Nickelodeon Channels Around The World, Including NickToons USA, To Debut "Monsuno Combat Chaos", Later This Year; Jakks Pacific Announce New "Monsuno" Merchandise For Season 2

The children's entertainment and media news website Kidscreen is reporting the Nickelodeon News in the following article that Nick USA's animation and action network, Nicktoons, and Nickelodeon's international channels (Planet Nickelodeon / Nickelodeon International) will start to premiere and show season two of the popular animated series "Monsuno", titled "Monsuno Combat Chaos", later this year (2013).

The second season continues the adventures of a group of heroic kids wrestling with the power to command and battle creatures called Monsuno, while fending off larger threats including new villains and catastrophic events. "Monsuno" is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners, a joint-venture between Jakks Pacific and Dentsu Entertainment USA, with FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment and The Topps Company.

Kidscreen is also reporting in the same article that Jakks Pacific will release new Monsuno toys, including brand new larger transforming action figures, cores, accessories and battle sets that complement the existing Monsuno products on sale, and an all-new "Monsuno" battle action game to complement the second season of the action-packed adventure show:

Jakks Pacific takes on Monsuno second season

A new toy line based on the action-adventure series Monsuno Combat Chaos will make its way to US and global stores this year.


Jakks Pacific will release new Monsuno toys and an all-new battle action game. The toys include new larger transforming action figures, cores, accessories and battle sets that complement the existing Monsuno products.

The new line reflects season two of the animated series that will debut in the US later this year on NickToons and internationally on Nickelodeon international channels and free-to-air networks.

The second season continues the adventures of a group of heroic kids wrestling with the power to command and battle creatures called Monsuno, while fending off larger threats including new villains and catastrophic events. The series is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners, a joint-venture between Jakks Pacific and Dentsu Entertainment USA, with FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment and The Topps Company.

Tags: Jakks Pacific, Monsuno Combat Chao, Nickelodeon, NickToons, toys

Viz Media Develops A New Original Graphic Novel Series Based On NickToons' Hit Boys Animated Action Adventure Series "Monsuno"

From Anime News Network:

VIZ Media Develops Monsuno Original Graphic Novel Series

Viz Media Develops a New Original Graphic Novel Series Based on the Hit Boys Animated Action Adventure Series Monsuno, Airing on Nicktoons

New VIZ Kids Series Debuts 2013

San Francisco, CA, October 15, 2012 – Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, continues to expand its library of original graphic novels as it announces the acquisition of the North American publishing rights for Monsuno, an epic boys action adventure where kids discover, command and battle creatures with destructive potential. A race to harness the power of Monsuno ensues between this group of heroic kids and the evil forces focused on destroying the planet. The Monsuno publishing series will debut with a graphic novel, written by Brian Smith with artwork by Erwin Prasetya, delivering all new, original adventures beginning late Spring 2013 under the company's VIZ Kids imprint. Monsuno Volume 1 is rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

Like the animated series, the Monsuno graphic novels will follow Chase Suno and his friends as they search for Chase's father and discover the power of Monsuno. The first adventure introduces a new villain to the Monsuno universe, and kicks off long before Chase had ever heard of Monsuno, when scientists experimented with Monsuno essence. One such scientist, Dr. Moto, tried to create her own Monsuno, but the experiments went horribly wrong. Trapped in an icy lab, Dr. Moto's tests have continued, and now Chase, Bren and Jinja have stumbled upon the horrifying results!

“Being a teenager with access to controllable 15-foot-tall hybridized monsters is everything you'd want it to be and more in this action-packed new series coming next Spring from VIZ Kids,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director. “Our Monsuno graphic novel series will deliver original stories inspired by the hit animated program seen widely on Nicktoons, and offer inspirational characters, gripping action, and high-stakes adventure that combines with a dose of impromptu humor to produce a fun adventure with monstrous potential! Look for this new title coming soon in 2013!”

The Monsuno series, created by Jared Wolfson and Jeremy Padawer, is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners LLC, a joint venture between Jakks Pacific, Inc. and Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc., with Fremantle Media Enterprises and The Topps Company, Inc. Jakks Pacific is the creator of the underlying Monsuno property and master toymaker for the Monsuno toy line. The Topps Company produces Monsuno trading card games, confectioneries and related products.

