VIZ Media Announces Special Yuu Watase Absolute Boyfriend Cover For September Issue Of Shojo Beat™ Magazine

Dashing New Depiction Of Night Tenjo From ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND Was Created Especially For This Issue

San Francisco, CA, August 10, 2007 - VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced special cover art by renowned shojo manga artist Yuu Watase for the September 2007 issue of SHOJO BEAT™ magazine, which hits shelves nationwide on August 21.

The issue will feature an original Yuu Watase cover art rendition of the character Night from ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND, a hit title serialized in SHOJO BEAT magazine. This piece has never been published before and was drawn by Watase especially for the issue. In addition, the September edition boasts the artist's ongoing "Drawing With Yuu" tutorial, which offers tips and techniques to hopeful manga artists or simply fans curious about how she creates her stunning artwork.

Rounding out the issue are special Fall Back-To-School features on manga-based fashion; the foods and festivities of a Japanese "Harvest Moon" festival; quirky DS videogames available in Japan and the US; a listing of some of the hottest shows on Japanese TV; a bonus manga preview of fan favorite, Chitose Yagami's FALL IN LOVE LIKE A COMIC; and much more!

Yuu Watase has become one of the biggest names in the burgeoning shojo manga arena. Series like CERES, FUSHIGI YUGI, and ALICE 19th, which are published domestically by VIZ Media, feature the captivating and fanciful artwork and romantically tinged storylines for which Watase is known, and have helped define the genre and notably expand the fan base in North America. Her ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND series follows the comedic story of ordinary high-schooler Riiko Izawa, whose life is transformed when she meets a mysterious salesman and orders a handsome and devoted (though not quite human) boyfriend named Night. She soon learns that love can be complicated—and expensive! The series follows the funny and romantic misadventures of Riiko, Night, and Riiko's lovelorn childhood friend Soshi in their pursuit of true love-human or robotic! The popular series by Yuu Watase has been serialized in SHOJO BEAT magazine since July 2005 and the collected manga volumes also published as an ongoing series by VIZ Media's Shojo Beat Manga imprint.

SHOJO BEAT magazine continues to appeal to a diverse and expanding reader base. Readers have been drawn by the array of ongoing shojo manga serials presented each month, complemented by a variety of insightful articles about Japanese culture plus fun coverage of style, music, art, food and pop culture

"We're honored to present this original Yuu Watase artwork, published for the first time ever in SHOJO BEAT magazine. Watase has been a reader favorite in manga serials, interviews and featured drawing tutorials and manga fans worldwide will be ecstatic to see this dashing new depiction of everyone's favorite robot boyfriend, Night Tenjo, from ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND," says SHOJO BEAT Senior Editor Megan Bates.

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.