Sorry for that teaser image. That’s a custom, MOTUC-style Lion-O by Ben Bishop.
But Mattel didn’t get the license. Bandai did.
Read on for the press release.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) announced today a powerhouse partnership with Bandai America Incorporated, as the global master toy licensee for the animated series, ThunderCats. Under the new agreement, Bandai and their international affiliates will create and distribute products worldwide that will complement both the classic brand property, as well as Cartoon Network’s fresh take on the animated series, with new television episodes set to air in 2011.
“With their legacy of cultivating fun and fresh play experiences for beloved character properties, Bandai is the ideal master toy license for ThunderCats”
“With their legacy of cultivating fun and fresh play experiences for beloved character properties, Bandai is the ideal master toy license for ThunderCats,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “We are thrilled to team up and introduce the ThunderCats property to a new generation of fans.”
“ThunderCats have been a cult pop culture phenomenon for the past 25 years, and Bandai America looks forward to developing modern and engaging toys for these beloved characters,” said Masayuki Matsuo, chairman and chief executive officer, Bandai America Incorporated. “Through the Bandai America and Warner Bros. Consumer Products partnership, die-hard devotees as well as a new generation of fans will be introduced to quality, innovative toys that will create magical playtime experiences capturing the adventurous spirit of the brand.”
An all-new animated series, based on the iconic 1980s action classic, ThunderCats, is currently in production at Warner Bros. Animation. The new ThunderCats, a 21st century reimagining of the series that will air on Cartoon Network, will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost – takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.
ThunderCats is executive produced by Sam Register (“Teen Titans,” “Ben 10,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”). Michael Jelenic (“Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” “Wonder Woman”) and Ethan Spaulding (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) are the producers. The series marks a creative collaboration between Warner Bros. Animation and Studio4°C, one of the most vibrant animation studios in Japan.
Debuting in 1985, the ThunderCats roared onto the broadcast air waves and created feline frenzy with their band of cat-like heroes from the planet Thundera. Behind their fearless leader Lion-O, the ThunderCats strove to protect their new home on Third Earth and their headquarters, Cat’s Lair, from the Mutants of Plunn-Darr. The ThunderCats pop culture phenomenon had its paws sunk deeply not only in television, but also toylines, apparel and comic books. Twenty-five years later, through the Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Bandai America collaboration, the beloved brand is poised to make a new audience of kids feel the magic and hear the roar once again.
I was never into Thundercats. When that show was big, I was either still deep in my Transformers love or going through one of my many cyclical Star Wars fads. But I will say this: had Mattel gotten the license and created a Thundercats Classics line compatible with MOTUC, I almost certainly would have bought them all and gone Thundercats crazy–bought the DVDs, comics, and so forth.
Now there are stactions Icon Heroes and action figures from Bandai, of all companies. Bandai’s track record, especially for American properties, isn’t that great. Sure, they make awesome vinyl Godzilla toys, but their action figures have usually been mediocre at best. Even their recent collector’s versions of the Power Rangers, while a step in the right direction, left a lot to be desired.
But maybe I’m selling them short. Maybe they’ll put their A-squad on this line. Thoughts?
Mysterwright
Well the only thing I can think of that'd sell this line is if they incorporate something akin to what Bandai is known for in Japan with Gundam where you buy action figure kits and put them together yourself. That way kids and especially collectors who love the show will go nuts and buy they kits. However, *if* the show fails, then WB will have saved on the labor costs (see: higher quality product = increased profit margin) it takes to glue all the toys together themselves. Its really a win/win situation in that respect.
Dan C.
The Young Justice show is being adapted. But Artemis is apparently the name of the female character on the team.
Kid Nicky
Young Justice as in the DC team? Is it going to be a cartoon now?
ScienceFriction
@LBAM:
I don't play around with licenses I take seriously, but maybe I get a bit up in arms at times. 🙂
Poe
@Gambit320: If Bandai takes what it learned from the Super Legends RP line and applies it to a collector oriented "classic" Thundercat line, then I'll happily eat my skepticism. I might even get excited.
