Following on the heels of last week's announcement that YU YU HAKUSHO is moving to Cartoon Network's Toonami Block on March 3, FUNimation announced at the International Toy Fair in New York City it has awarded JAKKS Pacific the master toy license for YU YU HAKUSHO in North America. JAKKS Pacific will manufacture action figures, accessories and playsets based on the popular series from Japan that follows the adventures of 14-year-old Yusuke Urameshi, and expects to have product hit retail shelves by Q4 2003, in time for the Christmas season. "YU YU HAKUSHO has been the only show to rival DRAGON BALL Z ratings in Japan," said Gen Fukunaga, president/founder of FUNimation. "With the show's placement on Cartoon Network's Toonami Block, the show and toy line are poised for significant success in the U.S. market." YU YU HAKUSHO will air Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. eastern/pacific time. FUNimation has in-house production, licensing, Internet and home video distribution. In addition to YU YU HAKUSHO, FUNimation also produces DRAGON BALL Z and DRAGON BALL, also airing on Cartoon Network; MOVIES FOR LUPIN THE 3RD, one of the longest running anime classics; FRUITS BASKET, based on the top-selling comic book in Japan; and BLUE GENDER, a sci-fi anime. JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and leisure products. The company also participates in a joint venture with THQ, Inc. that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakkspacific.com.
