Viz Media Offers Array Of New Books For 2007 Holiday Season

Fourth Quarter Titles Feature Picture Book, Newest VIZ Fiction Novel and Beautiful Art Books - Perfect For Gift-Giving Season

San Francisco, CA, October 5, 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will captivate fans this holiday season with a range of vividly illustrated new art and picture books based on popular anime and manga series and a new long-anticipated addition to the VIZ Fiction imprint.

Among the new titles are THE CAT RETURNS ART BOOK, NAUSICAÄ WATERCOLOR IMPRESSIONS, THE ART OF NARUTO: UZUMAKI, THE ART OF FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2, and the novel DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD. Gift givers and their recipients can look forward to something special and out of the ordinary this year, as these selections are sure to captivate not only fans of anime, manga and pop culture, but also art aficionados. Each book is unique and can be picked up and enjoyed again and again.

THE CAT RETURNS PICTURE BOOK · Rated "A" for All Ages · MSRP: $14.99 · Available October 23, 2007
An adorable children's book based on the popular Studio Ghibli animated movie now available on DVD from Disney, THE CAT RETURNS PICTURE BOOK illustrates the story of a young girl and her exciting adventures in a magical feline universe using actual cel artwork from the original movie. The story follows a Japanese girl named Haru who saves a cat carrying a present from being run over by a truck. The cat turns out to be the Prince of the Cat Kingdom and, in return of the favor, the king decrees that the whole kingdom repay her kindness with favors, including catnip in her garden, dozens of boxed mice in her locker, and even marriage to the crown prince of Cat Kingdom that she definitely doesn't want. Overwhelmed and a little scared, she contacts the Cat Business Office. Together with CBO's owner, the Baron, Haru enters the Cat Kingdom and the plot thickens as the pair tries to prevent her marriage.

THE ART OF NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND: WATERCOLOR IMPRESSIONS · MSRP: $34.99 · Available November 6, 2007
From the vaults of Academy Award-winning director, Hayao Miyazaki, THE ART OF NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND: WATERCOLOR presents original and never-before-seen illustrations and concept sketches for both the manga and film versions of NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, released in 1984 and still regarded as one of the director's best works. This full-color, over-sized softcover book with jacket also includes Miyazaki's earliest sketches that became the basis for some of his other notable works and gives a rare glimpse into the creative process of the most acclaimed anime director in the world today. NAUSICAÄ is ranked as one of the 50 greatest science fiction films by the Internet Movie Database IMDB. Set thousands of years in the future after a human cataclysm nearly destroys civilization, the world is a barren dangerous place overrun by a toxic jungle infested with huge new insect creatures. As humanity rebuilds and begins again in pockets of civilization, a spunky young princess attempts to hold her struggling people together against an invasion by a rival army. She must destroy a terrible new secret weapon that has the potential to wipe out what remains of humanity and bridge the gap between humans and the new creatures that have emerged in the aftermath. NAUSICAÄ is acclaimed for its innovative and beautifully portrayed story that also presents a subtle but strong humanitarian and ecological message.

THE ART OF NARUTO: UZUMAKI · MSRP: $19.99 · Available October 25, 2007
NARUTO has become the most successful anime and manga property in North America. Fans can relish creator Masashi Kishimoto's artwork for the hit series in this new hardbound collection. Everyone's favorite ninjas in training, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and a host of other characters are featured in over a hundred pages of gorgeous full-color images. These images have never before been published in North America. The book also includes an extensive interview with Kishimoto, step-by-step details on the process of creating a Naruto illustration, 20 pages of notes from the author about each image in the book and a beautiful double-sided poster! This is not one to miss for any fan of the manga and anime series.

THE ART OF FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2 · MSRP: $19.99 · Available October 16, 2007
A new hardcover art book featuring the characters and artwork from the top-selling and award-winning manga series by Hiromu Arakawa (published by VIZ Media). The new edition includes original color artwork and each illustration is presented in sequential order with added commentary from Arakawa herself. Also included are 9-pages of detailed character designs for the FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST PS2 video game plus two pages of brand new manga panels. FULLMETAL ALCHEMSIT is a hit in North America with 14 volumes of the manga series now in print. This is an ideal companion to the manga and is sure to delight fans.

DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD · Rated "T" for Teens · MSRP: $16.99 · Available November 20, 2007
VIZ Fiction offers a new printing with an updated translation of this acclaimed novel by Noriko Ogiwara. In the land of Toyoashihara, the forces of the God of Light and the Goddess of Darkness have waged a ruthless war for generations. But for 15-year-old Saya, the war is far away and unimportant – until the day she discovers that she is the reincarnation of the Water Maiden and a princess of the Children of the Dark. Raised to love the Light and detest the Dark, Saya must come to terms with her heritage even as she is tumbled into the very heart of the conflict that is destroying her country. The armies of the Light and Dark both seek to claim her, for she is the only mortal who can awaken the legendary Dragon Sword, the fearsome weapon destined to bring an end to the war. Can Saya make the dreadful choice between the Light and Dark, or is she doomed like all the other Water Maidens who came before her? Noriko Ogiwara was inspired to write by the classic Western children's books she read as she was growing up. Dragon Sword and Wind Child is her first book and part of the award-winning Magatama Trilogy.

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.