VIZ PICTURES ANNOUNCES THEATRICAL SCREENINGS OF SLAPSTICK COMEDY -
MAIKO HAAAAN!!!

Hilarious Look Into Japanese Culture And The Geisha World To Screen In
Los Angeles, New York And Seattle

San Francisco, CA, April 21, 2008 – VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ
Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has
announced upcoming theatrical runs scheduled for New York, Los Angeles
and Seattle of MAIKO HAAAAN!!!, a film directed by Nobuo Mizuta.

From acclaimed screenwriter Kankuro Kudo of PING PONG, Yaji and Kita:
The Midnight Pilgrims and Takashi Miike's Zebraman, MAIKO HAAAAN!!!, is
a slapstick comedy with an energetic twist of manic Japanese humor and a
colorful introduction to the little-seen Maiko (apprentice Geisha)
world. The recent premiere of this film at the Austin Fantastic Fest
2007 was very successful. MAIKO HAAAAN!!! will screen in New York, April
18-24, Seattle May 2-8 and Los Angeles, May 23-29, with a special Press
Screening in Los Angeles on May 1. Details and theatre information
follow at the end of this release.

MAIKO HAAAAN!!! centers on a Japanese salary man named Kimihiko Onizuka
(Sadawo Abe, from KAMIKAZE GIRLS) who dumps his girlfriend because he
believes he can only fall in love with an apprentice Geisha, otherwise
known as a 'Maiko.’ He decides to pursue his dream of courting a real
Maiko in Kyoto. The lavish and private Maiko Houses become a social
barrier partly caused by a rival who is actually also a millionaire
baseball player (Shinichi Tsutsumi). But Kimihiko remains undaunted and
embarks on the most wild journey using some outlandish premises to gain
entry to the Geisha inner sanctum. Meanwhile, Kimihiko’s girlfriend (Kou
Shibasaki) tries to win him back by leaving Tokyo to become a Maiko herself.

“Imagine a frenzied and comedic version of Memoirs of a Geisha coupled
with Forrest Gump and you have a pretty good idea of the fun in-store in
MAIKO HAAAAN!!!,” says Manami Iboshi, Director, Marketing, VIZ Pictures.
“Aside from the over-the-top plot and comedic performances, the film
also provides a unique and colorful introduction into Japanese culture
and the Maiko world to domestic audiences and we are sure audiences will
be delighted by this rollicking story."

For more information on MAIKO HAAAAN!!! please visit www.viz-pictures.com.

Theatre Information:

NEW YORK (exclusive)
Theatrical Screening: April 18-24
IMAGINASIAN THEATRE
239 East 59th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave.), New York 10022

LOS ANGELES
*Press Screening: May 8 - 2:00PM
Theatrical Screening: May 23-29
IMAGINASIAN CENTER
251 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(*If you would like to attend the press screening in Los Angeles, please
RSVP to evelyn@viz.com)

SEATTLE
Theatrical Screening: May 2-8
GRAND ILLUSION CINEMA
1403 NE 50th Street, Seattle, WA 98105


About VIZ Pictures, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese
live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii
(cute) and cool" pop culture. VIZ Pictures approaches each release from
a J-pop fan's point of view to serve manga and anime generation in North
America. VIZ Pictures titles include TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, LINDA
LINDA LINDA, THE TASTE OF TEA, and PING PONG. The company will continue
to offer the hottest visual entertainment straight from the "Kingdom of
Pop" for audiences of all ages in North America. VIZ Pictures, Inc. is
an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S.
publisher of Japanese manga (comics) and merchandise licensor of
Japanese animation such as the popular "NARUTO" animated TV series. For
more information please visit www.viz-pictures.com. © 2006 VIZ Pictures, Inc

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
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, 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.
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