VIZ Media Announces Impressive DVD Sales Of Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash In The Land Of Snow

Feature Film Based On Popular Anime And Manga Series Debuts At Number 25 On Nielsen VideoScan

San Francisco, CA, September 25, 2007 - VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced that impressive DVD sales of NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW have placed the title at Number 25 on Nielsen's VideoScan list of the Top 100 DVD titles for the week ending September 9, 2007. VIZ Media debuted the DVD across North America on September 4. NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW is a theatrical side story based on the continuity of the massively popular NARUTO animated TV series.

Nielsen VideoScan collects sell-through POS (consumer purchase) sales data weekly from traditional channels of video distribution including mass merchants, audio/video and video specialty retailers, electronics outlets, grocery stores, drug stores, and some Internet sites. Nielsen VideoScan maintains this weekly POS data in one of the largest databases of VHS and DVD products in the country.

NARUTO is now one of the most popular and successful manga and anime properties in North America. The general storyline of both the NARUTO manga and animated series depicts the adventures of a young boy named Uzumaki Naruto who trains to become a ninja. Naruto, cursed with the spirit of the nine-tailed fox demon sealed within his body, is forced to live a bullied life discriminated against by his fellow villagers. But Naruto is resilient and undaunted and his determination often inspires those around him. Through the adventures, the young ninja learns the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity and right vs. wrong.

In NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW, Naruto and his team are sent on a mission to guard Yukie Fujikaze, a popular actress starring in the hit movie "The Adventures of Princess Gale." The crew is heading toward the Land of Snow, a land forever covered in snow, to shoot the final scenes of the film. When Yukie refuses to go and escapes from the set, she is brought back by force by Naruto and his teammates. But little do they know there are three rogue Snow Ninja lying in wait with a sinister purpose that forces Yukie to make a crucial decision and face her hidden past.

"The NARUTO brand has been passionately embraced by a truly diverse fan base and the impressive debut of the DVD of NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW validates the continued popularity of the property," states Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales, VIZ Media. "The special theatrical screenings of this film last summer drew enthusiastic responses from thousands who attended. As VIZ Media continues to bring new NARUTO anime and manga products to domestic shores, we look forward to audiences discovering these new stories. NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW is a fun and action-filled exploit that will have viewers on the edge of their seats and we hope that both new and established fans will enjoy it on DVD."

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.