SAN FRANCISCO -- Oct. 21, 2002 -- The world's most popular hamster, Hamtaro (www.hamtaro.com), seen by over 30 million people in the U.S. since its launch on Cartoon Network in June, will become even more famous after securing an additional 26 major licensees joining Hasbro, Inc., Nintendo of America Inc. and Viz Communications Inc, partners since the launch. The new licensees include such well-known and highly respected companies as Scholastic, Hallmark, Buster Brown, Hanes and Armitron, to name a few.

The licensees will work closely with ShoPro USA, master licensor for Hamtaro in North and South America, creating an extensive line of merchandise that has already started to appear in national retailers. Hasbro, Inc. launched the official toy line at the end of August, Viz Communications Inc., the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese comics (manga) and anime for English speaking audiences recently introduced The Official Hamtaro Handbook and will launch the first series of home videos in mid-October at Wal-Mart stores nationwide. Nintendo of America Inc. will introduce the first Hamtaro video game in the U.S. for Game Boy Color the end of October.

In addition to Hasbro, Inc. (toys and games), Nintendo of America Inc. (video games) and Viz Communications Inc. (books and home video), following are the 26 additional licensees and product category each represents:

• Armitron (watches)
• Artbox Entertainment (trading cards)
• Berkshire Fashions Inc. (hats, gloves, mittens, scarves)
• Briefly Stated (sleepwear)
• Buster Brown (children's footwear)
• Changes (T-shirts)
• Dan River Inc. (bedroom accessories)
• Dart Flipcards Inc. (mini lunchbox filled with bubblegum)
• Deco Pac, Inc. (cake decorators)
• Disguise Inc. (costumes, masks, Halloween accessories)
• FAB Accessories (stationery items)
• Franco Manufacturing (beach towels, bath towels, sand chairs)
• Hallmark (balloon and party products)
• Hanes (underwear)
• H.E.R. Accessories (costume jewelry)
• High Point Knitting (socks and slipper socks)
• Jerry Leigh (girls apparel)
• Kids Headquarters (children's sportswear collections)
• Mitzi International/Generation Sport and Affiliates (backpacks, school bags, lunch kits)
• Pan Oceanic (sunglasses)
• Sandylion (stickers)
• Scholastic (chapter, color, activity and picture books, stickers, glow-in-the-dark, holiday-themed stories)
• Shaw Creations Inc. (children's umbrellas and ponchos)
• The Betesh Group (cuddle pillows, light up and tap lights)
• Trudeau (dinnerware, drinkware)
• Zooth (toothbrush and toothpaste products)

"We are very proud of the caliber of licensees Hamtaro has partnered with," said Cynthia Wilkes, licensing director for ShoPro USA. "The enthusiasm from each licensee and their commitment to the Hamtaro property reinforces ShoPro USA's expectation, that Hamtaro will be a premiere children's property in the U.S. in the near future and years to come. Not only is he adorable, but the values that Hamtaro signifies teamwork, respect and responsibility was an additional reason we have secured such high quality and respected licensees."

Wilkes noted that Hallmark, the market share leader in the social expression category, has selected Hamtaro as one of the first properties in the company's 92 year history that will feature products based on an original property from Japan. "Hallmark chose to be part of the Ham-Ham family because of Hamtaro's overwhelming popularity in Japan," said Celeste Schemmel, licensing account executive for Hallmark.

"We knew this property was something special from the very beginning and has the potential to become an evergreen product," said Randi Reisfeld, senior manager, licensing and media for Scholastic. "We loved the little guy from the start and we are thrilled that Hamtaro and the Ham-Hams will be coming to live at our house. We see it as an anchor license for Scholastic. Scholastic is the world's leading publisher and distributor of children's books with revenues of more than $2 billion. In addition, Scholastic reaches out to over 32 million kids annually and presents 110,000 book fairs each year."

ShoPro USA was established in January 2000 and is an affiliate of ShoPro. ShoPro USA is a joint venture between ShoPro and Viz Communications Inc. ShoPro USA markets all new ShoPro properties in North and South America as its master licensor. ShoPro (Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd.) is a subsidiary of Shogakukan, Inc., one of Japan's largest publishing companies. ShoPro is an industry leader in the development of children's entertainment in Japan, having produced such TV series hits as Pokemon and Zoids. In 2001, ShoPro had revenues of roughly $400 million.