Toei Animation Awards Funimation Entertainment DVD Rights to One Piece

Anime Series To Get Fresh New Adaptation By FUNimation

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 23, 2007) – Toei Animation Co., Ltd. has awarded FUNimation Entertainment with the North American DVD distribution rights to one of Toei's signature animé series One Piece.

As part of the company's distribution of One Piece, FUNimation will produce an uncut English-speaking adaptation of the hugely successful brand from the original Japanese.

One Piece has been renewed for a third season on Cartoon Network's popular Toonami block and FUNimation will produce that version as well.

Said Yosuke Kobayashi, President and COO of Toei Animation, Inc.: “FUNimation is the recognized industry leader in the distribution of the most prominent brands in animé entertainment. We are delighted to join with this outstanding company in the launch of a new and enhanced version of One Piece for the North American market.”

“We regard this agreement with Toei Animation as the continuation of a long and successful association. Fans have demanded an uncut version of One Piece that is more true to the original, and that is exactly what we will deliver. We are confident that fans will like what they see,” said Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO of FUNimation Entertainment.

One Piece Synopsis:
In a time when pirates ruled the seas, several bands of pirates battled over the great hidden treasure called “One Piece” which was left by the now legendary pirate king, Gold Roger. One day, Monkey D. Luffy - a young boy who admired pirates - mistakenly ate Cursed Fruit turning himself into a rubber man. Ten years later Luffy set out to sea all alone to become King of the Pirates and launch his own quest to discover “One Piece.”

About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.

About Toei Animation Co., Ltd.
With headquarters in Tokyo and sales offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Paris, Toei Animation (Jasdaq: 4816) ranks amongst the world's most prolific animation production studios. Toei Animation's operations include animation development and production, and worldwide marketing and program licensing. Since its founding in 1956, Toei Animation has produced more than 9,000 episodes of TV series (189 titles) and 172 long feature films as of March, 2007.