Hit Show by Japanese Animation Leader to Premiere on Leading Canadian Kids Network in September

San Francisco, CA, August 22, 2005 — VIZ Media, LLC. (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive manga and animation licensing and publishing companies, will introduce the hit TV show ZATCH BELL! on YTV, Canada's #1 Kids' Television Network, beginning in September.

ZATCH BELL! is already a huge hit in Japan and in the US on Cartoon Network. Now building on that momentum YTV will air 52 episodes of the dynamic action adventure series beginning on September 9th at 8:00 p.m. complementing VIZ Media and YTV's already strong history of success with series such as HAMTARO and INUYASHA.

ZATCH BELL! which debuted March 2005 in the U.S. on The Cartoon Network is produced by Toei Animation Co., Ltd, one of the leading and most respected producers and developers of animation in Japan.

ZATCH BELL! is an inspiring story about the world of good and evil "mamodo" and the quest of Zatch Bell! Zatch Bell battles his adversaries with the help of his human friend, Kiyo. The power of the duo grows stronger as their relationship develops. Kiyo is a brilliant junior high student whose inflated ego (and tendency to blow the grading curve) has made him a major target for teasing at school. So his father sends him a bizarre birthday present--a strange little boy named Zatch Bell!--to help him make friends and reform his bad attitude. But Kiyo soon discovers that there's more to Zatch than his dad ever realized! Zatch is a creature called a mamodo, and he has magic powers that are unleashed when Kiyo reads spells from a mysterious red book. With Kiyo's help, Zatch must compete against the 99 other kids like him who are vying to become the king of the mamodo world!

"We are thrilled to be launching ZATCH BELL! on YTV. ZATCH BELL! is an outstanding series that has already established great success in Japan and the US; and we are confident that this success will now translate to Canada." said John Easum, Executive Vice President of VIZ Media. "We have enjoyed a wonderful track record of success with YTV, which will only expand with ZATCH BELL!"

To complement the property's broadcast momentum, ZATCH BELL! has an extensive consumer products plan for the future including a collectible card game, a comprehensive toy line, and video games for all key platforms. VIZ Media will also be debuting the first two volumes of the manga graphic novel series in August '05 and the first volume of the anime series will be made available on DVD in November '05.

About YTV

YTV, Canada's #1 youth network, is seen in over eight million homes across Canada. As a major force in Canadian kids' entertainment, YTV has triggered over $1 billion in Canadian independent production; developed a website that averages over 40 million monthly page views; published a successful kids' magazine, Whoa!; and conducts a highly respected annual survey, The YTV Tween Report.

YTV is owned by Corus Entertainment, a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. Corus also owns Nelvana Limited, an internationally recognized producer and distributor of children's programming and products. The Company's other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus' Web site can be found at www.corusentertainment.com.

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 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 animation and manga. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and Shojo Beat, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, 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.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.viz.com.

back to the top