Hasbro, Inc. To Launch Toy Line in 2016 in North America, Latin
America, Europe, New Zealand and Australia
SANTA MONICA, Calif., TOKYO & PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc. and TV TOKYO Corporation have announced
they have teamed up with leading global play company Hasbro,
Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) to bring the hugely popular multimedia franchise YO-KAI
WATCH to new markets. In 2016, Hasbro will introduce an
innovative toy line for the franchise. The YO-KAI WATCH cross-platform
experience will also include additional broadcasting, video game and
merchandising relationships to be announced later this year.
YO-KAI WATCH Franchise To Expand in New Markets Across Multiple Platforms. Hasbro, Inc. To Launch Toy Line in 2016. (Photo: Business Wire)
YO-KAI WATCH is an original concept created by renowned
Japanese game company LEVEL-5, Inc. and the Nintendo 3DS video games
have sold 6.5 million units in Japan. With an imaginative plot, great
characters, comedy and adventure, YO-KAI WATCH has become
one of the most popular franchises of all time in Japan. The story
centers around a young boy who gets a special watch empowering him to
discover and summon mysterious Yo-kai that help him solve problems in
his daily life usually caused by other trouble-making Yo-kai. The YO-KAI
WATCH animated series, a joint production effort of LEVEL-5,
Inc., Dentsu Inc., and TV TOKYO Corporation, is the top-rated show for
kids 4-12 across all genres on TV TOKYO and has the highest average
household ratings among all regularly scheduled animated programs on the
network.
In addition to the TV series, the YO-KAI WATCH franchise
has enjoyed tremendous success across several product categories since
it began in Japan including selling millions of copies of YO-KAI
WATCH manga and related books and generating hundreds of
millions of U.S. dollars in retail sales of toys and other merchandise,
not including games, music CDs, and publishing.
"The YO-KAI WATCH franchise has been hugely successful and
we are ready to bring the brand to new markets across multiple
platforms," said Mr. Akihiro Hino, President of LEVEL-5, Inc.
"We have seen the massive success of the YO-KAI WATCH
franchise in Japan and are thrilled to be chosen to help expand the
property to new markets," said President of Hasbro Brands John
Frascotti. "We look forward to creating exciting and innovative play
experiences with this amazing property for kids to enjoy around the
world."
Mr. Kiyofumi Kajiwara of Dentsu, Inc. and producer of the YO-KAI
WATCH animated series added, "As leaders in the toy industry,
Hasbro is the perfect choice to introduce innovative toys to new markets
and we look forward to securing other broadcasting, video game and
merchandise relationships as we expand the property globally."
HAS-B
About LEVEL-5, Inc.
LEVEL-5 Inc. plans, creates, and markets videogame software in Japan.
The company's flagship PROFESSOR LAYTON series has shipped over 15.5
million units worldwide, while the mega-hit INAZUMA ELEVEN series has
shipped approximately 7.5 million units worldwide. The Little Battlers
eXperience animated series, based on the hugely successful games of the
same name, will soon make its western debut in Europe and the Americas.
The company released Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch for North
America and Europe, featuring animations by the Academy Award-winning
Studio Ghibli, and music by Joe Hisaishi. In September 2010, LEVEL-5
Inc. opened an office in California. While maintaining its base as a
game company, LEVEL-5 Inc. continues to actively explore collaborations
with other media, as it strives to become a world-class entertainment
brand. More information on LEVEL-5 Inc. can be found at http://www.level5ia.com
and http://www.level5.co.jp.
About Hasbro Inc.
Hasbro (NASDAQ:
HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World's Best Play
Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET
SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH,
TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games,
television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a
comprehensive lifestyle licensing program, Hasbro fulfills the
fundamental need for play and connection for children and families
around the world. The Company's Hasbro Studios creates entertainment
brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film and
more. Through the company's commitment to corporate social
responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a
safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of
millions of children and families every year. Learn more at www.hasbro.com and
follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews).
About Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc.
Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc. was formed in 2010 as a wholly owned
subsidiary of Dentsu Inc. (Tokyo Stock Exchange, Code 4324). Dentsu Inc.
is the world's largest advertising agency brand, and a leading producer
of Japanese animation, with over 40,000 full-time employees and more
than 700 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Dentsu Entertainment USA
develops original animation programming and media content for domestic
and international markets, and manages licensing programs for new and
existing intellectual properties. Current projects include LBX™
(a.k.a. "Little Battlers eXperience"), a highly successful animation,
comic, video game and toy franchise, airing on Nicktoons in the USA, and
in multiple territories globally; and Monsuno®, an innovative toy
line and original animated boys action adventure series airing on
Nicktoons and free-to-air channels in more than 150 countries. Dentsu
Entertainment USA is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA. For more
information, please visit www.DentsuEntertainment.com.
About TV TOKYO Corporation
TV TOKYO Corporation is the broadcasting and production arm of TV TOKYO
Holdings Corporation that holds eighteen entities under its umbrella.
While being an important member of Nikkei Group, TV TOKYO Holdings
Corporation is publicly traded in the first section of Tokyo Stock
Exchange. TV TOKYO Corporation runs TXN Network, a general entertainment
network known to be the most prolific outlet for youth programming among
all FTA networks and the only one with regular timeslots dedicated to
animated series seven days a week. TV TOKYO has been responsible for the
world premiere of many world class hit series that includes LBX:
Little Battlers eXperience, INAZUMA ELEVEN, NARUTO, YU-GI-OH!,
POKÉMON and BEYBLADE. It also offers a
global distribution service in all rights including licensing and
merchandising.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150213005068/en/
Hasbro Global Communications
Nicole Agnello, 401-727-5947
Nicole.agnello@hasbro.com
Source: Hasbro, Inc.
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