Live-On CARD LIVE-R, Kakeru

NAME: Live-On CARD LIVE-R, Kareru

ORIGIN: The original Live-On CARD LIVE-R, Kakeru property is based on a comic that runs in Monthly Comic BunBun, a manga magazine published by Poplar. Manga books are also being published.

DISTRIBUTOR: TMS Entertainment holds all territory rights outside of Asia. MediaNet is responsible for sales in Asia.

CREATOR: The original author and creator is Chouji Kikkawa, who was also part of the creative team for Pokémon.

TV SHOW: Produced by TMS Entertainment, an initial 51 half-hour episodes are in the works for the 2-D series.

DESCRIPTION: The story takes place in a world where a card game called "Live-On" becomes an everyday and regular occurrence. The "Live-On" card battle is where you can make the monsters appear from the cards to engage in fierce and exciting battle with one another. This all transpires by activating a special card called the "Live-Change Card." The fighter can participate in the battle by transforming himself into a monster as well.

The main character in the story is a young boy named Kakeru Amao, who loves "Live-On." However, he lacks any kind of skill and he manages to lose to a younger fighter named Ai Kozeri. One day, he acquires a "Live-Change Card" by encountering an injured puppy named Pedal. From then on, Kakeru’s "Live-On" skills drastically improve. However, some evil and mysterious villains come chasing after Pedal in hot pursuit.

DIRECTOR: Hatsuki Tsuji
ANIMATION DIRECTOR: Toshihiko Masuda
SCREENWRITER: Tatsuhiko Urahata

COMMISSIONING BROADCASTERS: TV Tokyo, TV Osaka and TV Aichi

MAJOR TOY LICENSEES: TMS is responsible for securing deals for the trading-card game, as well as for a toy line and action figures currently in development, in the territories where it distributes the series.

OTHER PRODUCTS: There’s a game for Nintendo DS, and a DVD release date will be announced shortly. There are other products currently in development or with release and distribution pending.

STRATEGY FOR ROLLOUT: "TMS will aggressively promote a licensing and merchandising program acting as the sales representative for both the domestic and international markets," explains Satoji Yoshida, who heads up the company’s international division out of Tokyo. "Through the synergetic effect of Poplar’s new trading-card-game business and through the media development of the TV animation series, we will work to further expand the trading-card game as well as the development, creation and exploitation of all facets of licensing and merchandising worldwide."