Bandai America Offers the Hottest Toy Trends for Kids of All Ages

(NEW YORK, NY '“ February 13, 2006) '“ With a legacy that boasts the introduction of some of the hottest Japanese toy trends to the United States like Power Rangers and Tamagotchi, Bandai America Incorporated is set to unveil one of its strongest brand offerings at the 2006 American International Toy Fair in New York City.

Also known for transforming popular children's TV shows into top-selling toy brands, Bandai America is introducing innovative and fun products for kids of all ages in the boys', girls', tech and preschool categories. The lineup includes the dynamic 14th season of Power Rangers, ongoing favorite Teen Titans, and new property Ben 10, which features products unlike anything seen in the boys' action figure aisle today.

In the girls' category, the world's first 'œvirtual pet' debuts Tamagotchi Connection Version 3, featuring a new interactive online play pattern, while Magical DoReMi offers lots of role-play and dolls. And the Firehouse Tales brand has Bandai America expanding into the burgeoning preschool aisle for the first time, as the product category continues to grow and lead all industry sales.

"As competition across all age segments has increased, Bandai America has begun to explore new categories and play patterns, including preschool, tech, bath toys, girls' role-play and more," said Michael Riley, vice president of marketing. "At Toy Fair 2006, we're excited to launch our innovative brand offerings that's sure to inspire the play and imagination of kids of all ages."  

BOYS' CATEGORY

The perennial powerhouse Power Rangers continues its reign as one of the top boys' action brands with a dynamic new theme that resonates with kids. As Power Rangers Mystic Force, magic, knights and dragons are combined into a massive lineup of action figures, vehicles, Megazords, playsets, R/C and role-play toys. For more than thirteen years, boys have been tuning in at home and at retail, demonstrating their love of playing out the adventure as their favorite Power Rangers hero. In 2006, fans will be able to meet the Rangers in person as they make numerous appearances throughout the country. Bandai is also launching its GetPowerized.com Web site, where kids can engage in themed activities as well as view an exciting web movie that takes them through a confrontation of good vs. evil featuring actual products from the Spring Mystic Force toy line. The site will soon have information on a unique promotion where kids of all ages can submit their own creative videos of what they think happens next in the movie.

Fresh new packaging and products are the topping on the pizza that is Teen Titans. Each season that the TV series has aired has led to tremendous ratings. So, boys, girls and adult collectors alike will flip over this popular superhero brand's new 1.5' miniatures that also offer a unique game component, collectible 3.5' figures, deluxe 5'-6' action figures with various accessories, regular and deluxe vehicles that can be combined together, and role-play items. But the product that will really make fans says 'BOOYAH' is the Titans' Battle Communicator LCD game, which interacts with 30+ specially packed cards that come in every single toy.

Bandai embarks on a new adventure with an unlikely hero named Ben Tennyson, an average 10-year old who has the uncanny ability to transform into 10 aliens all with different powers. But even though he can morph into these unconventional superheroes '“ due to a strange device called the 'œOmnitrix' that has permanently fused with his DNA structure '“ he never loses his normal 10-year old personality. And that just spells trouble! Based on the popular new Cartoon Network series that debuted January 14th (ranks #1 in its time period on basic cable for delivery with boys 6-11 and 9-14), Ben 10 offers one of the most innovative toy lines to hit the boys' category and includes one-of-a-kind figures with an oozing DNA slime feature, figures that transform into working spy gear, and role-play toys that allow kids to reenact all the cool transformation action that they see on the show.

GIRLS' CATEGORY

The world's first and most popular 'œvirtual pet' tech toy now offers a new interactive online play pattern at TamaTown.com. Tamagotchi Connection Version 3 offers three dynamic ways to play: nurture your pet on its own, explore the magical world of TamaTown online, and 'œconnect' your Tamagotchi with the site '“ through an exchange of unique passwords '“ and engage in lots of fun activities like shopping, world travel and even meeting the parents of your virtual pet, all while collecting exclusive treats and gifts on your little egg. Tamagotchi Connection was recently named a 'Girl Toy of the Year' finalist in the prestigious Toy Industry Association's 2006 T.O.T.Y. Awards.

Young girls who love magic, music and role-playing are set to fall in love with Magical DoReMi, which is based on one of the most popular toy lines and entertainment properties to ever come from Japan. The TV series follows the adventures of three everyday 3rd graders who use music, friendship and a little ingenuity to become witch apprentices or 'witchlings.' Armed with their own musical wands and colorful spell drops, kids can bring the fun into their own homes with a lineup that includes collectible miniatures, fashion and interactive dolls, and role-play toys '“ a new and burgeoning product category in the girls' aisle.

PRESCHOOL CATEGORY

Leveraging its distinct heritage in the industry, Bandai is set to grow its overall brand portfolio with an exciting expansion into the preschool aisle. Based on the Cartoon Network series, Firehouse Tales, the new line is inspired by the adventures of three comedic junior fire trucks '“ and their charming vehicle-based friends '“ who wish to become big-time firefighters. Featuring products that resonate with kids 2-5 years old and how they engage in play, Bandai is producing vehicles, playsets and role-play, as well as construction and bath toys, which are two additional categories that the company is moving into for the first time.

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, Teen Titans, Firehouse Tales, Tamagotchi and Magical DoReMi. The company is headquartered in Cypress, California and information is available at www.Bandai.com.