Azureus, a global leader in aggregating and distributing long-form, high quality video via the Internet's most popular media peer-to-peer (P2P) application, struck a content agreement with Geneon Ent. to release popular anime series on its digital media platform. The agreement includes an episode of LUPIN III, "To Be or Nazi Be" (episode 3) that couldn't be aired on TV because of its outrageous storyline. Azureus will make the programs available on its video sharing site, Vuze (www.vuze.com), a premier broadband distribution platform.
Geneon series available for download on Vuze include AYAKASHI (SAMURAI HORROR TALES), GANKUTSUOU (THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO), GUN SWORD and LAST EXILE, as well as LUPIN THE 3RD, with the first episode of each series available to download for free. With an extensive catalog of anime titles available on the site, Vuze already attracts more than three million global visitors after just a few months in existence.
"We are excited to broaden our library of anime content with these popular series from Geneon Ent.," said Azureus ceo Gilles BianRosa, "Our Vuze users are already fans of this genre and we take pride in the fact that they can access hard-to-find, niche content like this and also interact with others who share the same passion on this platform."
AYAKASHI (SAMURAI HORROR TALES), an 11-episode anime series produced by Toei Animation, collects three classic Japanese horror stories: Yotsuya Kaidan, Tenshu Monogatari and Bake Neko. GANKUTSUOU, a science-fiction retelling of the classic French novel, LE COMTE DE MONTE-CRISTO spans 24 episodes of eye-popping experimental animation and intense drama; produced by GONZO and directed by Mahiro Maeda. LAST EXILE beautifully creates a steampunk world of dogfights and airborne navies; directed by Koichi Chigira and produced by GONZO. GUN SWORD, known by some fans as GXS, follows the revenge epic of a man seeking to avenge the murder of his wife in the wastes of an intergalactic penal colony over the 26-episodes directed by Goro Taniguchi and produced by AIC A.S.T.A. LUPIN THE 3RD, a manga and anime series created by Kazuhiko Kato (AKA: Monkey Punch) in 1967, follows the comic tales of a master thief and his gang as they go from one misguided caper to another.
"Geneon recognizes the intense passion of our consumers and their strong presence online," said Marc Harrington, vp of business development for Geneon Ent. "Partnering with Azureus provides an excellent opportunity to satisfy our customer demand for high-quality program downloads."
Launched in April 2007, Azureus' new platform, Vuze serves as an alternative, low-cost distribution and marketing platform to distribute compelling, High Def content to a fast growing global audience of millions of active users. Both large and small content owners can promote their works to their fan base through comprehensive discovery tools, including search, browsing, channels and tagging, as well as gauge market interest in specific territories. The entire experience, from search and discovery to payment, download and play, is tightly integrated into the application. Publishers can also distribute their work directly from the application.
Azureus recently announced partnerships with several high-profile content providers, including the BBC Worldwide (including BBC HD), Showtime Networks, A&E Networks (including A&E, The History Channel and The Biography Channel), Nelvana Enterprises, Bennett Media Worldwide, G4 TV, National Geographic, Starz Media, plua more than 20 other media companies and thousands of self-publishers. Additional content from other premium partners will be made available on Vuze throughout the year. With more than three years of technology innovation, proven robustness, and more than 140 million downloads of its application, Azureus users connect with one another from more than 100 countries and 40 languages.
The new commercial-grade platform is supported by powerful peer-sharing technology, enabling its vast global community the ability to browse, share, search and discover unique multimedia entertainment in a high-resolution format. Visit www.vuze.com for more information.
Geneon Ent. (www.Geneon-Ent.com) is a full-service producer and distributor of entertainment content, including film, music, animation and television shows on DVD, UMD, CD, and new media, including the Internet and mobile devices. Continually introducing new and classic anime and live-action programming, as well as anime CD soundtracks, the company also serves as a creative partner to many of Japan's top anime production companies. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Geneon Ent. is a subsidiary and joint venture between Tokyo-based advertising giant Dentsu Inc. and d-rights, Inc., a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corp.
