VIZ Media Publishes Unique Fantasy Novel Brave Story

Intriguing Fantasy Story About Adventure, Growing Up, Friendship, And Family Bonds Will Captivate A Wide Range Of Readers

San Francisco, CA, August 14, 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, continues to expand its VIZ Fiction imprint with the latest publication of the novel BRAVE STORY by popular Japanese author Miyuki Miyabe. The book is offered as a hardcover edition at a suggested retail price of $23.99 and is now available through retailers nationwide.

BRAVE STORY tells the adventures of Wataru, a meek and unassertive 10 year-old elementary school student with mediocre grades and little aspiration. Things get worse for the boy when his father runs off with a mistress. Shocked and depressed, Wataru's mother is hospitalized after a failed suicide attempt. Bewildered and seemingly alone, Wataru finds refuge in a half constructed building in his neighborhood that is supposedly haunted. But the building actually is the entrance to an alternate world called Vision, filled with fantastic creatures both fierce and friendly. Wataru must master magic techniques and collect hidden treasures on his journey to the Tower Of Destiny where a goddess of fate awaits, who it is believed, can make wishes come true. With winged dragons, corkscrew wolves and other intriguing life forms around every corner, Wataru realizes the task may be tricky. Before long, he acquires a band of loyal cohorts, including Kee Keema, a quirky lizard, and Meena, a circus cat. Only when Wataru has completed this journey and collected five elusive gemstones will he posses the Demon's Bane, which is the key to unlock the future. And to complicate matters Wataru must also outwit a merciless rival from the real world. Charity, bravery, faith, grace and the powers of darkness and light are the provinces of each gemstone and Wataru must learn important lessons about each during his quest. When finally brought together, the stones have the power to finally reunite Wataru's family.

Author Miyuki Miyabe is renowned in Japan as a successful author of a diverse collection of science fiction, mysteries, historical fiction, social commentary and juvenile fiction. Her novel KASHA was translated by Alfred Birnbaum and published domestically as ALL SHE WAS WORTH in 1999. BRAVE STORY drew tremendous acclaim upon its publication, selling more than half a million copies in Japan, and was also turned into a critically acclaimed animated movie and RPG video game for the Sony PSP.

"BRAVE STORY is an intriguing fantasy tale about adventure, growing up, friendship and family bonds," says Eric Searleman, Editor, VIZ Media. "Author Miyuki Miyabe has created a strange and fantastic world filled with bizarre creatures both good and evil and a plot whose purpose is to help the main character begin his journey to adulthood and ultimately reunite his family. The novel weaves themes of growing up and dealing with adversity into an adventure that will enchant a wide range of readers. We are excited to finally offer this unique title to domestic audiences through our VIZ Fiction imprint."

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.