Naruto Licensed

[Mortis]

SHOPRO ENTERTAINMENT NAMED

MASTER LICENSOR FOR JAPANESE PHENOMENON, NARUTO

TV TOKYO Corporation And Shueisha Inc. Appoint ShoPro Entertainment To Represent TV, Home Video And Merchandising Rights In North America And Latin America For

Much Anticipated Ninja Hit, Naruto

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (February 15, 2005) –ShoPro Entertainment, Inc. which recently announced it’s upcoming merger with VIZ, LLC to form one of the entertainment industry's most innovative, comprehensive manga and animation licensing and publishing companies, announced today that it has secured from worldwide licensors, TV TOKYO Corporation and Shueisha Inc., the television, home video and merchandising rights to Naruto for North America and Latin America. The appointment of ShoPro Entertainment as Master Licensor was facilitated by TV TOKYO Medianet, the licensing arm of TV TOKYO.

ShoPro Entertainment, the San Francisco based affiliate of ShoPro Japan, plans to introduce a dynamic roll-out strategy that will leverage the strong manga and entertainment brand into a broad licensing and marketing program. Naruto’s television broadcast partner and key licensing partners will be determined shortly.

“We are ecstatic about Naruto! It is a great privilege to be bringing such an outstanding property to the Americas,” said John Easum, Senior Vice President of ShoPro Entertainment. “Naruto became an explosive hit in Japan after it was first launched in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1999 and it continues to be an enormous success. Naruto has also established a very large American fan base through the US manga series published by VIZ. We anticipate a huge success.”

First introduced into the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999, Naruto quickly became Japan’s most popular ninja manga. In 2000, Naruto was expanded into a series of graphic novels and is currently in its 26th volume, with nearly 49 million copies sold in total in Japan. Weekly Shonen Jump, published by one of Japan’s largest publishers, Shueisha Inc., is considered the world’s most successful comic magazine with over 3 million copies printed weekly in Japan alone.

Since 2003, the Naruto series has been serialized in the US edition of the monthly Shonen Jump, and published as a graphic novel series by VIZ, LLC. At retail, Naruto consistently ranks as one of the top graphic novel titles in the US and one of the most popular titles serialized in SHONEN JUMP. The manga has also been published in most major markets in Europe and Asia to great success.

Targeting tweens and teens, the Naruto animated series, produced by PIERROT CO., LTD. debuted in Japan in October 2002 on TV TOKYO and quickly established itself as one of TV TOKYO’s highest rated animated series. Today, Naruto is considered one of the most popular animated series in Japan’s history and has achieved immense success not only as a manga and TV title, but also in the realm of licensed categories such as toys, trading card games and video games.

The story of Naruto takes place in another world where ninjas are the ultimate power. In the village of Konohagakure live some of the stealthiest and most respected ninjas in the land. But 12 years prior, Konohagakure faced a fearsome threat - a nine-tailed fox demon, which terrorized the village and caused massive destruction before it was finally defeated. The Hokage, the village leader and most powerful ninja, was able to subdue the fox by sealing its soul inside the body of an orphaned baby boy. Now that boy, Uzumaki Naruto, has grown up to become a ninja-in-training, learning the art of ninjutsu with his classmates Sakura and Sasuke. The trio of student ninjas study under the instruction of their teacher, Kakashi. With Kakashi, the group faces a series of dangerous and daunting tests and challenges. Through their adventures, the young ninjas learn the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right vs. wrong.

The key characters are Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. Naruto, shunned by the village because he bears the taint of the fox demon imprisoned within him, is a rascally orphan who has grown into an attention-seeking troublemaker. Although his preoccupation with playful pranks leaves him struggling to graduate from Ninja Academy, he's determined to become the next Hokage. Sasuke, the top student in Naruto’s class, comes from the prestigious Uchiha clan. Sasuke is driven by a secret desire to win revenge against a mysterious person who wronged him in the past. And the smart and studious Sakura is

the brightest of Naruto’s classmates, but she is constantly distracted by her crush on Sasuke. She hopes to some day win Sasuke’s heart…if Naruto doesn’t get in the way.

