Bandai America Helps Kids Relive Their Favorite Heroes' Adventures With New Power Rangers Mystic Force Toys

(CYPRESS, CA – September 18, 2006) – To keep up with growing consumer demand, Bandai America Incorporated unveils its new fall lineup of Power Rangers Mystic Force toys this month. The colossal assortment of mystical action figures, vehicles, and Megazords – along with the largest role-play lineup to date – continues to spark children’s imaginations as they engage in the triumph of good over evil as their favorite Power Rangers hero. By tapping into hot play trends without forgoing the property’s core values of honesty, loyalty, teamwork, and more, Bandai America’s toy line reigns once again as one of the top boys’ action brands – a feat it has done for the last 13 years.

For the first time in Power Rangers history, four varieties of 5” action figures will be available, including the Mystic Sound figures which speak multiple phrases, and Mystic Morph figures with three rotating faces. The 5” MorphMax Battlized figures are the first “interchangeable” figures in the lineup. With 8 separate connector joints for mixing and matching various accessories, kids can customize cool figures from the show or their imagination. The line extension is rounded out with the popular Megazords, Voice-Activated Mystic Lion Staff, Dragon Rootcore Command Center, Mystic Force Cycles, Mystic Force Trackers, Dragon Mobiles, Mystic Morphers and even more role-play toys.

“Mystic Force has continued the tradition of the Power Rangers’ evergreen brand popularity by topping the sales chart yet again,” said Matt Golding, director of marketing. “As one of the most successful boys’ properties of the past 13 years, the Power Rangers toy line is extremely impressive when you consider the competition in the category.”

In the latest iteration of the Power Rangers’ story, five brave young Sorcerers are called forth to take up the challenge and fight for the survival of the planet. Under the guidance of their wise mentor and the ancient Xenotome, the Book of the Unknown, these five teens will embark on mystical adventures, befriend magical dragons and battle dangerous beasts. The series airs 57 times per week on Toon Disney’s Jetix action/adventure block and every Saturday morning on the ABC Television Network.

Power Rangers Mystic Force products can be found at all major retailers nationwide. This fall’s key items include:

• 5” Action Figures, the most popular product category, offers a total of four assortments for the first time – each with different features.
• Vehicles, from the three different styles of the Mystic Force Cycles to the all-terrain Mystic Force Trackers and Mystic Force Dragon Mobiles, vehicles remain key to the lineup.
• Megazords, the new Solar Streak Megazord, made up of six train cars, can be combined to form a Megazord or a train. Available as a retail exclusive, the Manticore Megazord features battery-operated movement, sword-spinning action and easy transformation with push of a button.
• Playset, the deluxe Dragon Rootcore Command Center, which has two modes – Dragon Tower and Train – and totally awesome features such as missile firing, cycle launcher, zip line, ejector seat, trap jaw, and more.
• Role-Play, featuring an expanded lineup that includes the new Mystic Morphers, which lets kids become their favorite Power Rangers hero. Also, the 2’ tall Voice-Activated Mystic Lion Staff features a lion and phoenix motif taken directly from the show and offers two cool play modes: Wand and Blaster Mode. In Blaster Mode, the staff transforms into a weapon with a voice-activated soft foam disk shooter.

Bandai America is also giving kids new ways to experience the excitement of the Power Rangers at “GetPowerized.com,” the official online destination of the toy line. Recently added to the website is a Family Activity Page with fun, do-it-yourself projects for parents and their children. The first entry will be Construct & Create Your Own Megazord using commonly found items in the home. Since January 2006, over 600,000 visitors have logged onto the site, making it the top online destination for kids to interact with the brand.

In addition, fans of all ages can soon meet the Power Rangers in person as the Mystic Force team makes exclusive appearances throughout the U.S. this fall. During the Get Powerized Tour, kids can play Power Rangers-themed activities, watch videos of recent episodes, and get a picture with their favorite heroes. Information and a schedule events will be available on GetPowerized.com and Bandai.com.

