PROJECTS

GRAPHIC NOVEL on THE DALAI LAMA:
Japanese Style Graphic Novel Explores the Story of His Country,
His People and His Non-Violent Struggle

> Click to see more pictures

Los Angeles, CA, June 30, 2008 – Emotional Content is delighted to announce the release of the first in its new graphic novel series, BioGraphic Novel: The 14th Dalai Lama on July 6, 2008. The release date marks the 73rd birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet who has touched millions around the world with his gentle, non-violent struggle to free his country and people.

In cooperation with the Liaison Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama for Japan & East Asia, proceeds of the book will benefit charities in exiled Tibetan communities in Northern India. Additionally, the novel can be downloaded at www.biographicnovel.com in a PDF format for US$7.00 – of which 50% (after tax) of the revenue will be donated to various charities, including the Tuberculosis Control Project at Tibetan Delek Hospital.

The BioGraphic Novel series employs classic manga (Japanese graphic novel or comic book) aesthetics and are the creation of illustrator, Tetsu Saiwai, who has published similar works on such topics as environmental responsibility and human rights. After conducting intensive research in Lhasa, Tibet, Saiwai was able to capture unique and stunning images of Tibet and its people as they struggle to survive, facing the lingering threat of the extinction of their language; all connected through the true life events of the Dalai Lama, their spiritual and political champion.

Emotional Content Founder and BioGraphic Novel series Executive Producer, Eiji Han Shimizu is a second generation Korean, born and raised in Yokohama, Japan. At 19, along with Dan Eldon, the youngest photojournalist ever to shoot for Reuters, who was tragically murdered while covering the Somali conflict, Shimizu co-founded Student Transport Aid to deliver humanitarian aid to refugee camps in East Africa.

In 2006, Shimizu, gave up his career with Japan's largest magazine publisher, to begin production work on a full-length documentary on the subject of happiness, along with academy-nominated filmmaker, Roko Belic. While pondering the idea of what creates true happiness and traveling 14 countries to find the answers, Shimizu began to organize groups of talented Japanese illustrators with the intention of creating works that would inspire and promote positive messages from the histories of some of the world's greatest spiritual leaders. Says Shimizu:

"In Japan, we grow up reading lots of mangas and learn rather serious subjects from them, such as history and philosophy. Manga has been a hugely powerful story telling vehicle in Japan, and we believe that by using this easy-to-read, accessible medium, we can effectively protest against human right violations, atrocities, and exploitation – rampant throughout the world – as well as spread and advocate the fundamental, precious values of altruism, compassion, philanthropy to people of all ages and walks of life. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower others to make positive actions in the world, by sharing the stories of how our "superheroes" lived their lives."

BioGraphic Novel: Mother Teresa will be the second release in the series, out mid-September 2008.

Emotional Content is a network of independent manga (graphic novels or comic books) and anime (animation in English) artists in Japan. Their mission is to create and distribute media content that will INFORM, INSPIRE, and EMPOWER others to generate positive actions in the world. Over a dozen Manga and Anime projects are currently under development. Emotional Content is based in Los Angeles, California, and its production center is based in Yokohama, Japan. For more information, please go to www.biographicnovel.com.

Click to purchase the book.

The key facts of the project:

Title: BioGraphic Novel: The 14th Dalai Lama
Author: Tetsu Saiwai
Publication Date: July 6, 2008
ISBN Number: 978-0-9817543-0-7
Format: Paperback
Price: $15.95
Publisher: Emotional Content LLC.
P.O. Box 251863
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Further information, interviews, artwork:
David Wilson
Oui 2 Public Relations 212 541 5698

ONLINE DONATIONS can be made using Visa or Mastercard > go to donate page. Click donate and type "Graphic Novel" in the memo on the credit card form.

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