Santa Ana, Calif. (March 29, 2012) – NIS America proudly announced their plan to release Mugen Souls in North America and Europe later this year exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Mugen Souls features a free-roaming battle map, turn-based combat, and massive amounts of customization and growth to maximize the fun fans can have with the game.

About Mugen Souls

There exists a small galaxy in the universe containing seven worlds, shimmering in seven colors... These worlds exist and act independent of one another. This has allowed them to develop and nurture rich, unique cultures. Then one day, a decree was sent out... “I'm gonna make everything in each of these worlds bow to me!” – The Undisputed Goddess, Chou-Chou

Features

•Expansive worlds to explore: Travel freely on each world to explore and find treasures and items. Monsters are roaming about, so be cautious or fight them head-on and make them your subservient peons!
•Free-roaming style battle maps: Use Combo attacks to execute spectacular moves with your allies! Destroy Crystals on the battlefield to activate Hyper mode!
•Moe Kill: Execute the Moe Kill technique to enslave enemies and turn them into items by exploiting their weaknesses!
•Customization: Create a full cast of characters! Customizable body parts, facial expressions, and job classes! Notice: Due to the sensitive nature of some content, NIS America has decided to edit certain aspects of this title for its North American and European releases.

For more information, please visit NISAmerica.com.

Santa Ana, Calif. (March 29, 2012) – NIS America is excited to announce the winter release of The Witch and the Hundred Knights exclusively on PS3 in North America and Europe. Adopting high-res, fully 3D environments and characters, as well as a dark fantasy world brought to life by Takehito Harada, The Witch and the Hundred Knights will deliver a brand-new action RPG experience from Nippon Ichi Software! In The Witch and the Hundred Knights, being bad is good! Save the innocent or take part in the ransacking—it’s all up to you! The Witch and the Hundred Knights will hit store shelves in early 2013. About The Witch and the Hundred Knights Two powerful witches have been battling one another for over a hundred years. Now, the Swamp Witch has unleashed the legendary Dark Knights, and seeks to destroy the Forest Witch once and for all!

Features

•A hundred knights at your command: A plethora of ways to utilize your 100-man team!

•Multiple weapons: Equip up to 5 weapons to maximize your combo abilities!

•Chain attacks: The higher you build your chain, the greater damage you will unleash!

•More details coming soon! You can be the hero who saves the world, or go evil and pillage the village!

For more information, please visit NISAmerica.com!

March 23, 2012 - Japanese hard-rock screamo band Dazzle Vision posted photos on their Twitter account today previewing the release of vocalist Maiko's voice-synthesized alter-ego. Famous for her "Death Voice," high-fashion lolita style, and melodic vocals, Maiko and her band-mates recently judged an open-mic "Death Voice" contest outside Shibuya's fashion landmark 109 building.

Japanese fan magazine Gekkayo has posted a download of Maiko's voice compatible with the UTAU software. Competing Vocaloid software (from Crypton Future Media) was made famous by characters like Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin and Len, and Megurine Luka. In 2009, J-Rock singer Gackt lent his voice talents to become a character for the software Gackpoid.

Dazzle Vision's new album "Shocking Loud Voice" releases May 4 in Japan.

Dazzle Vision official website

http://dazzlevision.net/

Dazzle Vision Twitter

http://twitter.com/DAZZLE_VISION

Gekkayo Online (includes link to download)

http://gekkayo.jp/

Utau Download Site

http://utau2008.web.fc2.com/

DAZZLE VISION PROFILE

Popular in the Japanese indies scene for their hard rock sound and Maiko's alternating melodic/death-voice vocals, Dazzle Vision was formed in June 2003.

Dazzle Vision released their first album "Origin of Dazzle" in November of 2006. Their second album "Camellia Japonica" was released in April 2007, followed by an 11-city tour of Japan. After selling out of the first presses of "Origin of Dazzle" and "Camelia Japonica," their 3rd album "Crystal Children" hit #1 on HMV's pre-sale chart and #2 on Tower Records pre-sale chart prior to its official release in November 2008.

In April 2010, Dazzle Vision performed live for 4,000 American fans at Sakura-Con 2010.