For more information on Monsuno or other VIZ Kids properties, please visit: VIZKids.com.

About Viz Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Viz Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha, Inc., Shogakukan, Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., Viz Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha magazine and blockbuster properties like Naruto, Bleach and Inuyasha, Viz Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. Viz Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about Viz Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

Also, from Publishers Weekly:

Déjà Vu at New York Comic Con with Archie, Disney, Nancy Drew

Kids love familiar things, and there were plenty of familiar faces at New York Comic Con: Archie continues to revive older properties such as Sabrina, Disney was selling both Rick Riordan’s prose books and his latest graphic novels, and Papercutz premiered its latest Nancy Drew graphic novel. There was a parade of original graphic novels as well and plenty of digital innovation, including plans by iVerse to team with Brodart to market its digital comics service to libraries.

Most of the attention at the con focused on projects that have already been announced, but Viz Media had some news about its VizKids line: They announced two new licensed series, Monsuno, which is based on the Nicktoons cartoon, and Uglydoll, based on the line of plush toys and other merchandise. James Kochalka, who won an Eisner Award earlier this year for Dragon Puncher 2, is among the contributors to the Uglydoll books.

There were no licensed characters at the First Second booth, where marketing director Gina Gagliano was celebrating the fact that both Zack Giallongo's Broxo and Mark Siegel's Sailor Twain were on the New York Times bestseller list. Ben Hatke was there to sign copies of his new book, Legends of Zita the Spacegirl, along with Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), MK Reed (Americus), and Mike Cavallaro, who illustrated Jane Yolen's Foiled and the sequel, Foiled Again, which is due out in January.

Similarly, the focus at the Lerner Graphic Universe booth was on original work, with signings of Colleen AF Venable's Guinea Pig, Andres Vera Martinez and Na Liu's Little White Duck, and Lars Jakobsen's Mortensen's Escapades.

Disney Publishing Worldwide brought in Orpheus Collar, the illustrator of the graphic novel adaptation of Rick Riordan's The Red Pyramid, and several other creators for panels and signings, and they were giving away a Red Pyramid poster, a Marvel preview booklet, It’s a Small World tote bags, and Heroes of Olympus water bottles.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch was one of the stars of the Archie Comics panel; they recently released an e-book of 50 Sabrina stories, and an animated cartoon, Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch, will debut in summer 2013 on The Hub. In addition, the publisher has compiled Tania Del Rio's manga-style Sabrina comics, which were published as color comics during the manga boom of the mid-2000s, into four black-and-white, manga-sized volumes; the first one will be out in February 2013. The panelists discussed a number of upcoming storylines, including an Archie/Glee crossover: “It sort of works out that each Archie character has a Glee counterpart, so it’s very interesting to see the characters sort of blending together,” said writer Dan Parent. Also in the works are a Sonic the Hedgehog/Mega Man crossover and a Sonic encyclopedia.

Papercutz had mini-comics with excerpts from its Annoying Orange graphic novel, which will debut in December, as well as the first issue of Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, which features an eight-year-old Nancy Drew and is drawn by veteran Archie artist Stan Goldberg. Their bestselling Ninjago graphic novels, based on the Lego ninja series, were also available, and the giveaways at the booth included Ninjago and Power Rangers posters.

Aside from the hugely popular Pocket God comic, children's comics have not been a big factor in the digital channel, but that may be about to change. At its panel, iVerse announced that it has signed a distribution deal with Brodart to market its digital graphic novel service to libraries. The service, which was announced at San Diego Comic Con, will allow library patrons to read graphic novels on any digital device. Libraries will pay for the graphic novels on a per-checkout basis, but the service also includes quite a bit of free content. The new service is scheduled to launch for public libraries in January, with a school library service to follow.

iVerse also announced an exclusive digital deal with Ape Entertainment, which publishes licensed comics based on DreamWorks movies, Sesame Street, video games, and other properties, as well as original comics and graphic novels. The other digital comics distributor, comixology, announced that it will carry the digital versions of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the science comics published by G.T. Labs, and it has added a “parent-friendly sync” to its Comics 4 Kids app that allows parents to share kid-friendly comics digitally with their children.

