Bandai America Incorporated is bringing “Fun for the Future” to American International Toy Fair 2011, unveiling innovative new toys that will inspire creative play with pop culture powerhouse toy licenses and unique new brands, featuring industry-leading technology and trend-setting play patterns. From the iconic, action-packed new Power Rangers Samurai and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien licensed boy brands, to the inventive, patent-pending voice-powered Skreemsters vehicles, to the edgy rock-and-roll style of the new Tatumi girls activity line, Bandai America’s 2011 line-up is poised to pique the imaginations of kids of all ages.
In addition to exciting new lines for the celebrated, award-winning Power Rangers and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien franchises, Toy Fair 2011 will also mark the debut of the never-before-seen ThunderCats toy line. Bandai is also introducing engaging new products to the charming Pocoyo preschool line, complementing the equally entertaining and award winning series airing on Nick Jr., PBS and Univision. The SwiggleTraks track and motorized vehicle sets will let preschoolers laugh and learn with Pocoyo and his colorful band of animal friends. Rounding out the line-up for girls, Good Housekeeping “2010 Best Toy Award” winning Fashion Design by Harumika is back, with new ways to mix and match fresh, fun fashions and accessories in 2011 with the Fashion Design by Harumika Component System, value priced at $5.99 each.
“Bandai America’s diverse 2011 brand portfolio is bringing new innovation and highly anticipated licensed brands to the market, delivering hours of fun for children,” said Mark Schaffner, Executive Vice President of Toys for Bandai America Incorporated. “The engaging play patterns offered by our 2011 line-up encourage kids to learn, laugh and imagine, all at a tremendous value that parents will appreciate.”
Toy Fair 2011 product highlights include:
Action-Packed Adventure for Boys
Power Rangers Samurai:
Entering its 19th year in the U.S., the iconic Power Rangers franchise is helmed by Haim Saban who created and produced the original “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” series in 1993. Together, Bandai America Incorporated and Saban Brands are introducing the newest line-up of Power Rangers toys to complement the new “Power Rangers Samurai” TV series currently airing on Nickelodeon, in which a new generation of Power Rangers must master the ancient Samurai Symbols of Power for control over the elements of Fire, Water, Sky, Forest and Earth. Highlights in the Power Rangers Samurai toy line are:
§ 4" Figure (6.99 SRP/ Fall 2011): Each articulated Ranger has a Samurai style with ancient powers making these figures the heroes who protect the Earth. The Rangers include the Samurai Spin Sword and special unique weapon making the Rangers ready to battle! Crafted with great detail and quality, kids and collectors can play or display their favorite figure in their own environment to recreate scenes from the TV show.
§ Deluxe Megazord ($29.99 SRP): The iconic Megazord returns with a sleek new Samurai look for 2011, a must-have for kids and collectors alike. Morph the individual Zords into Megazord mode or collect and combine the Cycles or Zord Vehicles to create an ultimate Megazord. Morph the ClawZord into battle Megazord form or into the Samurai ClawZord.
§ 6.5” Morphin Figure ($10.99 SRP): Get ready for action in a snap with Power Rangers Samurai 6.5” Morphin Figures. Switch Morphin Rangers morph from their secret civilian identities to their heroic Ranger mode with the flick of a button. Sword Morphin Rangers use the same technology to swipe their swords and keep evil villains at bay.
§ Deluxe Role Play ($24.99 SRP): Kids can suit up for battle alongside their favorite Ranger with the deluxe Samurai sword. With the pull of a trigger, the sword extends from compact carrying mode to over 2 feet in length and activates multiple battle sounds to let kids reenact their favorite Ranger battles.
Thundercats:Bandai America Incorporated has launched the iconic ThunderCats toy line back into action. Inspired by the upcoming new animated television series, the Bandai America toys fuse sci-fi and sorcery to reignite the thrill of the classic 1980s series, with a new look that will have kids and fans shouting “ThunderCats, Ho!” The reimagined ThunderCats series from Warner Bros. Animation marks a creative collaboration with Studio4°C – one of the most vibrant animation studios in Japan – and is set to air in 2011. The never-before-seen toy line is making its debut at Toy Fair 2011:
§ 4” Figure ($7.99 SRP): Crafted with great detail and quality, collectors and kids can play with or display their favorite ThunderCats heroes and villains in their own environment and recreate scenes from the animated television series. Each 4” figure comes with a weapon and/or accessory that is unique to each character and includes an exclusive embedded magnet activation system that allows the figure to interact with, and activate unique features in, multiple ThunderCats products, including the Deluxe ThunderTank.
