Digital Monsters Take Over the World as Bandai Unveils New Digimon Toys

Digital monsters continue to invade the real world with a unique line of Digimon toys for Fall 2008. The action-packed adventures of Digimon Data Squad, the new fifth season from Toei Animation Inc. currently airing on Toon Disney’s Jetix block, live on with Bandai America Inc.’s successful lineup of action figures and role-play toys for boys 4-8. With ever-popular toys like the new Digivice Data Link and action figures featuring DNA metal chips, Digimon remains a popular brand among young boys and continues the franchise’s distinction as one of the longest-running action series in the world.

“The new Digimon series introduced a fresh crop of fans to the action-oriented property and helped make it a hit,” said Colleen Sherfey, senior director of marketing, Bandai America. “The collectibility of the action figures, as well as the action from the electronic Digivice, have proven to be a successful combination.”

“Bandai’s unparalleled dedication to the franchise is reflected in how they’re able to capture the unique essence of our action-adventure brand and create the ultimate Digimon play experience for children worldwide,” said Yosuke Kobayashi, COO/president, Toei Animation.

The redesigned Digivice Data Link, fashioned after the same device used by Marcus in the series, is a dynamic, action-packed electronic role-play toy that allows young boys to feed and train their own digital monsters. Exciting features include the infrared technology enabling two Digimon owners to battle one another and a scanner function that collects DNA skills from an included DNA metal chip to strengthen characters, unlock special, secret items and DNA powers for their digital monster. Kids can also play the seven mini-games to coach their monsters in battle skills and strength training. Additionally, kids can collect 1.5” collectible Digimon character figures, 3.5” lightning Digivolving figures and 5” ultra-Digivolving characters. Adding to the fun, all characters come with a DNA metal chip, which can be scanned with the Digivice Data Link.

About Bandai America Inc.

A leader in introducing Japanese toy trends to the United States, Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc., an entity that resulted from the integration of Namco Ltd. and Bandai Co. Ltd. of Japan. Global interests encompass six strategic business units: toys and hobby (toys, models, apparel and sundries), amusement facilities, game content (home and arcade console gaming), network (mobile phone and PC content), visual and music content (including home entertainment), and an affiliated business group. 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, Ben 10TM, Dragon Ball Z®, Digimon, BLUE DRAGONTM and Tamagotchi®. The company is headquartered in Cypress, California and information is available at http://www.Bandai.com.

About Toei Animation Inc.

Toei Animation Inc. (TAI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toei Animation Co., Ltd. established in Los Angeles in 2004, looks forward to spreading the world-renowned Japanese animation studio’s extensive library and pursuing co-production projects in North and Latin America and other English-speaking territories worldwide.

The main business operations of TAI include film licensing in all media and emerging platforms, merchandise licensing and co-productions with local establishments. Dream Ahead – Toei Animation. For more information, please visit http://www.toei-anim.com.

© Akiyoshi Hongo, Toei Animation. TM and © 2006-2007 Toei Animation. TM and © 1997-2007 Bandai.

DIGIMON, DIGITAL MONSTER, DIGIMON® DATA SQUAD™ and all related logos, names and distinctive likenesses thereof are the property of Bandai/Toei Animation. DIGIMON is a registered trademark of Bandai. TOEI ANIMATION logo: TM and © Toei Animation; BANDAI logo: ® and © 2007 Bandai.

Visuals available upon request