At the ICv2 Conference that preceded the convention proper, a group of editors and creators talked about what makes a good children's comic. Ed Massessa, senior manager of product development for Scholastic Book Fairs, pointed to a good cover: “Our bestselling graphic novel at Scholastic of all time is Smile by Raina Telgemeier. The story was wonderful, I don't think it would not have gotten the attention that it did if it had not had that knockout cover on it. Just a big ol' smiley face with braces.”

Amelia Rules creator Jimmy Gownley advocated for interesting characters, noting that Smile would have been "almost bland," because the story was so universal, if the main character hadn’t been so likeable. Françoise Mouly of Toon Books said that her books' high production values, such as good paper and design, set them apart. And Mark Banaszak, managing editor of Diamond Bookshelf, summed it up neatly, saying, “Something that is well made, and something that is not written down to kids – that is kind of key, because you can tell, and I think kids can tell, when someone is trying to write something intentionally simplistic versus just at a level where they can understand.”

FremantleMedia Enterprises, JAKKS Pacific Inc. And Dentsu Entertainment USA Announce Plans To Make Second Season Of The Boys' Animated Action-Adventure Series "Monsuno"; To Be Complemented With New Line-Up Of Toys And Merchandise

From OnScreenAsia:

FME, JAKKS Pacific and Dentsu to extend Monsuno series

The new series will be complemented with new line-up of toys and merchandise.

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), JAKKS Pacific Inc, and Dentsu Entertainment USA will be creating another season of the boys' action-adventure series Monsuno, committing to another set of 26 x 30' episodes. This extension of the series will be complemented by a new line-up of action figures, accessories, combat sets and battle gameplay from JAKKS Pacific.

The Monsuno series, co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners LLC—a joint venture between JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc., with FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Topps Company, Inc.—has now been sold to more than 140 markets globally, with Nickelodeon taking on the brand in key territories around the world including the United States, where the series airs on Nicktoons. Other markets include the UK, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Africa, the Middle East, Canada, Australia/New Zealand, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Japan.

FME is responsible for the exclusive worldwide distribution of Monsuno TV Programming outside of Asia and is the master licensing agent for the brand outside of Asia. JAKKS Pacific, meanwhile, is the master toy licensee.

Sander Schwartz, President Kids & Family Entertainment, FME, commented, “Monsuno is proving to be one of the most popular boys brands in the world. We're pleased to support the brand with our partners by bringing all-new episodes to international channels. The new, fresh look of the toys and upcoming merchandise will be a great complement to the show.”

Also, from Licensing.biz:

BLE 2012: New season of Monsuno on the way

More broadcast territories announced; toys get refreshed for 2013.

Another season of 26 30-minute Monsuno TV episodes is in production.

FremantleMedia Enterprises, Dentsu Entertainment USA and Jakks Pacific reached the agreement, which will also see the latter produce a fresh line-up of action figures, accessories, combat sets and more.

Monsuno has been sold to more than 140 markets globally. In the UK it's the number one show in its time slot with boys aged six to 12.

In Australia Monsuno won the Australian Toy Association's Boys Toy of the Year. In the UK the brand has a 25 per cent share of the battling toys category.

Sander Schwartz, President for Kids & Family Entertainment at FME, said: “Monsuno is proving to be one of the most popular boys brands in the world. We’re pleased to support the brand with our partners by bringing all-new episodes to international channels.

"The new, fresh look of the toys and upcoming merchandise will be a great complement to the show."

Jared Wolfson, Director of Marketing and Creative Producer for Boys Entertainment at Jakks Pacific, added: "With new episodes, new toys and new worldwide audiences, Monsuno has just become an even more powerful global franchise.
"We are really excited to be deepening our relationships with our global partners and driving worldwide success for the brand."

