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Tag: Yu-Gi-Oh

  • Yu-Gi-Oh deals its hand to gen alpha readers

    Yu-Gi-Oh deals its hand to gen alpha readers

    MUMBAI: Talk about a power play, Yu-Gi-Oh is turning the page. Konami Cross Media NY has struck two heavyweight publishing deals to draw in gen alpha readers, proving that the 25-year-old anime juggernaut isn’t ready to fold any time soon.

    Announced at the Brand Licensing Europe show in London, the agreements bring Random House Children’s Books and Panini Group into the fold, giving Yu-Gi-Oh a shiny new shelf life in classrooms, kiosks and bookfairs worldwide.

    “As the largest publisher in the world, Random House Children’s Books is leading the charge by expanding its anime portfolio with Yu-Gi-Oh,” said Konami’s SVP of marketing and licensing Jennifer Coleman. Expect child-friendly titles, activity formats, and collectables that will pop up across the US, Canada and even military bases overseas.

    Panini, meanwhile, is rolling out Yu-Gi-Oh sticker and activity books in France and French-speaking Belgium, with ambitions stretching into Latin America and across Europe. Known for its sticker albums and unmatched distribution network, Panini sees Yu-Gi-Oh as a perfect fit for younger fans who want to “play, peel and collect” before diving into the trading card game or anime.

    “Gen alpha is the first generation raised on tech from day one,” noted Panini’s senior licensing manager Licia Dallolio. “We’re excited to create experiences that feel natural to their world.”

    It’s all part of Konami’s long game: hook the kids early, then let them graduate into the anime, trading card battles and digital titles that keep the franchise booming. With over 1,000 anime episodes, countless card sets, and fans spanning three decades, Yu-Gi-Oh isn’t just shuffling the deck, it’s stacking it for the future.

  • Yu-Gi-Oh! trades cards for cans with fizzy new flavour twist

    Yu-Gi-Oh! trades cards for cans with fizzy new flavour twist

    MUMBAI: Yu-Gi-Oh!, the anime titan that launched a thousand trading cards (and schoolyard duels), is bubbling into a whole new game — sparkling water. In a move that’s both fizzy and fandom-fuelled, Taiwanese drinks maker YHB Biotech is teaming up with Konami Cross Media NY to release a line of anime-themed sparkling waters under its Ocean Bomb label.

    The character-clad cans — starring fan favourites from Yu-Gi-Oh!’s legendary universe — will hit shelves in Q2 of 2025, with distribution slated across north and south America, the EU and the UK. The drinks are caffeine-free, kid-friendly and bursting with fruity flavours designed to quench thirst and nostalgia in equal measure.

    “Just when Yu-Gi-Oh! fans think they’ve seen it all, we’re excited to open our phenomenal anime property to the specialty beverage product category for the first time,” quipped Konami Cross Media  NY  vice president of licensing and marketing Jennifer Coleman. “YHB’s Ocean Bomb canned sparkling flavored waters will be sold through specialty stores focused on the food and beverage category.”

    Ocean Bomb isn’t new to the anime aisle. With previous pop-culture pours starring Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Super, it’s a seasoned player in the kawaii drinks market.

     YHB Biotech executive En En added: “Yu-Gi-Oh!’s dominance in the global marketplace for over 25 years will be a tremendous boost in bolstering consumer awareness and introducing the Ocean Bomb product line to new markets throughout the Americas, Europe and the UK. It’s a wonderful partnership and growth opportunity for both Ocean Bomb and Yu-Gi-Oh! “
     
    Whether you’re duelling monsters or dodging deadlines, these cans promise to be the ultimate refreshment — no trap card required.

  • 4Kids Entertainment launch HD animated TV series ‘Chaotic’ at Mipcom

    4Kids Entertainment launch HD animated TV series ‘Chaotic’ at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. has set Mipcom 2006 for the global launch of its new high-definition animated action adventure television series Chaotic. As announced by 4Kids Entertainment executive VP International Brian Lacey, the 40 half-hour episode series will be available to international buyers at this year’s market.

