Bandai and VIZ Media are pleased to announce the new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Collectible Card Game (CCG) SHONEN JUMP Championship Tournaments in North America. There will be multiple tournaments held throughout the United States at select hobby retailers culminating in the National Championships to be held at the Gen Con Indy to take place in Indiana on August 7th and 8th.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG, Bandai America’s top selling collectible card game, is a game of strategy where players construct card decks of Ninja that use their powerful Jutsu to complete Missions and protect their villages. The NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG, currently has hundreds of tournaments held each week at local hobby retailers throughout the United States.

SHONEN JUMP Championship Tournaments will be accessible to NARUTO fans, beginners and experienced CCG players. Experienced players will test their skills against other players in the SHONEN JUMP Championship Tournaments to win special prizes. New Players may redeem special coupons found in SHONEN JUMP magazine and receive a free NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG demo kit. Bandai volunteers will also be on location to teach new players how to play. NARUTO fans will have the opportunity to receive special SHONEN JUMP promo cards through special promotions and attendance at the tournaments. Finally, one lucky person will win an autographed promo card signed by Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of NARUTO.

SHONEN JUMP Championship Prizes:

• 1st Place: SHONEN JUMP Championship Trophy, PlayStation 3 Console, PSP Console, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG hobby booster box, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG game mat, and a one year subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine
• 2nd Place: IPod Touch 32GB personal music player, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG hobby booster box, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG game mat, and a one year subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine
• 3rd – 4th Place: PSP Console, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG hobby booster box, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG game mat, and a one year subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine
• 5th – 8th Place: NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG hobby booster box, NARUTO CCG game mat
• 9th – 16th Place: 12 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG booster packs
• 17th – 32nd Place: 6 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG booster packs
• 33rd – 64th Place: 3 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG booster packs

For the most up to date information on the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN CCG and to see the official rules, SHONEN JUMP Championship Tournaments or Bandai America Inc., please visit www.bandaicg.com/shonenjump or naruto.viz.com/sjtourney.

New NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Releases Include:

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Box Set 2 Special Edition • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • MSRP: $69.97 US / $99.99 CAN • Available April 20
Team Kakashi is joined by Team Guy in their pursuit of Gaara’s kidnappers, Deidara and Sasori, but their way to the Akatsuki hideout is fraught with familiar enemies and deadly traps. Once inside, Sakura and Granny Chiyo must take on Chiyo’s own grandson, the puppet master Sasori, whose complex tricks and genius puppetry demand every last ounce of Chiyo’s and Sakura’s strength and skill to counter. Meanwhile, Naruto and Kakashi take off after Deidara, who is once again on the run with Gaara in tow…
The Special Edition Box Set contains 13 episodes on 3 discs, exclusive art card, and a collectible NARUTO Shippuden Mininja figure (Deidara).

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Box Set 2 Standard Edition • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN • Available April 20
DVD-only collection featuring 13 episodes on 3 discs. Exclusive art card and collectible figure not included.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Volume 8 • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available April 6
Supported by Naruto’s powerful chakra, Granny Chiyo performs the Reanimation Ninjutsu to revive Gaara, but the cost is high. Back in the Leaf Village, Kakashi must spend time in the hospital to recover from his use of the Mangekyo Sharingan. With two open spots on Team Kakashi, Naruto is prepared to recruit some of his friends from the village. But unbeknownst to him, the replacements are being chosen by the village elders, and at least one of them he’s really going to hate!
Episodes 31-34

NARUTO Uncut Season 2 Volume 2 Box Set • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • MSRP: $39.97 US / $57.99 CAN • Available April 27
The destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village has been averted, but at great cost. While the village mourns, a new menace arrives in the form of Sasuke’s brother, Itachi Uchiha–but why is he after Naruto? Then Jiraiya whisks Naruto away on a training journey to find the legendary kunoichi Tsunade, who’s been selected to become the new Hokage. But they’d better hurry, because Orochimaru is looking for her as well!

