GB eye expands its partnership with The Pokemon Company for new product ranges across Europe

Prints, posters, and giftware specialist, GB Eye has inked a new deal with the Pokemon Company International to expand its licensed gifting offering in the build up to Christmas with new products across mugs, framed prints, posters, gifts, and a soon-to-launch eco-range.

The move capitalises on key consumer trends and interest as the newly tailored product range serves the company’s growing European retail network for Q4 and into 2021.

Leading the charge is the hotly anticipated Pikachu Gift Box which according to the firm has already seen ‘huge pre-orders placed by numerous retailers’ in order to meet the current consumer demand for the Electric-type Pokemon.

Also attracting large retailer orders, says GB Eye, is the Eevee Gift Box. Both Gift Boxes come with their own exclusive pint glasses, exclusive full colour mug designs, two coasters and a unique collectable box, ‘which is sure to be snapped up swiftly by fans across the region.’

Ben Woodman, commercial manager at GB eye Ltd. said: “The demand we are seeing from retailers for our Q4 ranges is unprecedented considering the difficulties the industry has experienced this year and is a true testament to the quality of the product range that our design team have been able to produce to meet the insatiable consumer demand for Pokémon products. The outlook for 2021 is even more exciting with further activity planned for this hugely popular brand.”

Waxwork Records brings Universal Monsters portfolio to the toys and collectables market

The US underground and pop culture company Waxwork Records has made its first foray into the toys and collectables market with the launch of Spinatures that kicks off with a partnership with Universal and the studio’s classic horror portfolio.

Aimed at the adult collector market, the new Spinatures launch is a collection of highly detailed turntable-spinner mini busts featuring iconic characters from pop culture, horror movies, and more. Each Spinature is fitted with a hole in their base to easily attach to the spindle of a turntable. They will then spin along with their collector’s favourite vinyl records.

Waxwork Records has grown a cult following of fans from its base on New Orleans, where the record label has made a name for itself specialising in the release of classic cinema, horror, cult, and sci-fi film scores in high quality LP packages. Waxwork revisits the original source master tapes for each release, often times original masters that were thought to have been lost or destroyed for decades.

As such, the firm is a specialist in the cult and underground collectors’ scene, one that it is now tapping into further with the launch of Spinature. The toy and collectables venture will work closely with various studios, rights holders, and family estates to bring officially approved new releases to the line-up.

Spinature is kicking off its venture with its Universal Horror Line developed in partnership with Universal Studios and its Universal Monster portfolio. The first in the line is Frankenstein, designed and produced by Waxwork and featuring the iconic monster from the landmark 1931 horror film. The partnership brings the likeness of actor Boris Karloff to the collectables scene.

More official Universal Monster Spinatures are scheduled to launch this autumn and throughout the Christmas season, including The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, The Phantom of the Opera, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Wolfman, and The Invisible Man.

Check out the trailer video below:

A new anime Godzilla series is landing on Netflix in 2021

Godzilla is stomping its way back onto Netflix next year with the launch of a new original anime series titles Godzilla Singular Point. The series is currently in development by the studio bones, the name behind My Hero Academia, and Orange, the popular Japanese animation studio.

Developed under a licensing agreement with Toho, known worldwide for its Godzilla films and manager of the licensing rights to the Godzilla brand, the new anime series will premiere in 2021 with a new cast and original story. It lands following the success of Godzilla anime films, Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters, Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle and Godzilla: The Planet Eater and taps into the growing global appeal of the anime entertainment scene.

Anime studio bones, in partnership with studio Orange, (Beastars, Land of the Lustrous) will produce the series combining hand-drawn and CG animation styles.

In addition to director Atsushi Takahashi, the creative team includes Kan Sawada, composer for countless Doraemon films and series such as Yowamushi Pedal, Japanese science-fiction novelistToh Enjoe making his TV debut as editor and writer for the series, Kazue Kato creator of Blue Exorcist and the hit comic currently serialized in Jump Square will serve as the character designer, and animator Eiji Yamamori from Studio Ghibli films including Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and The Wind Rises will do the Kaiju design.

A new anime Godzilla series is landing on Netflix in 2021

Godzilla is stomping its way back onto Netflix next year with the launch of a new original anime series titles Godzilla Singular Point. The series is currently in development by the studio bones, the name behind My Hero Academia, and Orange, the popular Japanese animation studio.

Developed under a licensing agreement with Toho, known worldwide for its Godzilla films and manager of the licensing rights to the Godzilla brand, the new anime series will premiere in 2021 with a new cast and original story. It lands following the success of Godzilla anime films, Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters, Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle and Godzilla: The Planet Eater and taps into the growing global appeal of the anime entertainment scene.

