CYPRESS, Calif., Nov. 25, 2003 -- While children everywhere begin scribbling their holiday wish lists in anticipation of gift-giving season, Bandai America Incorporated has been hard at work crafting the most popular must-have toys for the coming holidays. With a wildly successful reintroduction of the beloved Strawberry Shortcake toy line and the continued success of Power Rangers as the number one action figure brand this year, Bandai announced its list of top choices for boys and girls of all ages.
"Bandai has put its emphasis on high quality toys and characters that have stood the test of time," says lifestyle expert Chris Byrne, a.k.a. The Toy Guy(TM). "These are classic toys in the best sense of the word -- familiar to the culture at large, yet totally relevant to, and offering terrific play value for, today's children."
In time for the gift-giving season, Bandai is releasing new products for
the fall, including:
- The Strawberry Shortcake doll and toy line includes a new series of Berry Best Friends, the Berry Happy Home carrying case and interactive doll Berry Talkin' Strawberry Shortcake.
- The popular Power Rangers line features new Ninja Storm toys, including the Hurricane Command Megazord, Mobile Control Center playset and 12-inch Power Ranger with Tsunami Cycle.
- Known for its highly articulated and detailed action figures, Bandai presents the latest Gundam toy line, offering loyal Gundam fans Battle Scarred action figures.
- In addition, new toy lines Superior Defender (SD) and Jagun Fighters include an assortment of action figures with accessories as well as Jagun Fighter Power Eye Stones -- intricately crafted game pieces used in strategic game play.
- For fashion buffs, the B*Stylin' Button Designer lets girls personalize, stylize and customize their own buttons and accessories.
"With Bandai's expansion into new toy categories this year, such as our new activity line B*Stylin' and new boys brands Superior Defender and Jagun Fighters, we truly have something that makes a perfect gift for any girl or boy," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Bandai America Inc.
Bandai's must-have holiday line-up of toys, includes:
Strawberry Shortcake
Almost 20 years after the initial retail phenomenon, the classic girls' property Strawberry Shortcake has been re-introduced in the United States to a whole new generation of girls. Bandai America, the master toy licensee, has already received rave reviews from collectors and fans. To date, according to market information company The NPD Group, Bandai America's Strawberry Shortcake was the number three-ranked brand in the mini doll category based on sales through the first half of the year.
Power Rangers
Bandai America's Power Rangers toy line continues to rank as the top selling property in the action figure category for the first half of the year, according to market information company The NPD Group. With its biggest toy line to date, the newest collection of Power Rangers Ninja Storm toys includes a power-packed array of action figures, zords, playsets, vehicles and role play items, while continuing to enter into new toy categories, such as die cast vehicles and collectible trading cards.
Gundam
The Gundam toy line continues to build on the excitement of the hit Japanese series of the same name. This year's collection of action figure model kits, action figures, vehicles and video games takes Gundam to a new level, with realistic battle-scarring, combat-ready body armor and a variety of unique weaponry that brings the exciting series to life.
Superior Defender ("SD")
Superior Defender is an intergalactic adventure of incredible proportions, featuring a variety of humorous characters and vertically challenged robots from three different worlds. Bandai's line of SD Action Defender Figures includes the Mobile Defenders who transform into moving machines; the Knight Defenders who are superior sorcerers; and the Musha Defenders who are experts in armor.
Jagun Fighters
Beware the power of the eye! Jagun Fighters is a unique action figure brand combined with action figure game play activity that sets opponents against one another as they battle with intricately crafted game pieces called Power Eye Stones.
B*Stylin' Activity Line
Offering a creative twist on traditional activity toys, Bandai's B*Stylin' Activity Line has inspired a revolutionary new category for girls called "Arts and Style." These easy-to-use activities allow girls to express their individuality by letting them customize, personalize, and stylize their own accessories.
Hello Kitty
As well known as any celebrity, Hello Kitty is one of the hottest brands around. Hello Kitty has been a friend to young girls around the world for nearly 30 years. Girls, moms and even grandmas are true Hello Kitty fans. Bandai's top selling Hello Kitty line of miniature dolls, collectibles and accessories continue to be a leader in the mini-dolls category.
About Bandai America Inc.
Bandai America Inc. is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the third largest toy company in the world, 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 celebrating its 25th anniversary as the master toy licensee of some of the most popular properties and brands in children's toys and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, Gundam, Strawberry Shortcake and Hello Kitty product lines. Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California and company information is available at www.bandai.com.
