Yu-Gi-Oh! Announces Collectibles Heading to France and Continental Europe
Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. has announced it has signed licensing agreements to release new Yu-Gi-Oh! product lines for its loyal and growing French fan base and beyond, as announced today by Jennifer Coleman, Vice President, Licensing and Marketing, Konami Cross Media NY, Inc.
The effort, led by Francoise Bouvet of MJA Licensing, serving as the sub-agent for Yu-Gi-Oh! in France, is headlined by deals with the leading French manufacturer Plastoys, and Paris-based Kettei Art, which specializes in the design and manufacturing of collectible statues and figurines.
Plastoy, which offers a variety of high-end products for collectors, will offer an array of Yu-Gi-Oh! merchandise including: panoramic figurines, bust sculptures, money boxes, puzzles, magnets and key rings. These Yu-Gi-Oh! products will be available throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa territories.
In recognition of the 20th Anniversary of the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX series, which premiered on TV Tokyo in October 2004 and follows a new generation of Duelists including a young boy named Jaden Yuki, Kettei Art will offer GX collectible statues of our hero and Zane Truesdale, a fellow Duelist. To mark the anniversary milestone, this is the first time KONAMI has commissioned statues featured in the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX series. The collectible GX statues will roll out throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.
Recent licensing data has revealed that France is the second-largest manga market in the world, topped only by Japan. The result has been a significant demand for manga-related products, leading to success for licensed anime with a fan base that has been growing since the 1980s.
“France is a hot spot for Anime and the demand for licensed products remains strong and continues to grow,” said Coleman. “For over a decade or more, Japanese anime television series have captured the imagination of millions of viewers, significantly sparking the growth and demand in both Anime and Manga licensed products. The Yu-Gi-Oh! brand is a fan favorite and we are happy to work with such wonderful partners to round out our product offerings.”