Anime studio bones, in partnership with studio Orange, (Beastars, Land of the Lustrous) will produce the series combining hand-drawn and CG animation styles.

In addition to director Atsushi Takahashi, the creative team includes Kan Sawada, composer for countless Doraemon films and series such as Yowamushi Pedal, Japanese science-fiction novelistToh Enjoe making his TV debut as editor and writer for the series, Kazue Kato creator of Blue Exorcist and the hit comic currently serialized in Jump Square will serve as the character designer, and animator Eiji Yamamori from Studio Ghibli films including Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and The Wind Rises will do the Kaiju design.

Asmodee Entertainment brings board game art work to life in Artovision partnership

Asmodee Entertainment has signed a new licensing partnership with Artovision to bring to life several of its tabletop gaming properties through Artovision’s innovative multi-dimensional art collectables. Under the deal, Artovision will develop pieces inspired by the artwork of Catan, Arkham Horror, Twilight Imperium, KeyForge, and Legend of the Five Rings.

Each property is known for their use of high quality illustrations throughout the game. The move is the latest in Asmodee’s ongoing assault on the pop culture licensing space as the board game giant continues to mine its IP portfolio for partnerships in the wider consumer products and entertainment space.

The development is reflective of the growing popularity of the tabletop gaming scene with many of the Asmodee titles going mainstream or finding new audiences throughout the lockdown period.

The partnership with Artovision will see boardgame artwork now produced as shadowbox and desktop artwork, bringing some of the brand’s most iconic pieces of art to life with a three-dimensional depth. Artovision’s shadowbox artwork combines four layers of full-colour art, each printed on optical grade cast acrylic and assembled within a durable frame.

“It is absolutely fantastic to see what Artovision is doing with iconic art pieces from the  worlds of pop culture. Bringing them to a multi-dimensional medium brings out details  and perspectives in a fantastic new way. I can’t wait to see the fans react to some of the  designs that the guys at Artovision are preparing at the moment,” said Alexander  Thieme, licensing manager at Asmodee Entertainment. 

Stuart Sandler, CEO of Artovision, added: “To work with such an immersive artwork portfolio  is truly amazing for us. Through our friends at Asmodee Entertainment, we are currently  working with the renowned Catan Studio and Fantasy Flight Games studios, creators of  the game franchises, to bring all of our experience in the medium to bear and create  some multi-dimensional art pieces to truly delight the fans.”

Klaus Teuber’s Catan is recognised as a highly visual and engaging game, known for the compelling art style of its box covers, board and other game components. Developed by Asmodee’s  Catan Studio, the modern classic celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2020/21 and enjoys a  great and growing audience all over the globe. 

Meanwhile, Twilight Imperium is a genre-defining strategy game set against the backdrop of a  sweeping, epic space opera with awe-inspiring, epic art to match. The cyber-noir setting  of Android sees mega corporations battling for dominance in an AI-enhanced future and  is, like Twilight Imperium, KeyForge and Legend of the Five Rings, a product of Asmodee’s  renowned Fantasy Flight Games studio.

KeyForge is the world’s first Unique Deck Game,  known for its deep, immersive melting-pot universe where anything is possible, with stunning card art central to its appeal.

The world of Rokugan, home to Legend of the Five  Rings, offers an epic fantasy vista and provides the backdrop for a range of beloved tabletop games.

The chosen properties stand out as some of the most beautifully  illustrated brands to be found anywhere in world, traits which make them a perfect fit  for Artovision’s innovate, ultra high-quality shadowbox and desktop artworks.  

The first products of this collaboration are due to launch in fall 2020. 

Asmodee Entertainment brings board game art work to life in Artovision partnership

Asmodee Entertainment has signed a new licensing partnership with Artovision to bring to life several of its tabletop gaming properties through Artovision’s innovative multi-dimensional art collectables. Under the deal, Artovision will develop pieces inspired by the artwork of Catan, Arkham Horror, Twilight Imperium, KeyForge, and Legend of the Five Rings.

Each property is known for their use of high quality illustrations throughout the game. The move is the latest in Asmodee’s ongoing assault on the pop culture licensing space as the board game giant continues to mine its IP portfolio for partnerships in the wider consumer products and entertainment space.

The development is reflective of the growing popularity of the tabletop gaming scene with many of the Asmodee titles going mainstream or finding new audiences throughout the lockdown period.

