Flower in a Storm Brings on a Frenzied Romantic Chase in Fun New Shojo Series from Viz Media

When A Boy Just Won't Take No For An Answer Sometimes All A Girl Has Left Are Her Superpowers

San Francisco, CA, April 20, 2010 – Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, offers FLOWER IN A STORM, an imaginative romantic comedy from a fresh new talent of the shojo manga world, Shigeyoshi Takagi. Set to be published under the Shojo Beat imprint and released on May 4th, FLOWER IN A STORM is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Riko Kunimi is trying to lead a normal high school life when Ran Tachibana bursts into her classroom carrying a gun and tells her that her life is now his. Ran, who is the richest and most powerful 17-year-old in Japan, wants her as his wife, and he's not taking no for an answer!

If Ran can't capture her by five o'clock the next day, he'll give up, but he has all that money can buy at his disposal. However, Riko has one trick up her sleeve—she has superpowers!

“FLOWER IN A STORM is a zany, sweet, over-the-top story of a girl with superhuman abilities who just wants to lead a normal life and a boy who leads anything but a normal life but just wants to make her his,” says Leyla Aker, Editorial Manager, Viz Media. “We hope shojo readers will enjoy this fresh, funny debut series from a young creator.”

FLOWER IN A STORM is a two-volume series that was originally featured in LaLa and LaLa DX magazines (also the original home of VAMPIRE KNIGHT). This is the first graphic novel from Shigeyoshi Takagi.

For more information on this title, or other shojo titles from Viz Media, please visit www.shojobeat.com.

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-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., Viz Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment 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 website at www.VIZ.com.

FLOWER IN A STORM Hana ni Arashi © Shigeyoshi Takagi 2008/HAKUSENSHA, Inc.