Tags: brand licensing europe 2012, monsuno

UK's CITV To Show New Episodes Of "Big Time Rush", "Matt Hatter Chronicles" And "Monsuno" As Part Of "Autumn 2012 On CITV"

CITV, the children's television arm of ITV, the British commercial public service TV network, have announced in a Tweet (post) on their official Twitter profile page (@ChildrensITV) that CITV will be showing new episodes of Nickelodeon's hit music comedy series "Big Time Rush", plus new episodes of NickToons UK favourites "The Matt Hatter Chronicles" and "Monsuno", as part of CITV's Autumn 2012 programming line-up:

This Autumn, look out for New Fleabag, Canimals, Phone Genie, Monsuno, Redakai, Big Time Rush, Matt Hatter & more!

It is currently unknown whether CITV (short for Children's ITV or Children's Independent Television) will broadcast the new episodes of the hit Nickelodeon sitcom "Big Time Rush" and the popular animated shows "The Matt Hatter Chronicles" and "Monsuno" on ITV's CITV channel or as part of ITV Breakfast's CITV programming block which airs Saturday and Sunday mornings on the ITV network from 06:00 to 08:25 in the timeslot occupied by Daybreak on weekdays.

NickToons UK To Show More Brand New Episodes Of The Animated Series "Monsuno" During September 2012

Nickelodeon UK has announced and revealed to NickALive! that Nickelodeon UK's animation channel, NickToons UK and Ireland, will be premiering more brand new episodes of the animated show "Monsuno" in September 2012 as part of "September on NickToons 2012".

Shout! Factory And FremantleMedia Enterprises Ink US And Canada Home Entertainment Deal For "Monsuno" And "The Aquabats Super Show!"

From Kidscreen:

Shout! Factory and Fremantle ink distribution deal

L.A.-based Shout! Factory and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) have sealed a new multi-year home entertainment distribution deal for the hit live-action/animated kids series The Aquabats Super Show! and animated boys action series Monsuno in the US and Canada.

The agreement sees Shout! Factory acquire exclusive home entertainment rights for both series.

The Aquabats Super Show!, produced by FME and Yo Gabba Gabba! creators The Magic Store, features the zany adventures of infamous alternative rock/ska band The Aquabats in a concert footage, live-action skit, and animation hybrid format.

In Monsuno (52 x half hours), which targets six- to 11-year-old boys, a group of heroic kids battle evil forces in a race to harness the power of Monsuno. Nickelodeon has the pay TV rights to the series, which premiered in the US on Nicktoons in February and is now rolling out in more than 60 markets worldwide.

The series is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners, a joint venture between Jakks Pacific and Dentsu Entertainment USA, with FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Topps Company. It is supported by a Jakks Pacific toy line featuring innovative, kid-controlled action figures, accessories, playsets, collectables, electronics and integrated role play.

Tags: FremantleMedia Enterprises, home entertainment, Monsuno, Shout! Factory, The Aquabats! Super Show!

NickToons UK To Show Brand New Episodes Of The Animated Series "Monsuno" From Monday 20th August 2012 As Part Of "Summer On NickToons"

According to the official Sky Media UK websites 'Sky TV's Children's Television Highlights In August 2012' webpage, to celebrate the summer school holidays, Nickelodeon UK's animation channel, NickToons UK and Ireland, will be premiering brand new episodes of the animated show "Monsuno" every weekday at 6.00pm from Monday 20th August 2012 as part of "Summer on NickToons 2012":

Monsuno
NickToons
Monday 20 August, 18.00

A race to harness the power of Monsuno ensues between a group of heroic kids and the evil forces focused on destroying the Earth. Built around powerful, action-driven animation, dynamic characters and a deeply woven original story mythology.

JAKKS Pacific Reports Second Quarter Results for 2012

Below is a JAKKS Pacific, Inc. Press Release from Business Wire:

JAKKS Pacific® Reports Second Quarter Results for 2012

Declares Cash Dividend for Third Quarter 2012

MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) reported results for the Company’s second quarter ended June 30, 2012.

