Viz is bringing SHONEN JUMP NARUTO to fans across the country with...a mall tour! Yes, a part demon, ninja will be stalking the malls of America. God help you all!

I've been a big fan of Naruto since Shonen Jump started being published in America and I really miss the magazine here in Europe. Anyway, this is what's happening with the tour, so go shopping and get some free stuff!

The tour kicks off on November 4 in Atlanta, GA with subsequent stops scheduled for Bloomington, MN and Cedar Park, TX with future dates in 2007 to be announced. The event will be free to attend and information is available at www.naruto.viz.com.

At each stop, a special event staging area will immerse young and older fans alike into the captivating and action-filled worlds of the popular manga and anime series. The event will feature multiple activity stations including a Ninja Academy, where visitors can learn special moves and techniques with an instructor, the Chakra Challenge, sponsored by Mattel, sneak peeks of upcoming anime episodes on a large main screen, a Bandai collectible game card area, several video game kiosks where fans can play the latest NARUTO video games from Tomy/D3P and NAMCO/BANDAI, a manga drawing area, and a green screen where fans can have their picture taken with a variety of backgrounds featured in the anime series. Upon entering, each visitor will be given a special NARUTO passport that will guide them to the various activities and after collecting passport stamps, each fan will receive an exclusive SHONEN JUMP NARUTO goodie bag filled with collectable premiums.

Dates for the SHONEN JUMP NARUTO Road Tour Include:

Saturday, November 4: Cumberland Mall
Atlanta, GA
Event Hours: 12pm – 7pm
Saturday, November 11: Mall of America
Bloomington, MN
Event Hours: 12pm – 7pm

Saturday, November 18: Lakeline Mall
Cedar Park, TX
Event Hours: 12pm – 7pm

“We are pleased to announce this exciting new road tour for SHONEN JUMP NARUTO.” States Liza Coppola, Sr. Vice President, Marketing, VIZ Media. “SHONEN JUMP magazine is the best selling manga anthology in North America and the NARUTO manga titles are one of the best selling graphic novels on the market today. This road tour will delight fans already familiar with both the magazine and the manga with a variety of fun and free activities and also introduce new ones to the exciting world of SHONEN JUMP NARUTO. We invite people of all ages to come out and enjoy a great day of fun!”

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 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 manga and 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.