The partnership with Artovision will see boardgame artwork now produced as shadowbox and desktop artwork, bringing some of the brand’s most iconic pieces of art to life with a three-dimensional depth. Artovision’s shadowbox artwork combines four layers of full-colour art, each printed on optical grade cast acrylic and assembled within a durable frame.

“It is absolutely fantastic to see what Artovision is doing with iconic art pieces from the  worlds of pop culture. Bringing them to a multi-dimensional medium brings out details  and perspectives in a fantastic new way. I can’t wait to see the fans react to some of the  designs that the guys at Artovision are preparing at the moment,” said Alexander  Thieme, licensing manager at Asmodee Entertainment. 

Stuart Sandler, CEO of Artovision, added: “To work with such an immersive artwork portfolio  is truly amazing for us. Through our friends at Asmodee Entertainment, we are currently  working with the renowned Catan Studio and Fantasy Flight Games studios, creators of  the game franchises, to bring all of our experience in the medium to bear and create  some multi-dimensional art pieces to truly delight the fans.”

Klaus Teuber’s Catan is recognised as a highly visual and engaging game, known for the compelling art style of its box covers, board and other game components. Developed by Asmodee’s  Catan Studio, the modern classic celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2020/21 and enjoys a  great and growing audience all over the globe. 

Meanwhile, Twilight Imperium is a genre-defining strategy game set against the backdrop of a  sweeping, epic space opera with awe-inspiring, epic art to match. The cyber-noir setting  of Android sees mega corporations battling for dominance in an AI-enhanced future and  is, like Twilight Imperium, KeyForge and Legend of the Five Rings, a product of Asmodee’s  renowned Fantasy Flight Games studio.

KeyForge is the world’s first Unique Deck Game,  known for its deep, immersive melting-pot universe where anything is possible, with stunning card art central to its appeal.

The world of Rokugan, home to Legend of the Five  Rings, offers an epic fantasy vista and provides the backdrop for a range of beloved tabletop games.

The chosen properties stand out as some of the most beautifully  illustrated brands to be found anywhere in world, traits which make them a perfect fit  for Artovision’s innovate, ultra high-quality shadowbox and desktop artworks.  

The first products of this collaboration are due to launch in fall 2020. 

Creative Licensing brings Terminator 2: Judgement Day to high street fashion with French designer Etudes

Creative Licensing Corporation is bring the dystopian worlds of Terminator 2: Judgement Day and the French film La Planete Sauvage to the fashion aisles through a new partnership with the French fashion designer, Etudes.

Under the partnership, the fashion label will launch a men’s collection featuring designs inspired by Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The Autumn/Winter 2020-21 collection made its debut during Paris Fashion Week in January this year, and was lauded by the New York Times and Paris Vogue.

The collection will now be seen in stores worldwide, including in the UK’s Selfridges, from this autumn, bringing the classic movie and the pop culture following it has garnered over the years to the high street fashion space.

The collection also includes designs inspired by the French film, La Planete Sauvage. Together, the two films share a dystopian view of the world which Etudes has interpreted into menswear that includes heatmap prints, slick leather trenches with shades of grey and silver coated outerwear.

The range has been described as ‘robotic and psychedelic’ and follows Etudes own memory bank to deliver a ‘transcontinental discourse on 20th century science fiction and its intentions for nature and technology,’ according to Aurelien Arbet, creative director, Etudes.

“We are delighted to see this inspired take on the world famous T2. It confirms the timeless beauty of the film and its elements,” said Kim Penny, EVP, Creative Licensing.

The EtudesT2 Collection can be found here:  https://www.etudes-studio.com/collections/etudes-x-terminator-2

Terminator 2 is owned by STUDIOCANAL. Creative Licensing represents STUDIOCANAL and T2 for merchandise licensing. 

And the West will follow: Life and licensing for Crunchyroll at the forefront of the anime explosion

Leading the charge of an estimated $20bn anime market is a rather pretty place to be sitting at the best of times, but with this value only expected to grow as the popularity of the Japanese art form continues to sweep across audiences to the West, it’s undoubtedly a large grin that spreads across the faces at Crunchyroll right now.

With the largest community of fans – that’s more than 70 million registered users – and 3 million paying subscribers on the books, Crunchyroll is well and truly at the forefront of the anime and manga popularity explosion. Not only does it boast the world’s largest collection of anime, including more than 1,000 titles and 30,000 episodes, but it is engineering further growth across the market with development in the distribution, events, and licensed games channels, too.

