New Heroes Join Old Friends as Toy Giant Reveals Plans at 'Gotham's' Toy Fair
CYPRESS, Calif., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Bandai America Incorporated, a
subsidiary of the third largest toy company in the world, Bandai Co. Ltd,
unveils its hot new toy line-up this weekend at the 2004 American
International Toy Fair in New York City. Kids will have no problem finding
their favorite new toy in the company's 13 huge brands of beloved and soon to
be classic toys. With a complete collection of products from top-selling
brands such as Power Rangers and Strawberry Shortcake; the introduction of a
stylish, new girls' line, T*Neez; master toy licenses for exciting new
television properties like Astro Boy and Teen Titans as well as film property,
Thunderbirds; and its entry into the popular collectible games category,
Bandai America will take New York by storm this Sunday.
"We know kids. I can't think of a better way to come to this year's Toy
Fair than by bringing them the most innovative Bandai creations to date. We
stay a step ahead in this business by launching new properties, continuing our
expansion of product with existing brands and entering new categories in
2004," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Bandai
America Inc. "Boys and girls of all ages will find a line-up from favorites
Power Rangers, Strawberry Shortcake, SD and Gundam, as well as the launch of
the hip, fashionable T*Neez toyline and the fantastic Teen Titans line.
Consumers will see Bandai America's debut of cool, new licensed properties,
including the classic character Astro Boy, and our new entry into the popular
collectible card gaming arena."
BOYS CATEGORY
Power Rangers
The Power Rangers' 12th season, Power Rangers DinoThunder, promises to be
action-packed, combining the number one boys action figure brand with a
perennial favorite theme among boys -- dinosaurs. Bandai America will
introduce a complete line of toys to support the DinoThunder series -- which
will debut on ABC Kids on February 14, 2004 -- including action figures,
Megazords, vehicles, playsets, die-cast, role-play items and trading cards.
The line will also include new toys, such as Raptor Cycles and ATV vehicles.
Gundam
Following the success of last year's battle-scarred assortment, Bandai
America expands the Gundam line to include characters from the new Gundam Seed
series, scheduled to air on Cartoon Network in early 2004. The new line
features deluxe 4.5-inch action figures, 4.5-inch deluxe battle-scarred action
figures with dioramas, 7.5-inch action figures, action figures with vehicles,
action figure model kits, and a 12-inch Mega Size Gundam.
Teen Titans
Based on the popular DC Comics' characters and the television series from
Warner Bros. Animation, Teen Titans features five teen superheroes, each with
special powers and abilities. Bandai America's toyline will center on the
core characters from the show (led by Robin), with 3.5-inch action figures
available featuring an assortment of weapons and accessories. They will also
come packed with vehicles and playsets based on designs from the show,
including the T-Sub and Teen Titans Tower -- the headquarters of the crime
fighting team. Five-inch figures will also be available, each featuring a
different sound or unique action feature. Miniature Comic Book Heroes figures
will be available in packages of six, and two role-play sets allowing children
to become the Teen Titans are planned as well.
Superior Defender
Combining action, adventure, humor and spunky pint-sized heroes, Bandai
America's new Superior Defender (SD) toy line has proven to be the "next BIG
thing in robots." An all-new 3-D animated TV show based on the property,
entitled SD Gundam Force, debuted to spectacular ratings September 1, 2003 on
the Cartoon Network (#1 with boys aged 6-11). And Bandai America's SD action
figures' debut at retail exceeded initial sales expectations, with action
figures flying off the store shelves as soon as they are stocked. For 2004,
Bandai America's toyline will continue to represent all unique characters from
the SD universe, with 1.5-inch and 5-inch articulated action figures,
vehicles, playsets and snap-together action figures of various skill levels,
in addition to a new mega-size, battery operated action figure.
Astro Boy
Bandai America has been named by Sony Pictures Consumer Products as master
toy licensee (worldwide excluding Asia) of the much anticipated Sony Pictures
Television anime series Astro Boy, which blast-off on the #1 kid's network,
Kids' WB! in early 2004. Astro Boy was created 50 years ago by the legendary
artist Osamu Tezuka, widely regarded as the pioneer of anime and the "father
of manga" (Japanese comic books). In 1963, Astro Boy became the first
Japanese show imported to the United States and one of the country's top-rated
syndicated series. Bandai America will produce an extensive line of Astro Boy
toys, including action figures, vehicles, role-play items (excluding costumes,
masks and accessories) and playsets.
Thunderbirds
Bandai Co., Ltd. signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Universal
Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG) as the master toy licensee for the
upcoming theatrical presentation, Thunderbirds. From Universal Pictures and
Working Title Films, Thunderbirds is a live-action feature film based on the
hit British television series of the 1960s, which followed the perilous
exploits of the Tracy family. Thunderbirds, starring Bill Paxton and Sir Ben
Kingsley, is slated for release on August 6, 2004. Under the agreement,
Bandai America is developing vehicles modeled after the Thunderbirds rescue
crafts in the film as well as dynamic playsets. The products are scheduled to
hit shelves by June 2004.
Jagun Fighters
Jagun Fighters debuted in August 2003 as a new brand that combines action
figures with the elements of a game involving "fate" and "chance," carried out
with two players battling one another with game pieces called Power Eye
Stones. Bandai America launched the brand with a unique, grassroots campaign
including sampling, in-store demos, outreach at anime/gaming conventions, a
beta testers program and an interactive gaming environment at
http://www.JagunFighters.com . In 2004, kids can add to their collection with new
stones and 3-inch and 6.5-inch action figures, as well as new transforming
stone sets with three pieces that can be combined into an exclusive,
collectible figure.
