Naoki Urasawa's MonsterMedia Release -- VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has launched Naoki Urasawa's MONSTER on the PlayStation®Network video delivery service, available exclusively for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) entertainment systems. Episodes 1-6 (dubbed) of the animated series are now available for download for $1.99 each via the Network's VIZ Media Channel page.

What would you do if a child you saved grew up to be a monster? An ice-cold killer is on the loose, and Dr. Kenzo Tenma is the only one who can stop him! Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon with a promising future, risks his career to save the life of a critically wounded young boy named Johan. When the boy, now a coldhearted and charismatic young man, reappears nine years later in the midst of a string of unusual serial murders, Tenma must go on the run from the police, who suspect him to be the killer, to find Johan and stop the monster he set loose upon the world. Conspiracies, serial murders, and secret government experiments set against the grim backdrop of the formerly communist Eastern Europe are masterfully woven together in this compelling work of suspense. MONSTER is based on the critically acclaimed manga series, rated 'T+' for Older Teens, created by Naoki Urasawa that is also published in North America by VIZ Media.

"We're very happy to debut this exciting and thought-provoking series to a whole new audience with the launch of Naoki Urasawa's MONSTER anime on Sony's PlayStation Network," says Brian Ige, VIZ Media Director of Sales, Home Entertainment. "MONSTER has become a hit among fans of anime and manga, and we look forward to the gaming audience discovering one of Naoki Urasawa's most gripping and critically acclaimed works."

Naoki Urasawa's MONSTER joins three of the most popular and successful anime series in North America – BLEACH, DEATH NOTE and NARUTO – on PlayStation Network in the United States.

PlayStation Network is an entertainment network that unites people and innovative entertainment to deliver captivating experiences. Through the PlayStation Network video delivery service, consumers can download their favorite movie and television programs, many in high-definition. The video delivery service currently features over 2,250 movies and more than 13,800 television episodes. PlayStation Network has more than 29 million registered accounts Worldwide.

Naoki Urasawa's MONSTER also airs on SyFy channel's Ani-Monday block (2 new episodes every Monday at 11:00 PM).

For more information on Naoki Urasawa's MONSTER anime series (rated 'M' for Mature) please visit Monster.viz.com. For more information on Naoki Urasawa's MONSTER manga series (rated 'T+' for Older Teens) please visit www.vizsignature.com/monster.
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 the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, 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; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and website at www.VIZ.com.