ToyNews Toy industry news: business, marketing, retail, wholesale and distribution
The wheels have been set in motion of a restructuring at Bandai Namco that will see the Japanese corporation merge its toy and gaming units ‘to better leverage its many IPs’ such as Pac-Man, Dark Souls, and Tekken. Upon the release of its latest financial results, Bandai Namco confirmed that …
Read More »Bandai teams with Sanrio to launch Hello Kitty Tamagotchi
Bandai UK’s Tamagotchi is joining forces with the ever-popular Hello Kitty to allow users to enlist the help of the iconic Sanrio character to raise and nurture their digital pets. ‘It’s everything that is familiar to people who have played with Bandai’s virtual pet gadgets,’ says the firm, ‘but with …
Read More »Bandai launches Yolkies to Gen Z through successful TikTok campaign with Fanbytes
A successful TikTok campaign to target a Gen Z audience with its new Yolkies collectibles is currently underway for Bandai UK. Encased in mystery eggs, the edible slime and collectible surprise egg characters have enthused a host of TikTokkers, with engagement and reach figures already exceeding expected targets. Kirsty Mackenzie, …
Read More »Toei Animation taps Spacetoon and ToyPro to bring Dragon Ball Super animation and toy line to MENA
Toei Animation is looking to grow its global audience for its hit Dragon Ball Super franchise, teaming with Spacetoon to launch the series across TV, its SVOD platform Spacetoon Go, and a range of toys across MENA. The third season of the popular Dragon Ball Super series has already been …
Read More »Bandai named exclusive Funko distributor across Japan
The Japanese manufacturer and toy licensee, Bandai, has been named the exclusive distributor for Funko products across Japan, in the latest global move from the pop culture specialist. Under the new deal, Bandai will take full control of the distribution channel in Q4 of this year, with the goal of …
Read More »Bandai Namco talks plans for a whole new kind of Tori
It was at the height of May that Bandai Namco, the Japanese video games giant, detailed its intention to redefine the ‘toys-to-life’ sector with the announcement of Tori, a new platform that would combine physical toys with mobile app game play. While the UK was preoccupied with the spectacle of …
Read More »Toy firms celebrate The Big Bang Science Fair success as STEM play triumphs at schools
Coinciding with National Science Week, the show played host to some 200 organisations, many of those from across the toy and children’s brands space, and welcomed around 80,000 visitors from schools from across the UK.
Read More »Bandai to create new collectables unit as it acquires 80 per cent stake in Bluefin
Nippon Imports founder and CEO Steve Fujimura will serve as the new subsidiary’s CEO and will maintain a 20 per cent stake in the company. Bandai Namco America senior vice president, Koji Iwata will be the company’s COO.
Read More »Vicki Marler-Hausen launches own toy industry agency, Elmer Marketing
The new outfit has been launched to offer services to toy companies as they launch products, plan trade shows and construct media campaigns.
Read More »Bandai’s Smooshy Mushy squishes into retail
The slow-rise collectable line has enjoyed high sales figures for their first month at retail.
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