To Be Released November 2003 Nationwide

October 3, 2003 (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) - VIZ, LLC, North America's leading publisher of manga for English-speaking audiences announced today something for every manga collector's set -- limited edition releases of YU-GI-OH!,Volume 1 and NARUTO, Volume 1 featuring special foil covers. In addition to the special cover, each copy will feature an imprinted serial number on the cover so that collectors can experience the thrill of owning one of only 5000 printed editions.

These two titles are from the best-selling SHONEN JUMP Graphic Novel Series from the world's most popular boy's magazine, SHONEN JUMP. These limited edition volumes will be available this November at bookstores nationwide.

YU-GI-OH!

• Already a 2 billion dollar industry, with a top rated TV show, action figures, video games, magazines and collectible card games.
• The #1 rated show in the U.S. for kids on Network and Cable.
• Currently featured in the SHONEN JUMP Magazine.
• Graphic novels available from VIZ, LLC.

NARUTO

• 18 volumes released in Japan so far - with an 800,000 copy first printing of volume 18 alone!
• Over 28 million copies sold to date in Japan.
• Already released in 11 countries, Naruto has consistently ranked first out of the 7 titles serialized in the SHONEN JUMP Magazine, based on recent reader response surveys.
• Graphic novels available from VIZ, LLC.

QUOTES

"Bringing SHONEN JUMP and SHONEN JUMP Graphic Novels to America is an important milestone in realizing the vision our company was founded on 16 years ago - to introduce U.S. audiences to the joys of manga," said VIZ' President, Mr. Seiji Horibuchi. "SHONEN JUMP is the first English language manga publication targeted at the mainstream mass-market. Manga has long been immensely popular in Japan. Thanks to the Web and American television, it is now becoming an exploding phenomenon in the U.S."

"The manga titles featured in SHONEN JUMP are always positive, as the main characters are forward looking and give kids hope. Our Japanese artists have created characters and adventures which are very appealing and require a great emotional investment on the part of the reader, more so than the normal comic book," says Mr. Kazuhiko Torishima, senior editorial director of Shueisha Inc.

ABOUT SHONEN JUMP™

SHONEN JUMP Magazine contains over 300 pages of action-packed manga from the original version WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP. Patterned after Shueisha's WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP, which has a circulation in Japan of some 3.2 million, the U.S. SHONEN JUMP is published monthly. It targets the growing segment of boys, teens, and young adults who identify with the "anime lifestyle" in America. The magazine contains manga's most popular titles including several that are already well known as anime in the U.S. market, such as "DRAGON BALL Z," "YU-GI-OH!" and "YUYU HAKUSHO." Other initial titles are: "NARUTO," "SHAMAN KING," "ONE PIECE," and "SANDLAND." The U.S. SHONEN JUMP is printed in English and retains the Japanese right-to-left format, enabling the manga artwork to appear as intended by the artists. SHONEN JUMP is available through subscription, single-copy sales on newsstands, and in retailers throughout the country. The cover price is $4.95, with an annual subscription rate of $29.95 for 12 issues. Readers may access www.shonenjump.com to subscribe.

ABOUT VIZ, LLC

Founded in 1986, VIZ is a multi-media entertainment company specializing in Japanese entertainment properties for U.S. audiences. VIZ offers an integrated product line including magazines, comics, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks. VIZ publishes over 20 titles every month including: DRAGON BALL Z, GUNDAM, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, POKéMON, RANMA 1/2, SHONEN JUMP, and YU-GI-OH!.

Based in San Francisco, VIZ is one of the top five comics publishers in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Shogakukan and Shueisha Inc., two of the top publishers in Japan. VIZ is the leading publisher of manga for English speaking audiences, serving a growing market of dedicated fans of all ages. Estimating a core audience of nearly 15 million fans, the company holds more than a 50% market share of Japanese comics in the U.S. With some of the most innovative products in the industry, VIZ has expanded its offerings to its loyal fans through web sites such as www.animerica-mag.com, www.shonenjump.com and its corporate site, www.viz.com.

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