VIZ Media’s Neon Alley anime service celebrates one year anniversary with debut of “Catch Up” feature for Xbox and PS3, and an exciting fall season on October 18th; Ranma ½, Magi, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Gurren Lagann and the Lucha Libre-style Chikara.
San Francisco, CA -- VIZ Media, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, celebrates the one-year anniversary of its 24/7 Neon Alley anime channel in October. The service, available to fans across North America via the PlayStation3 (PS3) and PlayStation Network, the Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE and via PC/Mac web access, also announces the launch of the “Catch Up” feature for Xbox and PS3, joining fans who can now enjoy recent episodes through NeonAlley.com. In addition, Neon Alley unveiled an exciting fall programming schedule.
To celebrate, between October 4th and 10th, Neon Alley will also offer a 2-week free extension of the Neon Alley service to those who sign up for the service at NeonAlley.com. This free two week trial is open to new subscribers and return members alike.
With the new expanded feature, all Neon Alley members on the Xbox 360, PS3 or online may select either a “Watch Live” or “Catch Up” option upon logging onto the service. The “Watch Live” option provides fans with the 24/7 linear English-dubbed channel that the network has come to be known for, and with the addition of the Video-On Demand “Catch Up” option, fans now have the flexibility to watch shows at their convenience. Shows will be available on the Catch Up service the day following premiering on the channel.
The Neon Alley Fall Season commences on Friday, October 18th and includes the highly anticipated high definition return of RANMA ½ to North America along with the exclusive dub premiere of MAGI: THE LABYRINTH OF MAGIC. Additional premieres this season include GURREN LAGAAN, PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA, and REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA. The latest episodes of ongoing favorites BLEACH, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN and ONE PIECE are also scheduled and Neon Alley members are invited to check out CHIKARA, a brand new live-action American Luchador-style wrestling series.
Neon Alley Fall Season Premiere Week Programming:
Friday, October 18th
RANMA ½ - 2 Episodes MAGI: THE LABYRINTH OF MAGIC – 1 Episode PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA – 1 Episode REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA – 1 Episode
Saturday, October 19th
BLEACH – 2 Episodes NARUTO SHIPPUDEN – 1 Episode ONE PIECE – 2 Episodes
Sunday, October 20th
CHIKARA – 1 Episode
Thursday, October 24th
GURREN LAGAAN – 1 Episode
Check out the trailer for the new season, below:
“The Fall 2013 schedule for Neon Alley is filled with a host of brand new shows and audiences won’t want to miss all of the exciting action we have planned,” says Brian Ige, VIZ Media Vice President, Animation. “From the martial arts zaniness of RANMA ½ to the sci-fi-inspired drama of GURREN LAGAAN, magical adventures of MAGI and PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA, and the gorgeous animation of REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA, Neon Alley will be the place to go for the hottest uncut anime content this Fall. Wrestling fans can also catch the high-flying Lucha Libre action of CHIKARA. And with the new video-on-demand ‘Catch Up’ feature for PS3, Xbox and the Web, members now have even more flexibility to watch recent episodes of their favorite series whenever they want!”
GURREN LAGANN (Aniplex) In a bleak future where humanity is forced to live underground, a fourteen year-old boy named Simon is assigned the task of digging tunnels to expand his village. But Simon stumbles across a fantastic device, and with the help of many other friends, they use the robots’ power to fight against their oppressors and take back the surface of their planet.
MAGI: THE LABYRINTH OF MAGIC (Aniplex) A young boy, Aladin, travels a mysterious continent that is home to a mysterious ruin known as the “Dungeon,” in which great treasure is said to lay hidden. During his travels, the young boy meets Alibaba, and together they attempt to clear the “Dungeon” in order to claim the treasures within. As their quest brings about new encounters and farewells, Aladin will come to learn of his true destiny.
RANMA ½ (VIZ Media) Ranma Saotome never thought a martial arts training mission to China would turn out like this! An accidental dunk in a cursed spring changes boy Ranma into a young girl, every time he is splashed with cold water. Hot water reverses the effect - but only until next time!
PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (Aniplex)
She has a loving family and best friends and laughs and cries from time to time. Madoka Kaname, an eighth grader of Mitakihara middle school, is one of those girls who lives such a life. One day, she has a very magical encounter. She doesn't know if it happened by chance or by fate. This is a fateful encounter that can change her destiny and the beginning of a new story of magical witch girls.
REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA (Nozomi) “Never lose that strength or nobility, even when you grow up.” When Utena was just a child in the depths of sorrow, she found salvation in those words. They were the words of a prince, who wrapped her in his rose-scented embrace and bestowed upon her both a ring and the promise that it would lead her to him again. Utena never forgot the encounter. In fact, she was so impressed that she aspired to be like the prince and also help those in need. Now a spirited teenager, Utena attends the prestigious Ohtori Academy. However, her strong sense of chivalry soon places her at odds with the school's student council and thrusts her into a series of mysterious and dangerous duels against its members.REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENAhas been called one of the Top 5 “Best Anime of all Time”(Anime Insider) and also inspired an animated film, manga, and stage play adaptations.
Source: VIZ Media LLC
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
