ADV ANNOUNCES THREE NEW ACQUISITIONS AT OTAKON

Venus Versus Virus, Moonlight Mile and Jing, King of Bandits: Seventh Heaven

OTAKON (Baltimore), July 20, 2007 — ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime outside of Japan, today announced it has acquired the exclusive home video and broadcast rights in North America for three new anime properties, including the brand new supernatural action series Venus Versus Virus, the sci-fi series Moonlight Mile, and the stand-alone feature Jing, King of Bandits: Seventh Heaven.

The announcement was made by ADV executives Matt Greenfield and David Williams at Otakon, the East Coast’s largest anime convention and the second largest in North America.

These three new properties are in addition to the fourteen other acquisitions announced over the past three months, including new series Devil May Cry, Gurren Lagann, The Wallflower and Welcome to the NHK and the feature film 5 Centimeters Per Second.

Details on the newly announced anime are given below.

Venus Versus Virus

From veteran director Shinichiro Kimura (Maburaho, Burn Up Excess) and the production team at Studio Hibari (Nerima Daikon Brothers) comes an exciting new adventure title rife with monsters, mayhem, and Gothic Lolita heroines with plenty of ‘tude! Venus Versus Virus first aired on Japanese television in January of 2007. Based on the hit manga series, this hot new series is an action-packed treat for fans of Underworld, Chrono Crusade, and other high-energy supernatural actioners.

Synopsis: Demons exist in our world. Known as “Viruses,” they are shells of men and women, sad yet fearsome beings cursed with an insatiable hunger for human souls. The only thing keeping the innocent alive are the Venus Vanguard, an elite group of hunters tasked with the extermination of Viruses. Lucia is their top killer, cold, calculating, and a deadly shot. Fate shines on Lucia when her path crosses Sumire Takahana, a young student with the ability to become a living anti-Virus. There’s just one problem with the Vanguard’s newest recruit – when she enters into a rage, there’s no stopping her!

This 12 episode series will be released over three DVDs, the first of which is tentatively scheduled for a November release.

Moonlight Mile

From the production teams at Studio Hibari (Nerima Daikon Brothers, Venus Versus Virus) and Imagica (Azumanga Daioh, Peacemaker) comes a new series chronicling the exploits of two young adventurers on their journey to conquer the stars. Moonlight Mile first aired on Japan’s WOWWOW television network in February of this year. The series quickly gained notoriety for its sophisticated plot and nuanced characters. Most of all, Moonlight Mile separates itself from other space operas by grounding itself in a believable environment with realistic situations.

Synopsis: In the near future, the world’s energy supplies are depleting, and Earth must look to the skies for a solution. When Helium 3 is discovered beneath the surface of the moon, the International Space Agency is formed in an effort to exploit it. Joining the Agency are Saruwatari Gorou and "Lostman" Jack F. Woodbridge, two of Earth’s greatest adventurers. Challenges lie along the way and secrets have yet to come to light for Gorou and Lostman as they begin their journey to harness the world’s next energy resource.

Release plans for this series have not yet been set.

Jing, King of Bandits: Seventh Heaven

The standalone feature King of Bandit Jing in Seventh Heaven is the latest installment in the fan-favorite franchise. Directed by Hiroshi Watanabe (Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok, Slayers) and animated by the production team at Aniplex (Rurouni Kenshin, Gurren Lagann), this feature brings the King back in a new action-packed adventure along with a cast of familiar friends and faces – and one fierce new foe.

Synopsis: Jing is the infamous King of Bandits. There is nothing he can’t get his hands on once he sets his mind to it, except this time he may be in for more then he bargained for! Along with his feathered friend Kir, Jing finds himself in Seventh Heaven, the most dangerous and notorious prison complex in the world. Within its walls sits the Dream Orbs, treasures of extraordinary power and value, and Jing wants nothing more than to get his hands on them. There is just one problem – the orbs are in the possession of the villainous convict Campari. Now, Jing must work his finesse to escape both the Seventh Heaven, as well as the dream prison that Campari has begun to create around him. It’s his greatest challenge yet, so come join Jing as he secures his title as the King of Bandits once and for all!

The DVD for Jing, King of Bandits will release in November 2007.

About ADV Films:

In the 15 years since its inception, ADV Films has become the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation (“anime”) outside of Japan and has the largest English-language anime library in the world. With best-selling titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, RahXephon, Robotech, Full Metal Panic, Hello Kitty and Azumanga Daioh, ADV Films’ extensive catalog is fueling the popularity of anime around the globe. Always on the forefront, ADV is introducing North America to bold new anime franchises such as the new Guyver, Le Chevalier D’Eon, Gantz, and Elfen Lied. ADV Films’ library also includes popular live-action science fiction programs such as The Jim Henson Company's Farscape, the nationally syndicated Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda and the Saturn Award-nominated Mutant X. In 2005 ADV Films was voted “Best Anime Company” in the SPJA awards, presented at Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime convention. The readers of Anime News Network designated ADV Films “Overall Favorite Anime Company” in both 2004 and 2005.

Parent company A.D. Vision, Inc. encompasses a variety of complementary media divisions, spanning publishing, television, licensing and merchandising and continues to expand into new areas. Its Anime Network™ is “America's #1 Anime Channel,” reaching more than 40 million households. Anime Network is the nation’s top video-on-demand (VOD) offering as well as a 24/7 linear cable channel and is the first television network dedicated to bringing anime and anime-related programming to consumers nationwide. The company has two publishing arms: Newtype USA, North America’s top-selling anime and manga monthly magazine, and ADV Manga™, dedicated to publishing graphic novels. Headquartered in Houston, the company has offices in Europe and Japan. For more information, visit www.advfilms.com.