Press Release from VIZ Media
San Francisco, CA April 20, 2009 -- VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, continues to expand the global audience base for its successful NARUTO animated series with a continuing terrestrial broadcast partnership with SBT (Sistema Brasileiro de Televisao), one of the largest television networks in Brazil.
The agreement will bring the 51 episodes of season two of NARUTO, the popular animated series about a young boy training to become a ninja. The NARUTO brand possesses a devout following in Brazil, one of the fastest growing television markets in the world through fan access to the Internet. The first agreement with SBT brought the first 52 episodes of NARUTO to Brazil in 2007.
"SBT is excited to once again partner with VIZ Media, a leader in bringing unparalleled animation to a global audience," states SBT spokesperson. "NARUTO is a key part of SBT's programming. Season one has become a hit across a wide demographic, and we are thrilled to bring season two into homes in Brazil."
"NARUTO is a global success story, and the continued partnership with SBT presents another opportunity to bring additional episodes of this successful animation to Brazil," says VIZ Media Licensing Director, Andrea Gonzalez. "SBT has demonstrated constant commitment to bring innovative programming to an expanding audience. They continue to be an ideal partner for the NARUTO brand, sharing our goal to entertain with unique animated content."
NARUTO, created by Masashi Kishimoto, depicts the adventures of a young boy named Naruto Uzumaki who trains to become a ninja, and through his exciting adventures learns the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right versus wrong. First introduced into WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine in Japan in 1999, NARUTO quickly became Japan's most popular ninja manga 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. The NARUTO series has captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.
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.
About VIZ Media, LLCHeadquartered 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
