VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES LICENSE FOR BLEACH THE MOVIE: MEMORIES OF NOBODY

New Feature Film Based on Popular Action Manga and Animated Series to Have a Limited Domestic Theatrical Release

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced that it has secured the license from TV Tokyo Corporation, Shueisha Inc. and Dentsu Inc. for Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody in the Americas, Europe and Oceania. The feature film, which will be aimed primarily at teens and older teens, will have a limited theatrical release in major cities throughout North America this summer with the DVD release to follow winter 2008. Subsequent details will be released in coming weeks.

Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody is inspired by the successful animated television series “Bleach” airing on Adult Swim, which is based on the best-selling manga series (rated 'T' for Teens) by Tite Kubo, also published in North America by VIZ Media.

“We are extremely excited to announce the domestic license for Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody,” says Liza Coppola, Sr. Vice President, VIZ Media. “Bleach has emerged as one of the most popular animated, manga and video game properties in North America and the release of this film will no doubt captivate millions of avid fans. Filled with riveting animation and spectacular battle scenes featuring all the major characters, Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody is ideally suited for a theatrical presentation and we look forward to making it a summer filled with epic action as this film makes its way to theatres in major markets throughout North America.”

Bleach is a tremendously successful multimedia property internationally. The manga has been licensed to more than a dozen countries, and has sold over 50 million copies in Japan alone. In North America the manga has been a sales hit and the popular animated series (both rated 'T' for Teens) is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada. This success has further spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise. For more information on Bleach and Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody please visit the official Bleach website at bleach.viz.com or www.viz.com.