Viz Media Signs New Representative in Latin America for Zatch Bell and Naruto

San Francisco, CA, October 26, 2006 - Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), one
of
the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive
publishing, animation and licensing companies has selected Licensing &
Promotions Latin America as its new representative for ZATCH BELL! and
NARUTO in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.

Licensing & Promotions Latin America represents King Features,
Spellbound, Sulake, New Line Cinema and Rainbow among others. They will
be an extension of Viz Media within these markets and represent VIZ
Media to local licensees, retailers and promotional partners.

“Since ZATCH BELL! and NARUTO are already such tremendous hits in
North
America, Europe and Asia, we are excited to see these properties
gaining
momentum in Latin America,” said Daniel Marks, Senior Vice President,
International, Viz Media. “Having Licensing & Promotions Latin
America
partner with us is a perfect fit for success.”

“Knowing what great properties ZATCH BELL! and NARUTO are, we were
thrilled to be chosen as one of VIZ Media’s Latin American
partners,”
said Licensing & Promotion's International Director, Ben Carter.
“These
two properties are going to explode on the Latin American scene in 2007
and we are excited and ready to be a part of it.”

NARUTO has become one of VIZ Media’s most successful manga properties
in
terms of sales. The series, by Masashi Kishimoto, depicts the
adventures
of a young boy who trains to become a ninja has sold more than 66
million copies in Japan since its 1999 debut. In North America, the
massive amount of fan interest in the brand continues to build. In
addition to the manga series, the NARUTO anime counterpart is a ratings
powerhouse on Cartoon Network. Viz Media also recently released the
first few volumes of the anime series on DVD and it continues to be a
huge seller. Viz Media was named the Master Licensor in February 2005,
obtaining the television, home video and merchandising rights to NARUTO
for North America and Latin America.

ZATCH BELL!, is an action-packed series aimed at kids 6-14 is based on
the popular manga created by Makoto Raiku. A huge success in Japan,
ZATCH BELL! now has a dedicated following in North America since it’s
debut. on The Cartoon Network and YTV in Canada last year. In addition
to the manga, ZATCH BELL! has spawned a wide range of consumer products
in the U.S. and Canada including toys, video games, home entertainment,
apparel, and a collectible card game.

Licensing and Promotions Latin America also has local presence in
Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile
and Peru. They are headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

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. (Sho-Pro 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.