** MEDIA ALERT ** VIZ Media Announces Exclusive Bicoastal Events with “BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War” Voice Stars Masakazu Morita and Noriaki Sugiyama

VIZ Media, in collaboration with JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles and Japan Society in New York, is excited to announce bicoastal events celebrating the voice acting talents from “BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War,” the latest installment of the acclaimed series by legendary mangaka Tite Kubo. 

Join renowned voice actors Masakazu Morita (Ichigo Kurosaki) and Noriaki Sugiyama (Uryu Ishida) for an exclusive screening, live voice acting demonstration, and autograph session.

WHAT: VIZ Media, in partnership with JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles and Japan Society in New York, is hosting a special bicoastal event featuring two of the most iconic voice actors from the anime BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War: Masakazu Morita (voice of Ichigo Kurosaki) and Noriaki Sugiyama (voice of Uryu Ishida).

This limited-seating event begins with a screening of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 Episodes 1 and 2, followed by an exclusive sneak peek of Episode 3. The screening will be followed by a moderated discussion with the voice actors, exploring the art of Japanese voice acting, their roles in the anime production process, and the cultural influences shaping this unique craft. The event will conclude with a live voice acting session, bringing beloved characters to life before the audience. VIP attendees at Japan Society in New York will also enjoy a special autograph session.

WHEN & WHERE:
Los Angeles Event:
Date: October 13, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
6801 Hollywood Blvd, Level 5, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tickets: https://www.japanhousela.com/events/bleach-fireside-chat-with-ichigo-uryu-viz-media-masakazu-morita-noriaki-sugiyama-risa-light/

New York Event:
Date: October 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Location: Japan Society
333 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017
Tickets: https://japansociety.org/events/voices-of-bleach-a-fireside-chat-with-ichigo-and-uryu

WHO:
Masakazu Morita - Renowned for his role as Ichigo Kurosaki in BLEACH 
Masakazu Morita made his voice acting debut in 2001 as the protagonist Tidus in the video game Final Fantasy X. His notable roles include Ichigo Kurosaki in BLEACH, Shin in Kingdom, Barnaby Brooks Jr. in Tiger & Bunny, and many others. He also works as an actor, stage performer and narrator, among other activities.

Noriaki Sugiyama - Celebrated for voicing Uryu Ishida in BLEACH 
Noriaki Sugiyama gained widespread recognition for voicing Sasuke Uchiha in NARUTO. His other notable roles include Shirou Emiya in Fate/stay night and Uryu Ishida in BLEACH, and many others.

LA Moderator: Risa Light - Host of the popular “Risa’s Nihongo” series, and Japanese pop culture influencer.

NY Moderator: Lauryn Alexandria AKA Toastymarshmellow - Lauryn Alexandria is a singer, actor and nerdy Black content creator based in NYC.

WHY:
Anime is taking the world by storm, and Japanese voice actors are at the heart of its incredible success! This exciting event is a must-attend for fans—come see your favorite voice actors bring characters to life, hear their fascinating stories, and celebrate the global cultural impact of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War and Japanese anime like never before!

Follow all the action on VIZ Media’s social media platforms:

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Press Contact:
Chantelle Sturt
Head of Global PR & Publicity
chantellesturt@viz.com

About VIZ Media
Wherever manga and anime fans are, we are! VIZ Media is No. 1 in Japanese pop culture, introducing fans to what’s now, new, and next. Home to the world’s most influential and groundbreaking storytellers and artists, who today drive multiple industries from publishing and animation to film and gaming. If it’s big in Japan, you can find it at VIZ. VIZ Media is proudly certified as a Most Loved Workplace® in America and Inc Magazine’s Best Workplace. For more information on VIZ Media visit: https://www.viz.com/ 

About JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles:
JAPAN HOUSE is a project which aims to nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan in the international community, by creating a number of hubs from which to showcase and communicate Japan as a country of countless charms, able to enrich the rest of the world. These hubs, located in major global cities, are designed to function as platforms for people with passion and with talent who have been inspired to use JAPAN HOUSE to articulate, express, and reveal their experiences and interpretations of Japan. JAPAN HOUSE operates three such hubs, in London, Los Angeles, and Sao Paolo. Each hub features an exhibition space, a multi-purpose space with theater facilities, a retail space, food and drink, books, online connectivity, and a cafe space. The project merges together these functions, and the activities they enable, to introduce a variety of themes, in detail and with substance: the future of tradition, the passion of popular culture, the power of advanced technology, and the diverse appeal of Japanese food. Activities are designed to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, including those with no previous interest in Japan. However, none of these activities will seek to define Japan as any one thing. Rather, everyone involved in this project is motivated by a desire to keep examining, sincerely and flexibly, the same question: “what is Japan?” The project also aims to distinguish itself clearly from other cultural activities, many of which have been defined by stereotypes and faux representations of Japan. Put simply, what this project seeks to achieve goes beyond conventional attempts to inform and communicate. Instead, JAPAN HOUSE is about enabling people to realize how little they knew about Japan and then to open their eyes to Japan. In doing so, the project embraces all aspects of Japanese culture today, from high culture to subcultures, to leading-edge technology and beyond.

About Japan Society:
Japan Society is the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, business and society with audiences in New York and around the world. At Japan Society, we are inspired by the Japanese concept of kizuna (絆)–forging deep connections to bind people together. We are committed to telling the story of Japan while strengthening connections within New York City and building new bridges beyond. In over 100 years of work, we’ve inspired generations by establishing ourselves as pioneers in supporting international exchanges in arts and culture, business and policy, as well as education between Japan and the U.S. We strive to convene important conversations on topics that bind our two countries together, champion the next generation of innovative creators, promote mutual understanding and serve as a trusted guide for people everywhere who seek to more fully appreciate the rich complexities and abundance of Japan. From our New York headquarters, a landmark building designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura that opened to the public in 1971, we look forward to the years ahead, which will be defined by our digital and ideational impact through the kizuna that we build. Our future can only be enhanced by learning from our peers and engaging with our audiences, both near and afar.

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