NEW YORK, NY (July 10, 2003)- This fall, Central Park Media will unveil a new look for its manga (graphic novel) line, that in addition to being smaller in trim-size, will be available at a standard suggested retail price (SRP) of only $9.99. Commencing the launch of the new manga line will be the highly anticipated October 8 release of Popcorn Romance by acclaimed graphic novelist Tomoko Taniguchi.

"We've listened to our fans and delivered," said Peter Castro, Sales Manager, Central Park Media. "Our $9.99 pricing promises to be competitive without lowering the high standards of quality our readers have grown accustomed to. In short, whether you're a die-hard Otaku (fan) or an occasional reader, Central Park Media will maintain its commitment to its manga fans."

"The re-pricing of these quality titles will make them all the more competitive and appealing to our customers," said Kurt Hassler, Graphic Novel Buyer for Waldenbooks.

Additional fall titles slated for re-issue release as part of the new line are previous best-sellers: Call Me Princess, Nadisco: Book One, Aquarium, and Dark Angel: Book One, Path to Destiny. As part of its pre-launch strategy, Central Park Media will be offering advance copy sales of the Tomoko Taniguchi-authored manga, Popcorn Romance and Call Me Princess, at its booth at the Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF), August 29-31 in New York City. In addition, Tomoko Taniguchi will be on-hand to meet fans and autograph purchases at the CPM booth.

Call Me Princess
Story and art by Tomoko Taniguchi. Mako has dreams of being swept off her feet by a handsome prince. She wants to forget about her high school trials and tribulations but mostly just wants
someone to love her and call her princess.

"Charming, delightful, impressive." -- SequentialTart.com

• Format: Size: 5" X 7 3/8"
• Black & White

Nadesico Book One
Story and art by Kia Asamiya, the artist of Uncanny X-Men and Batman: Child of Dreams. It's an invasion! An alien armada from Jupiter has amassed enough power to destroy all of Earth's defenses. Earth's final hope lies in the Space Battleship Nadesico, a ship created using recently discovered extraterrestrial technology. Can the Nadesico's rag-tag crew overcome their idiosyncrasies and defeat the alien fleet, or will Earth's last hope be lost?

As seen on the Cartoon Network!

• Format: Size: 5" X 7 3/8"
• Black & White

Popcorn Romance
Story and art by Tomoko Taniguchi. A pair of metalhead brothers were psyched. They made their onstage debut when disaster struck and one of them collapsed. To recuperate they decide to rest at their grandfather's farm in the country, but now the farm might be turned-into a golf course. What are they going to do and what's to become of the love that they left behind in the city?

"Beautiful and powerful, her style and stories will bring a smile to your lips and put you in the mood to daydream." -- SequentialTart.com

• Format: Size: 5" X 7 3/8"
• Black & White

Aquarium
Story and art by Tomoko Taniguchi. Naoka's life isn't going so well. She was turned down by the prestigious high school that she wanted to attend and she feels like nothing is going right for her. To try and cheer herself up, she starts going to the aquarium where she finds beauty, serenity and romance.

"Intriguing, powerful, and thought-provoking." -- SequentialTart.com

• Format: Size: 5" X 7 3/8"
• Black & White

Dark Angel Book One: The Path To Destiny
Story and art by Kia Asamiya, the artist of Uncanny X-Men and Batman: Child of Dreams. Dark is a young man destined for great things. He's next in line to be the magical guardian of his country, but before he can assume that responsibility, he'll have to confront demons, angels, friends and his own insecurities.

"Amazing." - SequentialTart.com

• Format: Size: 5" X 7 3/8"
• Black & White

Central Park Media has been a leading supplier of anime in the United States since 1990. The company currently manufactures and distributes three home entertainment lines, each offering anime product for a distinct and discriminating audience: U. S. Manga Corps, Central Park Media and Software Sculptors. With exclusive rights to hundreds of book, video and music products, the company has become a leader in integrated media, as well as a leading publisher of manga, the fastest growing category in the publishing business. In addition, the company also distributes a broad array of live action Japanese feature films under its Asia Pulp Cinema label.