By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The popular Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card franchise has commemorated its 25th Anniversary celebration with four new licensing agreements. Brand owner Konami Cross Media says the deals will bring an array of exclusive licensed products to market in honor of the milestone, ranging from apparel, back-to-school accessories, streetwear, and metallic … [Read more...] about Yu-Gi-Oh Racking Up Licensing Agreements for Anniversary
Asia
NBA Teams Up With My Hero Academia for Apparel Line
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The National Basketball Association is putting out a new apparel collection with My Hero Academia, produced by HYPERFLY. My Hero Academia is a Japanese anime series based on a manga series by Kohei Horikoshi. It is set in a world where about 80 percent of the population has a superpowered Quirk. Heroes protect people and society from … [Read more...] about NBA Teams Up With My Hero Academia for Apparel Line
Jazwares and Crunchyroll Partner on Anime Collectibles
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Toymaker Jazwares is teaming up with the anime streamer Crunchyroll to develop a new anime collectibles portfolio. Jazwares is a global toy manufacturing company that creates products based on its portfolio of wholly-owned and licensed brands. Jazwares was acquired by the international holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, in 2022. The … [Read more...] about Jazwares and Crunchyroll Partner on Anime Collectibles
Bokksu Releases Hello Kitty Snack Boxes for Kids
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Bokksu is releasing its second snack box collaboration for the Hello Kitty and Friends brand as part of its ongoing partnership with Sanrio. The new limited-edition Hello Kitty Okinawa Beach Party Snack Box includes premium summertime-themed Japanese snacks, exclusive limited-edition Hello Kitty merchandise, and a printed snack guide and … [Read more...] about Bokksu Releases Hello Kitty Snack Boxes for Kids
Who’s News: Amuse Animation Opens China Office Run By Entin Liu
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The digital-first studio Amuse Animation has opened a new China office to be headed by distribution and licensing executive Entin Liu. The opening of the new China location follows the company’s recent appointment of Jiella Esmat as CRO. As the company's new CRO, Esmat intends to expand Amuse Animation's core business streams through the … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Amuse Animation Opens China Office Run By Entin Liu
Expo: Bandai Namco Seeking Partners for Virtual Pet Brand Tamagotchi
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Bandai Namco is bringing the Tamagotchi brand to the 2023 Licensing Expo to expand its consumer products licensing program. Tamagotchi is a virtual-reality pet brand that was originally released as a handheld video game in Japan in 1996 and in the U.S. the following year. Since its initial launch, Bandai Namco has extended the Tamagotchi … [Read more...] about Expo: Bandai Namco Seeking Partners for Virtual Pet Brand Tamagotchi
Jazwares Named Master Toy Partner for Sanrio’s Hello Kitty Franchise
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Jazwares has entered into a multi-year master toy licensing agreement with Sanrio to create Hello Kitty and Friends toy collections. “Friendship and kindness come in many forms and with the help of Jazwares, we’ll be able to expand those values in so many unique expressions of creativity and play,” said Sanrio COO, Craig Takiguchi. “This … [Read more...] about Jazwares Named Master Toy Partner for Sanrio’s Hello Kitty Franchise
Redan Publishing Partners With Toikido For Piñata Smashlings Content
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Toikido has signed a licensing deal with Redan Publishing for the company's Piñata Smashlings brand. Redan Publishing Ltd is an independent, UK-based publisher of character-led children’s magazines. The new licensing partnership will include regular Piñata Smashlings features in several of Redan’s multi-character children’s … [Read more...] about Redan Publishing Partners With Toikido For Piñata Smashlings Content
Celebrity Licensing: Kanye West Split a Billion Dollar Mess for Adidas
Adidas Stuck With $1.3 Billion in Yeezy Shoes After Kanye West Blows Up Licensing Agreement By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief All over the world, boxes of Yeezy shoes are stacked in warehouses and the back rooms of retail outlets, all of them costing Adidas a literal fortune. According to the German footwear giant, Adidas is saddled with an … [Read more...] about Celebrity Licensing: Kanye West Split a Billion Dollar Mess for Adidas
LEGO, Spin Master Announce New Support for Ethical Toy Program
By Gary SymonsTLL Editor in Chief Thirty thousand children of factory workers will benefit as LEGO and Spin Master announced new funding to expand the Ethical Toy Program across China, Vietnam and Mexico. The Ethical Toy Program is a program by the International Council of Toy Industries, which is the convening organization for the worldwide toy industry. ICTI and its … [Read more...] about LEGO, Spin Master Announce New Support for Ethical Toy Program