§ Deluxe ThunderTank with 4” Figure ($29.99 SRP): Storm into battle with the Deluxe ThunderTank and 4” Snarf Figure. Kids’ favorite ThunderCats figure can ride inside and unlock special ThunderTank features, including “ThunderCats, Ho!” sound effects, with the embedded magnet technology. For serious action, launch ThunderBikes from the ThunderTank with the push of a button.
§ 8" Classic Collector Action Figures ($16.99 SRP) Due out Fall 2011: Based on the classic 1980's animated Thundercats cartoon series! Each figure includes 18 points of articulation and comes with the character's iconic weapons.
§ Deluxe Sword of Omens ($19.99 SRP): Wield the power of Lion-O and become a ThunderCat with the mystic Sword of Omens! With an extendable blade, lights and sounds, kids can let their imaginations roar with Lion-O, on his destined path to become king.
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien:
Inspired by Cartoon Network’s top-rated, Emmy Award®-winning television franchise, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Bandai America has created the most exciting line of new products for fall 2011. These products capture the thrill and adventure of the popular TV program, letting kids experience “Hero Time” with out-of-this-world alien adventure fun. Marking its sixth year in retail, Ben 10 consistently ranks as one of the top ten action figure brands, according to The NPD Group. Three new items to highlight in this already stellar line up are:
§ Plumber Tech Kit ($29.99 SRP): Prepare for an out-of-this-world battle with one of the most advanced pieces of alien tech yet! Kids can convert the high-tech case into five different toys, each with unique play patterns: Deluxe Blaster, Mini Blaster, Super Decoder, X-Ray Scanner and Multi Scope. Sound, lights and voices delivered through the universal “Power Core” transform playtime into Ultimate Alien time.
§ Ultimate Chest Badge ($19.99 SRP): Kids can have all their favorite alien voices at their command with this badge, inspired by the one worn on all Ben’s aliens. Turn the dial and push on the badge to hear 14 alien voices, seven from Ben 10: Alien Force and seven from Ben 10: Ultimate Alien. There’s more to experience, too, with intergalactic sounds and light.
§ Ultimate Ultimatrix ($24.99 SRP): The latest Ultimatrix is the most advanced yet! The unique, highly detailed design and translucent materials let the wearer see the Ultimatrix’s inner circuitry and workings. Wearers can also search for the secret signature left by its creator – Azmuth. The Ultimate Ultimatrix’s greatest features are its lights and sounds that are choreographed to inspire imaginative play and to provide the Ultimate Ben 10 experience.
Creative and Stylish Play for Girls
Tatumi: (<~ click for images!) Tatumi, a new and exciting activity line, allows tweens to tap into their creativity and design trendy styles for their fashionable lifestyles by applying temporary tattoos to virtually anything! This line of dolls and lifestyle activity packs combines the popularity of hip Japanese “Harajuku Style” and popular edgy fashion with a rock and roll twist – and brings it right to a girl’s fingertips: § Tatumi Girls Collectable Figurines ($8.99 SRP): Each 4.5” Tatumi Girl vinyl figure comes with a set of 50+ decorative tattoos ranging in theme from Rock Diva to Sporty Girl, along with a figure base and applicator, so girls can design and decorate their own unique styles. § Tatumi Pets Collectable Figurine ($8.99 SRP): Tatumi Pets are 4” collectable vinyl figurines that allow girls to customize their figurine with their own personal style by applying temporary tattoos. Tatumi Pets come with their own customizable bed. Contents include: One (1) 4” Tatumi Pet Figurine, One (1) bed, One (1) applicator and more than 50+ temporary tattoos. § Tatumi Pack ($5.99 SRP): Continue to show off your personal style with refill packs with new themes. Contents include over 100+ temporary tattoos, One (1) applicator and Two (2) interchangeable sponges. § Large Light Up Applicator Pack ($9.99 SRP): Show off your personal style by creating your own look with Tatumi Tattoos with a light up applicator that doubles as a timer to let girls know when the tattoos are ready! § Tatumi Accessory Kits ($12.99 SRP): Girls can customize necklaces, bracelets, hand warmers and more to rock and roll their own style alongside their Tatumi Girl with this kit of multiple fabric pieces to tattoo-up with 50+ temporary tattoos. § Tatumi Fashion Bag Kit ($19.99 SRP): Carry around the hottest Fashion Bag, decorated by you! Apply temporary tattoos to customize your bag! Contents include One (1) bag, Over 50+ temporary tattoos, One (1) applicator.