BLEACH Volume 27 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available April 20
With the Bounts defeated, Ichigo and his friends settle down to what they think will be an ordinary life of school and battling Hollows. But things take a turn for the unusual when a new student arrives at school who seems to know all about Ichigo–including the Hollow within him that’s getting stronger all the time. With a menacing Spiritual Pressure descending on Karakura Town, Isshin and Urahara are worried that someone is creating an army of Arrancar–Hollows with Soul Reaper powers–and that someone may be former Soul Reaper captain Sosuke Aizen!
Episodes: 110 thru 113

Another storm is brewing as NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that it will be releasing NARUTO™ SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Based on the popular NARUTO SHIPPUDEN animated series from VIZ Media, LLC, the game will drum up a squall of new features and enhancements, an extensive character roster as well as incredible visuals that are sure to please fans and gamers alike. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2 is scheduled to be released throughout North America in fall 2010.

“With NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2, we are continuing our legacy of providing the most authentic ninja action experience, for which the Ultimate Ninja series is known, and are excited to bring this larger-than-life game to both the PlayStation 3 system and Xbox 360,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing and public relations with NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “This latest iteration not only improves upon the series’ signature gameplay, but further propels the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN interactive universe to greater heights with new features and unprecedented visual detail.”

Developed by CyberConnect2, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2 faithfully recreates the anime series and fully immerses players in the mythical ninja world with new expansive environments, missions, battle systems and gameplay modes. Taking players through the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN story arc, daring ninja warriors must strategically recruit the right support characters to ensure victory against any and all opponents. With the winning combination, players can easily unleash bigger and more explosive Team Special Techniques to obliterate enemies who stand in the way.

With more than 40 characters to choose from, engaging in bigger and more epic cinematic boss battles has never been this intense. Players will encounter a host of Akatsuki ninja in the game and, in a shocking story twist, see Sasuke wearing Akatsuki gear. With its signature battles, interactive environments, original Japanese voiceovers and a host of unlockable items, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2 is a tornado of fierce ninja action that cannot be missed.

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, continues to expand the global audience base for its successful NARUTO animated series with the latest announcement that SBT (Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão), VIZ Media’s terrestrial broadcast partner in Brazil, has licensed the Third Season of the hit animated series, NARUTO. SBT is one of the country’s largest television networks and is expected to debut the third season for the smash hit series in early 2010.

SBT will bring an additional 51 episodes (Episodes 105 through 156) of the popular animated series about a young boy training to become a ninja to one of the fastest growing television markets in the world. The NARUTO brand already possesses a devout following in Brazil through SBT’s airing of NARUTO Seasons 1 and 2, as well as fan access to the Internet.

The agreement with SBT was brought to fruition with the assistance of Mr. Nelson Sato, director of Sato Co., who lent his assistance and support throughout the negotiations and helped solidify a new relationship between VIZ Media and SBT.

VIZ Media has licensed NARUTO and other popular titles to several prominent broadcasters as part of an ongoing campaign to make content available to the Pan-Latin American market.

“SBT is extremely excited continue it’s partnership with VIZ Media to bring the Third Season of the mega hit NARUTO to fans in Brazil” states Daniela Beyruti, Network Executive, SBT.

“NARUTO has clearly found it’s home in Brazil on SBT,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sale & Marketing, VIZ Media. “The continuation of our partnership is a true demonstration of both our commitments to bringing innovative programming to an ever growing audience. SBT has been a terrific partner with the NARUTO brand as they share our goal to entertain with well developed stories and exciting and compelling animation.”

SI forums member Shiro Kaiser recently posted scans from the North American Shonen Jump magazine that confirm Namco Bandai Games’ Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 will hit the west, and will come with online play!

Below is a transcription of what the magazine says:

The world is still recovering from the last major Ninja Storm. PS3’s everywhere are still cleaning up the wreckage and beginning the slow rebuilding process. And yet, some very ominous clouds are building in the air. Ninja weathermen are watching closely and some are even predicting there may just be another…NINJA STORM coming!

