VIZ MEDIA TEAMS WITH MADMAN ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING HOT MANGA TITLES TO
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Country’s Mix Of Western And Asian Culture Creates A Growing Demand For
Diverse Titles


San Francisco, CA, February 22, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one
of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive
publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced its
continued global expansion with a new distribution agreement with Madman
Entertainment to offer a wide variety of Shueisha manga (graphic novel)
series to the burgeoning market in Australia and New Zealand. Shueisha
Inc., is one of Japan’s largest publishers and is a parent company of
VIZ Media.

Some initial VIZ Media titles to be published will include smash hit
properties like NARUTO, set to debut in March, BLEACH, scheduled to
launch in April, and DEATH NOTE, which will be introduced in May.
Several popular shojo series such as THE GENTLEMEN'S ALLIANCE †, FULL
MOON, LOVE*COM and NANA are also set for publication this year along
with action favorites that include ONE PIECE, D. GRAY MAN, BLACK CAT and
CLAYMORE.

Madman is Australia’s number one distributor of manga (graphic novels),
with a wide range of popular titles already available, including some of
the industry’s biggest licenses. In late 2006-early 2007, Madman was a
key sponsor of the Tezuka – The Marvel of Manga exhibition at the
National Gallery of Victoria and the Gallery of New South Wales, and
also launched a dedicated manga section on its website, www.madman.com.au.

“Madman is honored to be working with VIZ Media and their incredible
range of manga brands, and thrilled at the prospect of introducing these
to a wide range of readers in our territories," says Tim Anderson,
Managing Director of Madman Entertainment. "Australian and New Zealand
readers have developed a real thirst for manga and based on similar
agreements forged in other rising markets, Madman looks forward to
combining efforts with VIZ Media to offer the most comprehensive
catalogue to date in these countries."

“Madman Entertainment has become a dominant player in the emerging
Australian and New Zealand manga scene and we are excited to partner
with them to bring some of the hottest titles to readers there." says
Hyoe Narita, Executive Vice President, VIZ Media. "Manga has become a
truly global entertainment medium and agreements like this will continue
to provide innovative means to develop and establish international
markets offering a range of compelling content."

About MADMAN ENTERTAINMENT
THE MADMAN ENTERTAINMENT GROUP proudly showcases the best in Japanese
anime, world cinema, art house film, Australian independent features and
animation. Madman is Australia's leading distributor of home
entertainment and an industry innovator with a sought-after interactive
and DVD authoring studio; printing division; film production
involvement; and a range of DVD and video labels. Madman was recently
awarded exclusive DVD distribution rights to the Cartoon Network and SBS
home entertainment labels. Web site: www.madman.com.au

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one
of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga
(graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of
Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and
licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and
Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in
the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking
audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and
animation. The company offers an integrated product line including,
magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos,
DVDs and audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated
entertainment from initial production, television placement and
distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and
consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San
Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web
site at www.VIZ.com.