The April 8 issue of the Nihon Keizai (Nikkei) Shimbun paper reports that Takara-Tomy is reviving the Beyblade spinning-top game franchise after a four-year hiatus this August, and will sponsor a new accompanying Beyblade anime this summer. Takara-Tomy is aiming for 20 billion yen (about US$200 million) in yearly revenue by next year, and will improve the new tops by making them out of metal instead of plastic.
Takara-Tomy launched the game franchise in 1999, and sponsored three anime series between 2001 and 2003: Bakuten Shoot Beyblade, Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002 (Beyblade V-Force), and Bakuten Shoot Beyblade G-Revolution. Nelvana (Bakugan, Medabots) released all three in the United States, with the last new episode airing in 2005. Viz Media released Takao Aoki's manga spinoff, although a new manga series has yet to be announced.
As stated on Animenewsnetwork.com
Takara-Tomy launched the game franchise in 1999, and sponsored three anime series between 2001 and 2003: Bakuten Shoot Beyblade, Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002 (Beyblade V-Force), and Bakuten Shoot Beyblade G-Revolution. Nelvana (Bakugan, Medabots) released all three in the United States, with the last new episode airing in 2005. Viz Media released Takao Aoki's manga spinoff, although a new manga series has yet to be announced.
As stated on Animenewsnetwork.com
