Live Action Film Based on the Popular Manga Series Comes to America Source: VIZ Media Japanese Movie Website: jigyaku.com US Movie Website: Viz Pictures: HAPPILY EVER AFTER

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced a series of special theatrical screenings of HAPPILY EVER AFTER (Jigyaku no Uta), a live-action comedy directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi (MEMORIES OF TOMORROW) and based on a popular manga series by Yoshiie Gouda. The manga was first published in 1996 and has sold more than 300,000 copies. HAPPILY EVER AFTER will screen in Seattle, WA August 15-21 at the Grand Illusion Cinema, followed by Scottsdale, AZ for a showing on October 4th at the Scottsdale International Film Festival, and then onto Pittsburgh, PA for a screening on October 10th at the 2008 Japanese Film Festival at the University of Pittsburgh. VIZ Pictures also plans a DVD release of the film in February 2009. HAPPILY EVER AFTER was the subject of controversy upon its initial release in October, 2007 for its depiction of a co-dependent and devoted, but troubled wife, and her boorish, unemployed and often abusive husband. But director Yukihiko Tsutsumi keeps the laughs coming as he explores a sensitive subject in a visually striking, and darkly comedic way. Yukie Morita (played by Miki Nakatani of TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO and the RING film series) works hard at a noodle shop and struggles to make ends meet, while her ex-gangster husband Isao (played by Hiroshi Abe of GODZILLA 2000) hangs around all day gambling and getting into trouble. Isao`s uncontrollable temper often results in the dinner table being overturned and their meal on the floor. Everyone advises Yukie to leave Isao, but her love for him is unconditional because he was the one who initially saved her from misery with his unconditional love. “HAPPILY EVER AFTER is a visually inventive, and engrossing comedy that makes you feel warm, despite its depiction of a series of unluckiness and failures in life,” says Manami Iiboshi, Director, Marketing, VIZ Pictures. “This is not a story about an unhappy marriage, but about a journey of reuniting twin souls, overcoming successive hardships and problems with laughter. We are very pleased to present this unconventional love story to theatrical audiences."

Theatre information: SEATTLE - Theatrical Screening: August 15-21 Grand Illusion Cinema 1403 NE 50th St. , Seattle WA 98105 (206) 523-3935 / http://www.grandillusioncinema.org/ SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Theatrical Screening: October 4 Scotts Dale International Film Festival For details visit http://www.scottsdalefilmfestival.com PITTSBURGH, PA - Theatrical Screening: October 10 2008 Japanese Film Festival at University of Pittsburgh For details visit http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/news/index.shtml For more information on HAPPILY EVER AFTER and other VIZ Pictures films please visit www.viz-pictures.com. About VIZ Pictures, Inc. Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii (cute) and cool" pop culture. VIZ Pictures approaches each release from a J-pop fan`s point of view to serve manga and anime generation in North America. VIZ Pictures titles include TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, LINDA LINDA LINDA, THE TASTE OF TEA, and PING PONG. The company will continue to offer the hottest visual entertainment straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages in North America.

VIZ Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese manga (comics) and merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular "NARUTO" animated TV series. For more information please visit www.viz-pictures.com. © 2006 VIZ Pictures, Inc 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. www.VIZ.com.