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ADV Acquires SGT. Frog

ADV ACQUIRES BLOCKBUSTER NEW SERIES SGT. FROG

Deal Includes Broadcast, Home Video and Merchandising Rights for
English-Speaking World

HOUSTON, November 20, 2006 —ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime outside of Japan, announced today it has acquired exclusive broadcast, home video, and major merchandising rights in the English-speaking world for Sgt. Frog, the biggest franchise to come from Japan since Hello Kitty ™!

“While Sgt. Frog has wowed the fickly otaku crowd, part of the reason it's become such a hit in Japan is that it has a broader appeal…Watch out folks – this frog could conquer America just as easily as he conquered Japan!” – Anime Insider

From the famed animation production studio Sunrise (Mobile Suit Gundam, Cowboy Bebop) and Chief Director Junichi Satō (Sailor Moon) comes one of Japan's most popular anime series. It's a red-hot phenomenon, with over 131 anime episodes and counting, 14 manga volumes, two animated movies, and hundreds of licensed products. The character's iconic good looks account for only part of Sgt. Frog's appeal. The lead character is an eternal anti-hero on par with Stewie Griffin or Bart Simpson!

“We couldn't be happier being chosen to handle this mega-hit television franchise,” says ADV's President and CEO John Ledford. “This show is unique in that it has immense mass-market appeal that crosses over to any age, while still earning raves from anime fandom.”

Synopsis: The erstwhile leader of an advanced party sent to conquer Earth, Sgt. Frog loses his battalion of comrades and is forced to live with the Hinata family as their “pet.” Clever, charismatic and extremely manipulative, Sgt. Frog continues to plot the subjugation of humanity…just as soon as he is finished building one more model Gundam! If he weren't so easily distracted by his hobbies, Sgt. Frog just might be dangerous. But as it is, he's a laugh riot!

In addition to broadcast and home video rights, ADV is the master toy, merchandising and interactive game licensing representative for the franchise in the English-speaking territories, including but not limited to printed goods, food and drink, and apparel.

Licensing inquiries should be directed to Griffin Vance at 713-341-7142.

About ADV Films:

In the 14 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 Gantz, Elfen Lied, Chrono Crusade, Peacemaker and D.N.Angel. 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 multitude 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. It 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, the premier 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.

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