Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation and Industry Companies Rally to Aid California Wildfire Victims

Industry Companies Rally to Bring Manga to Evacuation Shelters to Assist Relief Efforts

Anaheim, California (October 25, 2007) — The overseeing body of Anime Expo® (the nation's largest anime/manga convention), the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), and manga companies such as Aurora Publishing, Digital Manga, Go! Comi, Tokyopop and VIZ Media are assisting with the Red Cross relief efforts by providing manga books to Southern California wildfire evacuees currently residing at Fire Relief Shelters/Evacuation Centers. More information can be found on the website <www.spja.org> .

With a rising cost of over $1 Billion dollars in San Diego alone, fellow San Diego resident and SPJA Chairman Mr. Marc Perez states, “My fellow Board Members and I would take a moment and pass on our sincere heartfelt sorrow to the families who have suffered during this tragic fire season. Thru this great tragedy, teamwork and humanity has developed.” SPJA CEO Ms. Trulee Karahashi echoes Mr. Perez's sentiments “Our hearts go out to all those affected by the wildfires and we wish that we could do more to provide aid. We hope that our contributions will help in some small way with the efforts of the many heroic individuals and the Red Cross recovery efforts.”

With President Bush's declaration of a federal emergency on Tuesday, industry companies large and small have come to aid, "TOKYOPOP recognizes the hardships all those affected by the fires must face-our wishes and prayers are for their safe being, and we hope our contribution will provide a small lift to their spirits as they cope with this difficult ordeal", states TOKYOPOP Marketing Events Planner Joe Soriano. "Digital Manga, Inc. is concerned for the safety and well-being of all the victims of the fire and wish to give them a bit of comfort and entertainment by providing manga to keep their minds off the situation”, states Digital Manga Inc. President Mr. Hikaru Sasahara. "Our hearts and thoughts go out to the evacuees and we hope that our books will provide them with some small comfort and pleasure in their time of need” echoes Aurora Publishing, Inc. Producer Mr. Rod Sampson.

Over 1,500 homes have been burned down and wildfires consuming over 410,000 acres (about 640 Square Miles), most evacuees at relief/evacuation centers are provided with minimal comfort and lack some form of entertainment.

The SPJA and Industry companies urge those who can assist monetarily to do so by calling the Red Cross at 1-800 HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or Donate Online at www.redcross.org. In-Kind donations are also welcome by calling 1-800-746-5463. More information regarding relief efforts and shelter status/locations can be found online at www.redcross.org.

About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property – Anime Expo®. More information can be found at its website (<www.spja.org> ).

About Aurora Publishing, Inc.
Located in Torrance, California - Aurora Publishing, Inc. (established in 2006) is a fully owned subsidiary of the top publishing house in Japan in terms of female manga franchises and number of manga publications for women (including shojo manga, romance novel adaptations and game-related anthologies), Ohzora Publishing Co., and is dedicated to publishing manga of the highest artistic quality with the highest entertainment value for females of all ages. Aurora Publishing, Inc. is focused on publishing translated Japanese manga titles for the North American market, as well as developing American manga for the worldwide market. More information can be found online at <www.aurora-publishing.com> . “Experience the Allure of Manga.”

About Digital Manga, Inc.
Digital Manga, Inc. (DMI) specializes in building corporate and cultural bridges from Japan to the Western Hemisphere - specifically through the licensing, importation and preparation of anime (Japanese animation), manga (Japanese comic books) and related merchandise for the North American mainstream and subculture markets. In this capacity, DMI serves as a catalyst for the expansion of Japanese pop-culture institutions into global arenas.

Contact Digital Manga, Inc at 1487 West 178th Street Suite 300, Gardena, CA 90248;
Phone (310) 817-8010; Fax (310) 817-8018; and web site at <www.emanga.com> .

About GO! COMI
In less than two years Go! Comi has become renowned for the excellence of its manga series and top production values. Among its publications are the BookScan best-sellers "Tenshi Ja Nai!!" and "Her Majesty's Dog," "Cantarella" (a 2007 YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens), and the Eisner Award-nominated "After School Nightmare." For more information, please visit <www.gocomi.com> .

About TOKYOPOP
TOKYOPOP is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision that transcends countless platforms. From the introduction of the first-ever extensive manga publishing program in North America, to the development of its manga-originated intellectual properties into film, television and digital entertainment, TOKYOPOP has changed the way teens experience pop culture. The company's global reach has expanded to Europe and Asia, with recent offices opening in the UK and Germany and partnerships in Australia and China, in addition to its original Los Angeles and Tokyo operations. With millions of fans logging onto www.TOKYOPOP.com , reading its books, and watching its DVDs and television programs, TOKYOPOP's award-winning catalogue of licensed and original properties has made the company a visionary in an ever-growing teen entertainment marketplace. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.

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; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at <www.VIZ.com>

The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.