LOS ANGELES,March 7, 2006 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The moment that North
American NARUTO fans have been waiting for has arrived - BELIEVE IT!
D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA), a publisher and developer of interactive
entertainment software, and TOMY Corporation today announced the release of
SHONEN JUMP's NARUTO: Clash of Ninja for the Nintendo GameCube™ and NARUTO:
Ninja Council for Game Boy® Advance. These titles represent the first video
games based on VIZ Media's hit anime series SHONEN JUMP's NARUTO to be
released in North America. D3PA and TOMY will release two additional NARUTO
games, one for Nintendo GameCube™ and another for Game Boy® Advance in the
second half of 2006.
(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200611221515.jpg )
(Video: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200611221525.flv )
"I have watched SHONEN JUMP's NARUTO become a phenomenon in Japan over
the past few years and we are very proud to be able to finally bring these
video games to the millions of fans in North America," commented Yoji
Takenaka, executive vice president and COO for D3PA. "NARUTO has been
compared to Harry Potter, in both the storyline and its popularity, and we
think the NARUTO fever is just beginning in North America."
"We have very high expectations for the success of NARUTO in North
America and are pleased to bring these exciting games to both long-time
NARUTO fans and those that have recently discovered these amazing
adventures," said Isamu Takahashi, chairman of TOMY Corporation. "TOMY has
had the honor of working with VIZ Media from the beginning on the NARUTO
video game series and we have no doubt now that our relationship with
D3Publisher of America will result in further success in North America."
A smash-hit when originally released in Japan, NARUTO: Clash of Ninja
(Gekito Ninja Taisen) for the Nintendo GameCube™ and NARUTO: Ninja Council
(Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu) for Game Boy® Advance follow the storyline of the
popular graphic novels. In a world where ninja hold the ultimate power,
Naruto Uzumaki is infused with the spirit of a once fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox
and is a ninja-in-training who is learning the art of Ninjutsu with his
classmates Sakura and Sasuke. The trio studies under the instruction of their
teacher, Kakashi, who helps the group face dangerous and daunting tests and
challenges. Through their adventures, the young ninjas learn the importance
of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right
versus wrong.
NARUTO: Clash of Ninja for the Nintendo GameCube is a fighting game for 1-
2 players where gamers may choose to play as one of eight different NARUTO
characters. Using special character-specific moves, players take on
challengers in one-on-one fights to determine who is the greatest ninja.
Developed by 8ing, NARUTO: Clash of Ninja for the Nintendo GameCube™ is
available with a MSRP of $39.99 and an ESRB rating of "T" for cartoon
violence.
Featuring seven levels of side-scrolling action, NARUTO: Ninja Council
for Game Boy® Advance allows gamers to play as either the unpredictable
Naruto or the steady Sasuke. All the favorite characters from NARUTO are in
the game, each with specific ninja moves fans will recognize from the series.
Developed by ARC Systems, NARUTO: Ninja Council for Game Boy® Advance is
available with a MSRP of $29.99 and an ESRB rating of "E10+ " for cartoon
violence and mild suggestive themes.
Featured exclusively in the monthly SHONEN JUMP Magazine, NARUTO
adventures by creator Masashi Kishimoto are read by over 750,000 readers in
the US. NARUTO stories are also available in graphic novels from VIZ Media at
bookstores and retailers nationwide. NARUTO recently debuted on Cartoon
Network in the US and YTV in Canada, achieving phenomenal launch ratings with
Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14. In Japan, since publication began in 1999 in
Weekly Shonen Jump, and based on the manga's popularity, the anime made its
debut on TV TOKYO in 2002. Since then, NARUTO has become one of the most
popular animated shows achieving immense success as a TV title as well as a
licensed property for toys, trading card games and video games.
D3Publisher of America, Inc. is a subsidiary of D3Publisher, with
headquarters in Tokyo. D3Publisher of America's strategic focus is on
licensed and original titles from leading third-party developers that appeal
to mass-market consumers or gaming enthusiasts. Based in Los Angeles,
D3Publisher of America distributes and publishes software for personal
computers and the major console platforms including Game Boy® Advance,
Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, PlayStation® game console, PlayStation®2
computer entertainment system, PSP™ portable entertainment system and the
Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. For additional information on
D3Publisher of America and its products, visit the website at www.d3p.us.
TOMY Corporation is a subsidiary of TOMY Company, Ltd, with headquarters
in Tokyo. The newly created Consumer Software Division's mission is to
develop and publish game titles for the North American marketplace, based
both licensed and original intellectual properties. TOMY currently publishes
for the Nintendo GameCube™, Game Boy® Advance, and Nintendo DS™. TOMY also
develops and manufactures a portfolio of toys and games including: Thomas and
Friends™. Constructables, and Gearation brand toys and games. Information on
TOMY and TOMY products can be found at www.tomy.com/tc/.
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of
the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga
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 Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro
Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese
manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor
of Japanese animation. The company offers an integrated product line
including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels,
videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated
entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution,
to merchandise licensing and promotions 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 at www.VIZ.com.