About ShoPro Entertainment/VIZ LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, ShoPro Entertainment and VIZ, LLC recently announced their upcoming merger to become one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. The new company, whose name will be announced shortly, will be owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shogakukan Inc., Shueisha Inc. and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan).

ShoPro Entertainment/ VIZ is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese animation. The new company offers an integrated product line including magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment starting from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages.

[Cactus Drags]

I'm not an anime buff, but my mate got me into Naruto. I've seen the first 20 episodes, and I really enjoy it. don't really understand what this means for the future of the show though, as I understand it, new episodes are available for free on the website or something.

[Mortis]

I'm not an anime buff, but my mate got me into Naruto. I've seen the first 20 episodes, and I really enjoy it. don't really understand what this means for the future of the show though, as I understand it, new episodes are available for free on the website or something.

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[Cactus Drags]

I was very harshly corrected on that the first time I discussed it with my mate. "IT'S SASKE, IDIOT!!!"

And I'm sure he got them from an official site of sorts, he certainly wasn't using torrents, he's too computer-illiterate.

[stokeriño]

Can't stand Naruto. It's nothing special, the animation's subpar and there's far too much of it.

I mean there's even more InuYasha, for instance (170-something), but at least I can recognise that it has quality...even if after 50 or 60 episodes you begin to wonder what's the point anymore.

[Mortis]

Can't stand Naruto. It's nothing special, the animation's subpar and there's far too much of it.

I mean there's even more InuYasha, for instance (170-something), but at least I can recognise that it has quality...even if after 50 or 60 episodes you begin to wonder what's the point anymore.

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Edited March 1, 2005 by Mortis

[stokeriño]

Very well, I shall download episode 123 and report back with my opinions on the opening, the graphics etc. If the opening surpasses that of Soukyuu no Fafner/Fafner in the Azure, or the graphics surpass that of Samurai Champloo, I shall be very, very surprised.

[Mortis]

If your looking for episode quality, download 110-119 they have the best fights, including Chouji, Neiji(Which is really a great fight with his Byakuugan), and such. Episode 123 is more of a comic relief before the big fight type episode.

Samurai Champloo is quite good as well,, so I don't know, more of an oppinion there...

Watch 110-120 and you'll understand, there regular quality isn't as good as there fighting quality. The Rock Lee vs. Gaara fight was the first demonstration of there full graphic capability. Taijutsu with no Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, Vs. Someone who has Tai, Nin, and Gen. Basicly it was a genius fight.

Eh... but I'm interested in hearing your oppinion on it.

[stokeriño]

Believe me, if it's comic relief I'm more likely to find it acceptable...

However if there's a specific episode you'd like to recommend I'll go for that one.

[GoGo Yubari]

I've never watched the anime so I can't judge. The manga's quite good, though.

Never heard of ShoPro. What else have they done?

[Mortis]

Episode 050 - Oh, Rock Lee! This is how a man lives!

Episode 060 - Byakugan VS Shadow Replication! I Will Win!!

Episode 061 - No Blind Spot! The Other Absolute Defense

Episode 062 - Dropout's Hidden Power!

Episode 76-79, Episode 88, Episode 101(EXTREMELY comedic, trying to get off Kakashi's mask to see what his face looks like). Episode 111-119.

Those probably best illustrate the graphics. Summoning NO Jutsu was 56 I believe, but it wasn't the most impressive. I encourage you to check out as many episodes a you can, it gets interesting to say the least.

[Cactus Drags]

Bah, you've gone all uber-anime talk on me, I can't hang anymore.

[stokeriño]

Pah, since I'm already 13% through episode 123 and have 5 downloads already going on anyway (dammit!), any of those episodes will have to wait for the moment.