About Power Rangers
Over the past thirteen years, the Power Rangers have been on Earth, in space, on the moon, under water, traveling through time, in the jungle and anywhere evil lurks. They’ve battled Rita Repulsa, Divatox, Master Org, Dark Spector, Toxica, Jindrax and many more evil-doers – villains who have been shrunk to miniatures, tossed in jail, reduced to ooze or banished. Over time, the brand has maintained its themes of teamwork, honesty, loyalty, courage, family, friends and above all, the victory of good over evil. With a far greater reach than any other kids’ TV franchise, Power Rangers is currently seen in 25 timeslots each week, mornings and evenings during the Jetix action/adventure block on ABC Family and Toon Disney, and on the ABC Television Network every Saturday morning. The brand has established its ubiquity by introducing such words as “Zord,” “Megazord” and “Morpher” into the modern lexicon.

About Bandai America Incorporated
A leader in introducing Japanese toy trends to the United States, Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc., a newly formed joint entity that resulted from the integration of Namco Ltd. and Bandai Co. Ltd. of Japan. Global interests now encompass five strategic business units: toys and hobby (toys, models, apparel and sundries), amusement facilities, game content (home and arcade console gaming), mobile content, and visual and music content (including home entertainment). Bandai America is the manufacturer and master toy licensee of some of the most popular brands in children’s toys and entertainment today, including Power Rangers, Tamagotchi and Ben 10. The company is headquartered in Cypress, California and information is available at www.Bandai.com.

PRODUCT LINE

Fall 2006

According to legend, five brave young Sorcerers will be called forth to fight for the survival of the planet. Under the guidance of their wise mentor and the ancient Xenotome, the Book of the Unknown, five teens will embark on magical adventures, befriend mystical dragons, battle dangerous beasts and come face to face with evil when they become Power Rangers Mystic Force. For more than 13 years, Power Rangers has remained one of the top boys’ toyb brands in the U.S. as a result of its ability to reinvent itself year after year with dynamic themes that resonate with fans. In Fall 2006, Bandai America is introducing two new waves of its popular 5” action figures, for a total of four assortments for the year – a first for the brand! Additional products include Megazords, vehicles, a deluxe playset and role-play toys in all new packaging.

5” MYSTIC SOUND POWER RANGERS – Continuing their long-standing popularity with fans, the third assortment of 5” action figures in 2006 are here to “Get Powerized,” this time with a cool sound feature! The Mystic Sound Red, Green and Yellow figures speak multiple phrases as heard on the show by pressing a button on the Ranger’s belt buckle, and come with awesome glow-in-the-dark weapon and accessories. The Mystic Sound Power Rangers also come in Blue and Pink (sound feature only). $6.99 4+ August

New for Fall! An exciting fourth assortment of the 5” figures comes in the Fall re-fresh: the Mystic Morph Power Rangers. In Red Dragon, Green Dragon and Solaris Knight, these totally original figures have an awesome head morphin’ action feature activated by a button on the Ranger’s belt buckle. Press the button and see the character’s face change three times! These figures also come with glow-in-the-dark weapons and accessories. $6.99 4+ September

The 5” Megazord Action Figures are always ready for action! The new Solar Streak and Manticore Megazord, part of the Fall re-fresh, are designed after the Megazords seen on the second half of the show. Both figures are equipped with glow-in-the-dark weapons and accessories .$6.99 4+ August/September

5” MYSTIC FORCE LEGENDARY BATTLIZED FIGURES – New for Fall! These are the first “interchangeable” action figures in the Power Rangers toy line! The MorphMax Battlized Power Rangers come with 8 separate joints and more than 5 cool accessories that can be mixed and matched to create cool figures from the show – or from your child’s imagination. They come in Red, Green and Yellow, and Red Dragon Fire and Solaris Knight for the Fall re-fresh. $8.99 4+ August/ September

6.5” MYSTIC FORCE MORPHIN FIGURES – Ready to defend the earth from evil space aliens, the 6.5” Legendary Locomotive, Phoenix and Lion Power Rangers can morph into figures inspired by the second half of the series, and have cool transparent parts. The Legendary Locomotive Power Ranger is available in Red and Solaris Knight. For the Fall re-fresh, the Legendary Phoenix will be available in Red and Solaris Knight, and will be joined by the Legendary Lion in Green and Red. $10.99 4+ August

