Bakugan Heads to the U.S. on Cartoon Network

ATLANTA, February 13: Bakugan, the hit anime series that has been successful in
Japan and Canada, is making its U.S. debut on Cartoon Network on February 24 at
9 p.m.

Furthermore, Cartoon
Network Enterprises (CNE) has been appointed as the brand’s licensing agent,
marking the division’s first time managing a partner’s property. With Spin
Master as Bakugan’s
co-developer and co-owner, as well as master toy partner, CNE will work to
create a comprehensive consumer-products program by adding a series of key
categories.

A line of Spin Master toys
are already available, and this fall will feature an extended product rollout
with the release of games and puzzles, youth electronics and home entertainment
managed by CNE. The second wave of products will launch in spring 2009 with
apparel, accessories, publishing and novelty. CNE is currently seeking partners
for several of those categories.

Bakugan, aimed at boys aged 6 to 11, begins when children from around the world find
cards with different characters on them and create a battle game using the
cards. These cards actually correspond to an alternate world, called Vestroia,
where Bakugan warriors have been involved in war. When the war in Vestroia becomes
out of control, the Bakugan spheres are sent to Earth trapped inside these
cards, and it is now up to a team of friends to save both Vestroia and Earth
from destruction, using their Battle Brawling skills.

Bakugan is a co-production from Nelvana Enterprises, Spin
Master, Sega Toys, TMS Entertainment, Japan Vistec and Sega Corporation, with
animation by Japan Vistec and TMS Entertainment.

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski