As expected after the announcement of a new Thundercats cartoon, we now know who will be taking over the master license for the newly reborn franchise. Bandai America has announced that they have secured the license from Warner Bros.
ThunderCats Roars Back Into the Mainstream with Fresh Toys, New Cartoon Network Episodes
BURBANK and CYPRESS, Calif. – June 3, 2010 – 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,” 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.
- Thundercats 2011 Lion O
Bandai Gets Thundercats Master Toy License
So, what do you guys think about Bandai getting the license? Good, bad, wait and see?
I'm glad to see they are doing "classics" versions of the characters, but what I don;t understand is why they are doing both 6 and 8 inch figures?
8 inch are the classic figures
the 4 inch and 6 inch are from the new cartoon
i hope bandai does a good job on them look good from what wee've seen so far..
would of been awesome if the 4 horsemen would of did them though
Why not do classic figures in the 6 inch size so they can all be in the same scale? The sculpts look really good though so far.
I'm excited to see how it goes. I actually prefer the 4", I didn't get too many Thundercats back in the day because they were so large, this scale is a bit more collectible for me.
what really has me interested is their take on the Thundertank.
^ Agreed. That new Thundertank looks all sorts of sexy. I really dig the way the claws turn in to cycles/pods...really harkens back to the old Silverhawks plane.
Just be thankful that Mattel isn't handling the license, otherwise you would be lucky to see even a fraction of the toys at retail.
Nah, it would be a case of 12 figures, 4 are Lion-O, 4 are Lion-O with a different outfit, 1 is Lion-O in a third outfit, 1 Mumm-Ra, and 1 other figure.
I'm shocked at how awesome and detailed the classic 8 inch figure looks to be honest. I wasn't expecting that. I'm a little disapointed that it's Lion-O and Tygra, would've vastly prefered Lion-O and Mumm-Ra.
As for the new series figures, I'm a little disapointed, they don't look nearly so detailed; while it's clear it'll follow the Animated Aesthetic, it looks like it'll be harder to crossdisplay with other lines.
And if Mattel was doing it they would look as bad as the smaller DC line
Personally, so long as they don't 100% suck, I think I am gonna stick with the 4 inch figures. Cheaper, more in less space on a shelf.
From what I've seen, I am loving the classic line. I'm still holding judgement for the 6" line of the new show. I've never been a fan of 3-4" figures, outside of Joes and SW. I think it was incredibly smart of them in following what Mattel did with the MOTUC line and creating a classics line for TCats.
I like what I've seen so far. The 4 inch one's look a bit plain, but I'm hoping for more out of the middle scale. I do like the new animated designs so I'm hoping they translate well.
Now that you mention Silverhawks, I wonder how well that line did and if there is a redux planned for that?
Heh... Or even Tigersharks.
It all depends. i'm kind of liking it, but bandai is currently doing things like Ben 10 so I'm not sure. On the other hand they did do the Gundam series so............
Just joined. I heard Bandai got the license a while back. But ever since then I haven't seen any pics. Time to go digging for pics. But so far I'm not liking the news about the classic versions being in the 8 inch scale.
Looks good. I'm eager to get that new Panthro.
I would have to wait until Toy Fair Pics
But right now, based off of preliminary pics, i'll go for the 4 inch scale and maybe a few from the classics line to have with my larger scale Masters and DCUC collection
i never attempted to collect the older figures but the idea of newer figures has me excited.
I'm not loving the new cartoons designs. I'm sure I'll get into it eventually. But the "classic" 8" figures are definitely getting bought!! So far I think they nailed Lion-O.
Where are the pics of the classic 8" figures? So far all I've seen are Cheetara, Lion-O & the Thundertank from the new cartoon.
Classic 8 Inch Lion-O Revealed
Classic 8 Inch Lion-O Revealed
Holy Crap! Now THAT'S what I'm talkin bout!
Where's Cheetara? Cheetara! Cheetara! MUST SEE CHEETARA!
Where's Cheetara? Cheetara! Cheetara! MUST SEE CHEETARA!
Oh God, they better get around to Cheetara. I've been wanting a really detailed kick ass Cheetara for years. I don't care about the rest, just need Cheetara!
Knowing my luck they'll make Lion-O & Tygra, then Panthro & a Wiley Kit & Kat 2-pack & then cancel the line after that.
If they make Wiley Kit and Wiely kat before Mumm-ra I'll be upset. Lol
i'd like to see panthro and cheetara as the wave 2 figs and then whoever else after that, i was never that big on the thundercat villains so i would probably only collect the t-cats themselves for the 8 inch line. though i would get a Grune if they made him, especially if these figs were motu classics style so grune could come with a swappable head and armor to represent him when he was a thundercat and after he turned bad.
I'm still worried about Bandai - and I think I will be until I see all of the new toys on the shelves, in person. Then I can judge the quality and distribution.
Let's see a new Grune - maybe ghost versions of him and Jaga, like the Transformers Starscream ghost figures.
Pretty excited about these...Didn't think Bandai could pull off something cool, but looks like I was wrong. And the fact that we're getting classics too is a good thing.....
Now bring on Bravestarr, Silverhawks and some M.A.S.K and I can die..........
At first, I was very skeptical, but now...I've got a little more faith. I can't wait to see more.
I like what I've seen from both the 4 inch & the collectors line. I'm in 100% on the line. Can't wait for better pics at Toy Fair.
It will be nice to have vehicles and playsets.
From the few pictures I've seen I'm pretty happy about the both the classic figures as well as the figures from the new toon. Since the only classic figure I own is a Lion-O figure I bought from a thrift store, I'm totally happy they will be releasing some more poseable and detailed versions of the original 'Cats and Villains. I am hoping they do Bengali, Lynx-O, and Pumyra in both the classic and new toon lines.
- Saint Seiya(Bandai America versions)
- Sigma 6
- Mattel Retro Action
6" is the more popular scale, a scale that MOTUC, Marvel Legends, DCUC, and other companies use for collectors' figures. Struck me as odd that Bandai America chose 8" for Classics.Gundam died in the US under Bandai America. Gundam Wing was successful but the rest did not do well.
I think we'll all have a better idea after Toy Fair in NY. So far I am pretty optimistic.
...................................
Bandai released some pre-Toy Fair stuff.
2011 Toy Fair: Bandai's Thundercats Overview - Toy Fair - ToyNewsI.com
Love this Tygra figure!
Despite Wing looking more modernized and capturing the US audience, it was actually the most overrated series IMHO. The zenith for Gundam in the US, I think, was when Toonami started showing Endless Waltz. The 0079 series for some reason, was not allowed to be subtitled in the US unless it was the movie trilogy(the hell?).
There are plenty of reasons why Gundam failed in the US, and hopefully Bandai America has learned from that, and can apply what they learned with Thundercats.
hmm...i'm sort of on the fence on this one. Bandai may handle their own property well, but I didn't like the way they handled other properties (like Teen Titans). I hope they don't just make the core characters in various scales like they did with the Titans.
Right now, the characters I really would love to see (at least on their classic line) are the Lunatacs.
MM
Was very unsure when I first heard of Bandai getting the licence... but having seen the figures, I have to say, I am quite happy. They're doing a good job (so it appears).
Boy, it seems like EVERYONE-fans and pros alike were impressed with Bandai's Thundercats presentation. Way to go! I wish it was fall.