Dazzle Vision's 4th album, "to the next" placed 2nd place on HMV Indies Chart, and 26th place on Amazon's New Music Chart. In 2011, their 5th album "Kirari" achieved 1st place on HMV Indies Chart, 9th place on Tower Record Indies Chart, and 16th place on Amazon's New Music Chart. The same year, Dazzle Vision became the first scream band to perform an in-store live at Shibuya's Tower Records. In June 2011, Dazzle Vision was a featured interview in Japan's famous music magazine BURRN!

Dazzle Vision's new album "Shocking Loud Voice" releases May 4 in Japan.

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_{Images copyrighted:Gekkayo, Human Noise}

March 21, 2012 - Japanese talent agency HoriPro announced the start of its 37th HoriPro Talent Scout Caravan talent auditions today in Japan. This year's goal is to find a "Super-Idol" - a girl who can dance, sing, and act.

The annual competition is held in cities across Japan, spawning the title "Caravan". Horipro's managers and coaches work closely with each year's winners to develop their talents and professional goals in Japanese entertainment. Applicants can be girls from middle-school age to 20 years old.

This year's theme is "Seize The Dream," and HoriPro is looking for girls who have "inner beauty and the strength to give dreams to people."

ABOUT TALENT SCOUT CARAVAN

In 2011, HoriPro Talent Agency's 36th Talent Scout Caravan held auditions in 14 cities, including Los Angeles, with a total of 12,000 applicants. The competition was open to girls 12-18 years old of any race who wished to become anime voice actors/singers in Japan.

The winner received a management contract with top Japanese talent agency HoriPro, a singing contract with BANDAI Group music label LANTIS, and a prize of 1,000,000 Yen.

The 2011 auditions focused on anime voice actresses, and the winner was 17-year-old Tadokoro Azusa from Ibaraki prefecture. At the October 10, 2011 final competition in Tokyo, Tadokoro performed Hirano Aya's "Lost my music," from the anime series "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya".

Los Angeles middle-school student Kyoka was the only American girl to make it to the 2012 Talent Scout Caravan Top 10 finals in Tokyo, Japan. She performed voice acting scenes and anime songs in the competition, and now she is back in America where she is training to become a bi-lingual Japanese-American voice actress and singer. Her motto is "Chase Your Dream."

Santa Ana, CA (March 5, 2012) – NIS America is proud to announce today that the supernatural romantic drama, Zakuro Complete Series Premium Edition, will be released by NIS America in North America this June. Zakuro follows the story of Zakuro, who is a hybrid between human and spirit. Along with her partner, Kei, she takes assignments as a member of the Ministry of Spirit Affairs to settle any disputes or incidents that arise between humans and spirits. Witness her journey to become a stronger fighter as well as a full-grown woman. The Zakuro Complete Series Premium Edition will be released as a 2-DVD set in NISA’s collectible packaging, which includes a hardcover art book. Preorder at select online retailers: Right Stuf, The Anime Corner Store, Anime Pavilion, Anime Castle, and the NISA Online Store.

About Zakuro: Westernization, a time when humans and spirits coexist— The Modernization of Japan has begun. The Ministry of Spirit Affairs is established to resolve mysterious incidents involving the nation’s spirits. This ministry consists of representatives from both the human and spirit worlds. Zakuro, Susukihotaru, Bonbori, and Hozuki are all half-spirits who have been partnered with the second lieutenants Kei, Riken, and Ganryu. These half-spirit girls and the male second lieutenants are all assigned to Spirit Affairs in an effort to join forces and carry out any tasks given to them!

About the bonuses—art book and bonus tracks:
• 36-page art book with episode guides, character profiles, cast interviews, an interview with Zakuro creator Lily Hoshino, and exclusive artwork. You will get to know more about the perspectives of the main vocal cast by reading their interviews! Find out what they thought about their characters and the experiences they had by being a part of Zakuro!
• 1 clean opening, 3 clean endings, and 2 original picture stories

Starring Mai Nakahara as Zakuro (Katanagatari, PERSONA -trinity soul-, When They Cry) Takahiro Sakurai as Kei Agemaki (House of Five Leaves, Code Geass, GUNxSWORD) Kana Hanazawa as Susukihotaru (Angel Beats!, Blue Exorcist, Infinite Stratos) Satoshi Hino as Riken Yoshinokazura (The Familiar of Zero, Bakuman, Gintama) Aki Toyosaki as Bonbori (K-ON!, Demon King Daimao) Yui Horie as Hozuki (Toradora!, Persona 4 The Animation, Love Hina) Yuki Kaji as Ganryu Hanakiri (Durarara!!, Blue Exorcist)

Produced by Director: Chiaki Kon (When They Cry, Nodame Cantabile) Studio: J.C. Staff (Toradora!, Shakugan no Shana, The Familiar of Zero)

March 2, 2012--We at MangaGamer are proud to announce the release of DEARDROPS!

“Music you were destined to encounter, with friends you were destined to meet—”
A violinist, entrusted with great hopes for his future, but sealed off from that path.
A lone diva, more devoted to singing than anyone else.
A guitarist, lacking the courage to take the first step towards her ideals.
A bassist, unable to face his past mistakes, but who can’t leave music either.
A drummer, finding it impossible to enjoy performing with others.
Each led by rock ’n roll to meet, confront each other, and form new bonds in this tale about the prime of their lives.

DEARDROPS

“Music you were destined to encounter, with friends you were destined to meet—”

Five different people―each lost at different points in their life’s journey, each heading down different paths, each with their own goals and ideals―find themselves unexpectedly brought together by rock ‘n roll and the world of music. Whether their time together is fleeting or lasting, the crossing of such varied lives is sure to be an unforgettable one that forever changes them.

A tale of youth, fateful encounters, and the prime of life awaits the moment all is set in motion. With the spark of a cast-off cigarette and the opening phrase of a dead rockstar’s legacy, the first chapter of their new lives will ring across the crowded hall.

Title: DEARDROPS
Manufacturer: OVERDRIVE
Genre: Adventure, Slice of Life
Price: €34.95
OS: Windows XP(32bit), Windows Vista(32bit), Windows 7
Text Language: English
Age Rating: 18+ (Adults Only)

ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM
MangaGamer.com is the world's first legal download site for English translated Visual Novels. Since its launch in July 2008, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular Visual Novels such as CIRCUS's Da Capo and OVERDRIVE's Kira Kira right from their home. Don't forget to visit us on Facebook and Twitter!

VIZ Media’s Mega-Hit Franchise Continues To Expand Across All Entertainment Channels, Win In Ratings, And Top Best Seller Lists

San Francisco, CA, February 23, 2012 – VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in the North America, announced today that Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired the live-action feature film rights to the hit manga and anime property BLEACH. The announcement comes after another successful year for BLEACH in print, digital publishing, cable television, streaming video, consumer products and video-on-demand.

“BLEACH has built a huge international following in its manga and anime formats, and we’re excited that Warner Bros. shares our belief that BLEACH can also become a fantastic live-action film,” said Jason Hoffs of VIZ Productions, VIZ Media’s Hollywood-based production company. “BLEACH is an exciting opportunity to mix Japanese and Hollywood storytelling to create something new for the big screen, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to further expose its unique characters and story to film audiences everywhere.”

Peter Segal (GET SMART, THE LONGEST YARD) of Callahan Filmworks is producing with an eye toward directing. The film’s creative team also includes screenwriter Dan Mazeau, who recently penned Warner Bros.’ upcoming sequel to CLASH OF THE TITANS. Callahan Filmworks partner Michael Ewing and Masi Oka (best known for his roles on NBC’s HEROES and CBS’s HAWAII FIVE-0) will produce. From VIZ Productions, Hoffs will serve as Producer, and Branon Coluccio will be Executive Producer. Screenplay development will commence in 2012.

The popular BLEACH animated and manga series, created by Tite Kubo, follows the adventures of Ichigo, a teenager with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper tasked to hunting Hollows, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, Ichigo must dedicate his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

BLEACH is a tremendously successful multimedia property around the world. The manga has been licensed to more than a dozen countries and has over 75 million copies in print in Japan alone. In North America, the manga (rated ‘T’ for Teens) has consistently appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list for Manga and the Neilsen BookScan Top 50 Graphic Novels list, selling more than 2.1 million copies across 36 volumes.

The BLEACH manga is also available digitally through VIZManga.com and for download through the VIZ Manga App for iPad^®, iPhone^® and iPod^® touch, where it has proven to be a top-seller. The series was recently sped up to bring North American readers up-to-date with the latest story arc in Japan, culminating in it being featured in WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, the groundbreaking digital manga magazine that VIZ Media just launched at the end of January 2012.

The BLEACH animated series (rated TV-14) has topped the ratings on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, sold over 1.8 million DVDs and consistently ranked among Hulu’s most watched shows, This success has further spawned an array of related video games (over 820,000 sold), apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise.

For more information on BLEACH and to view free streaming episodes, please visit Bleach.viz.com.

For more information on BLEACH digital manga, please visit VIZManga.com/bleach.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, please visit SJAlpha.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

An Outspoken Outsider With Amazing Singing Talent Tries To Fit In And Still Maintain Her Hard Edge In The Latest Manga Series From VIZ Media’s Shojo Beat Imprint

San Francisco, CA, February 8, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, debuts the poignant shojo manga (graphic novel) series, A DEVIL AND HER LOVE SONG, now available. The new title, published under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Meet Maria Kawai – she’s gorgeous and whip-smart, a girl who seems to have it all. But when she unleashes her sharp tongue, it’s no wonder some consider her to be the very devil! Maria’s difficult ways even get her kicked out of an elite school, but this particular fall may actually turn out to be her saving grace... Maria’s frank nature gains her more enemies at her new school, but her angelic singing voice inadvertently catches the attention of Yusuke Kanda and Shin Meguro. Can these boys mend her hardened heart, or will they just end up getting scorched?

“Maria Kawai, an outspoken and radically honest girl who struggles to fit in at a new school, is beautiful and has an amazing singing voice, but isn’t the least bit concerned with being nice or popular,” says Amy Yu, Editor. “When she gets bullied by fellow classmates, two boys step up to aid her—Yusuke Kanda, a cheerful and popular guy who always tries to avoid conflict, and Shin Meguro, a moody outsider who tends to keep to himself. All these characters are dealing with something that we all struggle with—trying to figure out who we truly are and accepting ourselves even though the community asks us to be someone we’re not. It’s an engaging new series that offers a lot of depth, and we’re proud to have it be a part of the Shojo Beat imprint.”

Manga creator Miyoshi Tomori made her debut in 2001, and her previous titles have included Hatsukare (First Boyfriend), Tongari Root (Square Root), and Brass Love!! Her current series, A DEVIL AND HER LOVE SONG, was featured in Japan in the popular shojo magazine Margaret.

For more information on A DEVIL AND HER LOVE SONG, or other shojo manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShojoBeat.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

Santa Ana, CA (February 3, 2012) – NIS America is excited to announce today that the horror comedy Occult Academy Complete Series Premium Edition will be available in North America this May. In Occult Academy, a group of high school students and faculty will tackle spirits, mysterious creatures, ancient prophecies, and even the myth of the Mayan calendar! These odd but intriguing characters will pursue the twists and turns of the world’s greatest mysteries and bring to light hidden stories of untold truths. Occult Academy Complete Series Premium Edition comes packed on 2 Blu-ray discs in NIS’s highly praised collectible packaging, along with a hardcover art book. Preorder at select online retailers: Right Stuf, The Anime Corner Store, Anime Pavilion, Anime Castle, and NIS America’s Online Store.

About Occult Academy:

In the year 2012, the world is a wasteland invaded by aliens. Time travelers like Fumiaki Uchida are sent back to the year 1999 in order to destroy the “Nostradamus Key” to prevent the apocalypse. In 1999, Maya Kumashiro, the daughter of the former principal of Waldstein Academy (AKA Occult Academy), returns to the academy to replace her father. Despising her father’s obsession with the occult, Maya is hell-bent on running the school into the ground out of spite. Her plan is interrupted when she meets Fumiaki and learns of the forthcoming destruction of the world. They form a pact to look for the key.

About the bonuses—art book and bonus tracks:

- 36-page art book with exclusive artwork, draft designs, and an occult encyclopedia! The art book is uniquely laid out and filled with handwritten liner notes. With this art book you’ll be able to dive even deeper into the world and lore of Occult Academy!

- Four bonus short episodes that give a glimpse into Maya’s first childhood encounter with a real, live cryptid!
- Clean OP/ED, clean ep. 13 ED, and Love Machine clip

Starring

Yoko Hikasa as Maya Kumashiro (K-ON!, Infinite Stratos, WAGNARIA!!)

