Music News
Avril Lavigne to provide animated manga shorts to Anime Network
By Patrick Luce
Apr 25, 2007, 0:27 GMT

Inspired by the edgy, pop-culture cool of manga and anime (Japanese graphic novels and animation), rock singer/songwriter Avril Lavigne has used both mediums in a new business surrounding her upcoming CD release, ‘The Best Damn Thing.’ She not only penned her own manga, but she has also developed animated manga shorts that will air on Anime Network mobile offerings - a rare treat for both music and manga fans.

Lavigne’s new cross-promotional relationship with Anime Network is part of a unique multimedia project developed by her management company Nettwerk and Sony BMG to extend both the reach and brand value of the popular Grammy Award nominated artist. Under the terms of the agreement, ADV Films, the #1 producer-distributor of anime outside of Japan, will promote the artist’s new April 17th CD release and Make 5 Wishes manga series across its Anime Network, America’s #1 Anime Channel, and Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly magazine.

In exchange, Lavigne will provide ADV Films with broadcast and mobile distribution rights to the animated manga shorts. Additionally, the rock star will provide online advertising, record promotional IDs and sign copies of her manga and CD for online sweepstakes and giveaways. The deal was orchestrated by Index Global Rights (IGR), a digital media consultancy based in New York and Tokyo.

Both the manga series and the music videos deal with an introverted teenager, Hana, whose life is changed forever when she meets her hero Avril Lavigne and, through her, finds the courage to conquer her own personal demons. Bringing the manga series to life, music videos incorporating songs from Lavigne's new CD release ‘The Best Damn Thing’ with animations from the manga series, are available to view and/or download (at $1.99 per episode) online through the dedicated website, www.make5wishes.com and Nettwerks' website.

‘The Best Damn Thing,’ Lavigne's third album, finds the artist returning to the fun, colorful sound of her debut album yet also demonstrating her growth as an artist.  The project features writing and production collaborations between Lavigne and Dr. Luke (Lady Sovereign, Pink), Rob Cavallo (Green Day, The Goo Goo Dolls), Butch Walker, and her husband Deryck Whibley of the platinum-selling band Sum 41. Among the titles included in the new CD and featured in the manga-based animations are the hit song "Girlfriend," "Everything Back But You" and "I Can Do Better." New music video animations are released weekly on the Make5wishes.com website.

‘The Best Damn Thing’ is now available at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information.