NOVEMBER 10, 2003 (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) -- VIZ, LLC, North America's leading publisher of manga for English-speaking audiences announced today the addition of two new manga series to its popular shôjo line of graphic novels--HANA-KIMI and ANGEL SANCTUARY, shipping in February and March 2004, respectively.

Also known as Hanazakari no Kimi-tachi e (For You in Full Blossom), HANA-KIMI is the third and longest-running series from Hisaya Nakajo. Originally serialized in the bi-weekly manga anthology "Hana to Yume" from Hakusensha, HANA-KIMI is a multiple product brand in Japan, with pencil boards, calendars, CDs, character books, and stationary sets available in addition to the tankouban (graphic novels). VIZ' release marks the English-language debut of the series. HANA-KIMI will be available exclusively at Waldenbooks through May 2004.

A 20-volume series in Japan, Kaori Yuki's ANGEL SANCTUARY also inspired additional products in Japan, including art books, a postcard book, stickers, jewelry, stationary, posters, pencil boards, and clocks. Available for the first time in English when it ships from VIZ in March 2004, the ANGEL SANCTUARY manga series extends beyond the plot covered in the three-episode OAV currently available from Central Park Media. ANGEL SANCTUARY graphic novels will be available at retailers nationwide.

Both series will be part of VIZ' shôjo line of graphic novels, which features exciting storylines and true-to-life characters. Appealing to both female and male readers, VIZ' shôjo line includes an extensive list of popular titles like FUSHIGI YóGI, CERES, CELESTIAL LEGEND, and REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA making it one the best-selling categories VIZ offers.

ABOUT HANA-KIMI
Japanese-American track-and-field star Mizuki is transferring to a high school in Japan, just so she can be closer her idol, high jumper Izumi Sano. But she hasn't transferred to just any high school--now she's going to an all-boys high school! Forced to disguise herself as a boy, fate soon intervenes and Mizuki discovers that she and Izumi are more than classmates--they're roommates! Now, Mizuki must keep her secret in the classroom, the locker room, and her own bedroom. But how will her classmates and the weird school nurse react to the new transfer student who looks like a very pretty boy?
Story and art by Hisaya Nakajo
Format: Trade Paper, 5 x 7 1/2
US Price: $9.95

ABOUT ANGEL SANCTUARY
At the center of this epic tale of Heaven and Hell and forbidden love, is high-school student Setsuna Mudô. He's no angel--he's completely tactless around girls, has an unpredictable temper, and can become extremely violent. That he comes from a broken home and is in love with his sister Sara just makes matters worse! Add teenage hormones and major issues with his mother, and you've got the recipe for one troubled kid! And then Setuna's reality becomes seriously twisted when his past life as an angel starts to plague the present and threatens to destroy the future...
Story and art by Kaori Yuki
Format: Trade Paper, 5 x 7 1/2
US Price: $9.95

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