New Releases Make Fun Gift Selections For The 2006 Holiday Season

San Francisco, CA, October 12, 2006 — VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the upcoming release of an array of new POKÉMON DVDs, manga and 3D pop-out activity books that will delight younger fans and provide hours of fun. POKÉMON is one of the most successful children's properties of all time, with over $25 billion in worldwide sales, and 2006 marks the 10-year anniversary of the property's creation.

VIZ Media was one of the first companies in North America to release POKÉMON home videos, DVDs and manga to help generate the ensuing phenomenon that propelled Pikachu and friends to media stardom. With the 2006 holiday season approaching, any of the following POKÉMON titles will make fun and exciting gifts for fans of all ages.

The latest collection of VIZ Media POKÉMON DVD releases includes the latest full-length feature film, POKÉMON: LUCARIO AND THE MYSTERY OF MEW, which comes as a special two-disk collectors set. Other unique gift ideas include the POKÉMON Season One Box Set, which offers the first 26 episodes of the series.

In celebration of POKÉMON's 10th Anniversary there are two new releases available in October that are part of the 10th Anniversary POKÉMON series, POKÉMON 10th Anniversary Vol. 6: EEVEE and POKÉMON 10th Anniversary Vol. 7: BULBASAUR. These two releases are part of the 10 volume series that commemorate the top POKÉMON characters as selected by votes submitted by fans at Pokemon.com. Each disk has three classic episodes of the adventures of the featured Pokémon.

Also newly released are POKÉMON: ADVANCED BATTLE Vol. 3: ABSOLUTE DISASTER and POKÉMON: ADVANCED BATTLE Vol. 4: EIGHT AIN'T ENOUGH. Each disk contains five episodes from the POKÉMON: ADVANCED BATTLE series and will be available in November.

"POKÉMON continues to be a fan favorite and remains a strong property in the VIZ Media catalog," says Anthony Jiwa, Director of Marketing for VIZ Media. "Ten years after POKÉMON debuted, it still offers plenty of positive messages about cooperation, friendship and teamwork featuring everyone's favorite character, Pikachu. VIZ Media is committed to continuing to support POKÉMON and is pleased to release these new and exciting titles in time for the holiday season."

All of the new POKÉMON offerings will be available in October and November and are rated 'A' appropriate for all ages.

POKÉMON: LUCARIO AND THE MYSTERY OF MEW • MSRP: $19.98 • Available Now!
The world of POKÉMON has many legends, but the people of Camaron Castle believe in one very special tale: the Legend of the Aura Guardian. Long ago a hero and his POKÉMON, Lucario, saved the world from destruction, but can the myth really be true? Ash and his friends find out for themselves when Lucario is awakened and Pikachu disappears. With Lucario's help, Ash sets out on an adventure-filled journey to find him, a journey that leads him to a mystical tree and the Legendary POKÉMON called Mew! The future of the world and the fate of Ash and Pikachu will depend on the power of friendship between humans and POKÉMON! This release also features a second disk that contains THE MASTER MIND OF MIRAGE POKÉMON, a special one-hour TV special. Plus, a Pokémon TCG promo card featuring Mew is included with each DVD!

POKÉMON SEASON ONE BOX SET • MSRP: $39.98 • Available November 2006
This comprehensive set features the first 26 episodes of the hit series that started it all. Meet Ash in his hometown of Pallet Town where he meets Pikachu and his Pokémon adventures begin. Join his friends in this special box set containing the first episodes from Season 1!

VIZ Media further complements these animated series titles with a range of new manga offerings that include ALL THAT PIKACHU! Ani-Manga, POKÉMON TALES, BEST OF POKÉMON ADVENTURES,POKÉMON 3D POP-OUTS, and CHARMANDER AND FRIENDS 3D POP-OUTS.

ALL THAT PIKACHU, Ani-Manga, Volume 1 • MSRP: $7.99 • Available October 2006
A full-color Ani-Manga presentation of two complete Pikachu stories taken directly from POKÉMON animation. In the main story, the ambitious POKÉMON collector Jirarudan is trying to gather three Legendary POKÉMON Ð Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres Ð in order to summon the fabled POKÉMON called Lugia that is so powerful it chooses to seclude itself deep under the sea. If he can capture the POKÉMON (sounds better than monster), Jirarudan will become the most powerful POKÉMON Trainer on the planet. In PIKACHU'S RESCUE ADVENTURE, while the POKÉMON enjoy a summer nap, Togepi wanders off and gets lost and Pikachu and Elekid must search for it. Along the way they meet a number of rare POKÉMON, discover a secret garden and survive a freak lightning storm. Can they rescue their lost friend and also prevent a forest fire?

BEST OF POKÉMON ADVENTURES, Volume 1 • MSRP: $7.99 • Available October 2006
POKÉMON is more than a game or an animated TV show. It's a cultural phenomenon that has won the hearts and minds of fans around the globe. This special volume is sure to delight young fans of the series, as well as older ones, and comes packed with new adventures featuring Ash and Pikachu and plenty of other POKÉMON!

POKÉMON TALES, Volume 1 • MSRP: $4.95 • Available October 2006
Each of these mini-board books designed for early readers tells the story of a different POKÉMON and the Trainers who love them. This volume introduces readers to a typical day for Pikachu as it eats, sleeps, plays and learns about the world. This is a wonderful offering for younger fans.

PIKACHU & FRIENDS 3D POP-OUTS • MSRP: $9.99 • Available November 2006
A fun activity book for younger fans that features an easy-to-assemble 3D puzzle pack. Simply pop out the pieces and fit them together and within seconds assemble a special POKÉMON toy.

CHARMANDER & FRIENDS 3D POPOUTS • MSRP: $9.99 • Available November 2006
A complement to the POKÉMON & FRIENDS 3D POP-OUT set, this one features Pikachu's Fire-type friend, Charmander. Provides the same easy-to-assemble format and is sure to deliver hours of fun.

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 manga and 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.

About Pokémon USA

Pokémon USA, Inc., a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and the Pokémon Trading Card Game outside of Japan. This includes licensing, marketing, an animated TV series, home entertainment, the official Pokémon website, and online retail center www.PokemonCenter.com. Celebrating its 10th worldwide anniversary in 2006, Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 for play on Nintendo's Game Boy¨ and has since evolved into a global cultural phenomenon. Pokémon was introduced in North America in September 1998 and today is one of the most popular toy and entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.Pokemon.com.

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