Nelvana Enterprises and d-rights, Inc. are proud to announce production on three brand new series of BEYBLADE that will not only introduce new fans to the series, but take the story in an exciting new direction. Beginning this fall,BEYBLADE: Shogun Steel will launch with 26 x half-hour episodes. BeyRaiderz Shogun(working title) with 13 x half hours will launch in spring 2014 and BeyWarriors Cyborg (working title) will follow in fall 2014 with 26 x half-hour episodes and two one-hour specials.
A new set of characters and a very different and treacherous Beyblade universe set the scene for the new BEYBLADE series. Taking place seven years after the events depicted in the previous Metal Saga series, BEYBLADE: Shogun Steel finds the WBBA rebuilding the Beyblade world by introducing a new Bey system, as well as training the next generation of Bladers. Gargantuan Spirit Warrior battles will be reflected in an exhilarating and innovative new direction for the brand in both the series and the upcoming new toy line from Hasbro, which will introduce new play patterns including figural battling.
“Shogun Steel begins the most unique and fantastical vision of the BEYBLADE universe we have seen yet and continues to offer an exciting world of interaction between the TV series, toys and games,” said Colin Bohm, Managing Director, Nelvana. “The series’ fresh new storylines will reignite interest from current BEYBLADE fans as well as invite new fans of the franchise.”
Along with BEYBLADE’s continuing new series, new licensing partners are lining up to sign deals that tie-in with the brand including Paris Geneve in Canada (boys sleepwear, underwear and T-shirts), Mad Dog Concepts in the US (sleepwear and socks), Eugene Textiles in the US and Canada (craft kits and fleece throws) and Black & White Shoes, which renewed its license for footwear in Canada and will be expanding into the U.S. Other licensees include Ferrero (chocolate eggs) and Fipotex (apparel and accessories) both in Europe and Unilever (Signal) in Germany (tooth brushes and tooth paste).
BEYBLADE is a modern spinning top toy system based on the traditional Japanese battling tops called “bei-goma”, and an extremely popular manga series of the same name. Since the triumphant re-launch of the TV series and toy line in 2009, BEYBLADE has established an astronomical following and active fan base and has sold 165 million toys worldwide. The top-rated animated TV series is seen in over 80 countries, including Canada (YTV), U.S (Cartoon Network), U.K (NickToons), France (Gulli), Germany (Nickelodeon) and Latin America (Disney XD).
