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.

The World's Most Beloved Little Blue Creatures Will Embark on a New Spooky Adventure this Fall...

CULVER CITY, Calif., Aug. 6, 2013 -- The beloved Smurfs are back for some Halloween fun in THE SMURFS: THE LEGEND OF SMURFY HOLLOW™, an all-new animated mini-movie from Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment makes its debut nationwide on DVD on September 10th. This 'Smurf-tacular' adventure features the original voice talent from THE SMURFS 2™, which grossed a smurftastic $80.3 million in theaters worldwide last week, including Alan Cumming (TV's "The Good Wife"), Fred Armisen (TV's "Saturday Night Live"), Anton Yelchin (TV's "Star Trek") as well as Hank Azaria as the voice of Gargamel (TV's "The Simpsons").

August 5, 2013 - McDonald's is on fire this summer with the toys in their Happy Meals. The Spy Gear toys were a huge hit in our house, as were the Despicable Me 2 Minion figures, and now they have gorgeous toys from Smurfs 2.

Our boy is enjoying the Minions as we dole them out to him, and so far his favorite is this Evil Minion with the party noisemaker.

The neat thing about it is that there's a mouthpiece on the back, so when you blow on it, it really does make noise.

So you can imagine his disappointment when he went to McDonald's and got a Smurf figure with a party noisemaker, and... it does not make noise. It is "just" a sculpture. Poor kid. (more after the jump)

The World Gets Blue For Global Smurfs Day

CULVER CITY, Calif., June 22, 2013 -- Today, in honor of Global Smurfs Day, Smurfs fans around the world once again joined together to celebrate the birthday of Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs (born June 25, 1928), with a series of family fun and special events, it was announced today by Marc Weinstock, president, Worldwide Marketing for Sony Pictures Entertainment. The worldwide events were organized by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Pictures Animation in anticipation of the release of The Smurfs™ 2, which will be released in the US on July 31, 2013.

The day was highlighted by a worldwide Smurf Ambassadors initiative, which began in Brussels as Veronique Culliford, Peyo's daughter, appointed Smurf Ambassadors from 28 different countries and dispatched them to Paris, where much of The Smurfs 2 takes place. The ambassadors dressed as Smurfs and then boarded their Smurfs-themed Thalys train for Paris.

The Smurfs™ Encourage Children to Get Outside and Discover the Forest

New PSAs from U.S. Forest Service, the Ad Council and Sony Pictures Continue Efforts to Inspire Families to Reconnect with Nature

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2013 -- In an effort to encourage children to spend more time outdoors and reconnect with nature, the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council are joining Sony Pictures Entertainment to launch a series of public service advertisements (PSAs) featuring characters and footage from Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Animation's upcoming family comedy The Smurfs™ 2. The PSAs are an extension of the U.S. Forest Service and Ad Council's Discover the Forest campaign and will be featured at an event on Saturday, June 22, at The Grove in Los Angeles as part of the studio's "America the Bluetiful" initiative, a nationwide tour where the Smurfs aim to "bluetify" America through a series of environmentally friendly activities.

(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!

February 2012 - JAKKS Pacific

Train World™

All aboard! JAKKS Pacific modernizes a classic play pattern with a new line of realistic, motorized toy trains at an affordable price point, called Train World™. The line of small-scale trains have realistic proportions and detailing, just like the collector versions, but at a budget-friendly price that today's kids can easily collect without paying top dollar collector prices.

Begin building your Train World with the Train World Motorized Train Set which includes a motorized train with one car, caboose and complete train track loop. Kids can select from three different styles of trains: diesel, bullet and metro. (SRP $9.99) The Train World Themed Car Packs includes four cars that connect to any train, world engine, or rail cars. (SRP $7.99)

Kids can build a huge, expanded track layout with the Train World Deluxe Set. This track includes bridges, track switches and a motorized-engine train. (SRP $19.99)