YuMe Toys announced a slate of new and renewed global licensing agreements for 2026, building on its portfolio of collectible toys tied to major entertainment and lifestyle brands.
The company will introduce expanded lines for One Piece and Hello Kitty and debut a new collaboration with Molang, part of an effort to strengthen its reach across anime, digital-first characters and iconic pop-culture franchises.
The ranges will be previewed for trade and media between October and December 2025, ahead of a January 2026 retail rollout.
The company is extending its partnership with Toei Animation to produce a One Piece Barrel Capsule collection in the EMEA and Australia–New Zealand markets. The line offers a multi-stage unboxing format and collectibles featuring characters Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji and Chopper. Each capsule includes a clue card activated with a water-reveal symbol, stickers, a wanted-style character checklist, a scene card and a finished figure. The barrel container doubles as a display base, and each figure will include a stand and nameplate.
YuMe said the format is designed for both anime collectors and general gift buyers, tapping into the consistent demand for blind-packaged licensed products and multi-layer discovery formats.
YuMe has also signed a global licensing deal with Millimages to develop a first wave of products inspired by Molang, the stylized bunny character with a strong online following among children, teens and young adults. The new line will include collectible straps and keychains grouped into themed mini-series such as Snack Time, Scooter Series, Animal Costume Series, Balloon Series and Weather Series. Each wave highlights different versions of Molang—from costumed variations to designs based on food, weather and lifestyle motifs—targeting impulse purchases and lifestyle channels such as accessories and desk décor.
The company is also renewing its licensing deal with Sanrio to extend its Hello Kitty and Friends lineup across EMEA and Australia–New Zealand. The expanded range adds figures, keyrings, plush, pull-back cars, night-lights, blind-box collectibles and light-up accessories. The collection will include core characters Hello Kitty, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll and My Melody, with an extended focus on Kuromi driven by the character’s growing fan base.
Among the new Hello Kitty and Friends offerings are themed series such as the Camp Light Keychain Figure and Strap line, featuring mini lanterns topped with character heads. Another featured product, the Mushroom Light Series, will introduce color-changing night-lights with Sanrio characters seated on mushroom-shaped bases.
“The 2026 portfolio underlines YuMe’s commitment to building long-term partnerships with world-leading licensors while delivering innovative, high-quality products that resonate with consumers,” said YuMe Toys CEO Michael Kwan in a statement. “From gaming and anime to lifestyle icons, these ranges are designed to offer retailers breadth across toys, gifting and collectibles; while ensuring fans worldwide can engage with the characters they love in fresh and exciting ways.”
YuMe said the portfolio reflects a strategy of combining high-recognition global brands with collectible formats that appeal to both dedicated fans and mainstream consumers. The company’s move into digital-forward properties like Molang, alongside globally recognized brands like Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and Toei Animation’s One Piece, positions its 2026 line to serve multiple demographic segments and retail channels, from toy aisles to lifestyle and impulse purchase locations.
The full ranges are expected to be available at retail in early 2026.