“We are pleased with the sales growth in the second quarter and year to date, and we are on track to meet our guidance ranges for the full year”

Net sales for the second quarter of 2012 were $145.4 million, up from $131.9 million reported in the comparable period in 2011. Reported net income for the second quarter was $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, which includes $1.7 million of pre-tax charges, or $0.05 per diluted share, related to financial and legal advisory fees and expenses associated with the unsolicited indication of interest and activist shareholder activities. This compares to net income of $4.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, reported in the comparable period in 2011, which included $0.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, of financial and legal advisory fees and expenses. Excluding the legal and financial advising fees, second quarter earnings would have totaled $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to $4.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in 2011. The Company agreed to modify the payment terms of the THQ settlement agreement resulting in a deferral of $2.0 million of income, or $0.06 per diluted share, from the second quarter to $1.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, to each of the third and fourth quarters of 2012.

Net sales for the six months ending June 30, 2012, were $218.8 million compared to $204.3 million in 2011. The net loss reported for the six month period was $15.8 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, which included $3.1 million of pre-tax charges, or $0.09 per diluted share, of financial and legal advisory fees and expenses. This compares to a net loss for the first six months of 2011 of $6.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share which included $1.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, of financial and legal advisory fees and expenses. Excluding the financial and legal advisory fees and expenses, the six month loss would have totaled $13.5 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $5.6 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in 2011. The first six months of 2012 was impacted by the deferral of the THQ income as noted above.

“We are pleased with the sales growth in the second quarter and year to date, and we are on track to meet our guidance ranges for the full year,” commented Stephen Berman, President and CEO, JAKKS Pacific. “Highlights of our second quarter include the expansion of the Monsuno toys in the US and the launch internationally of the animated series and related toy products, which has met the Company’s expectations to date, and our Winx Club dolls and Big Wheel line launched at select major retailers, both of which are already showing strong momentum. Our outlook for the third quarter remains optimistic with contributions from a broad range of products including our growing pool of owned content.”

As of June 30, 2012, the Company’s working capital was $353.5 million, including cash and equivalents and marketable securities of $221.6 million, compared to working capital of $372.8 million including cash and equivalents and marketable securities of $247.1 million as of June 30, 2011.

The Company recently completed a self-tender offer on July 5, 2012 for the repurchase of 4.0 million shares of its common stock at $20 per share for a total of $80.0 million, excluding offering costs of $0.6 million.

2012 Guidance & Dividend

For 2012, the Company continues to expect an increase in net sales of 6.2% to 7.4% to approximately $720 million to $728 million, with revised diluted earnings per share in the range of approximately $1.04 to $1.08, giving effect to the repurchase of common stock pursuant to the self-tender and the related anticipated financing costs and excluding the financial and legal advisory fees. The Company’s previous guidance for diluted earnings per share was in the range of $1.01 to $1.07, excluding the financial and legal advisory fees.

The JAKKS Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share payable on October 1, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 14, 2012.

Conference Call

JAKKS Pacific will webcast its second quarter earnings conference call today, July 17, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. ET (6:00 a.m. PT). To listen to the live webcast, go to www.jakks.com/investors, and click on the earnings webcast link under Events and Presentations at least 10 minutes prior to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A telephonic playback will be available from 11:00 a.m. ET on July 17 through August 17, 2012. The playback can be accessed by calling 888-286-8010, or 617-801-6888 for international callers, pass code 73323443.

About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products with a wide range of products that feature popular brands and children’s toy licenses. JAKKS’ diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys, Ride-On Vehicles, Wagons, Inflatable Environments and Tents, and Pet Toys sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®, JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Kids Only!™, Tollytots®, Disguise® and Moose Mountain®. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Hello Kitty®, Graco®, Cabbage Patch Kids® and Pokémon®. JAKKS' Monsuno™ toy line is based on the new Monsuno™ animated television series. www.jakks.com

This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific’s business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS’ products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. Continued payment of the quarterly cash dividend will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, JAKKS’ earnings, financial condition, business development needs, and is at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

© 2012 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contacts

JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
Joel Bennett, 310-455-6210
Anne-Marie Feliciano, 310-455-6235

You can read JAKKS Pacific, Inc.'s 2Q12 report, including JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, liabilities and stockholders' equity, and 2012 Condensed Statements of Income (Unaudited) reports, in full here on the official Business Wire website, businesswire.com.

