Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: tigerandbunny.net (Japanese) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen
VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced it has been named the exclusive U.S. product licensor for the new animated crime-fighting action series TIGER & BUNNY (????????, Taigaa & Banii). The company will showcase the property to a variety of potential merchandise partners during the 2011 Licensing International Expo, held in Las Vegas, June 14th-16th, 2011. VIZ Media will be located in Booth #2481. The Licensing International Expo is held at Mandalay Bay Convention Center and is the preeminent marketplace for the hottest international brands and properties. The vent features a show floor of more than 7,000 properties from all of Hollywood’s major film studios, global entertainment companies, Fortune 500 consumer brands, sporting teams, interactive properties, fashion labels, and cutting-edge artists and designers. The annual event celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2010. TIGER & BUNNY currently simulcasts the same day it debuts in Japan the SAME DAY it debuts in Japan (currently up to Eepisode 10) on HULU and VIZAnime, the company’s own exclusive web destination for anime. TIGER & BUNNY Blu-ray currently rank Number 1 on Amazon Japan, and a wide variety of toys, collectables, and other products are already licensed for the Japanese market. “We’re very excited to participate again at the Licensing International Expo, and this year we’ll showcase TIGER & BUNNY, a new series that has been the subject of tremendous buzz among fan circles,” says Tracy Hanchett, Director, Consumer Products. “With its multi-textured characters and unique blend of comedy and over the top action, the TIGER & BUNNY brand is ideally suited to a range of product merchandising options across all categories for the key male 14-25 demographic. We look forward to meeting with leading product partners at the show to explore the exciting range of possibilities for this hot new property.”
TIGER & BUNNY (rated TV-14) is directed by Keiichi Sato (director of KARAS), with original character designs by Masakazu Katsura, creator of the manga series, I”S and VIDEO GIRL AI (also published by VIZ Media). Stern Bild is a metropolitan city where superheroes called NEXT help to maintain peace. Sporting sponsor logos on their suits, these heroes work to solve cases and save people’s lives in order to earn Hero Points, while also helping to improve the public image of their corporate sponsors. Their activities are documented and broadcast by the popular show “HERO TV,” in which each superhero strives to become the “King of Heroes” of the year. One such hero is Wild Tiger (real name Kotetsu T. Kaburagi), a veteran superhero who relies on his years of experience and instincts to fight crime. Though obligated to work for his boss’s best interest, Kotetsu follows his own code of honor and is even willing to cause destruction to public property for the sake of protecting the lives of his fellow citizens. Over time, he has grudgingly earned the nickname “Crusher for Justice.” Now, Kotetsu suddenly finds himself forced to team up with rookie hero Barnaby Brooks Jr. To view the official trailer and to follow TIGER & BUNNY on the official Facebook page, please visit facebook.com/TigerAndBunny. For more information on TIGER & BUNNY and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit VIZAnime.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga 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; and website at viz.com.
For more information on TIGER & BUNNY please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: