Animated Crime Drama from the Creator of 20TH CENTURY BOYS Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: Monster.viz.com Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

VIZ Media, LLC brings Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER to DVD in a Box Set scheduled for release on December 8th. Based on the acclaimed manga creator’s tense psychological masterpiece, MONSTER Box Set 1 features 3 DVDs/15 episodes (episodes 1-15), is rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences, and carries a suggested MSRP of $59.90 U.S. / $85.99 CAN. The DVD box set will also include an exclusive digital booklet, which is a digitized version of the original Japanese booklet. 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 to uncover the story of 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 former East Germany are masterfully woven together in this compelling psychological drama. The critically acclaimed Monster manga series is also published in North America by VIZ Media and was nominated for a prestigious Eisner Award in 2009. “Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER is a real must-see for any true fan of anime, suspense or crime dramas,” says Brian Ige, VIZ Media Director of Sales, Home Entertainment “The animated series follows in a fine tradition of psychological crime noir ranging from Hitchcock and Mickey Spillane to SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and CSI. All the tension and drama that made Urasawa’s manga such a masterpiece comes to life, and audiences will be glued to the screen when Dr. Tenma matches wits with a monstrous serial killer!” Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER is also featured each Monday night on Syfy’s Ani-Monday block, and re-broadcasted the week after on SyFy’s sister network, Chiller, which airs a variety of horror and suspense-themed programs. Check local listings for specific airtimes. In November, the MONSTER animated series joined three of the most popular and successful anime series in North America— BLEACH, DEATH NOTE and NARUTO— on the PlayStation Network video delivery service, available exclusively for PSP (PlayStation Portable) and PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) entertainment systems 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. Episodes 1-6 (dubbed) of MONSTER are now available for download for $1.99 each via the Network’s VIZ Media Channel page. For more information on MONSTER the anime, please visit Monster.viz.com. For more information on Naoki Urasawa’s Monster manga series (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens), please visit 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 magazines such as Shonen Jump and Shojo Beat, 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; and web site at www.viz.com.