Viz Communications, Inc. aquired print publishing rights from Studio Ghibli to Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, Spirited Away. Viz will handle all sorts of miscellaneous print adaptations of the movie.

Hayao Miyazaki is a world-renowned animator and has been behind the creation of several highly acclaimed films such as Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki's Delivery Service. He is also a manga artist well-recognized for the creation of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Spirited Away tells the story of a young girl named Chihiro. She accidentally wanders into a mysterious world ruled by spirits, monsters, and witches. In this world, humans are turned into animals. It's up to Chihiro to free the people from this magical spell.

Viz will publish Spirited Away in five volumes, using manga-style format. Thousands of still films will be used with translated dialogue. Each volume will be 168 pages and will retail for $9.99 in the US. It will cost $16.50 in Canada. Viz will also publish The Art of Spirited Away, a hardcover coffee-table book featuring artwork from the film. It consists of 240 pages and will retail for $34.95 in the US and $57.95 in Canada. Disney will distribute a Spirited Away Picture Book for younger kids to enjoy. It has 168 pages and will retail $19.95 in the US and $32.95 in Canada.

This October, Viz has a lot of horror and adventures lined up for fans. Check out their new releases.

Graphic Novels -

Chicago Blood the Last Vampire: 2002 Orochi The Big O, Volume 1 Gundam: The Origin, No. 3 Uzumaki, Volume 3

Home Video -

Hamtaro Project Arms: The Claws That Catch Ranma Forever: Kiss Me Cat Trouble Chocolate

Trade Books -

Anime Art Gallery: The Art of Fushigi Yûgi

Comics -

Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Part 1 #2 Project Arms, Part 1 #2

Be sure to check out Viz for all pertinent details regarding pricing, page count, background information regardining the authors, summaries, and more information on currently ongoing favorites such as Dragon Ball and Vagabond.