October 29, 2003 (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) - VIZ, LLC, a leading publisher of anime and manga in North America, today announced that they have acquired the North American home video rights for the anime series SAIKANO. VIZ will release all 13 episodes of the series in 2004, across four volumes, starting with the first volume in April 2004. In addition, VIZ, will also publish the manga, with the first volume shipping in June 2004.

"SAIKANO is a beautifully rendered anime series that combines romantic heroes and action-packed adventure," said Koichi Sekizaki, VIZ, LLC's Director of Visual Entertainment. "We are thrilled to have acquired the rights to this series."

"Anime represents a growing segment of the DVD market, and one in which our presence is growing," said Liza Coppola, Vice President of Marketing for VIZ, LLC. "Based on the success of this series in Japan and anticipation from North American fans, we are confident that SAIKANO will be a strong success here."

Also known as "She, the Ultimate Weapon, SAIKANO was created by Shin Takahashi and was first published in Japan as a manga series in Shogakukan's BIG SPIRITS COMICS, from 1999 to 2001. Seven volumes of SAIKANO comic books sold over two million copies in Japan. The anime series premiered on Japanese television in July 2002. In addition to manga and anime, SAIKANO has also spawned a videogame, trading cards and action figures.

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