Shonen Jump Alpha January 21 2012 cover image

VIZ MEDIA’S WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA DIGITAL MANGA MAGAZINE BEGINS SIMULTANEOUS PUBLISHING WITH JAPANESE RELEASES ON JANUARY 21, 2013

North America’s Leading Digital Manga Magazine Eliminates Time Delay To Celebrate One Year Anniversary; New Series To Join Anthology Starting With NISEKOI Debuting Today

San Francisco, CA, November 26, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, will synchronize its WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA (WEEKLY SJ ALPHA), a weekly serial anthology of some of the most popular manga series in the world, to Japan releases starting with the January 21, 2013 issue.

WEEKLY SJ Alpha, available exclusively on the VIZ Manga digital platform, will feature new installments of BLEACH, CROSS MANAGE, NARUTO, NISEKOI, ONE PIECE, and TORIKO on the same day as their general release in Japan. Monthly series such as BLUE EXORCIST, RUROUNI KENSHIN: RESTORATION and YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL will debut the closest Monday after the Japanese release. There are also plans for additional series to join the WEEKLY SJ ALPHA lineup.

“North American fans have been waiting for a long time for real-time publishing to synchronize with Japan, and it’s about to happen in WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA,” says Alvin Lu, Executive Vice President, Publishing. “A robust VIZ Manga digital infrastructure, combined with our close relationship with WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP in Japan allows us to close the gap in release schedules. We look forward to fans continuing to look to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA for the latest hot new manga titles straight from Japan!”

WEEKLY SJ ALPHA also launches its newest weekly manga title today as it debuts Naoshi Komi’s romantic comedy series, NISEKOI (rated ‘T’ for Teens). In the laugh-out-loud feel-good manga series, it was hate at first sight...rather a knee-to-the-head at first sight when Raku Ichijo meets Chitoge Kirisaki! Unfortunately, Raku’s gangster father arranges a false love match with their rival’s daughter, who just so happens to be Chitoge! However, Raku’s searching for his childhood sweetheart from ten years ago, with a pendant around his neck as a memento, and he can't even remember her name or face! For a free sample, fans are invited to check out the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Starter Pack, which has been updated to include Chapter 1 of NISEKOI, available from SJalpha.com and VIZManga.com!

NISEKOI, Volume 1 is also available for digital download for $4.99 (USD/CAN) VIZ Manga, VIZ Media’s innovative digital platform that allows for complete interoperability to read manga from your iPhone®, iPod® touch, iPad®, and supported Android smart phones and tablets (including the Kindle Fire), with VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers. With one account, registered users are able to view their purchases across even more devices than ever, and the rapidly growing platform features over 1,000 volumes across 100 different series.

Each digital edition of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA treats manga fans across North America to the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga titles, and is available through the VIZ Manga digital platform through an annual membership that provides 52 weeks of digital access to 48 weekly issues for just $25.99. Members also receive exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME promotional cards throughout the year, an annual collector’s yearbook and access to exclusive content, including creator interviews and exclusive videos.

For more information on WEEKLY SJ ALPHA and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit SJalpha.com.

To learn more about VIZ Manga and to download the VIZ Manga App, please visit VIZManga.com and www.viz.com/apps.