Bologna Licensing Fair: Toei Animation Welcomes New Broadcasters
And Licensees For Dragon Ball Super
For Immediate Release:
PARIS (March 29, 2017) – Ready for the upcoming Bologna Licensing Fair, Toei Animation and its licensing partners have confirmed several updates for Dragon Ball Super in Italy. With a successful December 2016 debut on Italia 1, Toei Animation’s Dragon Ball Super prepares to expand in Italy with premieres on BOING and Italia 2, alongside several new licensees onboard to join its merchandising program.
Launched on December 23, 2016 on Italia 1, the series reached outstanding results, with an average of 15.1% share on boys 4-14 and 20.5% on boys 8-14 over the 1st month of its broadcast, and a peak of 25.7% share on boys 4-14 and 37.5% on boys 8-14 on 10/01/2017. The program achieved an average of 1,320,000 total audience, with a peak of 1,931,000 viewers on January 5, 2017.
Following up on Dragon Ball Super’s remarkable TV launch and incredible buzz on social network (4M+ views of Dragon Ball trailers on Italia 1’s Facebook page alone), new licensees have confirmed their participation in Toei’s licensing initiative. Giochi Preziosi will design back-to-school supplies and stationary, and join in distributing Bandai toys in June. At the same time, Preziosi Food will develop Easter eggs, pandoro cakes, small chocolate eggs and salted snacks. Panini is also joining the licensing program, with stickers album planned for back-to-school 2017.
Toei’s Italian licensing agent, Starbright Licensing, will continue to represent Dragon Ball Super and is already closing a raft of additional deals in publishing, footwear, and apparel accessories to be announced shortly. For Bologna Licensing Fair, Starbright is holding a special Dragon Ball Super event on April 4.
Dragon Ball Super’s confirmed product launch timeline is as follows:
-Manga volume 1 (March 2017, Star Comics)
-Easter egg 2017 (April 2017)
-Back-to-school (from June 2017)
-Toys (June 2017)
-Sticker Album (Back-to-school 2017)
-Small chocolate eggs (Fall 2017)
-Salted snacks (Fall 2017)
-Pandoro cake for Christmas 2017
“Fans are immediately drawn into Dragon Ball Super’s rich story and strong characterization,” said Ryuji Kochi, President of Toei Animation Europe. “Its great and vivid universe allows for countless opportunities, and we’re delighted that our licensing partners have had fun with the brand, and found the inspiration to create many memorable products for fans.”
“Dragon Ball’s characters are classic superheroes with a massive following among kids as well as more and more adults who have grown with their favorite heroes,” said Giada Paterlini of Starbright Licensing. “With its engaging plot, relatable superheroes, and positive storytelling, we are not surprised by the strong interest of Italian companies after the broadcast on Italia 1. We are looking forward with great expectation to the upcoming premiere on Boing, which will be key asset in drawing the new generation of kids to the brand!”
Alongside Italy, Dragon Ball Super is showing hugely promising debuts in EMEA, on TOONAMI in France and BOING in Spain, SIC in Portugal and NICKELODEON in Israel, where the Bandai toys are also expected to launch by this Summer.
About Toei Animation Europe
Founded in 1956 in Tokyo, Toei Animation ranks amongst the world’s most prolific animation production studios. The company’s operations include animation development and production, and worldwide marketing and program licensing with sales offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Paris. Toei Animation Europe is managing the distribution and exploitation of Toei Animation’s animated series in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Among its most famous titles: Dragon Ball, One Piece, Saint Seiya, Sailor Moon, Digimon, Mazinger Z, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and Captain Future.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
SSA Public Relations
David Syatt
dsyatt@ssapr.com
+1 818 907-0500
TOEI ANIMATION EUROPE SAS
Matthieu Baillard
matthieu@toei-animation.com
+33 1 80 18 03 22