I suppose we'll find out at SDCC.
Gambit320
This was to be expected. Thundercats, Green Lantern, and Young Justice all leaked months ago with toyline rumors. The person who leaked the news said it was offered to Mattel and Hasbro but both passed on it and only Bandai expressed interest in it. So it's not that WB didn't go with Mattel or Hasbro, it's that Mattel and Hasbro didn't want it. I believe they said it was due to lack of cool tech, while Bandai seems to like it for that very reason.
Also the second wave of RPM stuff was the only time I've ever seen poor distribution of Bandai products honestly, so chances are these won't be to hard to find.
Diego Zubrycky
Well, without seeing any figures, I believe it's a little to early to say anything about the death of this line…
But here's my two cents…
I have some action figures ( Mostly monsters from the Ultraman series and a Godzilla ) from Bandai and I really like them, despite their lack of articulation.
I am not concerned about the sculpt of this new line. I never saw a Baindai figure with poor sculpt. IMO, my monsters have a perfect sculpt.
Speaking of sculpt, one of my all time favorite action figures is my beloved burning Godzilla from Bandai. His sculpt so perfect to me.
I am actually happy with Bandai picking this line. It means I'll be able to collect all the line. 🙂
I'm happy with that.I give them more credit than I would give to Mattel.
Why? One simple reason: I don't believe they're fools.I don't think bandai would pick this line to lose money. Bandai will use the Thundercats franchise to surprise all of us ( In a good way ) with great figures with great sculpt and great articulation, figures we all can find.
I may be wrong, of course… Let's wait and see.
Cheers!
Esbat
I'm really excited for this as I've been a fan of the Teen Titans toyline, and the aforementioned Brave and the Bold/Avatar the Last Airbender/Wonder Woman animated movie.
From what I get from the press release seems like they'll do a Kid Friendly line probably in the 3 and 3/4 scale to target the kiddies and then probably a slightly larger line with both the animated and classic version of the T-cats for collectors.
But all I know is I better get a damn Cheetara out of this or I'm not buying anything at all.
dean
Very sad that the Horsemen are not involved, but under no circumstance did I want Mattel to get this license (WilyKit and Kat could have been con exclusives with Snarf coming polybagged con only. Guess I could have joined the Fwoosh to maybe get one). Though Bandai USA is a bummer. Hoping for the best. Thundercats Ho!
Kid Nicky
awesome! I'll actually be able to collect them!
Given the choice between great figures I'll never see in person or decent figures I can easily buy,I'll pick the latter.
Snakeeyes22
Didn't Bandai have some deal a while back where Mattel would distribute their U.S. stuff? Maybe Bandai U.S. started up and negated that, and I guess it wouldn't mean they had any sort of partnership other than distribution.
I don't think I've owned a single Bandai U.S. product. Their U.S. market Dragonball stuff can barely be called action figures after the later Irwin/early Jakks stuff. The Ben 10 stuff looks pretty nifty for kids I guess. I hated the Teen Titans with all their huge metal rivets. They were really tough to find and popular for a very short time!
So ends my dream of a MOTUC spinoff line of Thundercats, Power Lords, Black Star, Sectaurs, and other large 80s sci-fi fantasy lines mixed together.
I did see a somewhat anime styled Lion-O drawing a few weeks ago that looked pretty authentic. I kinda liked it, but all I can thing of now are those deluxe Dragonball Evolution figures with the splitting arm action features. Yuck.
Scott
For those who are saying that the license is only for the new series, re-read the first paragraph.
"Under the new agreement, Bandai and their international affiliates will create and distribute products worldwide that will complement both the classic brand property, as well as Cartoon Network’s fresh take on the animated series"
Supermanjunkie78
Considering its not Mattel, we'll be able to find these toys easily! But bottomline is will these action figures be any good? as in 4H MOTU good?