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GDH Announces Afro Samurai US Premiere Date

Telecasts on Cable Network SPIKE on January 4th, 2007
2006.10.31
GDH K.K. (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Shinichirō Ishikawa, Securities Code: TSE Mothers 3755, hereafter GDH) has announced that AFRO SAMURAI, the animated series produced by its main production subsidiary GONZO K.K. (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Managing Director: Koji Kajita, hereafter GONZO) will premiere in the US on male skewing cable network SPIKE startingJanuary 4th, 2007.

Based on Takashi Okazaki's comic, AFRO SAMURAI is a five episode animated series in which the protagonist - Afro Samurai - sets out on a journey to avenge his father against a unique backdrop of mixture of samurai culture and soul culture.. The series stars and is also co-produced by Academy Award-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson as the voice of the hero. Ron Perlman (Hellboy) and Kelly Hu (X2: X-MEN UNITED) also participate as voice actors. The soundtrack of the series is composed by the revolutionary hip-hop artist The RZA, adding another outstanding creative talent to provide a whole new experience never seen in the animation history. The series will be aired in Japan in 2007 after US broadcast.

GDH has always sought to provide animations that appeal to global audiences. We believe the achievement of US premiere of the animated series based on Japanese comics, vested with the incredible creative drive of the first rate actors and musician will ensure GONZO brand not only in Japan but also overseas. GDH will continue exploring further opportunities of Japanese animation business globally.

[ About AFRO SAMURAI ]
In the dark world of the swordsman, it is said that the one who becomes the "No.1" samurai shall rule the world. The one and only law in the world is that only the "No.2" is allowed to challenge the "No.1." Afro Samurai is out for revenge against "No.1," a gunman who killed Afro's father years before, and so takes on the burden of "No.2." Assassins lurk in his shadow in pursuit of the prestige that comes with the title of "No.2" and will risk their very lives for the chance to challenge "No.1." As every power-hungry warrior in this dark land casts their greedy eyes on Afro and tracks his journey looking for their chance, can Afro survive the dangers that pursue him long enough to exact the revenge that drives him towards his destiny?

The animated TV series will initially be aired in the US and will then be aired in Japan with the original English voices and Japanese subtitles. Original concept by Takashi Okazaki. For more information, visit www.afrosamurai.com.

[ About SPIKE ]
SPIKE is available in more than 90 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks is a unit of Viacom International.

[ About GDH K.K ]
GDH (Security code: TSE Mothers 3755) is a globally-focused Japanese media company founded in February 2000. The group produces cutting edge entertainment for teens and young adults through its GONZO animation brand. Kids and family product is distributed through the recently launched GONZO FILMS and GONZINO brands.
GDH is a world leader in content development targeting both domestic and international audiences with Japan's trend-setting animation culture and, usually, GDH controls licensing management and international distribution for the content it produces. GDH group companies include GONZO K.K., G-creators K.K., Future Vision Music K.K., GONZINO K.K., GONZO Rosso Online K.K., GDH Capital K.K. and GK Entertainment K.K.
For additional information, visit http://www.gdh.co.jp (for GDH) and http://www.gonzo.co.jp/index.html (for GONZO).

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