Celebrate “The Summer Of Haruhi Suzumiya” at Viz Cinema May 21st; Cristina Vee to Perform; Giveaways from Bandai, Yen Press, and Crunchyroll

May 7, 2010 (Cypress, CA) – “The Summer of Haruhi Suzumiya” a cooperative promotion between Bandai Entertainment, Crunchyroll, and Yen Press will occur May 21st at the Viz Cinema at the premiere of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya theatrical feature.

Cristina Vee, “Haruhi” of Bandai's ASOS Brigade.com, will be performing several of the Haruhi songs in English and Japanese prior to the film and she'll be autographing and giving away the theatrical poster from the film. After the movie, attendees will be treated to a Haruhi manga and novel giveaway courtesy of Yen Press and Crunchyroll will raffle off 10 three month memberships and five one-year anime memberships to lucky theater goers.

The film, which is based on the novel of the same name by Nagaru Tanigawa and Noizi Ito, was made by Kyoto Animation and supervised by Chief Director Tatsuya Ishihara and Director Yasuhiro Takemoto. The story follows the two seasons of the anime series phenomenon The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and tells the story of Haruhi's sudden disappearance and her friend Kyon's attempt to untangle the mystery of why she's vanished. The film opened on February 6th, 2010 in Japan with 24 prints, and earned more than 670 Million Yen (Approximately $7.5 Million US) by the end of March.

The English subtitled print of the film will be shown in Hawaii in mid-June by Consolidated Theaters (http://www.consolidatedtheatres.com) and Artisan Gateway as part of their SPOTLIGHT ASIA FILMS Program. Hawaii dates and venues will be announced soon.

For more information on Haruhi visit:
www.bandai-ent.com or www.asosbrigade.com
yenpress.us
www.crunchyroll.com

For more information on the Theatrical release visit:
www.vizcinema.com or www.newpeopleworld.com (for San Francisco)
http://www.consolidatedtheatres.com (Hawaii)

About Bandai Entertainment Inc.
Bandai Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. and the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD and programming for television broadcast in North America. Titles include Gundam 00, Code Geass: Lelouch of Rebellion, Lucky Star, Gurren Lagann, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Escaflowne, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, My Otome, and many more.

About Yen Press
Yen Press, founded in 2006, is the manga and graphic novel imprint of Hachette Book Group US. Yen Press's focus is primarily on licensed manga, but also publishes original manga publications, original comics and graphic novels, webcomics, licensed adaptations, and children's graphic novels. For additional information, go to www.yenpress.com and/or contact Jack Womack, Publicity Manager, Yen Press, (212) 364-1137; jack.womack (at hbgusa.com)

About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is a leading global lifestyle and entertainment brand centered around all things Asian media and operator of the largest online community, video site and network of sites, services and devices for Japanese anime and Asian drama in the world. Content on Crunchyroll is provided by leading Asian media companies including TV TOKYO, Fuji Television, NHK Enterprises (NEP), Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV), Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Shueisha, Kadokawa Pictures, Aniplex, Avex Entertainment, King Records, Happinet, d-rights, Bandai Channel, Toei Animation, Tai Seng and many others.

Crunchyroll was founded in June 2006 and has offices in both San Francisco and Tokyo. Crunchyroll is a pioneer and innovator in the Japanese content business and the only video service in the world to offer hit programs Naruto Shippuden, Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee and many others within one hour of their first Japanese broadcasts. Crunchyroll is a member of the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) and Licensing International Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) and is funded by leading venture capital firm, Venrock, Japanese entertainment giant TV TOKYO, and a group of angel investors representing some of the brightest and most successful minds and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. More information can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com.