ACF 336: First episode of "Honey and Clover" is free download at iTunes store

VIZ MEDIA’S HONEY AND CLOVER ANIME
NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ITUNES STORE

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced the exclusive availability of its popular shojo animated series HONEY AND CLOVER on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com) in the US and the iTunes Store in Canada (www.itunes.ca). iTunes will exclusively offer the first episode of HONEY AND CLOVER as a free download until August 31, 2009. Plus, every purchase of the complete first season of HONEY AND CLOVER will include a free, bonus episode download. Find out more at www.itunes.com/tv/honeyandclover.

Based on the popular manga series created by Chica Umino, HONEY AND CLOVER is a romantic comedy about a group of art school students who try to find their way through college. But when an innocent and talented 19-year-old girl enters their lives, things get a lot more complicated as love triangles result.

The HONEY AND CLOVER manga series was created by Chica Umino and has sold more than 5,300,000 copies in Japan. In 2003, the series won the 27th Kodansha Manga Award, Japan's most prestigious comics award. The series was also adapted into an anime series in 2005 and finally into a live action film in 2006.

What is Shojo?….In Japan, manga comics and anime have enjoyed widespread popularity among both children and adults, men as well as women. Shojo (which means young girl in Japanese) manga and anime is widely known and embraced for its characteristic lush designs and tales of love and romance set against action, academic, or fantasy driven plots. Women and young girls in North America quickly discovered that comic books and anime are no longer just for boys. Shojo stories appeal to the desires for stories and characters that girls and women can relate to. While plots and settings for shojo vary widely (everywhere from outer space to alternate realities to the local middle school), several constants remain the themes of romance, angst and heartbreak, and ultimately finding the one you love despite obstacles and setbacks. And what young girl isn't interested in that? The fact that shojo is largely an entertainment medium developed by women for women with stories women and girls can relate to is also driving the popularity of shojo in North America.

"We are thrilled to add this endearing romantic comedy to our library of great anime now available on iTunes. HONEY AND CLOVER showcases the challenging journey that everyone must take to transform from adolescence into adulthood while balancing the demands of school, work, and love and VIZ Media is committed to nurturing the series for a new audience in North America.” says Ken Sasaki, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. “iTunes is a critical channel, providing the high quality, ease of download and flexibility that will allow fans to enjoy this captivating series however and whenever they want.”

The HONEY AND CLOVER manga and anime series are both rated ‘T+’ (for older teens). For more information on HONEY AND CLOVER please visit the dedicated website at honeyandclover.viz.com. For general information on VIZ Media and other titles, please visit www.viz.com.