Bandai America Incorporated, a subsidiary of the third largest toy company in the world, Bandai Co. Ltd, starts the new year with a bang by announcing its most diverse toy line-up to date for the upcoming 2004 American International Toy Fair in New York City. With a complete collection of toys from top-selling brands such as Power Rangers and Strawberry Shortcake; master toy licenses for exciting new television properties like Astro Boy and a movie property, Thunderbirds; and entry into the hot collectible games category, Bandai projects huge success in 2004 in a variety of toy aisles.

"We are thrilled to ring in the New Year with our largest and most diverse line-up of toys ever. Bandai will continue our expansion of product with existing brands, launch new properties and enter new categories," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Bandai America Inc. "Boys and girls of all ages will see a comprehensive line-up from favorites Power Rangers, Strawberry Shortcake, SD and Gundam, the debut of new licensed properties, including the classic character Astro Boy, and our entry into the popular collectible card gaming arena. We even have a few surprises that toy lovers will get to see only at February's Toy Fair."

BOYS CATEGORY

Power Rangers

The Power Rangers' 12th season, Power Rangers DinoThunder, promises to be action-packed, combining the number one boys action figure brand with a perennial favorite theme among boys - dinosaurs. Bandai America will introduce a complete line of toys to support the DinoThunder series - which will debut on ABC Kids on February 14, 2004 - including action figures, Megazords, vehicles, playsets, die-cast, role-play items and trading cards. The line will also include new toys, such as Raptor Cycles and ATV vehicles.

Gundam

Following the success of last year's battle-scarred assortment, Bandai expands the Gundam line to include characters from the new Gundam Seed series, scheduled to air on the Cartoon Network Action Block in April 2004. The new line features deluxe 4.5-inch action figures, 4.5-inch deluxe battle-scarred action figures with dioramas, 7.5-inch action figures, action figures with vehicles, action figure model kits, and a 12-inch Mega Size Gundam.

4.5" Gundam Seed Action Figure - Gundam Astray Blue Frame	Action Figure Model Kit Level 1 - Gundam Astray Red Frame

Astro Boy

Bandai America has been named by Sony Pictures Consumer Products as master toy licensee (worldwide excluding Asia) of the much anticipated Sony Pictures Television anime series Astro Boy, which is set to blast-off on the #1 kid's network, Kids' WB! in early 2004. Astro Boy was created 50 years ago by the legendary artist Osamu Tezuka, widely regarded as the pioneer of anime and the "father of manga" (Japanese comic books). In 1963, Astro Boy became the first Japanese show imported to the United States and one of the country's top-rated syndicated series. Bandai America will produce an extensive line of Astro Boy toys, including action figures, vehicles, role-play items (excluding costumes, masks and accessories) and playsets.

Thunderbirds

Bandai Co., Ltd. signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG) as the master toy licensee for the upcoming theatrical presentation, Thunderbirds. From Universal Pictures and Working Title Films, Thunderbirds is a live-action feature film based on the hit British television series of the 1960s, which followed the perilous exploits of the Tracy family. Thunderbirds, starring Bill Paxton and Sir Ben Kingsley, is slated for release on August 6, 2004. Under the agreement, Bandai America is developing vehicles modeled after the Thunderbirds rescue crafts in the film as well as dynamic playsets. The products are scheduled to hit shelves by June 2004.

Jagun Fighters

Jagun Fighters debuted in August 2003 as a new brand that combines action figures with the elements of a game involving "fate" and "chance," carried out with two players battling one another with game pieces called Power Eye Stones. Bandai America launched the brand with a unique, grassroots campaign including sampling, in-store demos, outreach at anime/gaming conventions, a beta testers program and an interactive gaming environment at www.JagunFighters.com. In 2004, kids can add to their collection with new stones and 3-inch and 6.5-inch action figures, as well as new transforming stone sets with three pieces that can be combined into an exclusive, collectible figure.

Knights of the Zodiac

Originally introduced to Japanese audiences as "Saint Seiya" in a wildly popular TV show and toy line back in 1986, the property has since become an international phenomenon as a top-rated series across Asia, Europe, Central America and South America, and a multi-billion-dollar franchise, with 25 million action figures sold worldwide. The new TV show, entitled Knights of the Zodiac successfully debuted in the United States on August 30, 2003 as the #1 show across all boy demographics on the Cartoon Network's Saturday Action Block. Launching at retail in January 2004, Bandai America will release action figures that are exclusive to the American market. Future assortments will include additional action figures, playsets and role-play items.

Black Andromeda	Black Dragon	Knight of Golden Sagittarius

Superior Defender

Combining action, adventure, humor and spunky pint-sized heroes, Bandai America's new Superior Defender (SD) toy line has proven to be the "next BIG thing in robots." An all-new 3-D animated TV show based on the property, entitled SD Gundam Force, debuted to spectacular ratings September 1, 2003 on the Cartoon Network (#1 with boys aged 6-11). And Bandai America's SD action figures' debut at retail exceeded initial sales expectations, with action figures flying off the store shelves as soon as they are stocked. For 2004, Bandai America's toy line will continue to represent all unique characters from the SD universe, with 1.5-inch and 5-inch articulated action figures, vehicles, playsets and snap-together action figures of various skill levels, in addition to a new mega-size, battery operated action figure.

5" Action Defender Combo Set - Captain Gundam & Gun Vehicle	5" Action Defender Combo Set - Knight Tallgeese & Golden Griffon

About Bandai America

Bandai America Inc. is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the third largest toy company in the world, with 27 subsidiaries in 8 countries worldwide. Global interests include toys and children's entertainment, video game software, multimedia, music, full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies and licensed apparel.

Bandai America Inc. is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the master toy licensee of some of the most popular properties and brands in children's toys and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, Gundam, Strawberry Shortcake, Astro Boy and SD product lines. Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California and company information is available at www.Bandai.com.

Source: http://www.Bandai.com
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