Raving Toy Maniac

JAKKS Pacific Secures Worldwide, Master Toy Agreement for the Smurfs Franchise

JAKKS to Produce 'Smurf-Tastic' Toys Based on 2016 Feature Film

MALIBU, Calif. -- March 02, 2015 -- Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. announced today that it has secured a licensing agreement with LAFIG and Sony Pictures Consumer Products to produce toys and related products based on the Smurfs franchise including the classic Smurfs brand and the upcoming Smurfs feature film premiering in August 2016. The worldwide, master toy agreement includes rights to produce figures, playsets, plush and more.

Legendary Taps JAKKS Pacific as Master Toy Licensee for the Upcoming Theatrical Release of Warcraft®

MALIBU, Calif. -- February 12, 2015 -- Legendary will bring one of the most popular game series of all-time to the big screen with the live-action feature film, Warcraft. Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. has secured the Master Toy license for the highly-anticipated release, which hits theatres in March of 2016. This comprehensive agreement grants JAKKS the rights to manufacture, distribute and market action figures in all scales, basic and feature plush, playsets, role-play items and Halloween costumes and accessories. Based on Blizzard Entertainment's Warcraft universe, which includes the acclaimed multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft®, the film is directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) and stars Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, and Toby Kebbell.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Announces Godzilla Global Licensing And Merchandising Program As The Highly Anticipated Film Stomps Closer To Theaters

BURBANK, Calif., April 24, 2014 -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) announced today a slate of new partners signed on to support Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' highly anticipated film Godzilla with product inspired by the epic action adventure. Led by master toy partner Bandai America Incorporated, alongside JAKKS Pacific, Inc., Rubie's Costume Co., NECA, Sideshow Collectibles and more, the global licensing and merchandising program for Godzilla will mark the rebirth of Toho's iconic creation with a monstrous array of products fit for fans of all ages. Products will be available at mass and specialty retailers worldwide, with several products also available at www.WBShop.com.

JAKKS Pacific Secures Multi-Category License for Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

MALIBU, Calif. -- April 15, 2014 -- Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc., announced a licensing agreement with Nickelodeon to manufacture, distribute and market a line of specialty figures and toys in the United States based on the network's hit animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The agreement includes JAKKS' Hero Portal™ TV video game platform, the next generation of JAKKS' Plug It In & Play TV Games™ products, large-scale figures and more. JAKKS expects to launch its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles product line in fall 2014 to coincide with the August 8, 2014, release of the feature film from Paramount Pictures.

WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT ROAR INTO LICENSING EXPO 2013 WITH GIGANTIC LICENSING PROGRAM FOR THE THEATRICAL RELEASE OF GODZILLA

Bandai America Incorporated Strikes as Master Toy Partner

Licensing Partners Around the World Clamor to Support Godzilla as Feature Film Storms into Theaters on May 16, 2014

Burbank, Calif., June 18, 2013 -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) has signed a slate of renowned global licensees, led by master toy partner Bandai America Incorporated, to capture the adventurous thrills of Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' highly anticipated film Godzilla. Returning the character to its epic roots, Godzilla stomps into theaters on May 16, 2014, with a star cast including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen and Juliette Binoche, with David Strathairn and Bryan Cranston.

Featuring spectacular creatures, thrilling action, epic battles and a legendary monster, Godzilla provides the backbone for a monstrous merchandise offering for fans of all ages and enables compelling cross-category opportunities across mass and specialty retailers.

(RTM note: for pictures of the toys mentioned below, please check out the galleries over at AwesomeToyBlog.com.)

JAKKS Pacific 2013 Boys and Girls Product Highlights

Boys

Monsuno®

The JAKKS Pacific Monsuno® toy line continues to grow in 2013 with the addition of all-new collectible transforming action figures. The toy line, which brings the excitement of the Monsuno® boys action adventure series to life, will offer all-new fun, easy-to-learn, action-packed game play that is tightly integrated with Season Two of the Animated Series, Monsuno®: Combat Chaos™ which will premiere on Nicktoons this Spring. Also brand new for 2013 will be a dynamic lineup of accessories, battle sets and much more, allowing kids to fully immerse themselves in the world of Monsuno!

August 2012 - JAKKS Pacific has sent along a few images of their S.L.U.G. Zombies figures, which are now in stores. (We are in Colorado and have already spotted them at Target.)

The figures are available as single packs (in blind packs, so you don't know which one you are getting), three-packs, and 12-packs:

S.L.U.G. Zombies®

JAKKS Pacific is delivering collectability and fun like never before with its new lineup of 2" figures called S.L.U.G. ZOMBIES Scary Little Ugly Guys™. Each Zombie features wacky names and stories, such as Neil Armgone, Grave Lincoln and Braineatin' Brandon. Kids and adults will love to collect and play with these unique figures! Choose from single blind packs ($1.99), 3-packs ($3.99) and coffin-shaped 12-packs ($9.99). With over 100 figures to collect this year alone, S.L.U.G. Zombies is a craze that won't die! Ages 5+. S.L.U.G. Zombies are currently available at all major retailers, including Toys R Us, Target and Walgreens.

JAKKS Pacific Announces Acquisition of Maui Toys

JAKKS adds popular Wave Hoop(R), Sky Ball(TM) and other toys to enhance portfolio

MALIBU, Calif., Jul 26, 2012 -- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Ohio-based Maui, Inc. ("Maui"), a manufacturer and distributor of spring and summer activity toys, outdoor sports related toys, impulse toys including the popular Wave Hoop(R) and Sky Ball(TM) products under the Maui Toys brand.

JAKKS Pacific has acquired all of the shares of stock of Maui, a 24-year-old, privately held company, and its Hong Kong based affiliate A.S. Design Limited. The business is comprised of proprietary non-licensed brands that are complementary to JAKKS Pacific's wide-ranging product portfolio.

JAKKS Pacific Named Master Toy Licensee for DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD

Highly-Anticipated New Preschool Series to Launch on PBS KIDS This Fall

MALIBU, Calif. -- June 12, 2012 -- Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. today announced that it has been appointed North American Master Toy Licensee for DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD, an exciting new multi-platform animated series inspired by the enduring legacy of children's television pioneer Fred Rogers. As part of its long-term agreement with The Fred Rogers Company, owner of the property, and Out of the Blue Enterprises, licensing agency for the new show, JAKKS will manufacture, distribute and market a broad range of preschool toys based on DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD.

JAKKS Pacific Brings Magical Slugs to Life with a Licensing Agreement for Nerd Corps' New Boys Action Series, SLUGTERRA

JAKKS' Products Inspired by the Epic Adventure Series Launching Worldwide on Disney XD

MALIBU, Calif. -- June 04, 2012 -- Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. announced today a licensing agreement with Nerd Corps Entertainment, Inc. to manufacture, distribute and market a line of toys based on the animated series, SLUGTERRA. The sci-fi, action-comedy adventure series is set to air on Disney XD in Fall 2012 with 39 half-hour episodes, plus 39 one-minute online Slugisodes.

The new line includes action figures and accessories, vehicles, playsets, role-play, novelties and plush items. JAKKS expects to launch the SLUGTERRA product line in North America beginning Spring 2013, targeting kids six to 11-years-old.