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ALL-NEW 5" DRAGONBALL ACTION FIGURES ANNOUNCEDVIEW THE ACTION FIGURES HERE!!!
State-of-art articulation and micro-finish detailing bring new 5" figures to life.
Irwin Toy Limited, master North American licensee for Dragonball Z Action Figures, announced today the debut date of an all-new, super-tech series of 5" action figures scheduled for introduction in the U.S. and Canada by mid-summer. Along with the much anticipated release, the company also plans a roll-out of accessories including a Rejuvenation Chamber, Flying Nimbus Cloud, Die-Cast Vehicles with Collectable Capsule.
The explosive success of the re-launch of the Japanese animé series last September on Cartoon Network and YTV Canada; and the resultant, dramatic rise in U.S. and Canadian sales of the current Dragonball Z action figure series, set the design wheels in motion at Canada's largest toy manufacturer and distributor late last year.
"We had a real challenge on our hands" said George Irwin, President and CEO at Irwin Toy. "There's massive popularity in the characters of this series and we were determined to catch the wave. That meant one of the fastest turnovers in the company's history, and we are more than just happy about the results. These new action figures are incredibly life-like!"
The first pre-production samples were unveiled to the executive at the company's headquarters in Toronto earlier this month. The figures represent the first, completely new designs since the Asian premiere of the product in the late 80's.
The company has taken full advantage of the revolution in manufacturing technologies during the past decade. The new figures feature full articulation and extremely high detailing which is especially noticeable in the faces of the new 5" series. Company spokesmen pointed out the unique challenges of putting into three-dimensional form, the nuances of two-dimensional, animated illustrations.
"The goal was to design something completely new from the ground up. We worked closely with the manufacturers to get just the right cast to the eyes and capture the nuances of each character's face. We wanted there to be an instant recognition factor here, and we believe we've come as close to this as is possible in the translation."
Sophisticated articulation is also a hallmark with the new 5" Dragonball Z series.
Micro-painted finishes are also very much in evidence. Clothing colours and flesh-tones, feature pin-point accuracy which give each of the new figures a further dimension of realism.
"Clothing looks like clothing and skin tones have natural variances. It's surprising just how much more 'alive' this makes the figures." said Marketing Vice-President, Francess Wells-Cunningham.
Roll-out of the all-new 5" action figure series is slated for late August 2000. Character introductions will be matched to the episode instalments. As new characters make their appearance on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and Canada's YTV, the matching action figures will debut in stores nation-wide.
Select action figures in the all-new 5" series will also be available in a deluxe edition featuring ejecting 'energy balls' along with accessories including a Flying Nimbus Cloud. The battery operated Cloud uses real 'hovercraft' technology to glide across surfaces.
Supporting the introduction, Irwin Toy plans a series of new television commercials which will begin airing in Fall 2000. New packaging, P.O.P. materials and special events will support the introductions at the retailer level.
With the new figures now imminent, the company is also focussing attention on another phenomenon of the action figure market - collectablitiy. The present series is now out of production and goes Silver this summer. Kids and adults alike will be hunting out characters to complete their collections. Advises the company: "this is the best time for anyone wanting to complete their original Dragonball Z collections!"
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