Three-Part Chapter Book Series, Junior Novel, Collectible Sticker Book and Posterzine Based On The New Feature Film Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen
VIZ Media, LLC is releasing an array of DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION publications based on the upcoming live-action film from 20th Century Fox starring Justin Chatwin as Goku, Emmy Rossum as Bulma, Jamie Chung as Chi Chi, and Chow Yun-Fat as Master Roshi. Rated PG, the movie centers on a team of warriors, each of whom possess special abilities. Together, they protect Earth from a force bent on dominating the universe by controlling the mystical objects from which the film takes its name. DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION opens nationwide on April 8th and is inspired by Akira Toriyama’s smash hit Dragon Ball manga series, also published domestically by VIZ Media and featured in Shonen Jump magazine. DRAGON BALL has become a global pop culture and entertainment phenomenon that has generated more than $3 billion in worldwide sales of a vast array of products including manga, DVDs, video games, toys, apparel and other collectibles. Over 1.6 million copies of the manga series have been sold in North America to date, while the animated counterpart remains the most successful domestic anime series ever with over 500 episodes and 17 animated movies broadcast or released on DVD to date. Over 30 DRAGON BALL video game titles are also available for the PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 platforms, and have sold a total of more than 11 million units worldwide. VIZ DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION releases include a Junior Novel, a Sticker Book, a Posterzine, and a trio of Chapter Books. Each of the books include glossy color pages with photos from the movie. ”VIZ Media is very excited to celebrate the upcoming release of the live-action feature film DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION with a variety of fun, kid-friendly books,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales & Product Marketing, VIZ Media. “The DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION Junior Novel and Chapter Books are published under our popular VIZKIDS imprint, and are an ideal way to introduce the mystical world of DRAGON BALL to younger fans and help them develop a lifelong love of reading.”
DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION Junior Novel • Recommended for Ages 9-12 MSRP: $5.99 US / $6.99 CAN • Available Now! Goku thought he was just a normal high school kid until his whole world turned upside down and he found out he`s actually a martial-arts whiz with all kinds of special powers. It was bad enough that his grandpa just died. But now he must save the whole world from a madman named Piccolo who is looking for the seven fabled Dragon Balls. Whoever finds them all will have any wish come true instantly! Can a regular guy like Goku become the strongest fighter in time to stop the end of the world? The Junior Novel is aimed at readers ages 9 through 12 and also features 8-pages of full-color glossy photos from the live-action film. DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION Chapter Books • Recommended for Ages 7-10 • MSRP: $4.99 US / $5.99 CAN • Available Now! The DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION Chapter Books is a series composed of 3 volumes designed for younger readers, ages 7 through 10. Based on the upcoming feature film, the Chapter Books depict the adventures of Goku as he tries to save the world from a madman that is looking for the seven Dragon Balls. Whoever finds them all can have any wish come true! Can a regular guy like Goku become the strongest fighter of all in time to stop the end of the world? Find out in these fun new Chapter Books from VIZ Media. DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION Sticker Book • Rated “A” for All Ages • MSRP: $6.99 US / $7.99 CAN • March 24, 2009 All the excitement of the DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION movie is featured in over 100 stickers. The book collects 8 pages of stickers and 8 pages of full-color backgrounds to bring the fun of DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION to fans of all ages. The stickers are reusable and adhere to just about anything to give a fun DRAGON BALL flair to any item.
VIZ has also announced the upcoming release of a special Shonen Jump DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION Posterzine, featuring 11 full-color posters that fold out to 16” x 22” and depict a variety of vivid action shots and all the film’s main characters. Look for the posterzine on newsstands wherever Shonen Jump magazine is sold and online at store.viz.com beginning March 31st. The Shonen Jump DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION Posterzine carries an MSRP of $9.99 and is rated T for Teens. “It`s great to see our hugely popular Dragon Ball manga get the full Hollywood treatment for the big screen,” says Christopher Boily, VIZ Media Sr. Director, Newsstand. "The high quality glossy images will help bring everyone’s favorite characters to life and offer a fun way for fans to pay homage to this incredible new movie.” For more information on the DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION books, or Dragon Ball manga series please visit www.viz.com. 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; and web site at www.viz.com.