VIZ MEDIA [Anime Expo 2018]: Megalobox / NieR: Automata / Smashed: Junji Ito.

Animation distributor VIZ Media thrilled fans during its official panel held at Anime Expo as it announced the acquisition of the MEGALOBOX anime series. Megalobox reboots the classic manga published by Kodansha, Tomorrow’s Joe, the widely acclaimed story of an orphan who becomes a champion boxer that marks its 50th Anniversary this year. VIZ Media acquired the exclusive theatrical, broadcast, home media, and non-exclusive streaming, merchandise and consumer products rights to Megalobox from TMS Entertainment Co., Ltd., one of the world’s largest and most distinguished animation studios.

A variety of renowned anime industry veterans make up Megalobox’s staff, including Director and Conceptual Design by Yo Moriyama (Attack on Titan) and Series Composition and Screenplay by Katsuhiko Manabe (Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior).

In Megalobox, the protagonist of the story is a young man with no origin and known only by his ring name: “JNK.DOG” He survives by fighting in rigged, underground matches of a sport called Megalobox, a form of fighting utilizing powered exoskeletons. JD is bored, resigned and unfulfilled—until the day he encounters Yuri, the reigning official champion of Megalobox.

The first of the two titles, NIER: AUTOMATA: SHORT STORY LONG, is a collection of short fiction and novellas based on the bestselling video game, NieR: Automata, which has sold more than two million copies. The second novel of two stand-alone volumes (Long Story Short will debut in October 2018), the book expands the world and characters of the video game, including insights into beloved characters and story settings. Also announced was SMASHED: JUNJI ITO STORY COLLECTION, a chilling new hardcover collection of thirteen tales from the master of horror. Both new titles are scheduled for print and digital publication in the spring of 2019.

NIER: AUTOMATA: SHORT STORY LONG, By Jun Eishima and Yoko Taro

Short fiction from the world of NieR: Automata, including the classic novella “The Flame of Prometheus,” the short story “A Much Too Silent Sea,” and original tales of A2, Emil and more!

SMASHED: JUNJI ITO STORY COLLECTION, By Junji Ito

Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

Try not to be noticed when you eat the secret nectar, otherwise you’ll get smashed… What horrific events happened to create the earthbound—people tied to a certain place for the rest of their short lives? Then, a strange haunted house comes to town, but no one expects it to lead to a real hell… Welcome to Junji Ito’s world, a world with no escape from endless nightmares.

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