VIZ
MEDIA’S HONEY AND CLOVER ANIME NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ITUNES STORE
San
Francisco, CA, JULY, 9, 2009
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative
and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced
today the Exclusive availability of its
popular shojo animated
series HONEY AND CLOVER on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com) in the US and the iTunes Store
in Canada (www.itunes.ca). iTunes
will exclusively offer the first episode of HONEY AND CLOVER as a free
download until August 31, 2009. Plus, every purchase of the complete first season of HONEY AND
CLOVER will include a free, bonus episode download. Find out more at www.itunes.com/tv/honeyandclover.
Based on the popular manga series created by Chica Umino, HONEY
AND CLOVER is a romantic comedy about a group of art school students who try to
find their way through college. But when an innocent and talented 19-year-old
girl enters their lives, things get a lot more complicated as love triangles
result.
The HONEY AND CLOVER
manga series was created by Chica Umino and has sold more than 5,300,000 copies
in Japan. In 2003, the series won the 27th Kodansha Manga Award,
Japan's most prestigious comics award. The series was also adapted into an
anime series in 2005 and finally into a live action film in 2006.
What is Shojo?….In
Japan, manga comics and anime have enjoyed widespread popularity among both
children and adults, men as well as women. Shojo (which means young girl in
Japanese) manga and anime is widely known and embraced for its characteristic
lush designs and tales of love and romance set against action, academic, or
fantasy driven plots. Women and young girls in North America quickly discovered
that comic books and anime are no longer just for boys. Shojo stories appeal to
the desires for stories and characters that girls and women can relate to.
While plots and settings for shojo vary widely (everywhere from outer space to
alternate realities to the local middle school), several constants remain
the themes of romance, angst and heartbreak, and ultimately finding the one you
love despite obstacles and setbacks. And what young girl isn't interested in
that? The fact that shojo is largely an entertainment medium developed by women
for women with stories women and girls can relate to is also driving the
popularity of shojo in North America.
"We
are thrilled to add this endearing romantic comedy to our library of great
anime now available on iTunes. HONEY AND CLOVER showcases the challenging journey that everyone must
take to transform from adolescence into adulthood while balancing the demands
of school, work, and love and VIZ Media is committed to nurturing the series for a new
audience in North America." says
Ken Sasaki, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. "iTunes is a critical channel,
providing the high quality, ease of download and flexibility that will allow
fans to enjoy this captivating series however and whenever they want."
The
HONEY AND CLOVER manga and anime series are both rated ‘T+’ (for
older teens). For more information on HONEY AND CLOVER please visit the
dedicated website at honeyandclover.viz.com. For general information on VIZ
Media and other titles, 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; Phone (415)
546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.
Lori Henderson