Boys Action Adventure Series "Monsuno" Takes Over TV TOKYO

Below is a JAKKS Pacific, Inc. press release via MarketWatch:

Boys Action Adventure Series, Monsuno, Takes Over TV TOKYO

MALIBU, Calif., Jul 02, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Pacific Animation Partners, LLC announced today that the Monsuno(TM) boys action original animated television series is set to premiere on TV TOKYO in Japan in October 2012. TV TOKYO is one of the major Tokyo television stations and specializes in anime programming.

"Securing placement on TV TOKYO fulfills the vision for global TV and toy distribution that JAKKS shared with its partners at the outset of the Monsuno program," said Jeremy Padawer, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, JAKKS Pacific. "The meaningful digital and terrestrial placement in over 60 countries, paired with best-in-class toy distribution deals in over 40 international markets, has set the stage for achieving true worldwide success for the Monsuno franchise."

"Dentsu is very excited to announce the launch of Monsuno on TV TOKYO this fall," said Yuma Sakata, President, Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc. "Having a USA developed series air on one of the top destinations for animation programming is a great accomplishment and a testament to the global appeal of Monsuno."

Targeting 6-11 year old boys, Monsuno (52x30') is an animated action-adventure series where kids discover, command and battle creatures with destructive potential. A race to harness the power of Monsuno ensues between a group of heroic kids and the evil forces focused on destroying the planet. Monsuno will roll out in over 60 countries on Nickelodeon and free-to-air channels this Fall.

The Monsuno(TM) series is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners LLC, a joint venture between JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc., with FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Topps Company, Inc. JAKKS Pacific is the creator of the underlying Monsuno property and master toymaker for the Monsuno toy line, featuring innovative, kid-controlled action figures, accessories, playsets, collectables, electronics and integrated role play. The Topps Company produces Monsuno trading card games, confectioneries and related products.

ABOUT JAKKS PACIFIC, INC.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. [...] is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products with a wide range of products that feature popular brands and children's toy licenses. JAKKS' diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys, Ride-On Vehicles, Wagons, Inflatable Environments and Tents, and Pet Toys sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific(R), Creative Designs International(TM), Road Champs(R), Funnoodle(R), JAKKS Pets(TM), Plug It In & Play TV Games(TM), Kids Only!(TM), Tollytots(R), Disguise(R) and Moose Mountain(R). JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Nickelodeon(R), Warner Bros.(R), Ultimate Fighting Championship(R), Hello Kitty(R), Graco(R), Cabbage Patch Kids(R) and Pokemon(R). JAKKS' Monsuno(TM) toy line is based on the new Monsuno(TM) animated television series. www.jakks.com

ABOUT DENTSU ENTERTAINMENT USA, INC.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc. was formed in April 2010 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Dentsu Inc. (Tokyo Stock Exchange, Code 4324), the world's largest advertising agency brand and a leading producer of Japanese animation, with over 18,000 full-time employees and close to 100 offices worldwide. Dentsu Entertainment USA develops original animation programming and media content for markets worldwide, and manages licensing programs for existing and new properties. Current projects include Chub City(R), a toy based property featuring street-savvy characters and vehicles, currently in development as an animated series, Deltora Quest(R), a 52-episode animated series based on the international top-selling fantasy-adventure book series of the same name already airing in multiple markets worldwide, and Mameshiba(TM), a collection of animated shorts and character licensing program with over $100 million in product sales since 2008.

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA

FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia's worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia UK, FremantleMedia Australia and Original Productions amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating nearly 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours.

ABOUT THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC.

Founded in 1938, Topps ( www.topps.com ) is a leading creator and marketer of sports and entertainment cards, related collectibles, and popular confectionery brands. Topps products include Major League Baseball, NFL, WWE, UFC, Star Wars, Club Penguin, and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The Company's confectionery portfolio includes "Bazooka" bubble gum, "Ring Pop", "Push Pop", "Baby Bottle Pop" and "Juicy Drop Pop" lollipops. Topps was acquired in October 2007 by Madison Dearborn Partners, a private equity group, and Michael Eisner, former CEO of Disney. Headquartered in New York City, Topps also maintains offices in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, and Argentina.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses.

