The 2012 Roundup

I don't think I've done this the same way twice, and I'm so damn tired right now my creativity is at a 3, so let's just go with stats...

In Blogspot's internal stats, you can't ask it for yearly numbers, but happily, if you click All Time, more than 5 of 2012's articles made the cut. It was a year of unexpected scoops...some expected hits and some that may surprise you.

#5: Toy Fair 2012: Mattel Monster High - I'd taken the horrors of Monster High over to Dread Central, and Idle Hands, when we first discovered the YouTube animated clips. Since then, you could say the concept has exploded, but our look at Monster High items for 2012 came at the height of a scalper feeding frenzy. With every light shipment of the mega popular dolls came 3 to 4 portly middle aged opportunists who would clear the shelves, assuring a high public demand and with it, COLLECTOR RAGE!! These days, the stores are fully stocked, the fans happily hunt for their favorite high school horrors, and Mattel hopes to get, at the very least, another year of creepy dolly love.

Zach Vs Monsuno

When a company says they want to send me a toy line, I think long and hard if my audience wants to see it, how long it will take to do the shoot and what my absolute deadline for people caring looks like. When the line is super kid friendly...I call Zach. Zach is my 7 yr old nephew. He enjoys Family Guy, Adventure Time, Regular Show, smashing things together, conning folks into playing Mario Cart so he can beat them, the beach and fried Mozzarella Sticks. We are a lot alike.

When I dumped the Monsuno box in Zach's lap..well..let's just say the face in the picture isn't far from the one he made. "CAN I KEEP IT?!" was the first question and it soon became clear he was interested in the total package and perhaps far more impressed with the box than the contents. He is a detail oriented man. I told him first we work...then it is all his. He is used to this as when Uncle Paulie comes around with new toys, there is always a stipulation before we split the booty. In this case, I wanted to see how quickly Zach would pick up the game play, operate the figures, etc. He recognized the cards from his experience with Pokemon and immediately identified the shiny ones as being more special. The cores were another thing all together.

Toy Fair 2012 : JAKKS Pacific : Monsuno

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) debuts the much-anticipated toy line based on the original animated entertainment franchise Monsuno™. The comprehensive toy line features innovative, kid-controlled action figures, accessories, combat sets, collectibles, electronics and integrated role play and brings the larger-than-life adventures of the Monsuno animated series into kids’ hands.
“The strong reception we have received thus far for Monsuno underscores our belief that Monsuno is poised to become an outstanding international boys’ action adventure property,” said Stephen Berman, President and CEO, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. “We are excited to finally introduce our innovative, action-driven Monsuno toys and the animated series to children all over the world.”

Highlights for the Monsuno toy line include:
Unleash the power of your Monsuno monster with the Monsuno Metal Die-Cast Core. These collectible die-cast metal Monsuno cores are based on battling monster creatures from the Monsuno animated TV series. Awesome, extended spin performance at a great price! (SRP $2.99)

Spin into action and transform into battle with the all-new Monsuno Cores and Transforming Action Figures. Collect hundreds of favorite characters from the Monsuno Animated TV Series for amazing transformation reveal and controllable, fast-action battle play. Each 1-pack comes with 1 collectible Monsuno core, 1 transforming action figure and 3 collector game cards. (SRP $7.99)

The Monsuno Core Combat 2-Packs equip you with double the Monsuno action. Increase your collection or ‘Spin-Impact-Battle’ it out with friends! Each 2-pack comes with 2 collectible Monsuno cores, 2 transforming action figures and 6 collector game cards. (SRP $14.99)

Also comes in a 4-pack version - the ultimate gift or collector item! Monsuno Core Combat 4-Packs feature exclusive action figures & cores not available in the 1-Packs of 2-Packs. Each 4-pack comes with 4 collectible Monsuno cores, 4 transforming action figures and 12 Topps collector game cards. (SRP $27.99)

The Monsuno Wild Core brings motorized, electronic chaos to any battle. Be the first to spin your Monsuno Cores (sold separately) into impact with the Wild Core for a powerful payoff! Each Wild Core comes with an exclusive Topps collector game card. (SRP $14.99)

Be Monsuno battle-ready at all times! Take Monsuno Cores, Action Figures & Cards (each sold separately) on-the-go with the high-tech animation-inspired Monsuno Stock Clip. (SRP $7.99)

Maximize your Monsuno power and control with the Monsuno Strike Launcher. Squeeze launcher to release the core (sold separately) with animation-inspired lights and increased spin, speed and accuracy! (SRP $11.99)

Reap ultimate spinning chaos on the battlefield with the Monsuno Auto Strike Multi-Launcher. The Multi-Launcher rapid fires up to 5 cores (sold separately) with launch activated lights. (SRP $24.99)

Launch your Monsuno Cores and action figures (sold separately) into head-to-head battle competition in this high-tech engineered Monsuno Launch Zone Combat Set™. The Launch Zone allows for contained combat as competitors launch, spin and transform their Monsuno action figures into battle! (SRP $11.99)

No table? No hard floor? No problem! The Monsuno Strike Sector Combat Set allows for fast-paced Monsuno battle action anytime, anywhere. Quickly & easily snaps apart and folds up for easy transport. Comes with bonus on-the-go battle bag! (SRP $24.99)

JAKKS Pacific’s Monsuno product line is expected to be available at major retailers nationwide in March 2012. For more information, please visit www.monsuno.com.

The Monsuno animated series will premiere with two back-to-back half-hour episodes on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 8:00 p.m. (ET) on Nicktoons and will air in its regular timeslot on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. In the 52-episode series, the fate of the world lies in the hands of a group of heroic kids who wrestle with the power to command and battle creatures called Monsuno. Monsuno will also air on Nickelodeon channels around the world, starting Summer 2012.

CLICK HERE for more images of JAKKS Monsuno!

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