    4Kids has exclusive rights to represent Chaotic worldwide across broadcast, home video, music and merchandise licensing. According to Lacey, the high-definition animated kids television series will premiere on 4Kids TV in the US in late September, informs an official release.

    “Chaotic combines the best entertainment qualities of Pokémon – stories with heart and attitude that feature a collectable appeal for kids and Yu-Gi-Oh! – stories that build upon a compelling trading card game,” Lacey added.

    “Chaotic will bring kids around the globe into a multi-dimensional entertainment world – a dynamic trading card game with a high-velocity web interactive element – that serves the interests of kid viewers and the needs of broadcasters alike. A kid-identifiable cast of characters and fast-paced stories, highlighted with conflict, comedy and lots of warmth give this hi-def series the hallmarks of a kids classic. Quite simply, Chaotic breaks new ground in the kids entertainment business.”

    Chaotic transports the viewers into a world filled with fantastic creatures. Magic, suspense and adventure abound in this exciting action series. This series creatively draws upon a dynamic trading card game that elevates the level of interactivity and engagement with and between kids unequalled in an entertainment property. Each Chaotic card has its own unique code, as the codes allow players and collectors to battle and trade cards in their physical and online worlds, adds the release.

    4Kids selected Bardel Entertainment, a Vancouver-based animation company to execute the animated series in hi-def format. With over 15 years experience in animation, Bardel Entertainment’s clients include Dreamworks SKG, Warner Brothers, Fox, Nelvana and Disney Interactive among others.

    4Kids Entertainment, over the past decade has produced and launched such mega-hits as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles among others.

  • 4Kids’ popular properties to launch on VOD channel on Comcast

    4Kids’ popular properties to launch on VOD channel on Comcast

    MUMBAI: 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. will soon give kids instant, 24-hour access to some popular properties with the launch of the 4Kids TV VOD channel on Comcast On Demand from 7 August.

    Featuring shows such as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sonic X, Kirby and Winx Club, the new 4Kids TV VOD Channel will offer 10 hours of non-stop action and adventure with new episodes added every two weeks.

    Presenting six program menus, the 4Kids TV VOD channel will premiere with over two hours of exclusive, never-before-seen episodes of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters series on Yu-Gi-Oh! Only On VOD. Capsule Monsters pits the heroes against a new crop of ancient monsters who are out to destroy them. To defeat the monsters, the kids must now work together as a team and abandon their trusty Duel Disks for different technology – Capsule Shooters.

    The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will also premiere with a TV exclusive – five new adventures – on TMNT Only On VOD. The action continues to heat up on 4Kids’ Action menu, featuring the best episodes of G.I. Joe, Ultimate Muscle and WMAC Masters. Sonic X headlines Video Game Stars, and is joined by Kirby, Right Back at Ya!, along with other fast-moving stars of the video game world.

    The Anime menu premieres with the mystical Shaman King and Japanese hit Mew Mew Power. And, the Winx Club menu features five of the most exciting Winks Club adventures ever shown on television.

    “We are thrilled to be extending our most popular brands through this new agreement with Comcast, one of the true pioneers in the VOD marketplace. VOD brings a Web-like immediacy to television that gives viewers quick-and-easy access to the programming they want, when they want it. Given the platform’s ability to refresh programming without the limitations and time constraints of a fixed program schedule, viewers are certain to return to the channel often for fresh programming options, giving 4Kids a loyal audience that is primed for our programming and promotional efforts,” said 4Kids Production president Norman Grossfeld.

    “Video on demand is a great platform for kids to enjoy their favourite programs. The addition of the 4Kids VOD Channel will give viewers even more great choices, including exclusive premieres of never-before-seen episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. We’re excited to be working with a leader in children’s programming like 4Kids and look forward to launching their programming on Comcast On Demand,” said Comcast vice president content acquisitions Matthew Strauss.