CYPRESS, Calif., October 22, 2002 - As retailers and consumers prepare for the holidays, Bandai America Inc.'s newest Power Rangers toy, the Deluxe Isis Command Megazord, has been selected by PlayDate Inc. as one of the "Hot 1's to Watch" this season. PlayDate Inc. is a one-day, media-only event showcasing what experts nationwide predict as the hot toys for the 2002 holiday season.
Celebrating ten years as both the No. 1 action figure brand for boys and one of the longest running children's action shows on television, Power Rangers are a proven favorite among kids. Bandai, a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd. and the world's third largest toy company, has held the master toy license for Power Rangers since the brand's inception, and today, a Power Rangers action figure can be found in one out of every five U.S. households.
Bandai will showcase some of its most popular brands - including Power Rangers, Digimon, Hello Kitty and Gundam - at PlayDate 2002.
"As one of the leading toy manufacturers in the world, Bandai is bringing some of the most popular kids brands to PlayDate this year," said Sean McGowan, co-founder of PlayDate Inc. and veteran toy analyst with Gerard Klauer Mattison in New York. "Toys such as Power Rangers - that continue to be in high demand among kids even after a decade - are the kind of products that retailers and consumers will be eyeing this holiday season."
Kids can operate the fun features of the highly interactive Deluxe Isis Command Megazord themselves - which includes a 5-inch Red Power Ranger - by controlling missile firing action, applying a fearless grip with antler claws, releasing armadillo assault from the secret compartment, gripping and hoisting evil space aliens with the giraffe crane, and activating voice, sounds and lights.
"Bandai has produced millions of Power Ranger toys over the brand's ten-year history in the U.S. - a strong indicator that Power Rangers continues to be a favorite among kids," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president, sales and marketing at Bandai. "We're thrilled that PlayDate has acknowledged Power Rangers Deluxe Isis Command Megazord as one of the hot toys for the holidays because of its interactivity, entertaining features and play value."
Bandai will also feature the following brands and toys at PlayDate 2002:
- Power Rangers: Deluxe Isis Command Megazord, Warrior Power Rangers with Savage Cycle, Deluxe Temple Ruins Playset, Wild Force Action Figures
- Digimon: Digimon D-Tector
- Hello Kitty: At Home with Hello Kitty Deluxe Kitty House, Dream World Hello Kitty Deluxe Playset
- Gundam: Gundam Action Figure Model Kits
About Bandai America
Bandai America Inc. is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the world's third largest toy company, with 27 subsidiaries in 8 countries worldwide. Global interests include toys and children's entertainment, video game software, multimedia, music, full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies and licensed apparel. Bandai America Inc. is the master toy licensee of some of the most popular properties in children's toys and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, Gundam, Digimon, Strawberry Shortcake, and Hello Kitty product lines. Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California and company information is available at bandai.com.
