Shueisha's Yokuwakaru Gendai Mahou is Top New Simulcast Crunchyroll

Magic and Mayhem Arrive to Lead Weekend at the Number One Online Destination for Anime and Asian Entertainment

San Francisco, CA (July 16, 2009) — Crunchyroll, the number one online destination for anime and Asian entertainment, announced today that YOKUWAKARU GENDAI MAHOU, the Shueisha-produced anime adaptation of its own hit light novel series of the same name, debuted as the top new simulcast (Saturdays starting on 7/11 at 10:00 am PDT) for the summer season. More information can be found at <http://www.crunchyroll.com/gendaimahou>.

“This is an amazing title,” states Rob Pereyda Crunchyroll Vice President of Licensing. “For over eight decades, Shueisha has been at the forefront of global publishing and original IP development, and now as a producer it continues its storied tradition of success. The extraordinary response to YOKUWAKARU GENDAI MAHOU is no surprise”

Shueisha General Manager of Rights & Merchandising Division Naoki Watanabe states, “We are ecstatic about the initial response to YOKUWAKARU GENDAI MAHOU. We are particularly proud of this title as both a publisher and producer and are thrilled that it has found an audience through Crunchyroll.”

YOKUWAKARU GENDAI MAHOU is available in the world outside of Asia. As part of a free preview to promote new subscriptions, the first episode of the title was made available to subscribers and non-subscribers one hour after Japanese broadcast. Subsequent episodes will be exclusively available to Anime Members one hour after Japanese broadcast, and to the general public one week after its Japanese broadcast.

Title Synopsis:

YOKUWAKARU GENDAI MAHOU
The story revolves around Koyomi Morishita, a clumsy high school freshman girl who is often mistaken for a grade-schooler because of her shortness. Koyomi becomes a disciple of Misa Anehara, a 25-year-old graduate student who happens to be one of the most powerful modern-day magicians.

About Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is an online video service and community that offers full-length episodes and movies of the very best in Japanese anime and Asian entertainment. Crunchyroll's content is provided by Asian media leaders including TV TOKYO, Shueisha, d-rights, Fuji Creative Corporation, 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 San Francisco and Tokyo. Crunchyroll is a pioneer and innovator in 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.

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