Japan’s Most Famous Superhero Returns In A Sleek New Original Manga Series Inspired By The Classic Japanese Sci-Fi Action TV Show And Updated For A New Generation Of Fans

San Francisco, CA, February 18, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, brings the action-filled adventures of one of Japan’s greatest superheroes to English readers later this summer as it announces the acquisition of the ULTRAMAN manga (graphic novel) series.

ULTRAMAN depicts a new story inspired by the original classic Japanese superhero TV show that ran in the late 1960s. The ULTRAMAN manga series was created by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi and launches in print on August 18^th under the VIZ Signature imprint. In Japan, the series currently appears in Hero’s magazine.

Decades ago, a being known as the Giant of Light joined Shin Hayata of the Scientific Special Search Party to save Earth from an invasion of terrifying monsters known as Kaiju. Now, many years later, those dark days are fading into memory, and the world is at peace. But in the shadows a new threat is growing, a danger that can only be faced by a new kind of hero – a new kind of ULTRAMAN… Shinjiro is an ordinary teenager, but his father is the legendary Shin Hayata. When he learns that his father passed on the “Ultraman Factor” to him, and that he possesses incredible powers, nothing will ever be the same again.

“Ultraman is Japan’s quintessential sci-fi superhero and has enjoyed massive popularity around the world for more than 40 years, and we are extremely proud to add the new manga series to the VIZ Media manga catalog,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “With an exciting original story that expands the premise of the original 1960s TV show, ULTRAMAN is wonderfully updated for a whole new generation of fans. We look forward to continuing the ULTRAMAN legacy and to fans and readers discovering the series later this summer!”

For more information on ULTRAMAN or other manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.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 digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, 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.