Both Titles Now on Sale Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

VIZ Media has announced the North American debut of the manga series Black Lagoon, as well as the DVD debut of BLUE DRAGON, a new animated series based on the popular Microsoft Xbox 360 Role Playing Game. The Black Lagoon manga by Rei Hiroe follows a misfit group of mercenaries and their adventures on the high seas of Southeast Asia. Black Lagoon is available now from the VIZ Media imprint and is rated “M” for Mature audiences. It carries an MSRP of $12.99 U.S./$15.00 CAN. Readers will lock ‘n’ load with Dutch the Boss, Benny the Mechanic, Revy Two Hand, and Rock as they seek adventure and fortune aboard their World War II-era torpedo boat, the Black Lagoon. In the treacherous underworld of the Russian Mafia, Chinese triads, Colombian drug cartels, crazed assassins, and ruthless mercenaries, it`s hard to know who to trust. But if you`ve got a delivery to make, and you don`t mind a little property damage along the way, you can count on the crew of the Black Lagoon! The action kicks off from the very first page as Rokuro Okajima, an average Japanese salaryman, is taken hostage by the crew during a mission to transport a computer disk with insider information that could bring down a major industrial conglomerate. But when Rokuro is sold out by his employer, he decides to join the Black Lagoon crew, who nickname him Rock and throw him headfirst into a deadly world of outlaw heroes, brutal villains, and blazing gunfights. Where he ends up is anyone`s guess, but one thing is for certain – he`s in for a wild ride! Creator/artist Rei Hiroe debuted his first manga series in 1993. His most notable work, Black Lagoon, has been published in Shogakukan`s monthly magazine Sunday GX since 2002. The series is critically acclaimed for its unrelenting, fast-paced action, gritty stories and highly detailed array of weaponry and military hardware. Based on the success of the manga in Japan, Black Lagoonas also developed into a blockbuster animated series that has produced two seasons in Japan to date.

“Black Lagoon`s a fast-paced, gun-slinging action adventure in the tradition of PULP FICTION and THE TRANSPORTER,” says Mike Montesa, Editor, VIZ Media. “Readers will delight in the accurately depicted arsenal of weaponry and hard-boiled characters including the tough-as-nails Revy Two Hand, who is probably the sexiest femme fatale to ever pick up a Gepard anti-tank rife. With their modified PT boat, the Black Lagoon crew will deliver anything anywhere, no questions asked – so long as the price is right. We invite readers to delve into this shady and exciting world of double-dealing gangsters and ruthless criminals who will use any means necessary to try and stop this rag-tag group of well-armed mercenaries from fulfilling their dangerous missions.” Also hitting store shelves this week is the North American DVD debut of the new animated series BLUE DRAGON. BLUE DRAGON Volume 1 is rated A for All Ages, features five episodes, and carries an MSRP of $14.98 (U.S.)/$19.99 (CAN). The BLUE DRAGON animated series is a classic adventure story of magical Shadow powers, flying air fortresses, and unbounded heroism! Brought together by fate, Seven Soldiers of Light must awaken the Shadow within themselves in time to overcome a despotic power and bring peace to their land. Their ensuing journey through a rich fantasy world is also an internal journey to awaken the great power within each of them. Journey with them into the world of BLUE DRAGON. The series is based on the Xbox 360 game BLUE DRAGON, which was developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of INAL FANTASY. The game and animated series feature memorable characters designed by Akira Toriyama, the creator of the best-selling DRAGON BALL series of manga (also published in North America by VIZ Media and featured in SHONEN JUMP Magazine). The BLUE DRAGON animated series is produced by Studio Pierrot, which is well-known for its work on NARUTO and BLEACH, also licensed by VIZ Media. The BLUE DRAGON video game has already established itself in Japan as one of Microsoft’s hottest releases in the RPG category and also enjoys a sizable and growing fan-base in North America.

“We’re very excited to announce the eagerly anticipated DVD debut of the new BLUE DRAGON series,” says Brian Ige, Director of Sales, Home Entertainment, VIZ Media. “The first volume introduces a captivating adventure story inspired by the popular Xbox 360 game and possesses a balanced mix of action and comedy that will both entertain and inspire. Fans of DRAGON BALL will recognize instantly Akira Toriyama’s masterful character designs. As the convergence of animation and video gaming continues, we look forward to BLUE DRAGON establishing a strong following across North America among diverse audiences including tweens and teens as well as young adults.” 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. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; and web site at www.viz.com.