Animation Property Entertains Viewers in Latin America on Cartoon Network

San Francisco, CA, MAY 19, 2005 — VIZ Media, LLC. (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive manga and animation licensing and publishing companies, announced today MIRMO!, the comedy adventure about muglox (fairies) and their human companions, has been enchanting audiences throughout Latin America since its debut in March on Cartoon Network.

In the story the title character (Mirmo), a muglox specializing in love requests, enters the human realm by way of a mysterious hot chocolate mug. Summoned by Kaede, a cheerful 14-year-old with a crush on her classmate, Setsu, we soon learn that this pint-sized muglox has a jumbo-sized attitude. Bedlam follows as more and more muglox appear in the human world.

"We are thrilled to introduce MIRMO! to viewers in Latin America," said Dan Marks, Senior Vice President, International for VIZ Media. "The show is already a hit with both girls and boys in Japan and France, and we are confident that Cartoon Network's audience will appreciate MIRMO!'s combination of humor, sly charm and action.

"We were very pleased to launch MIRMO! in March on Cartoon Network Latin America, the regions highest rated pay TV channel among households and kids ages 4-11¹, said Cindy Kerr, Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions, Cartoon Network and Boomerang Latin America. Initial IBOPE ratings data indicate that during its first four weeks of airing, MIRMO! has performed well throughout the region, with a particularly strong performance in Brazil and Mexico among girls ages 4-11 where the show ranks among Cartoon Network's Top 3 programs. We feel the program will continue to do well on the network and help us maintain our leadership position in Latin America²."

MIRMO! first achieved enormous popularity in Japan in 2001 when it was launched as a serialized comic in Shogakukan's leading girls' manga "Ciao". MIRMO! was then launched as an animated series on TV Tokyo in April of 2002. It has since achieved great success in Japan, winning Kodansha's 27th annual "Children's Group" manga award, as well as TV Tokyo's award for top-rated new program in 2003. International broadcast began in 2003 when MIRMO! launched on Canal J and later on M6 in France.

About Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network Latin America is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour cable and satellite service offering the best in animated entertainment from the world's largest cartoon library and original programs such as The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Cow and Chicken, Courage, the Cowardly Dog, Johnny Bravo, Ed, Edd 'n Eddy, Samurai Jack, Codename: Kids Next Door, Megas XLR, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi. It is the favorite and most viewed cable network and is available in 15.9 million households in the region. Cartoon Network Latin America launched April 30, 1993 and is available in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and Shojo Beat, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.viz.com.

¹ Source: IBOPE Multicountry Database / Base: Cable Households & Kids 4-11 / 24 Hour Average Rating / Monday - Sunday / January - May 2005.

² Source: IBOPE Argentina & IBOPE Brazil / Base: Girls 4-11 / Program Average Rating / CN Program Rankings based on M-S programs with 10+ airings / Weeks 10-14 2005.

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