Viz Media Celebrates 25th Anniversary

25 Years of Storytelling and Pioneering New Paths in Global Entertainment

San Francisco, CA, May 4, 2011 – Viz Media, the largest distributor of anime and manga in the North America, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary on July 7th, 2011. Over its 25 year history, Viz Media has led the transformation of manga and anime from a niche category sold only at specialty retailers into a mass media phenomenon popularized on Cartoon Network, Hulu and iTunes, and available at Barnes & Noble and Walmart. Today, Viz Media is North America's largest distributor of anime and manga, and is leading the global anime and manga industries to their digital futures. To celebrate 25 years of pioneering new paths in global entertainment and publishing, later this year Viz Media will be unveiling new properties, marketing programs, and distribution partnerships.

Since 1986, Viz Media has primarily distributed titles exclusively owned by its parent companies, Shueisha, Inc., Shogakukan, Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd.. In 2011, Viz Media will diversify its award-winning library further by licensing properties from other global content creators as well as creating its own content. On the digital front, Viz Media has created partnerships with Apple, Hulu, Netflix, Google and more, leading the way to new paths for distribution of manga and anime.

“For 25 years, Viz Media has been telling stories that resonate with audiences and fans all over North America,” said Hidemi Fukuhara, President and CEO of Viz Media. “Even after two-and-a-half decades of explosive growth, we still see tremendous potential to adapt, grow and leverage our library of world-renowned and beloved characters. With a full slate of new anime and manga releases planned this year, Viz Media has something for everyone.”

The Viz Media library includes global blockbuster franchises like NARUTO, INUYASHA, POKÉMON, DRAGON BALL Z, YU-GI-OH!, BLEACH, VAMPIRE KNIGHT, and DEATH NOTE. Viz Media's manga titles are available at mass retailers everywhere, and through Viz Media's free Viz Manga App for the iPad™, iPhone™, and iPod Touch™, the first manga-dedicated app in North America. Viz Media anime titles can be seen on Disney XD, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, is available for Download-to-Own/Download-to-Rent via iTunes, PlayStation®Network, Amazon Instant Video and Zune on XBox Live®, and for streaming on the company's own VizAnime.com, Hulu and Netflix, and is available for purchase on DVD at mass DVD retailers.