Knights of the Zodiac
Originally introduced to Japanese audiences as "Saint Seiya" in a wildly
popular TV show and toyline back in 1986, the property has since become an
international phenomenon as a top-rated series across Asia, Europe, Central
America and South America, and a multi-billion-dollar franchise, with
25 million action figures sold worldwide. The new TV show, entitled Knights
of the Zodiac successfully debuted in the United States on August 30, 2003 as
the #1 show across all boy demographics on the Cartoon Network's Saturday
Action Block. In January 2004, Bandai America released action figures
exclusive to the American market. Future assortments will include additional
action figures, playset and role-play items.
GIRLS CATEGORY
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake is a berry sweet success all over again as the doll
that lets little girls be little girls! Since her debut at the beginning of
2003, Bandai America's new Strawberry Shortcake doll and toyline has been a
hit with girls and moms, claiming the #3 sales status in the mini doll
category. In 2004, Bandai America will give little girls more of everything
they love about Strawberry Shortcake with an expanded line of scented dolls
and toys featuring exciting new themes, fashions, play environments and
interactive features.
Highlights include the interactive Singin' Surprise Strawberry Shortcake,
which allows girls to hear special phrases and songs when a special wand is
waved across the included activity book; Berry Talkin' Apple Dumplin',
Strawberry Shortcake's baby sister who learns how to talk the more that girls
play with her; and a line of dessert-inspired fillies, which will also be
featured in a new fall DVD release from Twentieth Century Fox Home
Entertainment. New characters such as Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie
will also add to the fun of collecting all of Strawberry Shortcake's berry
best friends.
T*Neez
The T*Neez sure know how to get stylishly loud! Representing yet another
exciting expansion for Bandai America, T*Neez is the coolest new lifestyle
brand for girls ages 6-10 years old. With a collection of bendable and
poseable figures, vehicles, playsets and handheld toys, the brand celebrates
who every girl is and what every girl is doing. Whether she likes hanging out
at the cafe or going to the mall with friends, the T*Neez stand out with their
trendy fashions, funky hair and magnetic personalities! The core of the line
is the T*Neez Scenes assortment, 24 individualized figures with magnetic feet
that can be posed on an interchangeable scene. Other items include vehicles
and playsets with light, sound or action features that are triggered via the
figures' magnetic feet and handheld toys that come with an address book,
calendar or diary function.
Hello Kitty
Everybody's favorite phenomenon continues to delight girls with a whole
new set of dolls and themes. As well known as any celebrity, Hello Kitty is
one of the hottest brands around and has been a friend to girls around the
world for nearly 30 years. In 2004, Bandai's new Hello Kitty line of
miniature dolls, collectibles and accessories will continue to be a leader in
the mini-dolls category.
ACTIVITIES CATEGORY
B*Stylin'
Bandai America created its own "Arts and Style" activity category with the
launch of B*Stylin' in 2003. Featuring the innovative B*Stylin' Button
Designer, the toyline offers a creative twist on traditional activity toys.
The B*Stylin' Button Designer features an easy-to-use system that allows girls
to express their individuality by letting them customize, personalize and
stylize their own buttons, crafts and jewelry accessories. In 2004, girls can
add to their fashions and show off even more of their creativity and
personality with the debut of new B*Stylin' products, including Patch It, an
easy activity toy allowing girls to decorate jeans, jackets and other fabrics
with creative patches.
COLLECTIBLE CARD GAME CATEGORY
January 2004 marks Bandai America's entry into the hot collectible card
game (CCG) category. First to hit shelves in January will be games based on
the popular Superior Defender (SD) toyline and Cartoon Network hit animated
series of the same name. Also appearing in January will be Knights of the
Zodiac, another animated property with a loyal following. CCGs for Bandai
America powerhouse Gundam will debut in June. Bandai America also plans to
offer an assortment of trading cards based on the popular Power Rangers
property, the first time trading cards have been available since the first
season of the TV show over a decade ago.
An entirely new division and design team has been created at Bandai
America to make a unique gaming experience for fans and collectors. Distinct
game play has been created for each property, rather than simply recycling the
same game with new graphics for different brands. Dedicated Web sites for
each individual game will also be accessible to gamers online with rules,
tactics, tips and even upcoming tournament information.
About Bandai America
Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the third
largest toy company in the world, with more than 30 group companies in
9 countries. Global interests include toys and children's entertainment,
video game software, multimedia, music, full-length feature films, vending
machines, trading cards, candies and licensed apparel.
Bandai America Incorporated is celebrating its 26th year as the master toy
licensee for some of the most popular properties and brands in children's toys
and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, Gundam, Teen Titans, Astro
Boy, Superior Defender, Strawberry Shortcake and Hello Kitty product lines.
Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California, and company
information is available at http://www.Bandai.com .
* Visuals available upon request *
SOURCE Bandai America Incorporated
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.Bandai.com
CONTACT:
Angela Fernandez, afernandez@rogersassoc.com
, or Cliff Jin, cjin@rogersassoc.com , both of Rogers &
Associates, +1-310-552-6922, for Bandai America Incorporated
|
