Toronto – Nelvana Enterprises and d-rights, Inc. have announced production on three brand new series of BEYBLADE. Beginning fall, BEYBLADE: Shogun Steel will launch with 26 x half-hour episodes. BeyRaiderz Shogun with 13 x half hours will launch spring 2014 and BeyWarriors Cyborg will follow in fall 2014 with 26 x half-hour episodes and two one-hour specials.

 “Shogun Steel begins the most unique and fantastical vision of the BEYBLADE universe we have seen yet and continues to offer an exciting world of interaction between the TV series, toys and games,” said Colin Bohm, Managing Director, Nelvana. “The series’ fresh new storylines will reignite interest from current BEYBLADE fans as well as invite new fans of the franchise.”

 Along with BEYBLADE’s continuing new series, new licensing partners are lining up to sign deals that tie-in with the brand including Paris Geneve in Canada (boys sleepwear, underwear and T-shirts), Mad Dog Concepts in the US (sleepwear and socks), Eugene Textiles in the US and Canada (craft kits and fleece throws) and Black & White Shoes, which renewed its license for footwear in Canada and will be expanding into the US. Other licensees include Ferrero (chocolate eggs) and Fipotex (apparel and accessories) in Europe and Unilever (Signal) in Germany (tooth brushes and tooth paste).

BEYBLADE is a modern spinning top toy system based on the traditional Japanese battling tops called “bei-goma”, and an extremely popular manga series of the same name. Since the triumphant re-launch of the TV series and toy line in 2009, BEYBLADE has established an astronomical following and active fan base and has sold 165 million toys worldwide. The top-rated animated TV series is seen in over 80 countries, including Canada, U.S, U.K, France, Germany and Latin America.