MYSTIC FORCE MEGA TALKING FIGURES – These large-scale 11” Power Rangers – in new Red Legend, Red Dragon Fire and Solaris Knight – speak two exciting phrases from the show and come with their own weapons for battling evil space aliens. Comes with an exclusive collectible Power Rangers poster! $14.99 4+ August

MEGAZORDS

MYSTIC FORCE MEGAZORDS – These awesome Megazords offer endless play value for Power Rangers fans. The Titan Megazord, continuing from the Spring line, morphs into 3 modes. In Titan Mode, each of the 5 Power Rangers are super Zords that combine to form the 11” Megazord, which once constructed, can also be morphed into a dragon. The Steedergon Fury Megazord, also from the Spring, comes with 2 Zords and can morph into three modes – Megazord, Centaurus and Battle mode. Brand new for Fall is the Solar Streak Megazord, which figures into the second half of the series. Solar Streak comes with 6 separate train cars – one has lights and sounds – that can be combined to form a Megazord or configured into a train. Comes with an exclusive collectible Power Rangers poster! $39.99 4+ August

PLAYSET

MYSTIC FORCE PLAYSET – New for Fall! The Dragon Rootcore Command Center comes with an exclusive 5” Dragon Fire Ranger figure and has two cool play modes – Dragon Tower and Train mode – that include awesome features like missile firing, cycle launcher, zip line and more. Attach your Power Rangers Mystic Force Speeders (not included) to the special launcher to watch them race away from the tower to fight evil. Tower mode also includes built-in defense mechanisms such as the Dragon’s trap jaw and ejector seat. In train mode, your 5” figures and two-wheel cycles can be stored in the compartment to take them to their next important mission. $39.99 4+ August

VEHICLES

MYSTIC FORCE CYCLES – The Mystic Force Cycles now come in three styles taken directly from the show, which add to their great collectibility. The Action Dragon with Red Ranger and Solaris Knight (Fall refresh version) come with the figure affixed to its back, as well as various missile and weapon accessories. Press a button on the Ranger’s back to activate weapon swinging action. The Lion Speeder with Green Ranger; Red Ranger and Solaris Knight (Fall re-fresh versions); and the Phoenix Racer with Yellow Ranger are designed after the lion and phoenix motifs on the second half of the series. All feature an articulated 5” Power Ranger figure and various missile and weapon accessories. Mix and match the missile pieces from the cycles for more play possibilities. All come with an exclusive DVD of one episode from the show! $10.99 4+ August/September

MYSTIC FORCE TRACKERS – These mystic looking ATVs come with an articulated 5” figure. The Mystic Tracker (with Red Ranger), Solar Tracker (Solaris Knight), and the Magic Tracker (Green Ranger) from the Fall re-fresh all have a special light-up feature. A push of a button causes the Ranger icon on the top of each vehicle to glow, alerting all that the Power Rangers are on the way. Also for the Fall re-fresh are the Fury Solar Tracker and the Dragon Tracker, both with a Dragon Force Power Ranger figure. All of the vehicles have alien-defeating missiles that can be launched from the front or back. $12.99 4+ August/September

MYSTIC FORCE DRAGON MOBILES – These dragon-inspired vehicles – the Mystic Dragon Mobile, which comes with a 5” Red Ranger, and the Mobile Lion Warrior, which comes with a 5” Dragon Fire Ranger – are equipped with special lights. The included figures can ride inside or on the back of the vehicle. A push of a button activates the missile firing action. Comes with an exclusive collectible Power Rangers poster! $19.99 4+ August

ROLE-PLAY

MYSTIC MORPHERS – These electronic role-play toys let kids morph into their favorite Power Rangers hero. The Mystic Morpher and Mystic Morpher (Fury Edition) offer two modes – Cell Phone and Wand Mode. The cool keypad feature activates lights and sounds as seen on the show, with special key combinations unlocking even bigger sounds. For the Fall re-fresh, the Solar Cell and Fierce Dragon Morpher also have a keypad with lights and sounds, as well as a removable attachment that can be added to the top of the toy for more role-play fun. $9.99 4+ August/September

