New Yu-Gi-Oh! Collectibles in France & Wider EMEA

Konami Cross Media NY has signed licensing agreements to release new Yu-Gi-Oh! product lines in France and elsewhere.

The effort, led by Francoise Bouvet of MJA Licensing as the sub-agent for Yu-Gi-Oh! in France, is headlined by a deal with the French manufacturer Plastoy. Plastoy 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, the Middle East and Africa.

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX series, which premiered on TV Tokyo in October 2004, Kettei Art will offer GX collectible statues of the central 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 U.K.

“France is a hot spot for anime, and the demand for licensed products remains strong and continues to grow,” said Jennifer Coleman, VP of licensing and marketing at Konami Cross Media NY. “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.”