e frontier Announces Manga Studio 3.0 and Partnership with TOKYOPOP Inc.

Software Allows Artists to Create Digital Manga and Comics

Press Release

Scotts Valley, Calif., January 25, 2005 — e frontier announces the release of Manga Studio 3.0, a manga and comic book creation software program designed for aspiring and professional artists. Manga Studio contains everything needed to create high-quality, manga-style comics without the use of other graphic software. e frontier is partnering with TOKYOPOP, the #1 publisher of manga in the U.S, to release Manga Studio 3.0 in the United States.

Some of the features included in Manga Studio 3.0 are the software’s large selection of screen tones, single-click special effects, drag and drop tools, word balloons and floating palettes. Once the manga or comic artwork is completed, it can be printed from any computer, sent to a service bureau for publishing, formatted for the Web or exported for coloring. Manga Studio was originally created in Japan as ComicStudio and has become the #1 selling manga software in Japan and worldwide.

Two versions of the software are available; Manga Studio DEBUT, for the aspiring artist or hobbyist and Manga Studio EX for those that require expert tools and professional results in one software package.

TOKYOPOP manga is now appearing in the Sunday comic section of many major US and international newspapers such as the LA Times, the Detroit News and the Vancouver Sun. Beginning this summer, 30 newspapers in the US and Canada will be begin a TOKYOPOP manga series titled, “Van Von Hunter”, which is created with Manga Studio.

Ron Kaulfersch, creator of “Van Von Hunter” said, “Manga Studio has given me the chance to experiment and refine my manga toning techniques without having to invest the time, expense and effort of working with traditional hand-applied screen tones.”

Some of the Features of Manga Studio 3.0 DEBUT and EX Include:

• Professional Screen Tones
  Manga Studio allows artists to easily add, remove or replace tones. Manga Studio DEBUT contains over 1,800 tones and Manga Studio EX has over 3,000 screen tones!
• Digital Pen Tablets Allow Intuitive Drawing Results The subtleties of drawing on paper can be created with Manga Studio and a pen tablet (sold separately).
• Multiple File Formats Supported
  Manga Studio 3.0 can support a variety of image file formats including BMP, JPEG and PSD. Original line art can be drawn by the artist, scanned-in or imported from other programs.
• Artistic Control and Freedom
  The large quantity of features and tools in the software make individual creative techniques and treatments possible. Text and word balloons are easily created and edited.
• Built-in Page Templates
  Over 80 templates provide an enormous collection of pre-defined sizes for getting started quickly, including four-panel manga and multiple postcard templates.

Additional Features of Manga Studio EX:

• Vector Images
  Original drawings in Manga Studio 3.0 EX are stored as resolution-independent vector images which can be resized while retaining maximum image quality. Raster to Vector Conversion makes it possible to export bitmap drawings to vector images. The software’s vector-based native format can be written to JPEG, BMP, PNG, TGA and PSD files as well as output to a printer.
• Create Images from Photos and Images
  The 2D Line Tone Rendering feature automatically converts images and digital photos to lines and tones.
• Import 3D Figures, Models and Backgrounds The 3D Line Tone Rendering feature allows users to import 3D object data files (LWO, OBJ, DXF, LWS) for easy three-dimensional modeling and use as backgrounds.
• The Action Palette
  The Action Palette was designed to save time and tedious effort by organizing multiple operations into single-click commands for quick results.
• Custom Tools Palette
  Frequently used tools and menu commands can be saved in custom palettes for easy access and uniformity.
• Automatically Smoothes Lines
  SHD (Super High Density) Technology corrects and adjusts shaky hand-drawn lines, provides automatic anti-aliasing, smoothes jagged lines and other imperfections in images for the ultimate clean, professional look.

e frontier’s CEO, Hiroshi Sato, said, “We are very excited to be offering the number one manga software program to the Western markets. It is a very timely release as manga is becoming very popular in the US and Europe. This release also further shows our commitment to the digital artist and the art and graphic markets.”

TOYKOPOP Editorial Director, Jeremy Ross said, “We are proud to partner with e frontier in bringing this essential software package to the US. TOKYOPOP is committed to nurturing a new generation of manga artists and offering careers in creating manga that were never before available outside of Asia. Manga Studio is a valuable tool for aspiring manga artists to learn their craft and develop professional skills. Many of our artists use it. As we move into the digital age of manga, not only in print publication but online and on cell phones, Manga Studio files give us the greatest quality, flexibility and compatibility for professional multi-format publication.”

Availability and Pricing:

Electronic downloads of Manga Studio 3.0 are now available in Windows format on the e frontier web site and with boxes available mid Feb. 2006. The Macintosh version of Manga Studio 3.0 is due to be released in late Feb. 2006. Manga Studio 3.0 can be purchased at reseller stores.

Pricing of Manga Studio 3.0 is as follows:

Manga Studio DEBUT: $49.99 (USD)

Manga Studio EX: $299.99 (USD)

For a limited time, Manga Studio EX upgrades are available for $199.99 to existing users of Poser and Shade direct from e frontier.

Educational users can purchase Manga Studio EX for $99.99 and Manga Studio Debut for $29.99 thru authorized academic resellers.

Manga, comic and anime related web sites are encouraged to sign up for e frontier’s affiliate program at www.e-frontier.com/go/affiliate.

About e frontier, Inc.

e frontier, Inc., and its subsidiary companies develop and publish a diverse range of software products worldwide, produce quality computer graphic content and publish software-related books and magazines. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with offices in Scotts Valley, CA. For more information, visit www.e-frontier.com.

About TOKYOPOP:

TOKYOPOP is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision that transcends countless platforms.

The company’s global reach has expanded to Europe and Asia, with recent offices opening in the UK and Germany and upcoming partnerships in Australia and China, in addition to its original Los Angeles and Tokyo operations.

Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.