MYSTIC FORCE WEAPONS – These electronic roleplay toys offer the new Fierce Dragon Battle Staff, and the Solaris Knight Battle Staff for the Fall re-fresh, with their special lights and sounds that enable kids to fight evil as their favorite Power Ranger hero. Both have three pieces: two staffs and a grip. The first staff includes an extending sword and the second features button-activated lights and sounds. The grip can be combined with the second staff to create a cool role-play toy with missile firing sounds and lights. Comes with an exclusive collectible Power Rangers poster! $14.99 4+ August/September

VOICE-ACTIVATED MYSTIC LION STAFF – New for Fall! This is the ultimate Power Rangers role-play toy of all time! The 2’ tall Mystic Lion Staff, featuring a lion and phoenix motif from the show, offers 2 cool play modes: Wand and Blaster Mode. In wand mode, kids can activate the battle lights and sounds with the press of a button. Two extending arms can also be deployed from the staff’s body. In blaster mode, the staff is transformed into a weapon with fun lights and sounds, as well as a cool voice activated soft foam disk shooter. Now, kids can play out all the adventures as their favorite Mystic Force Power Ranger! $29.99 4+ August

BANDAI CREATION ROLE-PLAY MYSTIC FORCE ACADEMY TRAINING SET –Role-play is taken to a whole new level with this toy – the only to offer a Power Rangers mask, as well as a cape, Morpher, Magi Staff and other accessories. It allows kids to morph into their favorite Power Rangers hero or an awesome Megazord. The set is available in Red Ranger, Solaris Knight and Titan Megazord $14.99 4+ August

MYSTIC FORCE ELECTRONIC HAND GEAR – This special hand gear comes with a set of gloves just like the Power Rangers wear, along with a Morpher with cool action sounds. Available as Solaris Knight and Red Legend Ranger. $9.99 4+ August

MYSTIC FORCE SOFT ATTACK SWORDS – This cool role-play toy allows kids to have safe fun as their favorite Power Rangers hero. The Mystic Force Soft Attack Sword comes in Red Ranger, Knight Wolf, Mystic Lion and Mystic Manticore. $9.99 4+ August

OTHER BANDAI CREATION

MYSTIC FORCE CYCLE BLASTERS – A push of a lever on the blaster base launches the cycle with lightning speed. These powerful blasters come in Red Dragon, Green Dragon and Solaris Dragon Fire Cycle, and include a small Power Ranger figure. $4.99 4+ August

MYSTIC FORCE R/C CYCLES – The Solaris Knight R/C Cycle morphs from Ranger to civilian mode simply by going forward or in reverse. The cycle can also store missiles and launch them at evil space aliens by using the remote control. The Legendary Lion R/C Cycle lights up in the back and can turn in all four directions. The cycle even morphs just by pushing a button on the controller. $19.99 4+ August

MYSTIC FORCE 3.5” ADVENTURE SETS – This fun set includes a variety of 3.5” Power Rangers and evil space alien figures, as well as numerous accessories for playing out the battle of good over evil on a much smaller scale. $19.99 4+ August

EXCLUSIVES

5.5” SPECIAL EDITION RED RANGER FIGURES– New for Fall! These retail exclusive figures feature the Red Ranger from Mystic Force and 5 of the most popular TV seasons from the past, including Mighty Morphin (’93-’95), Zeo (’96), Turbo (’97), In Space (’98) and Lost Galaxy (’99). Each highly detailed figure comes with a weapon accessory, as well as a display stand for posing the limited edition figure. Perfect for young kids and the adult collector who grew up as a Power Rangers fan. $9.99 4+ September

MANTICORE MEGAZORD – New for Fall! This retail exclusive toy figures into the second half of the series. Complete with awesome features including battery-operated movement and sword-spinning action the Manticore Megazord forms when you push the button on the Lion Zord and it races towards the Phoenix Zord. Watch the two combine and vertically transform into an evil space alien fighting force. Reconfigure the tail of the Phoenix Zord into the Megazord’s sword, and watch the cool spinning action. Comes with a play mat for perfect morphing everytime! $49.99 4+ August