Fashion Design by Harumika: (<~ click for images!) New for 2011, the Fashion Design by Harumika Component System allows even the youngest of fashionistas to take control of their designs by mixing and matching unique fabric combinations and fun fashion accessories, no sewing, cutting or gluing involved, each at an affordable $5.99: § Fashion Design by Harumika Dress Forms ($5.99 SRP): Available in an array of colors (pink, blue, purple, light blue, white, black and silver), each Dress Form allows for easy fashion designing using the patent-pending Style Lock System™ and includes a stylus tool to secure fabric, plus dress form base and pole so girls can show off their styles like designer pros. Each Set includes 1 dress form, 1 stylus tool, 1 base and 1 pole. § Fashion Design by Harumika Fabric Packs ($5.99 SRP): New combinations of sold-separately fabric packs allow for endless designing options. Each Set includes 1 regular fabric swatch, 1 formal-length fabric swatch and 2 accent trims. § Fashion Design by Harumika Corsets, Purses and Puppies: ($5.99 SRP each; sold separately): Every girl knows no look is complete without the proper accessories! Girls can glam-up their stylish dress creations with Corset, Purse and Puppy accessories, each using the patent-pending Style Lock System. Each two-piece Corset comes in different configurations to let girls pleat and tuck fabrics for more intricate styles. With four silhouettes to choose from, girls can style Purses to match their dress creations, too. Each Purse comes with two fabric swatches and a mini stylus tool. Girls can also customize four different types of Puppies to match their trendy dress creations. Each Puppy comes with two fabric swatches and a bone-shaped stylus tool.
Learning and Laughing for Preschoolers
Pocoyo:Following the adventures of an inquisitive, fun-loving preschooler, Pocoyo makes learning fun in this hit CGI series. Pocoyo and his animal friends, Elly, Pato and Loula, star in the show and engage audiences with music, dance and humor, encouraging children to learn through laughter. Now inspiring American audiences on Nick Jr., PBS and Univision, Bandai’s toys capture the vibrant and exuberant world of Pocoyo and his animal friends:
§ SwiggleTraks ($26.99 SRP): A colorful, flexible race track gives preschoolers a creative way to play by allowing them to create a course that is uniquely their own. Music and a moving bridge add excitement as Pocoyo travels the track in his motorized musical car.
§ SwiggleWheels ($14.99 SRP): Preschoolers can find continuous fun with the SwiggleWheels motorized vehicle and never-ending circular track. Set assortments come with either Pocoyo, Elly or Pato, and each set includes two 16” SwiggleTraks and a collectable motorized vehicle with music. SwiggleWheels can be used with the sold-separately SwiggleTraks set.
Skreemsters:“Go Skreemsters Goooooooo!” Introducing Skreemsters, an innovative new vehicle line that uses patent-pending voice-activated technology to power each vehicle:
§ Rally Racers ($12.99 SRP): Kids get the ultimate power of control using their voices to power Skreemsters Rally Racers vehicles up to 50 feet! With four colorful vehicle styles to choose from, including race cars and police cars, kids will have a roaring good time with this new way to play.
§ Power Rumble Track Set ($49.99 SRP): Rev up Skreemsters Rally Racers on the Power Rumble Track Set! The vehicle and track set uses Skreemsters’ patent-pending voice-activated technology to send vehicles racing along the track or execute stunt jumps with speed. Each set includes two unique cars, track links, “Skreem-O-Reader” and jump accessories.
Remote Control Fun with Hobby (<~ click for images!)
Hover Strike HC:§ Hover Strike HC ($79.99 SRP): The Hover Strike HC remote control gliding vehicle is a new and exciting vehicle that has the ability to hover between 1.5” and 5” above the ground. Over water, grass and snow, this water-resistant, floatable toy can reach speeds of up to 30 mph and maneuver left, right and in reverse. Each Hover Strike HC comes with a rechargeable battery and remote control with a range of up to 225 feet.
