Nelvana begins production on three new BEYBLADE series

Thrilling new era in the BEYBLADE universe attracts new licensees

Nelvana Enterprises and d-rights, Inc. are proud to announce production on three brand new series of BEYBLADE that will not only introduce new fans to the series, but take the story in an exciting new direction. Beginning this fall, BEYBLADE: Shogun Steel will launch with 26 x half-hour episodes. BeyRaiderz Shogun (working title) with 13 x half hours will launch in spring 2014 and BeyWarriors Cyborg (working title) will follow in fall 2014 with 26 x half-hour episodes and two one-hour specials.

A new set of characters and a very different and treacherous Beyblade universe set the scene for the new BEYBLADE series. Taking place seven years after the events depicted in the previous Metal Saga series, BEYBLADE: Shogun Steel finds the WBBA rebuilding the Beyblade world by introducing a new Bey system, as well as training the next generation of Bladers. Gargantuan Spirit Warrior battles will be reflected in an exhilarating and innovative new direction for the brand in both the series and the upcoming new toy line from Hasbro, which will introduce new play patterns including figural battling.

“Shogun Steel begins the most unique and fantastical vision of the BEYBLADE universe we have seen yet and continues to offer an exciting world of interaction between the TV series, toys and games,” said Colin Bohm, Managing Director, Nelvana. “The series’ fresh new storylines will reignite interest from current BEYBLADE fans as well as invite new fans of the franchise.”

Along with BEYBLADE’s continuing new series, new licensing partners are lining up to sign deals that tie-in with the brand including Paris Geneve in Canada (boys sleepwear, underwear and T-shirts), Mad Dog Concepts in the US (sleepwear and socks), Eugene Textiles in the US and Canada (craft kits and fleece throws) and Black & White Shoes, which renewed its license for footwear in Canada and will be expanding into the U.S. Other licensees include Ferrero (chocolate eggs) and Fipotex (apparel and accessories) both in Europe and Unilever (Signal) in Germany (tooth brushes and tooth paste).

BEYBLADE is a modern spinning top toy system based on the traditional Japanese battling tops called “bei-goma”, and an extremely popular manga series of the same name. Since the triumphant re-launch of the TV series and toy line in 2009, BEYBLADE has established an astronomical following and active fan base and has sold 165 million toys worldwide. The top-rated animated TV series is seen in over 80 countries, including Canada (YTV), U.S (Cartoon Network), U.K (NickToons), France (Gulli), Germany (Nickelodeon) and Latin America (Disney XD).

For more information on BEYBLADE at Licensing Expo visit Nelvana Enterprises at booth #B121

About Nelvana
Founded in 1971 as a small independent studio, Nelvana is now one of the world's leading international producers and distributors of children’s animated and live-action content. Nelvana is comprised of Nelvana Studio and its distribution arm Nelvana Enterprises and owned by Corus Entertainment Inc. Nelvana Studio is a globally recognized studio that produces a stable of award-winning and globally renowned brands that focus on comedies, preschool, boys and live action. Leading boys action brands include anime series BEYBLADE: Metal Fury, BEYBLADE: Shogun Steel and Bakugan. Nelvana’s content airs on Corus Entertainment’s kids channels in Canada and in over 160 countries around the world. The Nelvana library has well over 3,800 episodes of programming and has received over 70 major international program awards including Emmys® and Geminis. Visit the Nelvana website at www.nelvana.com.

About d-rights
d-rights Inc. is a 100% owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, one of the world’s biggest trading card companies. It is known for producing the leading boys action brand BEYBLADE, which has become a worldwide phenomenon. d-rights offers services in every aspect of content business and handles production, rights management, financing and merchandising/licensing. Its catalogue has about 50 animation titles which have been distributed in the global market. Facing the Japanese domestic market, d-rights is the exclusive licensing agent for Japanese professional basketball league “bj League”, and also has a Media Technology department that provides “MAM (Media Asset Management)” system. Check our properties at http://www.d-rights.com
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