First feature film of popular anime series to make North American debut at Comic-Con 2004

San Francisco, CA, July 13, 2004 - VIZ, LLC, one of the leading publishers and distributors of manga and anime for North American audiences, has formally announced the North American theatrical premiere of Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time, the first feature film of the widely popular anime fantasy series released in the United States. Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time will debut at Comic-Con 2004, to be held July 22-25 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

Inuyasha has established itself as one of the top manga/anime properties in North America and Japan due to its stunning artwork, beautiful animation, compelling characters and sophisticated storytelling. Inuyasha currently airs on Cartoon Network.

The film, based on author Rumiko Takahashi's manga about the adventures of a half-demon dog boy, was originally released in December 2001 in Japan to critical acclaim. Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time is an action-filled, suspenseful story that pits Inuyasha against a powerful demon from China named Menomaru. Two hundred years ago, Inuyasha's father managed to seal Menomaru's evil demon father, Hyoga, away in a tomb, but a shard from the magical Shikon Jewel freed the son, Menomaru, allowing him to escape his imprisonment and threaten the entire land. It now falls to Inuyasha, along with his friends, to find away to stop Menomaru from wrecking havoc on civilization. Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time offers a new and exciting storyline and characters not previously seen in the manga titles.

Legions of Inuyasha fans will have the opportunity to see Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time when VIZ offers free screenings in the United States and Canada in eight major cities, including Baltimore, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, New York and Toronto. The company will announce specific dates and theatres at Comic-Con and also post the information on the VIZ website, at www.VIZ.com.

"We are extremely proud and excited to premiere Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time to North American audiences who are extremely enthusiastic about its release." said Anthony Jiwa, director of marketing for VIZ, LLC. "So many people have embraced Inuyasha with such dedication, it continues to remain one of the most popular and best selling manga and anime properties in North America."

As proof positive of the importance fans play in VIZ's continued success, VIZ will feature an exciting once in a lifetime opportunity for fans - VIZ will have a special sound booth at Comic-Con, where fans and visitors will have the chance to audition to be a voice over extra on an upcoming Inuyasha DVD. The winner will record their extra part at Ocean Studios in Vancouver, Canada and will have the opportunity to meet some of the English language voice actors.

The DVD edition of Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time will be released by VIZ on September 7, along with a new DVD boxed set containing the entire first season's 27 episodes. To date, Inuyasha videos and DVDs have sold more than half a million copies in North America and sales continue to increase. Most recently the latest DVD volume of Inuyasha Vol.18: The Demon Within, was named the best selling anime home video on the Nielsen VideoScan list, for the week ending 06.01.2004

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