things: Six #1, a prequel to the Netflix series, ranked #82; BOOM! Studios‘ Firefly #6 ranked #98; Dynamite Entertainment‘s Red Sonja and Vampirella Meet Betty & Veronica #1, a crossover with Archie Comics, ranked #107; and IDW Publishing‘s Transformers #4 ranked #156.

Lauren Myracle and Issac Goodhart’s Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale, an original graphic novel from DC’s DC Ink imprint, was May’s best-selling graphic novel. DC had two entries in the top ten with the other being DC Super Hero Girls: Spaced Out ranked #6. Dark Horse Comics had three titles in the top ten: The Umbrella Academy volumes 1 and 2 ranked #2 and #4 respectively, and The Legend of Korra Part 1: Ruins of Empire ranked #8. Image Comics had four titles in the top ten: Skottie Young and Jorge Corona’s Middlewest Book 1 ranked #3, East of West Volume 9 ranked #5, Rat Queens Volume 6 ranked #9, and Saga Deluxe Edition Volume 3 ranked #10. Marvel had one entry in the top ten, Al Ewing and Joe Bennett’s The Immortal Hulk Volume 3: Hulk in Hell ranked #7.

VIZ Media’s My Hero Academia: School Briefs Volume 1 was May’s best-selling book.

1000 Toys’ Hellboy: Standard Version 1/12-Scale Figure was May’s best-selling toy. Funko’s PREVIEWS Exclusive POP! Marvel: Spider-Punk Vinyl Figure ranked #2 for the month. Diamond Select Toys had four products in the top ten, led by the Marvel Select: Rogue Action Figure at #3. DC Collectibles had three products in the top ten; their top-selling product, the DC Cover Girls: Wonder Woman by Joëlle Jones Statue, ranked #5.

Paizo Publishing’s Starfinder RPG Beginner Box, an introductory set to the space opera role-playing game, was May’s best-selling game product. Also, Hasbro’s Dungeons & Dragons: Stranger Things Edition, the best-selling game of April, remained in the top ten at #10 for the month.

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHERDOLLARSHAREUNITSHARE
MARVEL COMICS40.46%39.75%
DC COMICS28.22%38.58%
IMAGE COMICS6.88%5.53%
DARK HORSE COMICS3.78%2.19%
IDW PUBLISHING3.61%2.98%
BOOM! STUDIOS2.21%1.76%
VIZ MEDIA1.84%0.65%
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT1.78%1.50%
ONI PRESS0.84%0.56%
TITAN COMICS0.67%0.49%
OTHER NON-TOP 109.72%9.72%

 COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

 DOLLARSUNITS
MAY 2019 VS. APRIL 2019
COMICS15.60%14.51%
GRAPHIC NOVELS50.97%44.63%
TOTAL COMICS/GN24.51%16.35%
TOYS27.91%46.27%
MAY 2019 VS. MAY 2018
COMICS-7.81%-4.30%
GRAPHIC NOVELS5.36%-5.36%
TOTAL COMICS/GN-4.15%-4.38%
TOYS40.65%40.25%
YEAR TO DATE 2019 VS. YEAR TO DATE 2018
COMICS-0.45%-5.12%
GRAPHIC NOVELS-1.21%-5.94%
TOTAL COMICS/GN-0.66%-5.18%
TOYS23.04%30.09%

NEW TITLES SHIPPED

PUBLISHERCOMICS SHIPPEDGRAPHIC NOVELS SHIPPEDMAGAZINES SHIPPEDTOTALSHIPPED
MARVEL COMICS118360154
DC COMICS6033093
IMAGE COMICS3823061
IDW PUBLISHING3718055
DARK HORSE COMICS2230052
VIZ MEDIA045045
BOOM! STUDIOS2213035
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT194023
TITAN COMICS106218
ONI PRESS95014
OTHER NON-TOP 1015119027368
TOTAL48640329918

