Comic-Con: Viz Media
Viz already had a press-only panel to discuss Ultimo, but this second panel of theirs was to discuss all their other properties. Probably the biggest news of the panel (though kept surprisingly low key) was they had officially licensed the Shonen Jump anime series "Hunter X Hunter" for American distribution. The anime is based off the long-running manga by Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator of YuYu Hakusho. Now while he may be best known for YYH in America, Togashi is much more widely known in Japan for his work on HxH. In fact many consider it to be the best fighting series in the history of the magazine.
Viz had been shopping the title around at various events since late last year, but that didn't mean it was necessarily going to get licensed. But apparently the title caught enough buzz that Viz thinks it will do well in the US. Quite surprising considering how they've been canceling DVDs left & right lately. The series will be getting the same treatment as Buso Renkin, in that it'll be released in boxset form only. The first batch of 13 episodes will come out in Q4 of 2008, with new sets coming out every 2 months. The various Hunter x Hunter OVAs that follow the anime series are as of now unlicensed, but if the TV series does well enough yo can bet they'll bring those over as well. Incidentally, the first Buso Renkin box set comes out next week.
Speaking of those canceled DVD releases from Viz, they had a few words to say on that as well. Hikaru no Go, Prince of Tennis, MAR, & Full Moon wo Sagashite are all still on hiatus with no immediate plans to start releasing them again. However, Viz did hint that they might make a comeback down the line in boxset form (wasn't PoT already being released in boxsets though?).
In Naruto news, they announced that the second movie will be called "Legend of the Stone of Gelel" & will be getting straight-to-DVD release this on July 29, instead of going to theaters first like the original movie did. Viz did talk about how the first Bleach movie will be getting the special theatrical treatment though, which will screen on June 11-12 with the DVD coming out in October. Meanwhile Viz also announced that they've licensed the third Naruto film (the last one before Shippuden) & will also be coming out in October. I'm guessing the way that Toonami is steam-rolling through the filler episodes is the main reason why they're releasing the third movie so close to the second. It wont be long until Shippuden starts if they continue at the rate they're going, after all.
As a final note, they mentioned that they have some big plans in store for Viz Novels in 2009, & an announcement on that would be coming soon.
Source: http://anime.ign.com/articles/868/868004p1.html