Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 1 Media Release -- San Francisco, CA, August 4, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will debut Karuho Shiina's celebrated romantic shojo manga (graphic novels for girls) series KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU today. The new series, published under VIZ Media's SHOJO BEAT imprint, is rated 'T' for Teens and carries an MSRP of $8.99 U.S. / $10.50 CAN. Bonus stickers are also included in limited quantities of Volume 1.

Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine – for a horror movie! With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, she's often mistaken for the haunting movie character Sadako. But behind her scary façade is a very misunderstood teenager. Too shy to fit in, all she wants to do is make some friends. But when the most popular boy in class befriends her, she's sure to make more than just that – and she's about to make some enemies too!

KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU is creator Karuho Shiina's second manga series following several one-shot stories, but it has received numerous accolades and appeared on many "Best Manga of the Year" lists. Winner of the 2008 Kodansha Manga Award for the shojo category, KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU also placed fifth in the first-ever Manga Taisho (Cartoon Grand Prize) contest held in 2008. An animated series is in production in Japan as well. In North America, KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU was recently selected as a Hot Fall Graphic Novel for Libraries at the 2009 Book Expo America (BEA), the nation's largest publishing event.

"Sawako is actually very sweet and considerate and readers will root for her as she struggles to overcome her shyness and open up to the one boy in her school who can see beneath her seemingly dark and cold exterior," says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales & Marketing for VIZ Media. "KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU shows how appearances can be deceiving, and lots of drama ensues as Sawako becomes the subject of jealousy and judgments from her peers. For anyone who has experienced this situation or appreciates the adage of 'opposites attract,' KIMI NI TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU will be a heartwarming read."

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.