Crunchyroll and Tezuka Productions Continue the Saga of the Award Winning Black Jack Anime with Episodes 14-28 (Updated)

Update: Crunchyroll has updated its press release below to note the availability of Black Jack in the United Kingdom.

Online Media Distribution Giant and Leading Animation Production Studio Continue Stream of Osamu Tezuka's 1970's Classic Anime Title

San Francisco, CA (September 15, 2009) —Crunchyroll and Tezuka Productions hold a winning hand as they collaborate to bring Osamu Tezuka's award winning original 70's manga/anime classic BLACK JACK episodes 14-28 to Crunchyroll Anime Members and fans worldwide starting today, September 15, 2009 at noon PST. More information can be found at www.Crunchyroll.com <http://www.crunchyroll.com> .

BLACK JACK was directed by Makoto Tezuka (Osamu Tezuka's son) and is considered one of the top three most famous manga titles by the world famous manga-ka and anime producer that won the 1st Kodansha Manga Award for the shonen category in 1977.

"With the continued partnership with Tezuka Productions, fans are in for a real treat with episodes 14-28 of Osamu Tezuka's BLACK JACK,” states Rob Pereyda, Crunchyroll Senior Director.

Crunchyroll already streams the initial BLACK JACK episodes (1-13) of this series.

This title will be subbed and available in the following territories U.S. and its respective territories, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Title Synopsis:

BLACK JACK (episodes 14-28)

Black Jack is an "unregistered" doctor with a clouded, mysterious past. He works with his little assistant Pinoko (who has a massive crush on the doctor), dealing with medical cases not very well known, which can be strange, dangerous, or not known at all. But he is a genius, and can save almost any of his patients' life (as long as they have the money for it, that is), and is known to many around the world, especially to those of medicine and science. He's a man of science himself, and does not believe much until he has seen it, yet it is many times he is surprised by love and nature often overpowering the science he bases his life in.

About Tezuka Productions

Tezuka Osamu, who created a great many works including about 700 manga titles and 70 animations through his life, is known as the man who laid the foundation of today's Japanese manga and animation.

Tezuka Productions, the company founded by late Tezuka Osamu in 1968, holds and licenses the rights of about 700 Tezuka's works. The company is involved in various businesses including republication, character merchandising, animation production and live-action film making based on Tezuka's works. In addition, the company has its own studio where Tezuka's representative works such as "Astro Boy" "Jungle Emperor Leo / a.k.a. Kimba the White Lion" and "Black Jack" have been created. The studio is also proactively engaged in production of various kinds of TV animations or series based on other artists' works.

About Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is an online video service and community that offers full-length episodes and movies of the very best in Japanese anime and Asian entertainment. Crunchyroll's content is provided by Asian media leaders including TV TOKYO, Shueisha, d-rights, Fuji Creative Corporation, Pony Canyon, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, Toei Animation, Gonzo, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation America, and many others.

Crunchyroll was founded in June 2006 and has offices in San Francisco and Tokyo. Crunchyroll is a pioneer and innovator in the Japanese anime industry and the only video service in the world to offer hit programs like NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, GINTAMA and many others online to its subscribers within one hour of its Japanese broadcast. Crunchyroll is a member of the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) and the Licensing International Merchandisers Association (LIMA) and is funded by leading venture capital firm, Venrock.

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