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANKDESCRIPTIONPRICEITEM CODEVENDOR
1DCEASED #1$3.99MAR190464-MDC
2DOOMSDAY CLOCK #10$4.99JAN190585-MDC
3BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH #1 (MR)$5.99MAR190458-MDC
4SAVAGE AVENGERS #1$4.99MAR190757-MMAR
5THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #5$4.99MAR190495-MDC
6AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #21$3.99MAR190831-MMAR
7THE IMMORTAL HULK #17$3.99MAR190845-MMAR
8BATMAN #70$3.99MAR190487-MDC
9BATMAN #71$3.99MAR190489-MDC
10AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #22$3.99MAR190835-MMAR

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANKDESCRIPTIONPRICEITEM CODEVENDOR
1DCEASED #1$3.99MAR190464-MDC
2BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH #1 (MR)$5.99MAR190458-MDC
3DOOMSDAY CLOCK #10$4.99JAN190585-MDC
4THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #5$4.99MAR190495-MDC
5SAVAGE AVENGERS #1$4.99MAR190757-MMAR
6THE IMMORTAL HULK #17$3.99MAR190845-MMAR
7AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #21$3.99MAR190831-MMAR
8WAR OF REALMS #3$4.99MAR190765-MMAR
9WAR OF REALMS #4$4.99MAR190773-MMAR
10BATMAN #70$3.99MAR190487-MDC

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANKDESCRIPTIONPRICEITEM CODEVENDOR
1UNDER THE MOON: A CATWOMAN TALE TP$16.99JAN190554DC
2THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY VOL. 1: THE APOCALYPSE SUITE TP$17.99SEP108136DAR
3MIDDLEWEST BOOK 1 TP (MR)$9.99MAR190092-MIMA
4THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY VOL. 2: DALLAS TP$17.99DEC098005DAR
5EAST OF WEST VOL. 9 TP$16.99FEB190059IMA
6DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: SPACED OUT TP$9.99JAN190555DC
7THE IMMORTAL HULK VOL. 3: HULK IN HELL TP$15.99FEB190998MAR
8LEGEND OF KORRA PART 1: RUINS OF EMPIRE TP$10.99JAN190482DAR
9RAT QUEENS VOL. 6: INFERNAL PATH TP (MR)$16.99MAR190119IMA
10SAGA DELUXE EDITION VOL. 3 HC (MR)$49.99MAR190127IMA

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANKDESCRIPTIONPRICEITEM CODEVENDOR
1AMAZING SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS VOL. 4 HC$125.00NOV181004-MMAR
2SAGA DELUXE EDITION VOL. 3 HC (MR)$49.99MAR190127IMA
3AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI OMNIBUS VOL. 1  HC$125.00NOV181006MAR
4THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY VOL. 1: THE APOCALYPSE SUITE TP$17.99SEP108136DAR
5UNDER THE MOON: A CATWOMAN TALE TP DC INK$16.99JAN190554DC
6THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY VOL. 2: DALLAS TP$17.99DEC098005DAR
7EAST OF WEST VOL. 9 TP$16.99FEB190059IMA
8SIX DAYS: THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF D-DAY’S LOST CHAPTER HC$24.99FEB190468DC
9ABSOLUTE BATMAN: THE BLACK MIRROR HC$99.99AUG180594DC
10BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT HC$29.99JAN198939DC

TOP 10 BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANKDESCRIPTIONPRICEITEM CODEVENDOR
1MY HERO ACADEMIA: SCHOOL BRIEFS VOL. 1 SC$10.99FEB192175VIZ
2LULU IS A RHINOCEROS$16.99FEB188267WIC
3DOCTOR WHO: SCRATCHMAN HC$23.99DEC181681PEN
4OVERLORD VOLUME 10 HC (MR)$20.00MAR192224YEN
5BLOODBORNE: OFFICIAL ARTWORKS SC$44.99MAR172148UDO
6TALES OF THE LOST CITADEL PROSE ANTHOLOGY SC$15.99JAN193197GRE
7THE SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL. 141 SC$14.95FEB191942SAN
8AVENGERS ENDGAME: OFFICIAL MOVIE SPECIAL HC$19.99JAN192125TTN
9DOCTOR WHO: 13 DOCTORS 13 STORIES SC$17.99DEC181677PEN
10DOCTOR WHO: THE WOMEN WHO LIVED HC$23.99FEB188707PEN

