San Francisco, CA, February 26, 2013 – Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, thrills fans of the venerable POKÉMON franchise as it announces the acquisition and forthcoming debut of an array of new POKÉMON manga (graphic novel) titles.

Leading the new releases will be the brand-new POKÉMON THE MOVIE: KYUREM VS. THE SWORD OF JUSTICE tie-in manga editions scheduled to debut on March 5th. These will be followed by the release of the POKÉMON ADVENTURES: BLACK & WHITE and POKÉMON ADVENTURES: HEARTGOLD AND SOULSILVER manga series later this summer. Titles from Viz Media's extensive POKÉMON catalog are published under its popular VIZ Kids imprint.

“Viz Media's extensive catalog of POKÉMON titles continues to expand with these fantastic new titles,” says Beth Kawasaki, Viz Media Senior Editorial Director. “From the exciting release of the tie-in manga to the latest feature film, POKÉMON THE MOVIE: KYUREM VS. THE SWORD OF JUSTICE, to the debut of the new POKÉMON ADVENTURES: HEARTGOLD AND SOULSILVER manga series and the publication of a new edition of the critically acclaimed POKÉMON ADVENTURES: BLACK AND WHITE series, there will be plenty of imaginative adventures to look forward to throughout the spring and summer!”

New 2013 POKÉMON Manga Releases Include:

POKÉMON THE MOVIE: KYUREM VS. THE SWORD OF JUSTICE Manga• Rated “A” for All Ages • MANGA MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN • Available March 5th

Keldeo is determined to become a Sword of Justice, but to do so he must defeat Kyurem, one of the most powerful Dragon-type Pokémon in the world. Keldeo challenges Kyurem, unleashing a destructive force even Ash and Pikachu may be powerless to stop!

POKÉMON ADVENTURES: BLACK & WHITE MANGA, Vol. 1 • Rated “A” for All Ages • MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN • Available July 2nd

Meet Pokémon Trainers Black and White in this new full-size graphic novel edition of the popular series previously published in a special edition format. His entire life, Black has dreamed of winning the Pokémon League! Now he embarks on a journey to explore the Unova region and fill a Pokédex for Professor Juniper. White has an exciting career as the Trainer of a talented troupe of performing Pokémon. She dreams of making her Tepig Gigi a star! Together, Black and White continue on their journey... What surprising new Pokémon – and people – will they meet next?!

POKÉMON ADVENTURES: HEARTGOLD AND SOULSILVER MANGA, Vol. 1 • Rated “A” for All Ages • MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN • Available August 6th

Your favorite Pokémon Trainers Gold and Silver are back! Crystal too! And so is Team Rocket... In this two-volume thriller, troublemaker Gold and feisty Silver must team up again to find their old enemy Lance and the Legendary Pokémon Arceus. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is on the rampage: digging up, stealing, and collecting 16 mysterious plates for some nefarious purpose known only to them... What is the hidden power of the 16 plates, and what do they symbolize...?

For more information on Viz Media's POKÉMON manga and anime titles, please visit www.VIZ.com/Pokemon/.

For more information on other Viz Media kids titles, please visit http:// www.vizkids.com.