Viz Media has announced an exclusive licensing agreement with the Hot Topic retail chain for a comprehensive apparel and accessories line featuring Viz Media's popular Naruto property.  The Naruto manga, created by Masashi Kishimoto, is already a top ten seller in the U.S. and the eagerly awaited Naruto anime series debuts in the fall on the Cartoon Network.

The Naruto property, which targets tweens and teens, is a good fit for the mall-based Hot Topic stores, whose target audience is young men and women between 12 and 22.  The Hot Topic Naruto lineup of merchandise will include junior girls t-shirts, men's t-shirts, hoodies, headbands, stickers, pins and patches.  Hot Topic plans to have its Naruto branded merchandise in its stores this fall after the Cartoon Network debut of the Naruto anime.

The Naruto property, which is the story of a young ninja in training who has within himself the spirit of a fox demon, appeals to fans of both genders and, based on its popularity in Japan, could become a breakout hit here in the States.  Viz recently awarded the license of a Naruto TCG and Sony platform-based Naruto videogames to Bandai America (see 'Bandai Gets Naruto TCG License').