Additional risks that may affect the Company's future performance are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

SOURCE: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
Anne-Marie Feliciano, (310) 455-6245
anne-marief@jakks.net

Also, from Variety:

TV Tokyo takes animated 'Monsuno' series

Jakks, U.S. arm of Dentsu, Fremantle among producers

'Monsuno'

TV Tokyo has picked up broadcast rights to "Monsuno," an original animated series targeting boys, which toymaker Jakks Pacific is producing with the U.S. arm of Japanese ad giant Dentsu and FremantleMedia Enterprises.
Series will bow in October on Tokyo TV, a channel specializing in anime programming.

Nickelodeon has already agreed to air the series in the U.S. and in over 60 countries this fall.

"Securing placement on TV Tokyo fulfills the vision for global TV and toy distribution that Jakks shared with its partners at the outset of the 'Monsuno' program," said Jeremy Padawer, exec VP, marketing and business development, Jakks Pacific.

Producers plan to make 52 episodes of "Monsuno," aimed at boys 6-11, as an action adventure where kids are imbued with the power to command and battle creatures with amazing destructive potential. Jakks Pacific will produce action figures, gadgets and collectibles around the show.

"Monsuno" is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners, a joint venture of Jakks Pacific, Dentsu Entertainment USA (whose Tokyo-based animation subsid Dentsu Tec oversees the toon work), FME and trading card maker Topps. FME is handling worldwide distribution.

Jakks Pacific is treating the property as an inhouse entertainment franchise it can launch across various platforms to promote the toy line, similar to how Hasbro has recently grown "Transformers" or Saban is rebooting "Power Rangers."

"Having a USA-developed series air on one of the top destinations for animation programming is a great accomplishment and a testament to the global appeal of Monsuno," said Yuma Sakata, president of Dentsu Entertainment USA.

Global Television Networks Pick Up The Broadcast Rights To Animated Series "Monsuno"

From C21Media:

Global nets grab Monsuno

Networks across Europe, the Middle East, Canada and Australia have acquired boys’ action series Monsuno (52x30′).


The series launched on Nick Toons in the US in February and has now gone to the UK’s CiTV, Italy’s K2, Spain’s TV Clan, Canada’s YTV, the Middle East’s Spacetoon and Nine Network channel Go! in Australia.

The 6-11 boys-skewed series follows the battle between a group of heroic kids and aliens intent on destruction.

It is distributed by FremantleMedia Enterprises.

Pacific Animation Partners, a joint venture of toyco Jakks Pacific, Dentsu Entertainment USA, FME and The Topps Company, produce the show.

Jesse Whittock
11-06-2012
©C21Media

GENRES: Animation, Children's

SHOWS: Monsuno

COMPANIES: CITV, Dentsu Entertainment USA, FremantleMedia Enterprises, Go!, Jakks Pacific, K2, Nick Toons, Nine Network, Pacific Animation Partners, Spacetoon, The Topps Company, TVE, YTV

SECTIONS: C21 Kids

COUNTRIES: Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Middle East, Spain, UK, US

Also, from Kidscreen:

Monsuno series to bow in six new markets

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has signed six new international distribution deals for the boys’ action-adventure series Monsuno.

The deals will see Monsuno air on free-to-air channels including CITV in the UK, Switchover Media (K2) in Italy, RTVE (Clan) in Spain, YTV in Canada, Spacetoon in the Middle East, and Nine Network’s GO! channel in Australia.

Targeting six- to 11-year-old boys, Monsuno is a 52 x half hour animated action-adventure series in which a race to harness the power of Monsuno ensues between a group of heroic kids and the evil forces focused on destroying the planet. Nickelodeon has the pay TV rights to Monsuno, which premiered in the US on Nicktoons in February and is now rolling out in more than 60 markets worldwide.

FME is the worldwide (excluding Asia) distribution and ancillary rights agent for Monsuno and will be available this week at Licensing Show to discuss opportunities for phase two categories including apparel, graphic novels, sticker and activity books, as well as for phase three products in categories across games, outdoor toys, dress up, activity and craft, board games and puzzles.

