Comic Artists, Muralists, Toy Creators and Authors Pay Homage to the Global Icon in a Special Release Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Celebrate 40 years of big smiles with Hello Kitty, Hello 40, now available in stores. Image courtesy of VIZ Media. © 1976, 2014 SANRIO CO., LTD

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, joins the global celebration to mark the 40th Anniversary of global pop icon Hello Kitty with the release of Hello Kitty, Hello 40, available now. The hardcover full-color anthology features a notable line-up of some of Hello Kitty’s biggest fans paying tribute in the best way they know how: through their stories and art. Hello Kitty, Hello 40 is published under VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint, and carries an MSRP of $29.99 U.S. / $34.99 CAN. A digital version of Hello Kitty, Hello 40 is also available for $14.99 U.S. / CAN from the Perfect Square App, which has titles available for the Apple iPad and iPad Mini. The Perfect Square App is available from the iTunes store. Fans also will be able to find digital versions for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo eReaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores. VIZ Media will also take part in the very first Hello Kitty convention. Hello Kitty Con 2014 will take place in Los Angeles October 30th – November 2nd at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) in Downtown LA`s Little Tokyo district. VIZ Media`s Perfect Square booth will offer a convention exclusive edition of Hello Kitty, Hello 40 along with a variety of other Hello Kitty original graphic novel titles for purchase. Additional information on Hello Kitty Con is available at sanrio.com/hellokittycon. In 1974, Hello Kitty stepped on the scene, and she`s had the world wrapped around her red bow ever since. In Perfect Square`s Hello Kitty, Hello 40, an array of acclaimed comic artists, muralists and toy creators pay tribute to Hello Kitty in story and art. Contributors include the award-winning creators of the Tiny Titans series, Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani; Brian Smith, co-creator of the New York Times bestselling series Stuff of Legend; Gene Luen Yang, award-winning author of American Born Chinese and Boxers and Saints, and Uglydoll co-creator David Horvath. Everyone has a tale to tell about the cute little girl who speaks from her heart. The hardcover edition will also include a special introduction by Matt and Jennifer L. Holm, award-winning creators of the Babymouse series. “Hello Kitty has inspired and influenced artists the world over, and we`ve invited some of them to pay tribute and share their Hello Kitty memories," says Traci Todd, Perfect Square’s Senior Editor. “This anthology of wordless comics is truly for Hello Kitty fans of all ages. You`ll recognize many of the artists from our main Hello Kitty series, and others from the worlds of comics, pop culture and children`s literature. It`s our small gift to Hello Kitty for 40 years of big smiles!" Perfect Square publishes an acclaimed collection of Hello Kitty original graphic novels including, Hello Kitty: Work of Art, Hello Kitty: Just Imagine, Hello Kitty: Here We GO!, Hello Kitty: Delicious!, and Hello Kitty: Surprise! These books will be featured as part of the first ever Hello Kitty Reading Day on October 25th. Hello Kitty Reading Day is a multi-publisher event with programming at bookstores and libraries across the country. See sanrio.com/hellokittyreading for more information. VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original pop culture books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence that captures the imagination of a whole new generation. Additional information on Hello Kitty and other titles published by Perfect Square is available at PerfectSquare.com. For more information on manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.

About Sanrio

Sanrio, best known for global icon Hello Kitty and home to many endearing characters including Chococat, My Melody, and Keroppi, is a worldwide lifestyle brand founded on the “small gift, big smile” philosophy -- that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. For over 50 years, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique Sanrio products and experiences. Today, more than 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are available in over 70 countries and upwards of 12,000 U.S. locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 100 Sanrio boutiques. For more information, please visit sanrio.com and facebook.com/hellokitty.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan`s largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology Weekly Shonen Jump magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at viz.com.