TOP 10 TOYS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANKDESCRIPTIONITEM CODEVENDOR
1HELLBOY: STANDARD VERSION 1/12-SCALE FIGUREMAY189233100
2POP! MARVEL: SPIDER-PUNK VINYL FIGURESEP188215FUN
3MARVEL SELECT: ROGUE ACTION FIGURESEP182338DST
4MARVEL GALLERY: SPIDER-MAN COMIC PVC FIGURESEP182341DST
5DC COVER GIRLS: WONDER WOMAN BY JOELLE JONES STATUEOCT180633DC
6DARK KNIGHTS METAL: BATMAN THE DAWNBREAKER STATUEOCT180626DC
7MARVEL SELECT: JUGGERNAUT ACTION FIGUREJUN101512DST
8DC GALLERY METAL: THE RED DEATH PVC FIGUREOCT182228DST
9ONE-12 COLLECTIVE: MARVEL: BLADE ACTION FIGUREMAR188185MEZ
10BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE: WHITE KNIGHT JOKER BY SEAN MURPHYNOV180600DC

TOP 10 GAMES BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANKDESCRIPTIONITEM CODEVENDOR
1STARFINDER RPG BEGINNER BOXFEB193069PAI
2CRITICAL ROLE: TAL’DOREI CAMPAIGN SETTING HCJUN173357GRE
3THE EXPANSE RPG HCNOV182869GRE
4MY HERO ACADEMIA CARD GAMEJUL183082S7
5STARFINDER RPG: CORE RULEBOOK HCJUN173371PAI
6PATHFINDER PAWNS BESTIARY BOXFEB168541PAI
7TOME OF BEASTS HCJUN168476PAI
8THE EXPANSE RPG: GAME MASTERS KIT HCNOV182870GRE
9PATHFINDER RPG: CORE RULEBOOK POCKET EDITIONAPR168770PAI
10DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: STRANGER THINGS EDITIONJAN198565HAS

Shojo Creator Bisco Hatori is a Guest of Honor at Anime Expo 2019

Posted on by

VIZ Media welcomes manga creator Bisco Hatori as an official Guest of Honor at this year’s Anime Expo. 

The creator of bestselling Shojo Beat manga such as Ouran High School Host Club, Millennium Snow, and her current series, Behind the Scenes!!, will have a dedicated panel and participate in an autograph session and other special fan events that are scheduled to take place during Anime Expo. Times, dates, and additional details on Bisco Hatori’s first professional appearance in North America will be announced soon.

Anime Expo is North America’s largest dedicated anime/manga fan convention and takes place July 4th–7th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. VIZ Media will be located on the main convention floor in Booth #2206.

VIZ Media Details Exciting New Anime and Manga Releases For June

Posted on by

SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS PART 1 Blu-ray & DVD Sets

Limited Edition Blu-ray MSRP: $79.99 U.S. / $93.99 CAN · Standard Edition Blu-ray MSRP: $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN · DVD MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $51.99 CAN
Available June 18th

Sailor Moon and the Sailor Guardians are about to face their greatest challenge yet—high school! But as the girls take their next big step in life and Chibi-Usa prepares to return to the future, a mysterious force frees the evil Queen Nehalennia! While the struggle to contain her old enemy will be difficult, it may be Mamoru’s year of studying abroad that hurts Usagi the most. But there’s even more to take Usagi’s mind off of long-distance love with the arrival of the villainous Sailor Anima Mates and the heroic Sailor Star Lights! Who could be behind this new wave of evil? And why are the Star Lights resistant to working with Sailor Moon? Usagi has her hands full, but she’ll always make time to write a love letter to her beloved Mamo.

