Crunchyroll and Media Factory Whisper a Word: Sasameki Koto

Adaptation of Media Factory's High School Comedy Yuri Manga Coming to Crunchyroll Starting October 7th

San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan (October 5, 2009) — Crunchyroll and Media Factory announced today the addition of SASAMEKI KOTO to Crunchyroll's Fall 2009 Anime Lineup. Adapted from the comedy manga series published in Monthly Comic Alive by Takashi Ikeda and animated by AIC, SASAMEKI KOTO (original title is Sasameki Koto), meaning “whispered words” in Japanese, features singer-voice actress Ayahi Takagi in the lead role of Sumika Murasame. More information can be found at http://www.Crunchyroll.com/Sasameki Koto.

“We are excited that SASAMEKI KOTO will be our first title with Media Factory,” said Kun Gao, CEO of Crunchyroll. “There is a huge audience for yuri entertainment and we are pleased to continue a Crunchyroll tradition of having something for everybody.”

“We are excited to work with Crunchyroll to provide fans with a legitimate way to watch Anime,” said Yujiro Yamamoto, Group Manager of Media Factory. “SASAMEKI KOTO is one of the most anticipated titles of this season and we are very proud to bring it to the international audience.”

SASAMEKI KOTO will be available in the Americas and Oceania, in standard definition free of charge to all visitors of Crunchyroll's website and across the Crunchyroll network one week after airing in Japan. Crunchyroll's Anime Members will receive early access to the program in 480P within one hour after its Japanese airing, starting October 7th at 12:00pm noon PST.

All fans can enjoy all content on the site for free, but Crunchyroll Anime Members benefits include higher quality streams of all shows (in some cases at 720p High Definition Video) with no advertisement and early access to all simulcast shows as early as one (1) hour after its Japan Broadcast. Crunchyroll Anime Membership costs as little as $5 a month and goes directly towards supporting Japan Animation companies. More information, including a two week free trial membership can be found at http://www.Crunchyroll.com/freetrial .

SASAMEKI KOTO joins over 20 other titles to form Crunchyroll's Fall 2009 Anime Lineup. Find out what else will be simulcasting at http://www.Crunchyroll.com/lineup today.

Title Synopsis:

SASAMEKI KOTO

Without every saying a word to her, honor student Sumika Murasame has had a crush on her best friend, Ushio Kazama since middle school. In their social circle are the energetic members of the brass section: Kiyori Torioi, girls fashion magazine model Masaki Akemiya, and finally Tomoe Hachisuka and Miyako Taema, a couple, all making up a collection of eclectic personalities.

One day, the idea of forming an all-girls after school comes up amongst them...

About Media Factory
Media Factory (founded in 1986, having its office in Tokyo, Japan) is an entertainment company that aims to contribute to the realization of a free and diverse society where people can enjoy rich lives. Not constraining itself to any one kind of media, Media Factory offers high-quality entertainment and enjoyment as a multi-content provider.

About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the largest online community and video site for the very best in Japanese Anime and Dramas from Asia. Crunchyroll's content is provided by Asian media leaders including TV TOKYO, Shueisha, d-rights, Fuji Creative Corporation (FCC), Media International Corporation (MICO), Pony Canyon, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, Toei Animation, Gonzo, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation America and many others.

Crunchyroll was founded in June 2006 and has offices in both San Francisco and Tokyo. Crunchyroll is a pioneer and innovator within the Japanese anime industry and the only video service in the world to offer hit programs like NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, GINTAMA and many others online to its subscribers within one hour of its Japanese broadcast. Crunchyroll is a member of the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) and the Licensing International Merchandisers Association (LIMA) and is funded by leading venture capital firm, Venrock. More information can be found at its website http://www.Crunchyroll.com .

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