VIZ MEDIA MAKES 2008 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
A MANGA DAY WITH SPECIAL FREE ISSUE OF SHONEN JUMP MAGAZINE

Special 32-Page Sampler Edition of Nation's Most Popular Manga Anthology
- SHONEN JUMP Magazine To Feature
NARUTO, BLEACH and SLAM DUNK

San Francisco, CA, March 26, 2008 � VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of
the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive
publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced its
participation as a Gold Level Sponsor in the 2008 Free Comic Book Day,
taking place May 3rd. VIZ Media is producing a special edition (rated
"A" for All Ages) of SHONEN JUMP Magazine (rated 'T' for Teens) to be
distributed for free at participating stores nationwide.

The annual occasion, developed by Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., the
world's largest distributor of English-language comic books, is designed
for comic book retailers across North America and around the world to
offer a range of select titles for free to further spread awareness of
new and upcoming series and highlight the diversity of the comics and
manga (graphic novel) genres.
SHONEN JUMP will publish a special, free condensed issue of the magazine
to appeal to new comic book fans as well as established manga readers.
The SHONEN JUMP Free Comic Book Day issue will contain 32 action-packed
pages including special previews of three of VIZ Media�s most exciting
serialized series � NARUTO, BLEACH and the newly serialized SLAM DUNK
� as well as coverage of many of the magazine�s other popular series
such as ONE PIECE and YU YU HAKUSHO, and introduce new readers to the
diverse array of content the magazine offers. Longtime SHONEN JUMP fans
will also love the BLEACH poster included in this special edition.

SHONEN JUMP joins a select group of ten other preeminent publishers
participating in Free Comic Book Day including Archie, Bongo, Dark
Horse, DC, Dynamite, IDW, Image, Marvel and Virgin. For more information
on Free Comic Book Day please visit www.freecomicbookday.com.
"Despite the massive popularity of manga in the United States, there is
still a huge audience waiting to experience the range of unique art and
compelling stories featured in these excellent Japanese comics, � says
Marc Weidenbaum, Editor-In- Chief of SHONEN JUMP. �By supporting Free
Comic Book Day, we hope to get manga into as many hands as possible, and
let American comic readers discover the pleasures of the ninja epic that
is Masashi Kishimoto�s NARUTO, the soul-reaper action of Tite Kubo�s
BLEACH, and the high-school hijinks of Takehiko Inoue�s SLAM DUNK.�
SHONEN JUMP, which celebrated its 5th anniversary earlier this year,
appeals to over 1.9 million readers monthly aged 12-17 - with an average
monthly circulation of over 241,000. SHONEN JUMP is the first place fans
can read new chapters of the latest hit manga from Japan as titles such
as NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE have two or more chapters regularly
serialized each month in addition to product articles on a vast array of
related video games, trading cards, animation and toys. Ardent fans
appreciate the easy to read and affordable presentations of a notable
array of different genres, stories and art styles, yet the magazine
still offers new readers the opportunity to �test� several manga at
once. For more information on SHONEN JUMP Magazine please visit
www.shonenjump.com.

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; P
hone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.