HUGELY POPULAR ANIME SERIES “BOBOBO-BO BO-BOBO” PICKED UP BY CARTOON NETWORK FOR SECOND SEASON

BOBOBO-BO BO-BOBO Season 1 hits DVD Q1 2007

LOS ANGELES, CALIF—JANUARY 8, 2007--Toei Animation Inc., a subsidiary of Japan’s largest animation production studio, Toei Animation Co., Ltd., has secured their most popular newcomer, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo for a second season on Cartoon Network. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo will continue to air during Cartoon Network’s popular Toonami programming block.

The extremely successful series made its debut in November 2004 on Japan’s TV Asahi Network. The animated show, which features “he of the golden afro” Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, along with his sidekicks Beauty and Captain Don Patch, made its U.S. debut on Cartoon Network in October of 2005.

The show’s renewal on Cartoon Network follows the announcement of the release of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo’s first season on DVD in Q1 of 2007. The new DVD will contain unedited versions of the show, as well as an original Japanese soundtrack. Illumitoon Entertainment and Westlake Entertainment have jointly acquired North American distribution rights to the anime series.

“We’re extremely excited to have Bo-bobo continue airing on Cartoon Network,” said Yosuke “James” Kobayashi, Toei Animation President and Chief Operating Officer. “Also, with Barry Watson leading a strong team consisting of Illumitoon and Westlake, we’re thrilled to have them handle the DVD distribution of Bo-bobo.”

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo’s licensing is represented in the North America by Joy Tashjian Marketing Group, L.L.C.

The Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo anime series is based on stories from Japanese publisher Shueisha Inc.'s popular manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump, which is known for introducing other well-loved content such as Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh!, YuYu Hakusho, Naruto and One Piece. Bo-bobo manga is available in North America from VIZ Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc. and Shogakukan Production, Co. Ltd. VIZ Media also publishes SHONEN JUMP magazine, the North American counterpart of Weekly Shonen Jump.

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo Synopsis:

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo takes place in the year 300X, when a tyrannical emperor, Csar Baldy Bald 4th, seeks to prove his authority over the people by waging a “Hair Hunt,” aimed at taking the hair of all the citizenry. While the populace trembles in fear, one man with a Golden Afro rises to take a stand – Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. Together with his fellow partners, Bo-bobo launches into battle against the “Hair Hunt Troops” to put an end to the “Hair Hunt” once and for all.

About Toei Animation

Coming off the heels of Toei Animation’s 50th anniversary, Toei Animation Inc. (TAI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toei Animation Co., Ltd. established in Los Angeles in 2004, looks forward to spreading the world-renowned Japanese animation studio’s extensive library and pursuing co-production projects in North and Latin America and other English-speaking territories worldwide. With a rich catalogue of unique animated properties including such famous titles and franchises as Digimon, Dragonball, Sailormoon, Saint Seiya, One Piece, Magical DoReMi and Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, Toei Animation offers children all over the world the ability to dream. With an eye on the global market, Toei Animation is focusing its efforts in the company’s Paris, Shanghai , Hong Kong and Los Angeles offices. The main business operations of TAI include film licensing in all media and emerging platforms, merchandise licensing and co-productions with local establishments. Looking ahead to the next 50 years, TAI is committed to the challenge of marrying its various assets with cutting edge technologies such as VOD, the Internet and mobile media to best deliver the company’s message of unbound dreams to this and future generations. Dream Ahead

.About Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in nearly 91 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.