Verizon Wireless Offers V CAST Customers Manga Video, Anime Clips and More from TOKYOPOP

From 2008 International CES and in a manga entertainment industry first, Verizon Wireless and TOKYOPOP announced the TOKYOPOP video channel is now available to Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Video customers. Featuring TOKYOPOP manga entertainment, the availability of the TOKYOPOP V CAST Video channel from Verizon Wireless marks the first time manga movies, anime clips and Asian entertainment have been available in one package to mobile customers.

TOKYOPOP on V CAST offers 15 to 20 four- to six-minute videos each week from TOKYOPOP’s popular manga entertainment, including manga videos known as imanga, anime clips, and other popular Asian-influenced entertainment. Video from TOKYOPOP on V CAST includes:

•Bizenghast (iManga – Manga movie): Based on the original manga by M. Alice LeGrow with music by Divine Madness and Kissing Violet, this is the story of a young girl named Dinah who moves to the forgotten town of Bizenghast, where she uncovers a terrifying collection of lost souls that leads her to the brink of insanity.

•Rave Master (Anime): A popular animated series that aired on Cartoon Network directed by Takashi Watanabe (Slayers, Lost Universe). Sixteen-year-old Haru Glory has never left the cozy confines of Garage Island. He likes fishing and eating snow cones on the beach – not exactly the lifestyle of a hero-in-the-making. Meanwhile, in the wider world, the evil society Demon Card is threatening civilization as we know it. When they come to Garage Island, unleash the destructive power of the Dark Bring and start messing with his friends, Haru is forced into action. With the help of a transforming sword and his magical guide Plue, Haru sets out on the most harrowing quest of his young life: to find the five missing RAVE Stones – which hold the key to victory over the Dark Bring – and to kick some major Demon Card butt.

•PiNMeN (Anime): From Geneon Entertainment, direct from Japan, this cult classic tells the story about aliens from outer space who are awfully credulous at how easy it is to deceive humans.

•FMW: Live-Action Reality-Based Sports: Hard-core wrestling straight from Japan; star match-ups of top Japanese wrestlers.

Ryan Hughes, vice president of digital media programming for Verizon, noted, “We are seeing a groundswell of interest in manga and other Asian-influenced entertainment content right now. Our relationship with TOKYOPOP serves as another proof point to our commitment to deliver the best snack-sized entertainment available on mobile phones to Verizon Wireless customers.”

According to Stu Levy, TOKYOPOP chief executive officer and chief creative officer, “TOKYOPOP is dedicated to delivering the East-meets-West aesthetic of manga and anime via cutting-edge delivery platforms. Verizon Wireless’ V CAST service is the perfect platform to mobilize a globally-minded youth audience with 24/7 on-the-go access to the manga lifestyle.”

Customers with select V CAST-enabled phones can check out V CAST whenever they want for just $3.00 for 24-hour use or by signing up for the $15.00 V CAST VPak monthly subscription, which also includes access to Verizon Wireless’ ESPN MVP, Get It Now® and Mobile Web 2.0SM services. Customers get unlimited basic video – including TOKYOPOP on V CAST – but application download fees apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime or megabyte charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content with any V CAST subscription. Customers can find TOKYOPOP on V CAST in the Net’s Best category on select V CAST-enabled phones.

For more information about V CAST from Verizon Wireless, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.