Reimagined Franchise Includes New Cartoon
Network Anime Series, Innovative Toy Line and Organized
Tournaments
TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Spin Master
Ltd. (TSX: TOY; www.spinmaster.com) is reigniting the brawling
excitement of "BAKUGAN", the global phenomenon that captured kids
imaginations a decade ago, with the launch of a newly-evolved anime
series, innovative toy line, card game and mobile app. Building on
the brand's rich heritage and fan-base, the long-awaited relaunch
promises to be one of the largest and most dynamic legacy
franchises across the globe.
The anime adventure series, "BAKUGAN Battle Planet",
launches in North America on
Cartoon Network on Sunday, December 23,
2018 and combines the essence of Japanese-anime with
progressive computer-generated animation for a powerful viewing
experience for kids. Each episode follows a boy named Dan and his
group of friends as they forge relationships with mysterious alien
creatures known as BAKUGAN. The series will also be available in
early 2019 in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin
America, Australia and
New Zealand, and on Teletoon
in Canada.
"The original BAKUGAN captured the hearts and minds or millions
of children around the world," said Ronnen Harary, Co-Founder,
Chairman and Co-CEO of Spin Master. "We've reimagined the entire
franchise, carefully maintaining the essence of what enchanted kids
ten years ago, with modern entertainment, new toy technology and
heightened strategic play," said Ronnen Harary, Co-Founder,
Chairman and Co-CEO of Spin Master. "As a company that pushes the
boundaries of innovation, we've designed the expanded BAKUGAN line
with exciting features that will inspire an entirely new generation
of children to watch, collect and battle."
Fans can immerse in the world of BAKUGAN with extended content,
sneak peeks and 90-second character webisodes, which introduce each
BAKUGAN and their abilities, available online at BAKUGAN.com and on
YouTube. Spin Master will further extend the BAKUGAN experience
with the launch a new integrated toy line and trading card game in
January 2019 at major
retailers. Appealing to a wide range of skill levels, the
game brings revolutionary card play for a heightened battling
experience. From enhanced technology that transforms each of the
marble-like balls into multiple collectible characters when rolled
over a magnetic card, to lifelike details on each of the 100
characters, brawlers can bring the BAKUGAN characters they see on
screen to life.
- BAKUGAN challenges players to become the ultimate
BAKUGAN Master. Brawlers can face off against friends with their
BAKUGAN by rolling it across the metal BAKUCores and seeing it
transform with pop-open Baku-Action. Brawlers can add new BAKUGAN
to their army and storm the Battle Arena to victory. Players can
add over 100 BAKUGAN from Season One to their collection to build a
Bakugan team to battle with friends.
- BAKUGAN Ultra give you the power to make the fierce
BAKUGAN creatures perform even more epic transformations. By
rolling them across the metal BAKUCores, these deluxe BAKUGAN will
leap into battle and pick up a BAKUCore revealing its hidden
power.
- BAKUGAN Starter Pack 3-Pack includes two epic
BAKUGAN, one mighty BAKUGAN Ultra, six powerful BAKUCores,
collectible character cards and ability cards - everything you need
to get the battle started.
For the first time ever, BAKUGAN is available as a mobile app on
iTunes and Google Play. The app allows fans to learn, battle and
track their collection in the ultimate BAKUGAN fan hub through
several interactive features. Fans can refine their skills and
BAKUGAN knowledge through tutorial videos, the latest news and
information about the TV series, characters and webisodes and a
mobile mini game where fans can battle, win and unlock more
BAKUGAN.
Brawlers will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
participate in a real-life "BAKUGAN Brawl" through organized play
tournaments later in 2019. All skill levels are invited to learn
the dynamics of BAKUGAN brawling, participate in onsite tournaments
against competitors, and earn the right to battle the Ultimate
BakuMaster.
2019 Organized Play Tournament Schedule:
- March 14 – 17, 2019: Emerald City
ComiCon in Seattle,
Washington
- May 23 – 26, 2019: MomoCon in
Atlanta, Georgia
- July 3 – 7, 2019: Anime Expo in
Los Angeles, California
For more information please visit BAKUGAN.com.
Twitter: @Bakugan
Instagram: @bakugan_official
Facebook: BakuganOfficial
ABOUT SPIN MASTER
Spin Master (TSX:TOY;
www.spinmaster.com) is a leading global children's entertainment
company that creates, designs, manufactures, licenses and markets a
diversified portfolio of innovative toys, games, products and
entertainment properties. Spin Master is best known for
award-winning brands including Zoomer®, Bakugan®, Erector® by
Meccano®, Hatchimals®, Air Hogs® and PAW Patrol®. Since 2000, Spin
Master has received 103 TIA Toy of The Year (TOTY) nominations with
28 wins across a variety of product categories, including 13 TOTY
nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year. To date, Spin Master
has produced nine television series, including 2007 success Bakugan
Battle Brawlers and current hit PAW Patrol, which is broadcast in
over 160 countries and territories globally. Spin Master has 28
offices and employs over 1,700 people globally in Canada, United
States, Mexico,
France, Italy, United
Kingdom, Russia,
Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Sweden, the
Netherlands, China,
Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.
ABOUT CARTOON NETWORK
Cartoon Network is Turner's
global entertainment brand and the # 1 animation network in the
U.S., offering the best in original content for kids and families
with such hits as, Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls,
Steven Universe, We Bare Bears and The Amazing
World of Gumball. Seen in 192 countries and over 400
million homes, Cartoon Network is known for being a leader in
innovation with its approach to engaging and inspiring kids at the
intersection of creativity and technology. Its pro-social
initiative, Stop Bullying: Speak Up is an
acknowledged and often used resource for kids and adults looking
for tools that can assist in dealing with the ongoing issue of
bullying.
Turner, a WarnerMedia company, is a global entertainment, sports
and news company that creates premium content and delivers
exceptional experiences to fans whenever and wherever they consume
content. These efforts are fueled by data-driven insights and
industry-leading technology. Turner owns and operates some of the
most valuable brands in the world, including Adult Swim, Bleacher
Report, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, ELEAGUE, FilmStruck, Great
Big Story, HLN, iStreamPlanet, Super Deluxe, TBS, Turner Classic
Movies (TCM), TNT, truTV and Turner Sports.
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SOURCE Spin Master