First Episode Available Today on VIZAnime.com and Hulu Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: accel-world.net (Japan), vizanime.com/accel-world (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen
VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, adds another hot new title to its anime arsenal with the announcement of the subtitled, simulcast premiere of ACCEL WORLD (?????????, Akuseru Waarudo, 2012). The new sci-fi fantasy series (rated TV-14,) launches today -- the same day it debuts in Japan -- on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own website for free anime, as well on the free, ad-supported Hulu service and the Hulu Plus subscription service. Brand new installments of the 24-episode series are scheduled to premiere on the outlets every Friday. The year is 2046. Haruyuki Arita is a young boy who finds himself on the lowest social rungs of his school. Ashamed of his miserable life, Haruyuki can only cope by indulging in virtual games. But that all changes when Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school, introduces him to a mysterious program called Brain Burst and a virtual reality called the Accel World. “In this edgy new series launching on VIZAnime.com, Haruyuki must fight and defeat other Brain Burst users in a virtual massive multiplayer online game and learn the true purpose of the Brain Burst technology,” says Lyn Johnson, Senior Marketing Manager, Animation. “Fans have been anticipating the launch of this inventive series, and we’re very excited to simulcast it to North America the day it debuts in Japan! Don’t miss this exciting story that is destined to become a favorite among U.S. fans.” ACCEL WORLD is based on a series of popular light novels written by Reki Kawahara and animated by the famed studio Sunrise (TIGER & BUNNY, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM, CODE GEASS, COWBOY BEBOP, KEKKAISHI). Kawahara entered the first novel in the series into ASCII Media Works` 15th Dengeki Novel Prize in 2008 and won the Grand Prize. ACCEL WORLD has also inspired a popular manga series and several video games. For more information on ACCEL WORLD and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit VIZAnime.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.