Viz Media has announced an exclusive retail launch of merchandise for the Bleach anime and manga property at Borders, Hot Topic and Waldenbooks. Viz Media has created a line of accessory and apparel items tailored to the retail chains' demographic, and to Bleach's growing teenage audience.
Hot Topic has had a number of anime exclusives from top anime companies including Viz Media, Geneon, and ADV. Last year Viz gave Hot Topic an early exclusive on a number of Naruto items (see 'Viz Announces Hot Topic Exclusives').
As part of the agreement Borders and Waldenbooks will also carry all 15 volumes of the Bleach manga series.