SHOPRO HAMTARO LOGO Hamtaro(TM) and the Ham-Hams are coming to America! Premiering June 3 on Cartoon Network, Hamtaro(TM) (www.hamtaro.com) is being introduced by ShoPro USA and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. of Japan. The animated television series centers on Hamtaro, his Ham-Ham pals, and ten-year-old Laura, Hamtaro's owner. The Ham-Hams spend most of their days keeping Laura and her classmates out of trouble, but sometimes the precocious pets find themselves in a dilemma of their own. (PRNewsFoto)[JL] SAN FRANCISCO, CA USA
		SHOPRO HAMTARO IS COMING TO AMERICA Hide your sunflower seeds! Hamtaro(TM) is coming to America! Adorable and heartwarming Hamtaro(TM) and his hamster pals, the Ham-Hams, premiere June 3 on Cartoon Network. Hamtaro (www.hamtaro.com), one of TV Tokyo's top-rated children's programs, is being introduced by ShoPro USA, and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. of Japan. The adventures of Hamtaro are based on the popular illustrated children's storybooks by Ms. Ritsuko Kawai. The property has achieved more than $2.5 billion in retail sales since its TV launch in 2000. (PRNewsFoto)[JL] SAN FRANCISCO, CA USA
		SHOPRO HAMTARO IS COMING TO AMERICA Hide your sunflower seeds! Hamtaro(TM) is coming to America! Adorable and heartwarming Hamtaro(TM) and his hamster pals, the Ham-Hams, premiere June 3 on Cartoon Network. Hamtaro (www.hamtaro.com), one of TV Tokyo's top-rated children's programs, is being introduced by ShoPro USA, and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. of Japan. The adventures of Hamtaro are based on the popular illustrated children's storybooks by Ms. Ritsuko Kawai. The property has achieved more than $2.5 billion in retail sales since its TV launch in 2000. (PRNewsFoto)[JL] SAN FRANCISCO, CA USA
		SHOPRO HAMTARO IS COMING TO AMERICA Hamtaro(TM) and the Ham-Hams are coming to America! Premiering June 3 on Cartoon Network, Hamtaro(TM) (www.hamtaro.com) is being introduced by ShoPro USA and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. of Japan. The animated television series centers on Hamtaro, his Ham-Ham pals, and ten-year-old Laura, Hamtaro's owner. Hamtaro is one of TV Tokyo's top-rated children's programs. Launch partners include Hasbro, Inc., Nintendo of America Inc. and Viz Communications Inc. (PRNewsFoto)[JL] SAN FRANCISCO, CA USA
		SHOPRO HAMTARO IS COMING TO AMERICA Hamtaro(TM) and the Ham-Hams are coming to America! Premiering June 3 on Cartoon Network, Hamtaro(TM) (www.hamtaro.com) is being introduced by ShoPro USA and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. of Japan. The animated television series centers on Hamtaro, his Ham-Ham pals, and ten-year-old Laura, Hamtaro's owner. The Ham-Hams spend most of their days keeping Laura and her classmates out of trouble, but sometimes the precocious pets find themselves in a dilemma of their own. (PRNewsFoto)[JL] SAN FRANCISCO, CA USA
		SHOPRO HAMTARO IS COMING TO AMERICA Hamtaro(TM) and the Ham-Hams are coming to America! Premiering June 3 on Cartoon Network, Hamtaro(TM) (www.hamtaro.com) is being introduced by ShoPro USA and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. of Japan. The animated television series centers on Hamtaro, his Ham-Ham pals, and ten-year-old Laura, Hamtaro's owner. The Ham-Hams spend most of their days keeping Laura and her classmates out of trouble, but sometimes the precocious pets find themselves in a dilemma of their own. (PRNewsFoto)[JL] SAN FRANCISCO, CA USA

ShoPro USA and Nintendo of America Inc. Will Introduce New Popular U.S. Anime
                        Series With Hamtaro Appearance

    SEATTLE, May 20 /PRNewswire/ --

    WHO:            ShoPro USA, a sister company of Shogakukan Production Co.
                    Ltd., a leading provider of children's entertainment in
                    Japan, Nintendo of America Inc., and Hamtaro(TM).

    WHAT:           ShoPro USA and Nintendo will announce the U.S. launch of
                    Hamtaro at E3 in Los Angeles.  Hamtaro is a new children's
                    anime series featuring Hamtaro (http://www.hamtaro.com) and his
                    hamster pals, the Ham-Hams.

                    Hamtaro is currently one of Japan's most popular
                    children's television series and one of the top children's
                    brands exceeding over $2.5 billion in retail sales since
                    the TV launch in 2000.  The heartwarming adventures and
                    fun of Hamtaro will premiere on the Cartoon Network June
                    3.  The story line of Hamtaro promotes teamwork, respect
                    and responsibility to kids.

                    The Hamtaro property is being backed by five major
                    corporations and one national non-profit organization
                    (please see attachment).  A full-line of home videos,
                    books, toys and a Game Boy video will be released this
                    year.

                    Extensive research was conducted in the U.S. to assess the
                    popularity of the Hamtaro anime series.  In all research
                    categories (research information available upon request),
                    kids overwhelmingly embraced and loved Hamtaro.

    WHEN:           Wednesday, May 23, 2002
                    Noon to 5 p.m.

    WHERE:          E3, Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa
                    Street
                    Nintendo located in the West Hall, booth #2816

    CONTACTS:       Mark Dyce, for ShoPro USA, 206-669-2530
                    Tod Steward, for ShoPro USA, 206-619-0236

    INTERVIEWS:     ShoPro USA and Nintendo representatives will be available
                    at the Nintendo booth.

    PHOTO-OPS:      Big costumed Hamtaro doing the popular Ham-Ham dance,
                    photo backdrop/video tapes of series available.

    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020513/SFM004LOGO-a
             http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020513/SFM004-b
             http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020513/SFM004-c
             http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020513/SFM004-d
             http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020513/SFM004-e
             http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020513/SFM004-f )

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