Viz, LLC and ShoPro Entertainment have formally announced the completion of their merger. The new company has shed its temporary "Newco" title, to be formally known as Viz Media, LLC.

Viz Media has announced that the company has acquired Matsuri Hino's MeriPuri. MeriPuri is the latest addition to Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineup. Viz Media has also announced that it has obtained the rights to Mar and Kekkashi. Mar and Kekkashi are slated to be released in the second quarter of 2005.

Sony Music has announced that Puffy Amiyumi will be touring North America this year. The shows that are currently scheduled are as follows:

April 22: Porland, Oregon, Crystal Ballroom April 23: Seattle, Washington, The Showbox April 24: Vancouver, British Columbia, Vogue Theatre April 26: San Francisco, California, Warfield Theatre April 29: Los Angeles, California, Wiltern Theatre April 30: San Diego, California, SOMA May 2: Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre

Aside from the scheduled shows, Puffy AmiYumi is also slated to make their late-night performance debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live on April 28.

Geneon's release of the Appleseed movie includes a trailer of the previously unannounced Gankutsuou television series. Gankutsuou is Gonzo Digimation's science fiction adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo.

Kadokawa Shoten is now accepting preorders for the upcoming Slayers vs. Orphen novel. The novel is written by Kamisaka Ichi and Akita Sadanobu, and illustrated by Rui Araizumi and Kusaka Yuuya. The novel will be bundled with a "secret" CD-ROM, and will retail for 1,800 yen. The book is scheduled for a late June release, with a preorder cutoff date of May 1.

New Line Cinema has announced that it acquired the rights to produce a western live-action adaption of the best-selling manga series, Monster. Monster is currently being adapted as an animated television series in Japan. The live-action project will be a coproduction between Shogakukan and American company Trilogy Entertainment.