The Monsuno series is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners, a joint venture between Jakks Pacific and Dentsu Entertainment USA, with FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Topps Company. It is supported by a Jakks Pacific toy line featuring innovative, kid-controlled action figures, accessories, playsets, collectables, electronics and integrated role play.

Jakks Pacific is the creator of the underlying Monsuno property and master toymaker for the Monsuno toy line. The Topps Company produces Monsuno trading card games, confectioneries and related products

Tags: Dentsu Entertainment USA, FreemantleMedia Enterprises, Jakks Pacific, Monsuno, Pacific Animation Partners, The Topps Company

Also, from Licensing.biz:

VEGAS 2012: Six new TV deals for Monsuno

Boys' animated series picked up by CITV in the UK.

FremantleMedia Enterprises has announced a string of TV channels which have picked up the Monsuno licence.

The popular boys’ action series will be broadcast on free-to-air channels such as CITV in the UK, Switchover Media in Italy, RTVE in Spain,YTV in Canada, Spacetoon in the Middle East and Nine Network’s Go channel in Australia.

Nickelodeon has the pay TV rights to Monsuno, which premiered in the US on Nicktoons in February, and is rolling out in over 60 markets worldwide.

FremantleMedia Enterprises is the distribution and rights agent for Monsuno and is currently attending Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas to discuss opportunities for apparel, graphic novels, books, toys, board games, puzzles and more.

Jakks Pacific is the creator of Monsuno and the toy line. The Monsuno TV series is co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners LLC, a joint venture between Jakks Pacific, Dentsu Entertainment USA, FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Topps Company.

Andrew Berman, FME’s VP for distribution, kids and family entertainment, said: “We are incredibly excited to announce these new programming deals which further demonstrate the worldwide appeal of Monsuno.”

Carmine Russo, president of Jakks Pacific’s International division, added: “On-air placement with these top free-to-air network partners continues to expand the tremendous worldwide presence of the Monsuno franchise.”

Also, from Animation Insider:

TV Animation Sales 2012 (June)

TV Animation News: Global Sales Update

The following article spotlights a few news items regarding TV animation sales announced during June 2012. Nickelodeon's revival of sewer-dwelling ninja reptiles are already earning international sales (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Ankama's flexible MMORPG-based adventures move to Cartoon Network (Wakfu), and a pair of preschool items about everyday piglets find new homes as well (Wibbly Pig, Peppa Pig).

[...]

FremantleMedia Enterprises (London, England), which manages the boys' adventure series Monsuno, has obtained a number of new broadcast partners for the monster-battle animation. FremantleMedia manages the series' international distribution and ancillary rights, which to date also includes the Nicktoons network, which debuted Monsuno in February 2012 [recent Monsuno news: "Nicktoons Readies New Animation" (02/2012)]. Monsuno is now also slated to air on CITV (UK), K2 (Italy), YTV (Canada), Spacetoon (Middle East), RTVE's Clan (Spain), Nine Network's GO! (Australia), and most recently, TV Tokyo (Japan) this coming autumn. Monsuno is about a group of kid heroes whose destiny to save the world is intertwined with fantastical creatures of enormous size and power. The series is a co-production of Dentsu Entertainment (U.S.), Dentsu Tec (Japan), FremantleMedia Enterprises (UK), and JAKKS Pacific (U.S.).

The Official Nickelodeon UK Website Unveils Their Brand New Official "Monsuno" Website

To celebrate Nickelodeon UK and Ireland premiering and showing the UK premiere of the brand new American-Japanese action/adventure television animated series "Monsuno" (also known as "Monsuno: World Master") on Nickelodeon UK's animation channel, NickToons UK and Ireland, the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website has unveiled their brand new official "Monsuno" website to accompany the "Monsuno" series on NickToons which you can view here at Nick.co.uk/shows/Monsuno.

Nickelodeon UK's brand new "Monsuno" website currently features online "Monsuno" streaming video clips featuring short video clips from the series, and a brand new "Monsuno" online game based on the show called "Battle to the Core".

NickToons UK debuted and launched "Monsuno" in the UK on Monday 16th April 2012 and currently airs every weekday at 6.00pm.