MANGA AT NUMBER 25 ON USA TODAY’S TOP 150 BEST SELLER LIST
Property Continues To Be A Success And Demonstrates Broad Audience Appeal
San Francisco, CA March 19, 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced that the recently released volume 13 of the popular NARUTOâ„¢ manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens), which is published under the company’s SHONEN JUMPâ„¢ imprint and also serialized in the monthly SHONEN JUMP magazine (also rated ‘T’ for teens), placed at Number 25 on the USA Today Top 150 Best Seller List through the week of March 11.
The list (available on USA Today’s website at http://www.usatoday.com) is based on an objective computer analysis of retail sales from 4,700 independent, chain, discount and online booksellers nationwide. In 2004 NARUTO was the first manga title to be featured on the USA Today Top 150 and has placed repeatedly on the list since, most recently in September 2006. The NARUTO brand has become one of VIZ Media’s most viable in terms of sales. The series, by Masashi Kishimoto, depicts the adventures of a young boy who trains to become a ninja, and the series has sold more than 66 million copies in Japan since its 1999 debut. In North America, a massive amount of fan interest continues to drive the success of both the manga and the anime series, seen on Cartoon Network, the Toonami Jetstream web site, and on DVD distributed by VIZ Media.
“The NARUTO brand has proven to be a consistent best seller and demonstrates the continued viability of the manga medium and of this property in particular,” says Liza Coppola, Senior Vice President, Marketing, VIZ Media. “The well developed character and story arcs have captivated a truly wide range of readers and we are pleased to see the action-packed positive storylines find broad appeal. As popularity continues, VIZ Media looks forward to further expanding the NARUTO property with the DVD release of the NARUTO – THE LOST STORY ‘Mission: Protect The Waterfall Village!’ and the next installment of the manga series, Volume 14, both in May!”
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 manga and animation. 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 http://www.VIZ.com.
