VIZ PICTURES TO CELEBRATE DVD DEBUT OF HULA GIRLS AT YOSHI'S IN OAKLAND

Release Party's Hawaiian Theme Highlighted By Live Performance By World's Top Ukulele Musician Jake Shimabukuro

San Francisco, CA , October 26, 2007 — VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced a special release party on November 7, 2007 at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA to celebrate the DVD debut of director Lee Sang-il's celebrated film, HULA GIRLS, which is expected to hit stores nationwide on November 6.

To emphasize a festive Hawaiian-theme, the party will be headlined by Jake Shimabukuro, considered one of the world's top ukulele musicians, who also composed and performed the soundtrack to HULA GIRLS (available in the US from Hitchhike Records). Renowned for his lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Shimabukuro's virtuosity defies label or category and he will offer a range of jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock-tinged numbers. Yoshi's is a world class jazz club offering upscale modern Japanese cuisine and located at Jack London Square in Oakland, California. Tickets can be purchased for $16 at http://yoshis.inticketing.com/ or the box office (510-238-9200).

A heartwarming comedy/drama, HULA GIRLS was Japan's official entry to the 2007 Academy Awards Best Foreign Film category and also won four Japanese Academy Awards the same year including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress.

HULA GIRLS is based on a true story set in 1965 in the desolate and declining mining town of Iwaki in Northern Japan. The town tries to revive itself by building a Hawaiian-themed resort and the featured attraction is to be a hula show, but in this isolated place far from the tropical bliss of Hawaii there are no palm trees or hula dancers. In fact, no one knows how to do the dance or even what the hula is! The town leaders invite a dance instructor from Tokyo to teach the local minors' daughters how to hula, but conservative townspeople are initially resistant to the provocative dance. The skepticism and conservatism of the locals is gradually overcome as their daughters fall under the spell of the talented and determined instructor.

Once a leading performer, the instructor at first looks down on the coal miners and their amateurish daughters, but the girls' sincere dedication gradually rekindles a passion in her. Each dealing with their own harsh lives, the local girls find a new lease on life and, for the first time, support in their friendships as they absorb the essence of hula dancing. The film has been praised as an enchanting story of women who take once-in-a-lifetime chances to escape their monotonous lives, only to become unwitting heroes to their depressed mining town as well as all of Japan.

"We are excited to hold this gala event to mark the DVD release of HULA GIRLS featuring ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro," says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of VIZ Pictures. "This film has received widespread critical acclaim and we look forward to people discovering this heartwarming story. The release party promises to be an evening of fun, world-class Japanese food and unique music. We invite everyone to attend and learn more about HULA GIRLS and the talents of its noted composer and musician."

About VIZ Pictures, Inc.

Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii (cute) and cool" pop culture. VIZ Pictures approaches each release from a J-pop fan's point of view to serve manga and anime generation in North America. VIZ Pictures titles include TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, LINDA LINDA LINDA, THE TASTE OF TEA, and PING PONG. The company will continue to offer the hottest visual entertainment straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages in North America. VIZ Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese manga (comics) and merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular "NARUTO" animated TV series.
© 2006 VIZ Pictures, Inc.

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 (graphic novel) 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 and 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.

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