By The Editor
June 8, 2006 - 10:11
Ben 10 launched January 14th on Cartoon Network to tremendous ratings among boys 6-11 and 9-14. Since then, the show has shown strong ratings growth week-to-week. All new episodes debuted May 29th, and then on June 5 th, Ben 10 started stripping with action-packed fun every weekday at 5:30 pm.
"Ben 10 has been a ratings powerhouse for the network since its debut," said Christina Miller, vice president of U.S. consumer products for Cartoon Network Enterprises. "We are looking forward to the excitement and enthusiasm this innovative toy line will bring to fans of the show. We also expect many new viewers will be inspired to tune in after seeing the toys, which capture the unique play potential of Ben 10."
"Ben 10 is one of the most unique toy lines ever created by Bandai America," said Michael Riley, vice president of marketing, Bandai America Inc. "Not only are we leveraging our past successes in the boys' action figure aisle, we're taking traditional product categories and adding lots of new and interesting play patterns to make this dynamic lineup unlike anything out there today."
Key products include:
--
Alien Collection: Collectible 4" figures of all the 10 aliens that Ben
can initially transform into, including Heatblast, Greymatter, Fourarms
and Stinkfly. Each comes with a collectible lenticular card that
depicts Ben transforming into one of the aliens, as well as an
exclusive animation disk of 8 cels from the show that can be used with
the Alien Laboratory playset.
-- DNA Alien Heroes: 6" figures
with cool action features, including oozing or glow-in-the-dark DNA
slime that appears on the character's body
-- Metamorfigures:
8" figures that transform from their alien forms into unique spy gear,
including a working flashlight, binoculars and water gun
-- Transforming Alien Rocks dissolve in water to reveal a translucent miniature 1" alien figure hidden inside
-- Alien Ships are space vehicles inspired by the home planets of the aliens and feature unique water pumping action
-- Role-play, including the Omnitrix Alien Viewer, where kids can
insert the animation disks (from the 4" figures and deluxe playset)
into the device's face to see Ben transform right before their eyes,
and the Omnitrix F/X, which features red and green flashing lights and
transformation sound effects from the show
-- Deluxe playset,
an exact replica of the "Rust Bucket" RV that Ben is traveling in,
transforms into an Alien Laboratory where kids can make clay molds of
the aliens, dissolve their Alien Rocks (2 included), as well as view
the animation disks (3 included) that come with the 4" figures and the
Omnitrix Alien Viewer
Ben 10, created by Man Of Action (Joe
Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau, Steve Seagle), launched Jan. 14th
with 26 original episodes. The series is being produced at Cartoon
Network Studios in Burbank, Calif.
A leader in introducing
Japanese toy trends to the United States, Bandai America Incorporated
is a subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc., a newly formed
entity that resulted from the integration of Namco Ltd. and Bandai Co.
Ltd. of Japan. Global interests now encompass five strategic business
units: toys and hobby (toys, models, apparel and sundries), amusement
facilities, game content (home and arcade console gaming), mobile
content, and visual and music content (including home entertainment).
Bandai America is the manufacturer and master toy licensee of some of
the most popular brands in children's toys and entertainment today,
including Power Rangers, Teen Titans, Firehouse Tales and Tamagotchi.
The company is headquartered in Cypress, California and information is
available at www.Bandai.com.
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 88
million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner
Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service offering the
best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids
and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network
shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination
showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.