John Leonhardt, head of consumer products at Crunchyroll

The plan, according to John Leonhardt, head of consumer products at Crunchyroll, as he speaks exclusively with Licensing.biz, is now to “elevate anime into an extraordinary lifestyle,” and doing so by licensing it in to theatrical, TV, consumer products, and video game markets – jumping on the opportunity that has seen the pop culture genre become an international sensation over recent years.

“Anime continues to grow in popularity all over the world,” Leonhardt tells Licensing.biz. “We see anime’s evolution from an exclusively Japanese category to a worldwide sensation as one of the most fascinating case studies in modern branding history, and a testament to the power of anime’s ability to tell rich, captivating stories.”

It’s certainly helped the genre’s cause that the last decade has seen the geek culture shake off its stigma to become fully embraced by the mainstream today. Among its globally-spanning audience, high profile names including John Boyega, Michael B Jordan, Megan Thee Stallion and even the wrestler Xavier Woods have outed themselves as celebrity fans of the medium. 

And yet, there is still room for anime to grow.

“We recognise that adult dramatic animation is still in its infancy here in the West,” continues Leonhardt. “Anime is so much more than one genre – it’s a storytelling medium that crosses many genres, including sci-fi, sports, thriller, adventure, action, romance, and more.”

Having been recognised as ‘the world’s best home for anime’ for over ten years now, Crunchyroll recently crossed a major milestone when it landed its 70 millionth registered user and three millionth subscriber; a demonstration, it says, that “the growth of anime shows no signs of slowing down.”

Part of WarnerMedia and having acquired Viz Media Group only last year, Crunchyroll has not only expanded its suite of brands and capabilities in a very short time, but has also become a world leader of the anime medium, with roots embedded in markets across the globe. That’s not bad for a company that started out life as a content sharing platform based in San Francisco some 14 years ago.

In the coming year, Crunchyroll is expecting to see its diverse slate of anime series, as well as its continued collaboration with the European arm, Crunchyroll SAS, to drive significant growth for the overarching company. In Europe alone, Crunchyroll SAS has plans to deliver merchandising programmes for key IP in library, including My Hero Academia and Captain Tsubasa, focusing on publishing, apparel, figures, toys, stationery, back to school, accessories, homeware, and health and beauty.

“Crunchyroll SAS will also tap into the broader EMEA network of partners across live events, gaming and more to enhance a fast-growing licensing plan and a strong retail presence supported by marketing activations across Europe,” says Leonhardt.

2020 may have served up its fair share of challenges for all to handle, but Crunchyroll has remained resolute in its mission to deliver anime to the global community, even when it meant transforming its Crunchyroll Expo into the first-ever Virtual event. On top of that, the firm has secured distribution partnerships with Cartoon Network in LATAM and TNT Comedy in Germany, while Crunchyroll Games has made its library of anime-inspired games available to the international audience.

“We put our fans first,” continues Leonhardt. “Being everything for someone and making sure we deliver the best of anime to them is what makes us successful.

“The licensing business is being driven by product and experiences, the pandemic has seriously disrupted some of the planned strategies for 2020/2021, leaving licensing and retail businesses particularly exposed.

“This disruption pushes us and our partners to explore a number of new creative options to enable the same experiences online or virtually. This change was actually predictable and already going on, but let’s say that the world situation we’re all facing today has accelerated the process of finding ways to keep our community in.”

It’s that community, that 70 million worldwide, Leonhardt understands, is what is at the heart of the anime boom right now. A fervent collective of fans, all of whom are looking for means to express their fandom. This is what Crunchyroll is servicing today.

“In addition to a deep library of titles, Crunchyroll has a passionate global community that love to wear their fandom as a badge of honour,” says Leonhardt. 

“Between the new content coming to the platform, Crunchyroll’s increasingly global presence in the anime industry overall, and Crunchyroll’s continued commitment to building out 360-experiences for the anime community with consumer products, live and virtual events, games, and more, the future looks bright for the year ahead,” he concludes.

Sony Pictures details globe-spanning licensees for The Boys ahead of second season premiere

Sony Pictures Consumer Products has detailed a globe-spanning consumer products roster inspired by the popular Amazon Prime Video series, The Boys, ahead of the show’s second season premiere this week. Included in the roster is a selection of apparel, accessories, collectable toys, costumes, novelty and home goods.

The initial wave of products is being sold on its home platform on the Vought International themed storefront on Amazon. Select products are now available on Amazon with additional products being released throughout the year and in 2021.

On top of this, Amazon X-Ray is offering a one-of-a-kind, interactive shopping experience for fans by giving them the opportunity to purchase products they see during the second season and on the new weekly after-show “Prime Rewind: Inside the Boys.”  Using web, mobile or Fire TV, fans will be able to spot exclusive t-shirts and plush that they can take home for themselves.