• There will be over 40 playable characters. That’s twice as many as before from Ultimate Ninja Storm 1.
• Tweaks to support characters will allow for more strategic use. You can start combos and counter hits with them.
• Each character can now go into Awakening mode to increase their power when their health is low.
• New Single Player mode. You can run amuck in a 1:1 recreation of the Hidden Leaf Village. All the locales from the anime will be there.
• Take the fight online. Fight one-on-one against all corners.

Emmy-nominated American actress Maile Flanagan will be a guest at Otakon 2010. While she has worked on a variety of series (both on-camera and as voice talent), she is perhaps best known to anime fans as the voice of the title character in the popular anime series Naruto. This is her first appearance at Otakon.

Flanagan’s acting career started at Boston College in an improv comedy troupe and continued in Minneapolis where she appeared on local stages. She has since flourished in many different live and animated roles. Notable animated roles include: Naruto, Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks, Back at the Barnyard on Nickelodeon, the upcoming animated-live action feature Cheap As Dirt starring Johnny Depp and animated feature Kung Fu Magoo, Ice Age 3, Final Fantasy, Fish Hooks, iCarly (vo), Chicken Little (pilot), Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring, Oh Yeah!Cartoons, Toy Warrior and many pilots.

On-camera roles include: Yes Man, 500 Days of Summer, Evan Almighty, The Number 23, The Station Agent, Phone Booth, 61*, recurring on Grey’s Anatomy, The Class, and Reno 911!, 3waytv.tv (also writer/producer), ER, The Office, Desperate Housewives, and more.

In her spare time she does theater in LA. Most recently she was in the smash hit Voice Lessons by Justin Tanner with Laurie Metcalf and French Stewart.

Otakon 2010 will be held July 30 – August 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

For more details on Otakon, please visit otakon.com

http://www.saiyanisland.com/?p=253 The debut trailer of Namco Bandai Games and CyberConnect2’s Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 is out!

This will be a filler arc, meaning that the story is original to the anime and not featured in Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto manga. Some of the contents such as the look and appearance of the six-tail, is however, based on data released by Kishimoto.

Thanks to Shinobi Naruto for the tip!

San Francisco, CA, – Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced their list of DVD titles scheduled for release in February 2010. This includes the next exciting box sets of BLEACH, as well as the latest episodic release of the popular NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series. Viz Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

SHONEN JUMP releases include:

BLEACH Uncut Box Set 4 Part 2
Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN · Available February 16
The battle against the evil Bounts grows wider and fiercer as Ichigo and friends, reinforced by a group of Soul Reapers, try to take the fight to their hideout. But the Bounts have many tricks up their sleeves, and it looks like certain defeat for Ichigo and his comrades. Uryu, who had lost his Quincy powers, is the key to the Bount leader Kariya’s plans for reve nge against the Soul Society, as well as the key to his defeat. Will Uryu be able to regain his powers in time to save his friends?

BLEACH Volume 25
Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available February 23
Jin Kariya, the leader of the Bounts, arrives at the Department of Research and Development and quickly dispatches the guards there. He has come to find the Bount Crest known as Jokaisho, which has the power to blow all of the Seireitei away, and only Ichigo and Chad stand in his way. Meanwhile, Uryu confronts the Bount Yoshi with his new Quincy powers, but he finds them difficult to control as he desperately tries to defend himself from the attacks of his ruthless opponent!

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Volume 6
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN · Available February 9
While Naruto and Kakashi chase after Deidara, Sakura and Granny Chiyo together take on Sasori of the Red Sand. Sasori’s masterful puppetry allows him to use the jutsu of the person he’s transformed into a puppet, forcing Sakura and Chiyo to face the power of the Third Kazekage. But with Chiyo’s guidance, Sakura learns to read Sasori’s moves, and the training she received from Tsunade turns out to be invaluable as the attacks grow ever more fierce!

NARUTO Uncut Season 2 Volume 1
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $39.97 US / $57.99 CAN · Available February 16
Before the final round of the Chunin Exam, Naruto receives some special training from the legendary Toad Sage, Jiraiya. When the battles resume, Naruto is ready, but what about Sasuke? He’s about to face the one ninja no one, not even Naruto, thinks he can beat. But in the midst of everything, a sinister plot is set in motion, and the Village Hidden in the Leaves finds itself under attack!