IT’S A BEAN! IT’S A DOG! IT’S BOTH?!!
VIZ MEDIA BRINGS THE CUTE AND FUN CHARACTERS OF MAMESHIBA TO NORTH AMERICA

Adorable Japanese Character Sensations Make Their Debut In New Graphic Novel Adventure And Character Guide This Summer

San Francisco, CA, June 27, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the release of its first titles for MAMESHIBA. The cute Japanese sensations will be introduced in a character guide called MEET MAMESHIBA! and star in their first-ever graphic novel, MAMESHIBA: ON THE LOOSE!, both to be released in July in the U.S. and Canada under the company’s VIZ Kids imprint.

It’s a BEAN! It’s a DOG! It’s… BOTH?! Are they beans? Are they dogs? Not quite either one – they’re Mameshiba! Though they all love to share weird facts, each has its own quirky personality.

“With their unique personalities, adorable faces, and love of trivia, MAMESHIBA will capture hearts both young and old,” says Traci Todd, Senior Editor of Children’s Publishing. “Readers will learn all they need to know about Edamame, Cranberry Bean, Tiger Bean and Black-Eyed-Pea in the MEET MAMESHIBA! character guide. And readers will be amazed as the beans boldly go where no beans have gone before in MAMESHIBA: ON THE LOOSE!, their first graphic novel adventure.”

MAMESHIBA: ON THE LOOSE!  Rated ‘A’ for All Ages 
MSRP: $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN  Available July 5th
Meet Mameshiba! The Japanese sensations are coming to the U.S. in their first-ever graphic novel series! Now that these irresistibly cute, irrepressibly curious characters have been unleashed, there’s no telling where they’ll turn up!

Mameshiba are the cute little bean dogs with bite! Starring in their first-ever adventures, they rescue friends, explore outer space and offer interesting bits of trivia when you least expect it! Hold on tight – Mameshiba are on the LOOSE!

MEET MAMESHIBA! Character Guide  Rated ‘A’ for All Ages 
MSRP: $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN  Available July 5th
Did you know? Every Mameshiba character has its own quirky personality! Meet Edamame, Tiger Bean, Soybean, Chili Bean and all their friends in this guide packed with trivia, quizzes, comics and fun! Plus, meet three brand-new beans: Cranberry Bean, Lima Bean and Black-Eyed-Pea!

For more information on MAMESHIBA and other VIZ Kids properties, please visit www.VIZKids.com.

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 the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, 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; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and website at www.VIZ.com.

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About the Author: Lissa Pattillo

Lissa Pattillo is the owner and editor of Kuriousity.ca. Residing in Halifax, Nova Scotia she takes great joy in collecting all manners of manga genres, regretting that there's never enough time in the day to review or share them all. Along with reviews, Lissa is responsible for all the news postings to the website and works full time as a web and graphic designer.