VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES SHOJO MANGA SERIES

THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFEUR

Intriguing New Series About Social Class And Forbidden Love Debuts In Print And Digitally In May

San Francisco, CA, April 28, 2016 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor, publisher and licensor of manga and anime in North America, expands its shojo manga roster with the May 3^rd launch of THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFUER, a new 2-volume series by creator Keiko Ishihara depicting the romance between a turn-of-the-century heiress and her devoted servant.

THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFUER is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will be released under the Shojo Beat imprint with an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. The series also launches digitally on May 3^rd via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App (iOS and Android), as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores.

At an all-girls school during the Taisho era of Japan, rumors swirl that heiress Sayaka Yoshimura is having a forbidden love affair with her chauffeur, Shinobu Narutaki! Sayaka scoffs at the rumors, but could a romance between master and servant actually be brewing?

In the opening volume, Sayaka wears a crimson ribbon that signals she is at the top of her class, and her classmates all revere her. So when Narutaki ignores decorum and breaks school rules to protect Sayaka, will she stand by him or dismiss him as the school demands?

“Creator Keiko Ishihara’s beautiful love story will captivate readers who love strong characters and romance. Social class division keeps the protagonists apart, but their unique bond perseveres against the odds,” says Amy Yu, Editor. “Shojo manga fans will also appreciate the crisp artwork and Taisho-period costumes. We look forward to them discovering this new release!”

Manga creator Keiko Ishihara began her manga career with Keisan Desu Kara (It's All Calculated). Her other works include Strange Dragon, which was serialized in Japan in LaLa magazine.

For additional information on THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFEUR or other manga titles distributed by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.