Inuyasha to Launch on Mobile Phones
Sorrent Partners with ShoPro Entertainment to Bring Inuyasha to Mobile Phones
Leading Mobile Entertainment Publisher to Bring #1 Selling Graphic
Novel Series to Cell Phones
SAN MATEO, Calif. - July 22, 2004 - Sorrent, Inc., a leading creator and global publisher of mobile entertainment, and ShoPro Entertainment, a global provider of animation entertainment and merchandise licensing, today announced a multi-year partnership in which Sorrent will develop and publish mobile content based on Inuyasha, the wildly popular Japanese animation TV program and #1 selling graphic novel series in America. Through the agreement, fans will be able to access Inuyasha messaging, wallpapers and
games directly from their mobile phones.
"We are thrilled to be working with Sorrent to offer Japanese animation andmanga fans innovative means to enjoy Inuyasha wherever they go," said Cynthia Money, Vice President of Consumer Products, ShoPro Entertainment. "Whether it's through text messaging, wallpapers, or game applications, the mobile component is critical in further integrating Inuyasha into the everyday lives of passionate fans."
Inuyasha, the graphic novel series that has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, is the creation of world-famous manga artist Rumiko Takahashi. Inuyasha is proving its popularity among American audiences as well. The animated series is currently ranked #1 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, establishing itself as the premiere anime for teens and adults. In addition, VIZ, LLC, the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese animation and comics, has sold more than half a million copies of both Inuyasha DVDs and graphic novels. VIZ will release the first Inuyasha Movie "Affections Touching Across Time" on DVD September 7, 2004. The highly anticipated movie will premiere at Comic-Con 2004 on Friday, July 23.
"Inuyasha has a vast and dedicated fan base whose popularity spans many age groups, which complements that of the mobile phone," said Robert Nashak, vice president of development, Sorrent. "Our partnership with ShoPro Entertainment is critical in deepening the unique relationship customers have with their mobile phones and giving fans the ability to access Inuyasha content wherever they are."
About VIZ, LLC
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.
About ShoPro Entertainment
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, ShoPro Entertainment is a global licensor and specializes in animation, entertainment production and merchandising. ShoPro Entertainment, affiliate of Sho-Pro Japan, a subsidiary of Shogakukan, Inc., one of Japan's largest publishing companies, develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, merchandise licensing and promotions reaching audiences around the world. To date, ShoPro Entertainment has brought multi-million dollar animated entertainment series including Hamtaro, MegaMan NT Warrior and Inuyasha to broadcasters and consumers around the world.
About Sorrent, Inc.
Sorrent is a leading creator and global publisher of wireless entertainment. Sorrent's critically-acclaimed content features single and multiplayer games, based on original and licensed properties, including an award-winning suite of FOX Sports titles. Sorrent has developed a proprietary technology infrastructure that delivers graphically rich, fast-paced mobile games on more than 100 Java and BREW-enabled handsets. With offices in San Mateo, California and London, England, the company's extensive distribution network includes all of the U.S. wireless carriers, as well as some of the world's largest carriers around the world. Founded in 2001, Sorrent has attracted top tier venture capital firms including NEA, Sienna Ventures, and Globespan Capital Partners. For more information, visit www.sorrent.com.
Leading Mobile Entertainment Publisher to Bring #1 Selling Graphic
Novel Series to Cell Phones
SAN MATEO, Calif. - July 22, 2004 - Sorrent, Inc., a leading creator and global publisher of mobile entertainment, and ShoPro Entertainment, a global provider of animation entertainment and merchandise licensing, today announced a multi-year partnership in which Sorrent will develop and publish mobile content based on Inuyasha, the wildly popular Japanese animation TV program and #1 selling graphic novel series in America. Through the agreement, fans will be able to access Inuyasha messaging, wallpapers and
games directly from their mobile phones.
"We are thrilled to be working with Sorrent to offer Japanese animation andmanga fans innovative means to enjoy Inuyasha wherever they go," said Cynthia Money, Vice President of Consumer Products, ShoPro Entertainment. "Whether it's through text messaging, wallpapers, or game applications, the mobile component is critical in further integrating Inuyasha into the everyday lives of passionate fans."
Inuyasha, the graphic novel series that has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, is the creation of world-famous manga artist Rumiko Takahashi. Inuyasha is proving its popularity among American audiences as well. The animated series is currently ranked #1 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, establishing itself as the premiere anime for teens and adults. In addition, VIZ, LLC, the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese animation and comics, has sold more than half a million copies of both Inuyasha DVDs and graphic novels. VIZ will release the first Inuyasha Movie "Affections Touching Across Time" on DVD September 7, 2004. The highly anticipated movie will premiere at Comic-Con 2004 on Friday, July 23.
"Inuyasha has a vast and dedicated fan base whose popularity spans many age groups, which complements that of the mobile phone," said Robert Nashak, vice president of development, Sorrent. "Our partnership with ShoPro Entertainment is critical in deepening the unique relationship customers have with their mobile phones and giving fans the ability to access Inuyasha content wherever they are."
About VIZ, LLC
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.
About ShoPro Entertainment
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, ShoPro Entertainment is a global licensor and specializes in animation, entertainment production and merchandising. ShoPro Entertainment, affiliate of Sho-Pro Japan, a subsidiary of Shogakukan, Inc., one of Japan's largest publishing companies, develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, merchandise licensing and promotions reaching audiences around the world. To date, ShoPro Entertainment has brought multi-million dollar animated entertainment series including Hamtaro, MegaMan NT Warrior and Inuyasha to broadcasters and consumers around the world.
About Sorrent, Inc.
Sorrent is a leading creator and global publisher of wireless entertainment. Sorrent's critically-acclaimed content features single and multiplayer games, based on original and licensed properties, including an award-winning suite of FOX Sports titles. Sorrent has developed a proprietary technology infrastructure that delivers graphically rich, fast-paced mobile games on more than 100 Java and BREW-enabled handsets. With offices in San Mateo, California and London, England, the company's extensive distribution network includes all of the U.S. wireless carriers, as well as some of the world's largest carriers around the world. Founded in 2001, Sorrent has attracted top tier venture capital firms including NEA, Sienna Ventures, and Globespan Capital Partners. For more information, visit www.sorrent.com.
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