San Francisco-based VIZ Media has announced a variety of new manga titles, art books, manga series box sets, kids’ chapter books and special collector’s editions that will make unique gift ideas this holiday season.

“We are extremely pleased to offer a variety of new titles perfect for gifts for this holiday season,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, vice president for sales and product marketing. “By themselves, each of these releases makes a thoughtful and modestly priced gift for a friend, loved one or colleague, and multiple titles may be bundled for something more extravagant for that extra-special someone.

“Special box set editions for smash hit properties like ‘Death Note,’ ‘Bleach’ and ‘Naruto’ will make the ultimate gift to delight that favorite fan this year.

“And for younger readers, we also offer a variety of new titles under our VIZKIDS imprint featuring ‘The Legend of Zelda,’ ‘Naruto’ Chapter Books as well as a selection of Where’s Waldo-style ‘Let’s Find Pokemon’ books, ‘Pokemon Mazes and Puzzles’ books, and the two-volume ‘Complete Pokemon Pocket Guide.’ ”

• “Naruto” Manga Box Set (rated “T” for teens, MSRP $174.99)

This exciting collection bundles the first 27 volumes of the smash hit manga series by Masashi Kishimoto about a young boy training to become a ninja. A special two-sided full-color poster and an exclusive eight-page Shinobi Mini-Guide are included as bonus features.
The set comes with attractive custom illustrated packaging and is the ultimate collection for the serious “Naruto” fan.

• “Bleach” Manga Box Set (rated “T” for teens, MSRP $149.99)

This 21-volume box set showcases the complete first story arc of the hit supernatural action-packed series from Tite Kubo. “Bleach” tells the story of Ichigo, a young man with the ability to see ghosts, who dedicates his life to protecting the innocent from malevolent lost souls called Hollows.

Bonuses include an exclusive double-sided full-color poster and collector’s booklet.

• “Death Note” Manga Box Set (rated “T+” for older teens, MSRP $99.99)

A special collection featuring all 12 volumes of the hit supernatural crime thriller by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, as well as “Death Note: How to Read 13,” the encyclopedic guide to the manga series that has taken North America by storm.

The exclusive bonus for this box set is “Death Note: How to Use It,” a 64-page compilation of all the rules for using the mystical Death Note. This is the ultimate “Death Note” collection for the serious fan or a thoughtful gift idea for the reader that has yet to explore the series.

• Collector’s Editions (MSRP $19.99)

VIZ Media Shonen Jump Collector’s Editions celebrate some of manga’s most notable series with premium versions of the first volumes featuring gorgeous hard covers, full-color dust jackets, heavier paper stock and larger-sized presentations (5.75 x 8.25 inches) that include several full-color pages not featured in the original volumes. They include “Bleach,” “Naruto,” “Yu-Gi-Oh!,” “Death Note,” “Dragon Ball” and “Dragon Ball Z.”

• “The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, Parts 1 and 2” (rated “A” for all ages, MSRP $7.99)

Based on the best-selling adventure video games from Nintendo, “The Legend of Zelda” manga series is being made available for the first time in North America. It details the adventures of Link as his destiny is revealed starting with the Ocarina of Time.

Beloved by millions of fans around the world, the game’s storyline and characters will be expanded upon with the additional details that are available nowhere else but in the manga series.

• “Naruto: The Boy Ninja, Vols. 1-4” (recommended for ages 7-10, MSRP $4.99)

The “Naruto” Chapter Book series is the latest addition to the company’s VIZKIDS imprint designed for younger readers. It tells the action-packed saga of a boy named Naruto Uzumaki who dreams of becoming the world’s greatest ninja.

Naruto’s younger fans will be captivated by these exciting stories that are divided into easy-to-read chapters and feature illustrations from the manga on which they are based. The stories are designed to reinforce positive messages about friendship, teamwork, resilience and overcoming adversity through a variety of adventures inspired by the original manga series.

• “Bleach Souls: Official Character Book” (rated “T” for teens, MSRP $14.99)

Get the inside scoop on “Bleach.” This profile book is packed with extensive information on the characters and story arcs from the hit manga series, Vols. 1-22. It also includes exclusive stickers, a full-color poster, the original “Bleach” one-shot story pilot, and a rare interview with creator/artist Tite Kubo.

“Bleach” is Kubo’s second title and has achieved phenomenal success internationally as a manga series and animated series. It remains a mainstay in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan and Shonen Jump magazine in North America. The series is also the winner of the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award in the “shonen” (boys) category.

• “The Art of Bleach: All Colour But the Black” (MSRP $19.99)

See the world of “Bleach” in a blast of color. This art book contains Tite Kubo’s vibrant illustrations, including art from Volumes 1-19 of the series, as well as an annotated art guide and extra character information.

• “The Arina Tanemura Collection: The Art of ‘Full Moon’ ” (MSRP: $19.99)
A comprehensive collection of Arina Tanemura’s distinctive art from the hit shojo (girls) manga series “Full Moon” as well as art from “Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne,” “Short-Tempered Melancholic” and “I•O•N.”

Fans of this popular shojo manga creator, whose works also include “The Gentlemen’s Alliance” and “Time Stranger Kyoko,” will delight in the detail and beauty of her character illustrations.

• “Solanin” (rated “T+” for older teens, MSRP $17.99)

College graduates struggle to cope with the real world and music offers refuge in this modern manga with an American indie comic attitude. Meiko Inoue is a recent college grad working in a job that she hates and having issues with her freeloading boyfriend. Straddling the line between her years as a student and the rest of her life, Meiko struggles with the feeling that she’s just not cut out to be a part of the real world.

“Solanin” was written and illustrated by award-winning creator Inio Asano and was originally published as a two-volume series but will be released by VIZ Media as a single omnibus edition and includes six color pages.

For information on other titles visit www.VIZ.com.