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Thursday, October 21, 2004


ANIME NETWORK ACQUIRES ALL THREE INSTALLMENTS OF
Popular Anime Series Combines Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy and the Supernatural


(Houston, TX October 21, 2004) Anime Network, the first channel in North America dedicated to anime, has acquired all 78 half-hour episodes of the "Slayers" anime television series, including season two "Slayers Next" and season three "Slayers Try," from Enoki Films USA. The series, based on stories and characters created by Hajime Kanzaka and Rui Araizumi, originally aired on Japan's TV Tokyo from 1995 through 1997. Anime Network will begin airing the "Slayers" series in early 2005.

"Our acquisition of the entire Slayers television series provides us with yet another excellent source of anime programming," said Kevin Corcoran, president of Anime Network. "More importantly, it also opens the door for creative cross-promotions between the network and our sister company, ADV Films, which recently acquired the U.S. distribution rights to "Slayer: The Movie."

In the first season of "Slayers," produced in 1995, Lina Inverse is a wandering sorceress and bandit-killer who joins forces with roving swordsman Gourry Gabriev in what's supposed to be a quick union of convenience. Instead, an artifact, Lina, "liberated" from a gang of thieves, turns out to be the key to the resurrection of the demon lord Shabranigdo. Urged on by the mysterious Red Priest Rezo, the pair has no choice but to fight the dark lord and his servants, accumulating new allies and enemies along the way.

The second season installment, known as "Slayers Next" by anime fans, finds Lina and Gourry coincidentally meeting up again with Zelgadis and Amelia and begin to search for the Clair Bible. During their search they run into a mysterious priest named Xelloss who seems to know a thing or two about the passages they're looking for, but he tends to get them into more trouble. Lina and her associates also discover that the Monster race has plans of its own, and that they themselves play a big part in the Monsters' evil intentions.

By season three, "Slayers Try," several months have passed since the barrier put in place by the Mazoku sublords was broken which provides Lina and her colleagues with access to the outside world. Once they cross over, they become wrapped up in a prophecy that foretells of a dark lord from another dimension, Dark Star Dugradigdo, who enters their world to spread chaos.


About Anime Network

Anime Network, a subsidiary of A.D. Vision, Inc. (parent company to ADV Films and Newtype USA), is the first cable channel in North America dedicated to anime, with access to thousands of hours of exciting, eye-catching serialized programming. Anime Network launched in North America in late 2002 with extensive availability initially through digital cable video-on-demand technology and has become the #1 offering of video-on-demand. The first network to launch on VOD and evolve into a 24/7 channel (in selected markets) beginning Summer 2004, Anime Network is broadening its initial roster of multi-system operator agreements to provide its programming nationwide, helping to bring the elusive 18-34 tech-savvy male demographic back to television and drive demand for additional digital services offered by MSOs. Additional information on Anime Network is available at www.theanimenetwork.com.


About Enoki Films USA
Enoki Films USA, Inc. was created in 1986 as the American subsidiary of the Tokyo-based Enoki Films Co., Ltd. The company currently distributes more than 60 animated television series and animated feature films worldwide. Enoki Films Co., Ltd. was established in 1975 as a leading distributor of Japanese animation outside Japan. Founded by Yoshi Enoki and his brother, Zen, the company later expanded their operations to include the importation and distribution of foreign programming into Japan. The company now maintains offices in Tokyo and Los Angeles, continuing to explore all media possibilities and remains committed as an industry leader into the millennium.

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