“The Boys has an unconventional yet captivating story line around superheroes that you can’t find anywhere else, and we are extremely proud of the success the show has received so far. With season two coming up and season three greenlit already, we’ve been working fast and furiously to bring fans around the world products they can use to express their true fandom,” said Jamie Stevens, EVP, worldwide consumer products, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“We are thrilled by the support and seamless collaboration of all our licensees to help deliver products across various categories and allow fans to support the show in many ways. With the unique in-viewing shopping experience that Amazon is offering, we are sure that the opportunity presents even more meaningful purchases for fans.”

Funko kicks off the licensee line-up, alongside Jazwares who is developing a line of plush based directly on product seen in the series. Mad Engine has launched a collection of apparel and accessories on to Hot Topic, Spencer’s and FYE, while Ripple Junction apparel is themed on Vought International, The Seven, and The Boys. The line includes men’s and women’s t-shirts, baseball t-shirts, sweatshirts, pullover hoodies and tank tops.

Meanwhile, Spirit Halloween will feature adult costumes themed to Starlight, Homelander, and The Deep, while Universal Publishing has launched a 2021 wall calendar on Amazon.

Additional licensees for 2020 include: Culturefly accessories and Just Funky drinkware, home and novelty goods and Trends International posters. NECA is also releasing highly-detailed, fully poseable, 7” Homelander and Starlight action figures that come in premium packaging; the leading collectibles maker is working on a special product for consumers as well around the fan-favorite character Laser Baby from the first season of The Boys.

The excitement continues in 2021 with licensee Good Smile’s vinyl action figures.

Sony Pictures Consumer Products is also going beyond the US with a slew of international licensee collaborations, including: Cotton Division apparel, accessories and home goods across France, EMP Merchandising with apparel, accessories, bags and footwear across Europe, Good Speed, Inc with apparel, accessories, and novelty in Japan.

These are joined by Grupo Erik Editores with a range of posters, prints, calendars, and novelty in Andora, France, Portugal, and Spain, Pyramid Posters in Europe and the Middle East, and Ripple Junction with apparel in Germany and the UK. Finally, Sprd.Net AG has launched a range of apparel and bags in Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.

Sony Pictures CP details Cobra Kai product line-up as the series heads to Netflix this month

Sony Pictures Consumer Products has detailed a comprehensive line-up of products and partners for the two-time Emmy nominated series Cobra Kai, just as the show prepared to enter a new dojo on August 28 when the first two seasons land on Netflix.

Spanning gaming, apparel, accessories, collectable toys, publishing, costumes, home goods, and more, select products are now available in the US, with additional products being released throughout the year and into 2021. The range will be found across major retailers including Amazon, Box Lunch, FYE, GameStop, Hot Topic, Spencer’s, and Walmart.

“We are super excited to bring the first two seasons of Cobra Kai to Netflix’s massive, global audience, with a third season on its way in 2021. We are taking the show beyond the screen and into the hands of consumers through a variety of merchandise offerings, and we are honored to have such a fantastic roster of licensees to help make that happen,” said Jamie Stevens, EVP, Worldwide Consumer Products, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“With even more help from our showrunners themselves who make sure we are staying true to the DNA of Cobra Kai, we’re confident that fans everywhere will be proud to show ‘no mercy’ for their fandom by sporting these epic show-themed products.”

This year, Cobra Kai is getting the gaming treatment with a new mobile game published by Boss Team Games coming this autumn, along with a new console game from Gamemill called Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues, which launches October 27.

Bioworld has apparel including sleepwear, headwear, hoisery and accessories available now, while Contenders Clothing has launched its boxer briefs, hats, shirts, sweatshirts, and tanks. Funko’s action figures, phone accessories, backpacks, keychains, belts and buckles and hats are out now, as is the first in the comic book series from IDW Publishing.

NECA has launched a line of collectables, Party City has a Johnny Lawrence adult costume, and Spirit Halloween has a variety of adult costumes themed Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. Surreal Entertainment has water bottles, stickers, duffle bags, wrist and headbands, while Teespring has apparel and accessories.

The Araca Group has the official Cobra Kai store featuring apparel, home decor, and accessories, while Trends International has a line of posters to collect.

Sony Pictures Consumer Products is also taking Cobra Kai beyond the US with the following international licensee collaborations: Caprice apparel (Australia, New Zealand) and Ecell Global phone and tablet accessories (France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK).