FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

VIZ PICTURES ANNOUNCES DVD RELEASE OF LIVE-ACTION DEATH NOTE FEATURE FILM

 

Highly Anticipated Supernatural Action Mystery Based On Popular Manga And Animated Series And Features New English Dialogue Track And Special Bonus Material

 

 

San Francisco, CA, September 5, 2008 – VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced the highly anticipated DVD release on September 16^th of the live-action film, DEATH NOTE, based on the popular manga (graphic novel) and animated series. The DVD features a newly dubbed English soundtrack, along with the original Japanese dialogue with English subtitles. Special bonus features include an interview with the film’s director Shusuke Kaneko, an insightful “Making of DEATH NOTE” segment and the original theatrical trailers. DEATH NOTE will carry a suggested retail price of $24.98 and will be distributed in North America by VIZ Media.

 

Based on the hit supernatural action mystery manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, DEATH NOTE was released in Japan in 2006 and mirrors the manga’s story of Light Yagami, an ace student with great prospects who is bored out of his mind. All of that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god named Ryuk. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals mysteriously begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to investigate, and he is soon hot on the trail of Light, who must now reevaluate his one noble goal. Both Light and L believe themselves to be on the side of justice, and the two match wits trying to show exactly which of them is “good” and which of them is “evil.”

 

“Fans across the country have eagerly anticipated the release of DEATH NOTE on DVD following a very successful series of nationwide theatrical engagements that VIZ Pictures staged with NCM FATHOM earlier this year,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of VIZ Pictures. “Fans now have a brand new way to enjoy this riveting story as a live-action DVD and for those who have yet to witness what the buzz is about, this film serves as an exciting introduction. DEATH NOTE follows a fine tradition of crime thrillers including Silence of the Lambs, Seven, and Sea of Love and we look forward to audiences discovering the thrilling experience that is DEATH NOTE.”

 

The DEATH NOTE manga and animated series have become extremely popular across North America. A 37-episode animated series is seen by millions each week on cable broadcast and the animated series is also distributed on DVD by VIZ Media (rated T+ for Older Teens). On the print side, DEATH NOTE 13: HOW TO READ, a companion volume to the successful manga series, also published domestically by VIZ Media, was recently ranked in USA Today’s Top 150 list of America’s best-selling books.

 

For more information on DEATH NOTE and other VIZ Pictures films please visit www.viz-pictures.com. For more information on the DEATH NOTE manga and animation, please visit deathnote.viz.com.

 

About VIZ Pictures, Inc.

Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese “kawaii (cute) and cool” pop culture.  VIZ Pictures approaches each release from a J-pop fan’s point of view to serve manga and anime generation in North America. VIZ Pictures titles include TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, LINDA LINDA LINDA, THE TASTE OF TEA, and PING PONG. The company will continue to offer the hottest visual entertainment straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages in North America. VIZ Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese manga (comics) and merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular “NARUTO” animated TV series. For more information please visit www.viz-pictures.com. © 2006 VIZ Pictures, Inc

 

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.