VIZ Media announces variety of new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN products

©2002MK - 2007SP

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES A VARIETY OF NEW

OFFICIALLY LICENSED NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

PRODUCTS FROM LEADING BRAND PARTNERS

VIZ Media Highlights An Array Of Games, Figures, And

Beverages Featuring The World’s Most Popular Ninja

VIZ Media has announced several new license partners for forthcoming products featuring its popular NARUTO SHIPPUDEN manga (graphic novel) and anime property. VIZ Media is the global master licensor for NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN.

Video game company Bandai Namco Games of America Inc., board game and trading card developer Cryptozoic Entertainment, Japanese figure manufacturers, GECCO Corp. and Bandai Co., Ltd, as well as Saito Inryo Industry Co., Ltd.’s Ramune Japanese soft drink importer JFC International inc., are among the brand partners to license NARUTO SHIPPUDEN for an array of exciting upcoming products set for release in coming months.

Leading video game publisher and developer BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. will release Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and also for PC digital download in September. The action packed story of the Storm series continues with more than 100 playable characters including a new Mecha-Naruto and more exclusive new characters originally drawn by NARUTO creator Masashi Kishimoto. A co-promotion with card game developer Cryptozoic Entertainment will also give fans a special bonus Mecha-Naruto collectable trading card with purchase of the video game. Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution pre-orders will be available at the Bandai Namco booth at Anime Expo (Booth #101) and also at San Diego Comic-Con International (Booth #129). Additional information available at: www.bandainamcogames.com.

BANDAI CO., LTD. will debut the articulated Naruto Uzumaki character figure as part of its popular S.H. Figuarts collectable line for the first time in North America. The figure will make its debut at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International in the Bluefin Booth (#3545). Additional details on Bandai toys and collectable products are available at: https://www.facebook.com/Tamashii.USA.

Leading board game and collectable trading card manufacturer Cryptozoic Entertainment will launch a Naruto Shippuden Deck-Building Game in July. Fans can play as world most popular ninja, Naruto, or as one of his comrades. Gather and use mysterious Chakra power to confront and defeat S-rank criminals such as Orochimaru and members of the Akatsuki and explore distant lands to become the greatest ninja ever! Additional details available at: www.cryptozoic.com/games/naruto-shippuden-deck-building-game.

©2002MK - 2007SP

High-end collectable figure manufacturer GECCO Corp. will unveil a limited edition 1/6 scale statue of the world’s most popular ninja, to be offered exclusively at the VIZ Media booth (#2813) during the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International. In this limited edition version, Naruto Uzumaki is rendered in high quality full-color PVC, standing approximately 27cm tall and wearing the 4th Hokage’s famous coat. Additional information is available at: www.gecco.co.jp/naruto.html.

Japanese beverage distributor JFC International Inc. will bring a new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN themed version of the refreshing Ramune soft drink to U.S. retailers this summer. Enjoy NARUTO in a new way while enjoying one of Japan’s most popular beverages. More details on Ramune soft drinks available at: http://www.jfc.com/.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga properties. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens, in print and digital editions) and animated counterpart (NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘TV-14’) are some of VIZ Media’s most successful titles and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense training that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi… well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

More information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com.

Additional information on titles available from VIZ Media is available at www.VIZ.com.

Spectacular 1/6 scale Naruto figure to be offered exclusively at 2014 San Diego Comic-Con in July

©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN  All Rights Reserved.

 VIZ MEDIA AND GECCO TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE

1/6 SCALE NARUTO SHIPPUDEN MASTERPIECE FIGURE

AS 2014 COMIC-CON EXCLUSIVE COLLECTABLE

Exceptionally Detailed 1/6 Nauto Uzumaki In 4th Hokage Coat

Destined To Become A Highly Sought After Collector’s Item

Will Be Available From VIZ Media Booth 2813

VIZ Media is teaming with Japanese high-end figure manufacturer and official NARUTO SHIPPUDEN product licensee, Gecco, to unveil a very special 1/6 scale masterpiece statue of the world’s most popular ninja, clad in 4th HOKAGE coat version, to be offered exclusively at the VIZ Media booth (#2813) during the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International.

Set to take place at the San Diego Convention Center, July 23rd-27th, Comic-Con International is the nation’s biggest annual comic book, science fiction and pop culture event.

In this limited edition version, Naruto Uzumaki is rendered in high quality full-color PVC, standing approximately 27cm tall and wearing the 4th Hokage’s famous coat. Crafted by skilled Gecco sculptor/painter Shin Tanabe with painting by Katsushige Akeyama, the intensity of Naruto’s expression has been carefully designed to show his fierce resolve to face enemies in order to protect his friends and save the world. The statue features a highly detailed costume capturing every wrinkle and texture, a true indicator of the exceptional craftsmanship of this masterpiece. The Gecco Naruto Uzumaki, 4th HOKAGE coat version, will carry an MSRP of 150.00 and will be available during 2014 Comic-Con at the VIZ Media booth #2813 (while supplies last).

“This exceptionally detailed statue of Naruto wearing his father’s red flamed coat can become the special centerpiece to a collector’s display, and we are proud to partner with one of the most exclusive Japanese figure manufacturers, Gecco, to present it as a 2014 Comic-Con exclusive product,” says Daisuke Aoki, VIZ Media Vice President, Animation Licensing. “This limited production figure will be one of the most sought after items during Comic-Con and is sure become a highly desirable item among pop culture collectors, comics, anime and manga fans. We look forward to welcoming Gecco to the VIZ Media booth during the show to secure one of the hottest new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN collectables.”

“I wanted to see the greatest Naruto figure with my own eyes, and am excited to partner with VIZ Media to make this a reality!” says Kineo Murakami, founder, Gecco. “The only person who can bring Naruto to vivid life is sculptor Shin Tanabe, and I’m sure anyone who sees this limited edition NARUTO SHIPPUDEN figure will marvel at this masterpiece!”

©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN  All Rights Reserved.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga properties. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens, in print and digital editions) and animated counterpart (NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘TV-14’) are some of VIZ Media’s most successful titles and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but with the looming danger posed by the mysterious Akatsuki organization, Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi…well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he prove wiser and stronger?

For additional details about the exclusive NARUTO SHIPPUDEN figure, visit http://www.gecco.co.jp/naruto.html.

More information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com.

Additional information on titles available from VIZ Media is available at www.VIZ.com.

About Gecco
Gecco was established in July 2011 as a figure manufacturer in Higashi Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Founded by Kineo Murakami, the company’s goal is to create figures Murakami would personally want in his collection. This mandate of creating desirable figures has garnered the support of many figure collectors and enthusiasts around the world. Some of the best-known figures created by Gecco are from the Silent Hill video game series, and each figure created is highly detailed, crafted with exceptional mastery, using the best materials.