§ CyClaws ($79.99 SRP/Spring 2011): 1:12 Scale Remote Control Vehicle with transforming wheels! Features wheels that transform to claws. Perfect for outdoor play. Vehicle performs and does tricks such as flips, wheelies and spin out action. Wheels have transforming action that can be activated manually or by remote control. Futuristic body style. When it flips over, the undercarriage has an image of a robot. Rechargeable Nickel Hydrogen 9.6V Battery included. Transmitter with 9V battery also included
§ Knight Flight Batman ($44.99 SRP – Spring 2011): Knight Flight Batman flies in 4 directions: Up, down, forward and sideways. Includes 1 decal sheet to customize and personalize figure. Can fly up to a distance of 30 feet. It is appropriate for both indoor and outdoor play. Light weight and durable. Comes with 2 frequency controllers. Requires 6 AA batteries (not included)
§ Power Rangers Infrared Air Attack Megazord ($44.99 SRP/Spring 2011): Power Rangers Infrared Air Attack Megazord flies in 4 directions: up, down, forward and sideways. Includes 1 decal sheet to customize and personalize figure. It can fly up to a distance of 30 feet. It is appropriate for both indoor and outdoor play. Light weight and durable. Twin propeller system with two additional tail propellers. Comes with 2 frequency controllers. Requires 6 AA batteries (not included).
§ X-Crawlee ($179.99 SRP/Spring/Fall 2011): 1:12 Scale Remote Control Pick-up truck includes four independent performing wheels allowing individual wheel traction for great climbing ability and play pattern. Rechargeable Nickel Hydrogen 9.6V Battery and charger included. Transmitter with 9V battery included
I've been going to SDCC for 10 years now, and despite what you might think, it still doesn't take much to grab my attention. Seriously I'm like a baby with jingling keys. Among it all, though, I have the most respect for innovation and effort. You've got a signing...a hands on video game kiosk...free temporary tattoos...that is all fine and good and part of what makes this convention amazingly fun....but if you had a giant Mega Bloks Power Rangers MEGA Mural people could add blocks too....well then you'd be thinking outside the box! Here's a run down of MEGA's show activities...
Shout! Factory makes its mark at San Diego Comic-Con International 2012 with a dynamic line-up, featuring an exclusive panel event, a showcase of upcoming home entertainment juggernauts, Comic-Con exclusive items, daily prize sweepstakes, collectible giveaways, surprise star appearances, and interactive fan activities at the Shout! Factory booth (#3849 on the main convention floor). Fan favorite stars scheduled to attend at this time include: Tom Kenny (Marvel’s The Super Hero Squad Show, Rocko’s Modern Life, SpongeBob SquarePants), Sumalee Montano (TRANSFORMERS PRIME, ER), Josh Keaton (TRANSFORMERS PRIME, GreenLantern: The Animated Series), Tania Gunadi (TRANSFORMERS PRIME, Aaron Stone), Paul Schrier (Power Rangers), among other notables.
Every year, geeks from across the globe gather at a windy, seaside convention hall in San Diego, California. While there, they wear costumes, wave at famous people, get abused by the waitresses at Dick's Last Resort, watch movies before anyone else and most importantly...THEY BUY TOYS!!! Idle Hands presents our omniscient, undulating, squid like, indestructible San Diego Comic-Con Exclusives List of Dooom. Enjoy!
Bandai America Incorporated is bringing “Fun for the Future” to American International Toy Fair 2011, unveiling innovative new toys that will inspire creative play with pop culture powerhouse toy licenses and unique new brands, featuring industry-leading technology and trend-setting play patterns. From the iconic, action-packed new Power Rangers Samurai and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien licensed boy brands, to the inventive, patent-pending voice-powered Skreemsters vehicles, to the edgy rock-and-roll style of the new Tatumi girls activity line, Bandai America’s 2011 line-up is poised to pique the imaginations of kids of all ages.
Power Rangers Samurai:
Entering its 19th year in the U.S., the iconic Power Rangers franchise is helmed by Haim Saban who created and produced the original “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” series in 1993. Together, Bandai America Incorporated and Saban Brands are introducing the newest line-up of Power Rangers toys to complement the new “Power Rangers Samurai” TV series currently airing on Nickelodeon, in which a new generation of Power Rangers must master the ancient Samurai Symbols of Power for control over the elements of Fire, Water, Sky, Forest and Earth. Highlights in the Power Rangers Samurai toy line are:
Thundercats:
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien:
Inspired by Cartoon Network’s top-rated, Emmy Award®-winning television franchise, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Bandai America has created the most exciting line of new products for fall 2011. These products capture the thrill and adventure of the popular TV program, letting kids experience “Hero Time” with out-of-this-world alien adventure fun. Marking its sixth year in retail, Ben 10 consistently ranks as one of the top ten action figure brands, according to The NPD Group. Three new items to highlight in this already stellar line up are:
We've just gotten word that Power Rangers have returned to Saban, the guys that started it all. The deal puts 700 episodes of Morphin badassedness back in the hands of Saban and drops 20 new episodes on Nicktoons. Toy rights will remain with Bandai who have some awesome plans for the line. Here's the announcement...
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