I have to say that as a general rule I dislike anime series that are too long. It requires something very special to make it worth going to 51 or 52 (e.g. Full Metal Alchemist), but lasting significantly longer than that is just ludicrous.

[GoGo Yubari]

Eh. Ranma 1/2 was doing fine up until Season Four and even then it had its moments after that.

[Mortis]

Pah, since I'm already 13% through episode 123 and have 5 downloads already going on anyway (dammit!), any of those episodes will have to wait for the moment.

I have to say that as a general rule I dislike anime series that are too long. It requires something very special to make it worth going to 51 or 52 (e.g. Full Metal Alchemist), but lasting significantly longer than that is just ludicrous.

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[stokeriño]

Eh. Ranma 1/2 was doing fine up until Season Four and even then it had its moments after that.

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Ranma's treading a fine line. Rumiko Takahashi creates great anime and all, but dammit if the woman doesn't know when to quit!

She's worse with Inuyasha than Ranma, admittedly. The way it settles down into the "Random Demon with Shikon Jewel -> Fight -> Intermittent Inuyasha/Kagome Romantic Tension -> Back where we started" is pitiful. Comparatively, Ranma has its "Martial Artist with Different Gimmick Turns Up -> Causes conflict between Main Protagonists -> Leaves" episodes by the dozen. However I'm more tolerant to them than Inuyasha because I'm not a big fan of the whole demon killing deal.

If they cut out a large portion of all these episodes it wouldn't hurt the series too much, and they'd be of a much more acceptable length to boot. Nothing impresses me more than an anime that makes every episode significant from start to finish.

Obviously I can't comment on Mortis' Naruto defence because I haven't seen very much of it, but all in good time.

Edited March 1, 2005 by stokeriño

[Mortis]

It's my oppinion on Naruto, it takes me places when I watch it that I sorta had in my own childhood. It's a good anime series overall, and I enjoy watching it. I hope you'll give Naruto a chance and maybe see it's not so bad 50-124(Coming out soon) but eh, I can understand if you don't. I have a weird taste for anime, I used to like Inuyasha until it got so extremely repetitive, I don't like Ghost in a Shell, can't comment on Ranma, and I liked Oh My Goddess! quite a bit. Gundam 0083 was interesting to me, where as the original sorta was boring.

Yeah what a confliction, most people love the original gundam, but I can't say I like it as much. Prefer 0083, or even G-Gundam. Hate the latest gundam series as well. Like Yu Yu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai X(OVA's for Kenshin really good... must sees). Samurai Champloo is good, as well as Bleach. In fact Bleach is just plain hilarous.

[stokeriño]

Of those you've just listed the only one I've really seen a lot of is Champloo. I've never been motivated to look into any varient of Gundam. GITS is one of those things you have to acknowledge but isn't particularly enjoyable to watch. I've seen Bleach on torrents lists a lot but I've yet to look into it properly - I saw episodes 5/6 at last months London Anime Club, and it seemed alright.

My taste in anime is no doubt far girlier than yours ( ). I'm more into things like Azumanga Daioh, Fruits Basket, Galaxy Angel, School Rumble, Card Captor Sakura (or in fact most things by CLAMP), and so on. Not that there isn't a good share of things like Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Full Metal Panic and the like - but I tend to steer clear of your typical shounen titles (and I have a friend who's a Dragonball freak...god).

Edited March 1, 2005 by stokeriño

[Mortis]

Used to love Dragonball and still do (Pre Buu/Cell shit saga.) Dragonball was a great series, DBZ was alright and great with Frieza after Frieza began to suck somewhat though. Heard of Fruit Baskets, heard it's pretty good, never really got into it. Either way, Full Metal, Bebop, and Evangelion are all good animes for anyone. I like anime's mostly because they have something for everyone no matter what the taste. Naruto has a comic/action affect that I like, whereas Bleach is just total Comedy, and DBZ just has... no comedy in it...

Much rather have something that tries to be a hybrid than just a pure genre.

[Cactus Drags]

My mate's trying to get me into FMA now, it sounds absurd.