TLL Staff Kayou, a Chinese collectible trading card company, made its official debut at Toy Fair New York earlier this month, using the occasion to announce a slate of new licensed products and IP partnerships as part of its broader push into the U.S. market. The company, which describes itself as China's top trading card brand, showcased new releases and upcoming product … [Read more...] about Kayou Debuts at Toy Fair New York, Previews U.S. Expansion Plans
Asia
Spiralcute Appoints New Leadership Team to Drive Global Expansion
By Allison Watkinson TLL Editor in Chief The award-winning Japanese character management agency Spiralcute has appointed a new senior leadership team to oversee its expanding global operations. The international team will be led by Kate Schlomann (pictured), who will report to Taro Morishima, Chief Executive Officer and President of Spiralcute International. Schlomann's … [Read more...] about Spiralcute Appoints New Leadership Team to Drive Global Expansion
Mattel to Acquire Full Ownership of Games Studio Mattel163 for $159 Million
TLL Staff Toymaker Mattel is going all in on mobile gaming, as it moves to acquire full ownership of the games studio Mattel163. The studio is currently a joint venture between Mattel and the Chinese internet software giant NetEase, which owns 50% of Mattel163. Mattel, Inc. announced Tuesday it has reached an agreement to acquire full ownership of Mattel163 in a deal that … [Read more...] about Mattel to Acquire Full Ownership of Games Studio Mattel163 for $159 Million
Snore With Snorlax As Mimaru Hotels Expand Its Pokémon Rooms
By Allison Watkinson TLL Staff The Mimaru hotel brand has just announced it will be renovating and expanding its popular 'Pokémon Rooms', so aspiring trainers can kick back and relax after a hard day trying to catch 'em all. Mimaru is a leader in Japan for apartment-style hotels, and is owned by Cosmos Hotel Management, which has held a licensing deal with Pokémon for … [Read more...] about Snore With Snorlax As Mimaru Hotels Expand Its Pokémon Rooms
Hasbro Named Toy Maker For Upcoming Street Fighter and Voltron Films
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter U.S. toymaker Hasbro has signed two key licensing deals to produce toys for the upcoming Street Fighter and Voltron films. The Street Fighter movie is scheduled to debut in cinemas on October 16, while the live action take on the anime classic Voltron does not yet have a date for its premiere. Hasbro this week announced its licensing … [Read more...] about Hasbro Named Toy Maker For Upcoming Street Fighter and Voltron Films
Gotta Build ‘Em All: LEGO Launches First Ever Pokémon Collection
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The LEGO Group has partnered with The Pokémon Company on its first ever Pokémon Lego sets. It's a brand licensing match made in marketing heaven, as the deal combines the world's most popular toy product, with one of the world's top entertainment and video game brands. “Pokémon has always inspired discovery and connection and partnering … [Read more...] about Gotta Build ‘Em All: LEGO Launches First Ever Pokémon Collection
Real Life Godzilla Stomps Into Tokyo’s Haneda Airport
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief It was 1954 when the 'King of Monsters' first rampaged through Tokyo, crushing buildings and plucking aircraft out of the sky. Now a much friendlier Godzilla is back, and welcoming visitors to Japan at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The Haneda Godzilla Global Project has launched a "mega-scale initiative" to broadcast Japanese entertainment to … [Read more...] about Real Life Godzilla Stomps Into Tokyo’s Haneda Airport
Wildbrain Sells Stake in Peanuts to Sony for $630 Million Cdn
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Wildbrain Ltd. says it has agreed to sell its stake in the popular global brand Peanuts to Sony Music and Sony Pictures. Wildbrain currently owns 41% of Peanuts Holdings LLC, which is the holding company for the Peanuts intellectual property, originally created by the cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. The Canadian brand company has now … [Read more...] about Wildbrain Sells Stake in Peanuts to Sony for $630 Million Cdn
Dragon Ball Gets Its First-Ever Game Inside Minecraft
TLL Staff Toei Animation has expanded the Dragon Ball Z licensing footprint into gaming with the launch of the first-ever downloadable content pack for Minecraft. Available now for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, the Dragon Ball Z x Minecraft DLC allows players to participate in battles inspired by the anime’s World Martial Arts Tournament, with options for solo, cooperative and … [Read more...] about Dragon Ball Gets Its First-Ever Game Inside Minecraft
China’s ‘Singles Day’ Event Is Eclipsing America’s Black Friday
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Move over Black Friday; China's massive 'Singles Day' shopping event on November 11 is laying claim to being the world's largest sale. While Black Friday and associated holiday sales like Cyber Monday continue to grow, the Chinese data company Syntun says Singles Day broke sales records as retailers took in $238 billion, including … [Read more...] about China’s ‘Singles Day’ Event Is Eclipsing America’s Black Friday