Cast a Spell of Magic and Music With Bandai America & Magical DoReMi
(NEW YORK, NY, February 13, 2006) '“ Bandai America Incorporated, the leader in introducing hot Japanese properties to the U.S. marketplace, continues its expansion in the girls' category with Magical DoReMi. Launched in partnership with licensor 4Kids Entertainment, the brand is based on one of Japan's most popular TV shows and toy lines for young girls, and follows the adventures of three best friends '“ precocious Dorie Goodwyn, bookworm Reanne Griffith and tomboy Mirabelle Haywood '“ as they become witch apprentices or witchlings.
'œOver the years, Bandai America has successfully expanded into the girls' aisle with strong licensed properties that offer fun play patterns combined with lots of collectibility,' said Colleen Sherfey, director of marketing. 'With Magical DoReMi already a sensation in Japan and worldwide, we are thrilled to introduce the brand to American fans in 2006 with a unique lineup that includes collectible miniatures, fashion and interactive dolls, and role-play toys '“ a burgeoning product category in the girls' aisle.'
The brainchild of Toei Animation (Digimon and other anime), Magical DoReMi '“ which airs at 8:00 and 8:30AM EST on 4Kids TV, 4Kids Entertainment's Saturday morning children's programming block on FOX '“ chronicles the spellbinding adventures of three girls who are charting the sometimes mysterious, but exciting world of simultaneously being young girls and secret witchlings in training. The three best friends must master their magical training while also attempting to discover their unique musical melodies and working together to create 'œperfect harmony.' Sharing in shenanigans while making the world a better place, the trio uses the power of magic, music and above all, friendship, to face any obstacle.
'We are very excited to be working with Bandai America on this truly unique property,' said Alfred R. Kahn, chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. 'They offer the right combination of creativity and innovation to translate the appeal of Magical DoReMi into products that girls will absolutely love. The classic themes of magic and music that are at the core of the brand, along with the key focus on role-play toys, are sure to inspire and engage a younger girl audience and make this property a hit at retail.'
Bandai America, which has a proven record of transforming popular kids' television series into top-selling product lines, offers an assortment of Magical DoReMi toys that let girls bring the magic, fun and musical adventures into their own homes. The Spring 2006 collection, which was launched in January, features a variety of dolls, including 4-packs of collectible 3' miniatures, 4.5' fashion dolls and an interactive 10' musical doll. Role-play toys include the Wandaler, a battery-operated musical wand that holds the precious 'spell drops' used by the characters for casting magic, and the Dreamspinner, an enchanting instrument that can be worn around the neck as a pendant and creates colorful music when its rainbow of buttons, representing a music scale, are pressed.
Launching in July, the Fall 2006 collection features additional characters from the show, including witchling Ellie Craft and Caitlyn Goodwyn, Dorie's younger sister, as well as new costumes and accessories for the 4.5' and 10' dolls. New role-play toys include the Wandawhirl, a deluxe magical wand used by the girls in season 2 of the series; role-play costumes and accessories; and the Magical DoReMi Computer, which features lots of fun electronic and musical games.
The Fall collection features products ranging in price from $5.99 to $29.99 and can be found at all major retailers nationwide. The lineup includes:
DOLLS
- 3” Dolls – These collectible miniature figures, although only 3” tall, burst out of the box and feature a witchling in both her magical and everyday wear, along with her personal fairy and an additional companion.
- 4.5” Fashion Dolls – Bewitching outfits accompany these 4.5” fashion dolls. With both a magical and everyday costume, these witchlings are stylish whether they are incognito as everyday girls, or streaking across the sky on their magical brooms.
INTERACTIVE DOLLS
- 10” Musical Doll – “Fah lah da la dong ding, now I am a witchling!” In the series, each girl’s transformation into a witchling is accompanied by music. These 10” musical dolls mimic this music, as well as feature five signature phrases specific to each character, including one where they are casting a spell.
ROLE-PLAY
- Wandawhirl – This bedazzling toy features both music and lights that mimic the whirlwind flash of spells cast by a toss and twirl of the wand. Packed with colorful spell drops, this exquisite wand with golden trim is perfect for the advanced witchling in training.
- Dreamspinner – This magical instrument allows the trio to cast musical spells. And girls can use the Dreamspinner in real life to create their own musical melodies. Pressing the rainbow of keys, they can create songs and then record them for playback.
- Role-Play Costumes – Girls will be styling in their own magical costume, enchanting people with both their spells and their fashionable looks! The costume, which includes a broom, witch’s hat and apron, comes in four colorful assortments: pink for Dorie, orange for Reanne, blue for the tomboy Mirabelle and purple for Ellie.
- Magical DoReMi Computer – Smart, savvy witches need the latest technology at their fingertips, so this magical computer features eight different musical games, as well as a record and playback feature.
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.
About 4Kids Entertainment
Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; product development; and Web site development. For further information, please visit the Company's Web sites at www.4KidsEntertainment.com and www.4Kids.TV.
About Toei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. (www.toei-anim.co.jp or www.toei.anim.co.jp/english/index.html) is the largest animation production company in Japan since 1956, and has produced many celebrated works ranging from feature films such as "The White Snake" and "Puss 'N Boots," to TV series starting from "Ken, the Wild Boy" on to "Dragon Ball," "Sailor Moon," "Digimon Adventure" and "One Piece." The content in its possession comes to a total of approximately 8,500 episodes, which accounts for about 4,200 hours. Consolidated billings (gross sales for fiscal terms 03/03 were recorded at Yen 18,429 million. Toei Animation is publicly quoted on JASDAQ (code 4816). Toei Animation Co. is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and its affiliate company is registered as "Toei Animation Inc." in Century City, California.
On the web: http://www.Bandai.com
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