Although the Power Rangers and Gundam still form the basis of its line, Bandai America has looked to the West for two of its most promising properties for 2004, Teen Titans and Thunderbirds. Based on the popular animated series (rather than the original comic book), Bandai's Teen Titan figures have a cool modern look and loads of potential (see 'Bandai's Teen Titan Animated Figures'). Bandai's Thunderbirds line is limited to vehicles and a playset, but if the live action Thunderbirds movie is a major hit this summer, these toys could be big, and even if the film flops, older collectors may well covet the classic Gerry Anderson-inspired vehicles anyway (see 'Bandai's Thunderbirds Vehicles'). But the bulk of Bandai's line of interest to pop culture retailers is still based on anime properties -- let's take a look.
Gundam
Bandai has two quite different Gundam lines on tap for the U.S. in 2004. The pint-sized SD Gundam figures, which were introduced in 2003, are back with a vengeance in 2004. Based on the popular SD Gundam anime series, which appears on the Cartoon Network, the Bandai SD Gundam toys exploded out of the gate in 2003 (see 'SD Gundam Figures a Hit'). In 2004, SD Gundam toys will have to compete with Bandai's new Gundam Seed line. The Gundam Seed anime series was a huge hit in Japan and the Gundam Seed models and action figures are Bandai's current top sellers in Japan. Although it is the most recent in a long series of Gundam anime productions, Gundam Seed is a 'stand alone' series, which doesn't require knowledge of what happened in previous Gundam sagas. Bandai has an extensive line of Gundam Seed toys planned for 2004, including the usual range of model kits (with five different skill level versions of the same figures), the popular Battle-Scarred action figures, 4.5-inch figures, 7.5-inch figures, and the debut of a Mega Size Gundam. Bandai's Gundam Seed line debuts in June, just two months after the premier of the Gundam Seed anime on the Cartoon Network (see 'Gundam Seed Anime on Cartoon Network in April') and the release of the first volume of Gundam Seed manga from Del Rey. Clearly Gundam Seed is a property to watch in 2004.
Astro Boy
Created more than 50 years ago by Osamu Tezuka, the founding father of Japanese manga and anime, Astro Boy was one of the first anime series to be broadcast in the U.S. back in the 1960s. Although the basic character design remains the same, Bandai's Astro Boy toys are based on the recent computer-animated Astro Boy series, currently running on the highly rated Kids' WB Saturday morning block. While most retro anime series haven't done all that well with U.S. audiences (the Cartoon Network never bothered to finish showing all the episodes of the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam series), the new Astro Boy anime does have flashy modern animation along with a strong storyline. Ratings are only so-so at this point, but it's way too early to predict how the new Astro Boy will do with U.S. audiences. Bandai's modest new Astro Boy toy line, which arrives in June, includes 5-inch figures (MSRP: $6.99), 8-inch Build Your Own Astro Boy Figures (MSRP: $12.99), an 11-inch Interactive Astro Boy (MSRP: $24.99), plus some vehicles and an Experiment Room Playset (MSRP: $12.99).
Knights of the Zodiac
Based on a popular anime series from the mid-1980s (Saint Seiya), Knights of the Zodiac hasn't really taken off here in the U.S. Perhaps it will be able to avoid the fate of other retro anime properties, but it will need more TV exposure than it currently receives to make a stronger impression on U.S. audiences.
Jagun Fighters
Jagun Fighters is an action figure game, which Bandai introduced last year. While the figures have reportedly done okay at retail, it doesn't appear that the game itself has really taken off. Bandai has recently spent considerable time, money and effort in developing an internal 'games unit' (see 'Bandai America Plans Major Games Push'), as well as announcing a number of new collectible card games and a collectible miniatures game (see 'Bandai to Launch Its First CMG'), but once again it is far too soon to see if these efforts will bear fruit.
