Los Angeles, CA (December 1, 2004) - TOKYOPOP Inc., the country's leading manga publisher, is pleased to announce the highly anticipated fifth Rising Stars of Manga competition, launching on December 1, 2004 and running through February 15, 2005. Aspiring artists and writers are encouraged to submit their 15-to-20-page manga - along with completed entry forms - to TOKYOPOP for the chance to join the next generation of nationally published manga-ka. A handful of talented winners will score cash prizes and have their winning entries presented in the next Rising Stars anthology, to be published in Summer 2005. Due to overwhelming demand, the competition will introduce a brand-new People's Choice on-line component where the top 20 finalists will have their entire entries posted on the TOKYOPOP website and judged by the fans.

"We are really pleased to open up the Rising Stars judging to the fans," comments Rob Valois, TOKYOPOP editor. "Since so many people have been vocal on the message boards and at industry conventions, we're offering them all a chance to shape the future of manga. I'm personally excited to see how the fans' favorite will compare to our own."

As the U.S. market leader in localized manga and the sponsor of the first-ever manga competition in the country, TOKYOPOP is on a mission to identify and nurture the artists and writers who will define American manga in the years ahead. A manga revolution is sweeping the U.S., and a new generation is being inspired by this innovative art form. The essence of manga is not restricted to work from to its birthplace in Japan�it can embrace Western characters, storylines and culture. TOKYOPOP's expanded competition invites creators living in America and working in English to submit their work. The top seven entries, as selected by TOKYOPOP's editorial staff and the on-line People's Choice selection, will receive monetary prizes and be published by the fifth Rising Stars of Manga anthology. In addition, all the winners will have an exclusive opportunity to pitch a full-length manga story idea to TOKYOPOP executives for possible development as a graphic novel series. Entrants are encouraged to submit content from all genres�comedy, drama, horror, science fiction, action, fantasy, romance�and even under-represented subjects such as political, historical or instructional manga. Complete details for the fifth Rising Stars of Manga competition are available NOW on TOKYOPOP's website at: www.tokyopop.com/news/mangatalent/index.php.

About TOKYOPOP®

TOKYOPOP® is an innovative youth-oriented entertainment company that creates, licenses and publishes hundreds of book, DVD and music properties. With millions of books in print, including the hit series Fruits Basket, Princess Ai, DNAngel, Tokyo Tribes, Love Hina and Chobits, TOKYOPOP also discovers and promotes new artists and writers, creating manga such as Warcraft, ShutterBox and @Large. Pioneers of the Cine-Manga® book format, TOKYOPOP's best-selling releases feature Finding Nemo, Shrek 2, Lizzie McGuire, SpongeBob SquarePants, Greatest Stars of the NBA and Linkin Park's Breaking the Habit. Its television properties include Rave Master, Initial D, GTO and Reign: The Conqueror, with consumer products programs tied into Rave Master, Initial D, Stray Sheep and Princess Ai. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.