Takahiro Mizushima as Fumiaki Uchida (Angel Beats!, Our Home’s Fox Deity)

Minori Chihara as Mikaze Nakagawa (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Horizon on the Middle of Nowhere)

Yu Kobayashi as Chihiro Kawashima (Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge, Negima)

Produced by

Director: Tomohiko Ito (Death Note, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars)
Studio: A-1 Pictures (WAGNARIA!!, Blue Exorcist, Black Butler, PERSONA -trinity soul-)

Niconico and Aniplex of America presents
"Puella Magi Madoka Magica English Screening Premiere"
A FREE simultaneous streaming live event

Aniplex of America has announced today that they will host an Exclusive Screening of the first episode of the
hit anime series "Puella Magi Madoka Magica” in English. This will be a treat for fans as this screening event
will be shown in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Japan simultaneously for free. This one
day event will be on the Niconico Live-Streaming channel on February 10th, Friday at 20:30 PST (February
11th Saturday at 2:30pm Japan local time).

This will be the first time in history fans will get to hear their favorite Madoka Magica characters in English.
Japanese Fans will be happy to know that the show will be subtitled in Japanese. In addition, before the
episode there will be a special greeting from the English Voice of Madoka, Homura and Kyubey just for the
fans.

“It’s wonderful to share the opportunity to watch the English version of Madoka together with not only North
America but also in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. This will be a great chance for Anime fans to
re-visit and discover this great show,” says Hideki Goto, the president of Animation Business of Aniplex of
America.

Volume 1 of “Puella Magi Madoka Magica” will be available on February
14th (Valentine’s Day) in North America. The second and third volumes of
the series are available for pre-order at Rightstuf.com.

■Detail of the Live-Streaming
PROGRAM TITLE：
Puella Magi Madoka Magica English Screening Premiere
DATE：
Friday, February 10, 20:30pm US Pacific Standard Time
Saturday, February 11, 13:30 Japan local time
Saturday, February 11, 4:30
UK local time
Saturday, February 11, 15:30 Australian Eastern Daylight Time
(* Total length 30 min: minute program with special greeting)
URL：
http://live.niconico.com/watch/lv79795448

・Niconico.com: Niconico Live
http://live.niconico.com/
・Aniplex of America HP
http://www.aniplexusa.com
・Puella Magi Madoka Magica US Website
http://www.MadokaMagicaUSA.com
・Detail about Australian Release
http://www.madman.com.au

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

© Magica Quartet／Aniplex, Madoka Partners, MBS
※Illegal copy and usage is prohibited.

■Story of Puella Magi Madoka Magica
She has a loving family and best friends, laughs and cries from time to time...
Madoka Kaname, an eighth grader at Mitakihara middle school, lives such a life.
One day, she has a very magical encounter.
She doesn't know if it's by chance or by fate yet, but this meeting will change her destiny.
This is the beginning of a new story of magical girls...

What is niconico?

Niconico is one of the largest video-sharing websites with roughly 23 million registered members and 1.4 million paid members in
Japan. In this site, users are allowed to share their feelings by writing comments onto uploaded videos being played.
As for its live streaming service, users can communicate with not only other users, but also performers or audiences appearing on live
videos by writing comments in real time. 【Japanese】http://www.nicovideo.jp/ 【English】http://www.niconico.com/

About niwango Inc.
(Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Representative Director & President: Seiji Sugimoto)
Niwango Inc. offers network entertainment services featuring epoch-making asynchronous communication including "Nico Nico
Douga", Japan's biggest video community service as well as "niwango", a search engine service making use of user-friendly mail
system. Official homepage: http://niwango.jp/

About Aniplex of America
Aniplex of America Inc. (Santa Monica, California) is a subsidiary of Aniplex Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan), a group of
Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and leading provider of anime content and music production and distribution in Japan.
Aniplex of America has launched fan-favorite DVD and Blu-Ray releases such as Gurren Lagann the Movies, Durarara!!, R.O.D
series, the Garden of Sinners and Baccano! The company's ever-growing line-up of shows includes our most recent titles, Blue
Exorcist, Rurouki Kenshin OVA and Movie, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.. Official homepage: http://www.AniplexUSA.com