MEGALOBOX Blu-ray & DVD Sets

Limited Edition Blu-ray MSRP: $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN · Standard Edition Blu-ray MSRP: $44.98 U.S. / $52.99 CAN · DVD MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $51.99 CAN
Available June 25th

Bored, resigned, and unfulfilled, a young man with neither name nor past survives by fighting in underground matches of a sport called “Megalobox,” a form of boxing that utilizes powered exoskeletons. Calling himself JNK.DOG, he feels trapped in a world of crime, poverty, and ecological collapse. All that changes when he has a chance encounter with Yuri, the reigning king of Megalobox. Now, obsessed with proving himself, JNK.DOG becomes a man driven to do whatever it takes to fight his way to the top of the rankings and take on the champion.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN DVD SET 38

DVD MSRP: $39.99 U.S. / $51.99 CAN
Available June 11th

It’s the final NARUTO SHIPPUDEN box set! The Fourth Great Ninja War is over, and now the Hidden Leaf Ninja return to their daily lives. Some tackle dangerous work—like Sasuke, who tries to uncover the truth about mysterious exploding humans. Others, like Shikamaru, face the difficulty of adjusting to a post-war life. And for Naruto and Hinata, it’s wedding bells!

EVANGELION ILLUSTRATIONS 2007 – 2017

MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $46.99 CAN · Available June 11th  

NEON GENESIS EVANGELION is one of the most enduring and significant touchstones for anime, manga, and pop culture fans over the past two decades, thanks to the groundbreaking television series and beautifully animated movies. This book collects ten years’ worth of illustrations that showcase the wide effect NEON GENESIS EVANGELION has left on not just the animation industry, but on popular culture in general. Included are illustrations for film posters, CD albums, bullet train designs, video game collaborations, and much, much more.

EVANGELION ILLUSTRATIONS 2007 - 2017

KOMI CAN’T COMMUNICATE

by Tomohito Oda
MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN / $6.99 Digital · Rated ‘T’ for Teens 
Available June 11th  

Socially anxious high school student Shoko Komi’s greatest dream is to make some friends, but everyone at school mistakes her crippling social anxiety for cool reserve. Luckily she meets Tadano, a timid wallflower who decides to step out of his comfort zone in order to help her achieve her goal of making 100 friends.

KOMI CAN’T COMMUNICATE

DRAGON BALL COMPLETE BOX SET

by Akira Toriyama
MSRP: $139.99 U.S. / $179.99 CAN · Rated ‘T’ For Teens
Available June 4th  

The DRAGON BALL COMPLETE BOX SET contains all 16 volumes of the original manga that kicked off the global phenomenon. Also includes an exclusive double-sided poster and collector’s booklet featuring fun DRAGON BALL trivia and guides as well as an interview with its legendary creator.

DRAGON BALL Z COMPLETE BOX SET

by Akira Toriyama
MSRP: $219.99 U.S. / $279.99 CAN · Rated ‘A’ For All Ages
Available June 4th  

The DRAGON BALL Z COMPLETE BOX SET contains all 26 volumes of the manga that propelled the global phenomenon that started with DRAGON BALL into one of the world’s most recognizable and best-selling manga. Also includes an exclusive double-sided poster and collector’s booklet featuring fun DRAGON BALL Z trivia and guides as well as an interview with Akira Toriyama.

POKÉMON THE MOVIE: THE POWER OF US—ZERAORA’S STORY

by Kemon Kawamoto
MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Rated ‘A’ For All Ages
Available June 11th  

Ash and Pikachu arrive in Fula City at the start of its renowned Wind Festival and meet Margo, the mayor’s daughter, and Dr. Hawthorn, a scientist. Through the magic of Dr. Hawthorn’s virtual reality technology, our friends experience the history of the city firsthand and meet Mythical Pokémon Zeraora and Legendary Pokémon Lugia. Why did one of them fly off, never to be seen again…? And will it return in the feature film, POKÉMON THE MOVIE: THE POWER OF US?!

« Older Entries