VIZ Media Announces The Launch Of Naruto, Bleach and Death Note Episodes On HULU.COM

Innovative New Online Video Streaming Service To Carry Original Uncut Japanese Episodes From Three Smash Hit Animated Action Series

San Francisco, CA, September 25, 2008 - VIZ Media, LLC., one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies has announced the availability of the original Uncut Japanese versions of NARUTO, BLEACH and DEATH NOTE animated episodes (subtitled in English) on Hulu.com. Hulu is an online video service that offers hit TV shows, movies and clips at Hulu.com and other online destination sites - all for free, anytime in the U.S. Hulu has more than 100 content partners and offers nearly 900 show and movie titles, including 200 full-length feature films and 400 television series with hundreds of videos added to the service each week. NARUTO and DEATH NOTE launched in the United States on Hulu this week. BLEACH and new episodes of each title will be added regularly on Hulu.

The launch with Hulu is the latest expansion of VIZ Media's ongoing strategy to make available a variety of hit animated series through some of the most innovative web-based, video streaming outlets. Hulu, launched in March of this year, provides convenient 24/7 accessibility and offers users the freedom to legally share full-length episodes or clips via e-mail or embed them on other web sites, blogs and social networking pages.

NARUTO, DEATH NOTE, and BLEACH have emerged as three of the world's most popular Japanese animated series, each attracting millions of devoted viewers with a blend of stylish animation, multi-faceted characters and riveting story lines. Each series is based on a popular manga (graphic novel) series and enjoys tremendous international popularity.

"We are very excited to launch NARUTO, DEATH NOTE, and BLEACH on Hulu," says Ken Sasaki, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. "Hulu gives users the ability to customize their viewing experience online. We invite longtime, as well as new, NARUTO, BLEACH and DEATH NOTE fans to check out Hulu.com for the exciting episodes that are available for unlimited streaming."

NARUTO (Uncut): Rated TV-14 (English subtitled) http://www.hulu.com/naruto

NARUTO has become the hottest animated series across North America and is one of VIZ Media’s most successful manga and animated properties in terms of sales. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, the series depicts the adventures of a young boy named Uzumaki Naruto who trains to become a ninja. The boy is cursed with the spirit of a nine-tailed fox demon and is forced to live a bullied life discriminated against by his fellow villagers. Naruto is resilient and undaunted in his quest to become a master ninja and his determination often inspires those around him. Through amazing adventures, the young ninja learns the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right vs. wrong. Dedicated website at www.naruto.com.

DEATH NOTE (Uncut): Rated TV-14 (English subtitled) http://www.hulu.com/death-note

DEATH NOTE is based on the manga series of the same name and is currently one of the hottest animated titles in Japan. The series depicts the adventures of Light Yagami, an ace student with great prospects but who is bored out of his mind. All of that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals mysteriously begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to investigate, and he is soon hot on the trail of Light, who must now reevaluate his one noble goal. Dedicated website at www.deathnote.viz.com.

BLEACH (Uncut): Rated TV-14 (English subtitled)

BLEACH, an animated, hyperkinetic, ghost-busting action series is the story of a 15 year-old named Ichigo Kurosaki who was born with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow – a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters a Soul Reaper and absorbs her powers. Now he has dedicates his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured souls find peace. Dedicated website at www.bleach.viz.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 (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-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages.