Fans are encouraged to dress as their favorite Inuyasha character for a chance to travel to Japan for an exclusive theatrical screening of latest Inuyasha film

San Francisco, CA, November 17, 2004 — VIZ, LLC, one of the leading publishers and distributors of manga and anime for North American audiences, has announced a special Inuyasha-themed costume contest to further promote the successful DVD release of INUYASHA: Affections Touching Across Time, and build anticipation for the forthcoming DVD release of the second feature length anime film, INUYASHA: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass, scheduled for release on December 28, 2004.

Six lucky winners of the VIZ Ultimate Inuyasha Cosplay (short for "costume play") contest will be flown on an all expense paid, five-day trip to Tokyo, Japan from December 8-13. While there, they will attend an exclusive theatrical screening of the newest Inuyasha feature film, INUYASHA THE MOVIE: Fire on the Mystic Island on December 12. The total prize package includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodation, transfers and a $500.00 spending allowance.

For a chance to win, contestants must be legal residents of the United States, 18 or older, and have a valid US passport. Fans are encouraged to dress up as one of six main characters from the series that include Inuyasha, Kagome, Sesshomaru, Shippo, Sango, or Miroku. Contestants should submit a scanned, clear picture of themselves in costume along with a completed on-line entry form at http://www.viz.com/contest/inuyashamovie4. Entries must be submitted between now and November 22, 2004. Contest ends 11:59 p.m. (PST) on November 22, 2004. A panel of VIZ judges will pick six winners to be announced on November 27.

The release of the feature film, INUYASHA: Affections Touching Across Time on DVD and home video on September 7th has been met with enthusiastic support from fans, press, and retailers alike. The title has sold more than 140,000 units to-date. Over one million DVDs of the INUYASHA series have been sold since March 2003. The success of the feature film carries through the momentum that continues to drive the animated Inuyasha television series, which currently airs on Cartoon NetworkÕs Adult Swim block of programming.

"VIZ encourages all adult Inuyasha fans and lovers of anime and manga to enter this exciting costume contest for a chance to win a special five-day trip to Japan to attend the premiere of the newest Inuyasha feature film," says Anthony Jiwa, director of marketing for VIZ. "Cosplay is one of the most popular trends embraced by anime fandom as it allows people of all ages to express themselves creatively and show their dedication to favorite anime series. VIZ is gratified by the great success of Inuyasha in North America and is thanking fans for their dedication with this special contest. We invite every fan of the series, 18 or older, to don a costume and submit their entry for a chance to join five other lucky people for the trip of a lifetime."

About VIZ, LLC
Founded in 1986, VIZ is a multi-media entertainment company specializing in Japanese entertainment properties for U.S. audiences. VIZ offers an integrated product line including magazines, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks. Each month, VIZ publishes three magazines — ANIMERICA, ANIMERICA EXTRA and SHONEN JUMP; over 20 graphic novel titles, including ALICE 19TH, BOYS OVER FLOWERS, DRAGON BALL Z, FUSHIGI YÛGI, GUNDAM, INUYASHA, RANMA 1/2, and YU-GI-OH!; and distributes home video for BOYS OVER FLOWERS, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, POKÉMON, PROJECT ARMS, and ZOIDS.

Based in San Francisco, VIZ is one of the top five comics publishers in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Shogakukan and Shueisha Inc., two of the top publishers in Japan. VIZ is the leading publisher of manga for English speaking audiences, serving a growing market of dedicated fans of all ages. Estimating a core audience of nearly 15 million fans, the company holds a large market share of Japanese comics in the U.S. With some of the most innovative products in the industry, VIZ has expanded its offerings to its loyal fans through web sites such as www.shonenjump.com, and its corporate site, www.viz.com.

Contact VIZ, LLC at: 655 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1612; Phone: (415) 546-7073; Fax: (415) 546-7086; Web site: www.VIZ.com

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