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YU-GI-OH! comes to the US.

by Mike Sklens - June 14, 2001, 1:58 pm EDT
Source: 4Kids Entertainment

What the hell is Mike S talking about? Read the story to get the juice.

You've probably never heard of YU-GI-OH! It's a popular anime series in Japan. It has its own Game Boy Advance game too, Yugioh Dungeon Dice Monsters Expert. The show is insanely popular in Japan, possibly more so than Pokémon. The TV show will be coming to the US. It will play on the WB on Saturday mornings. If this show takes off, there is a good possibility that the game will hit US shores too. Here's the press release:

4Kids Entertainment, Inc., a global provider of children's entertainment, and Kids' WB!, the #1 broadcast network for kids, have joined forces to bring Japan's hottest new anime series, YU-GI-OH! to kids in the United States on Saturday mornings beginning this fall. The announcement was made today by Donna Friedman, Executive Vice President, Kids' WB!, and Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment.

``We are thrilled to be working once again with the creative team that brought Pokemon to Kids' WB!,'' said Ms. Friedman. ``4Kids Entertainment and the YU-GI-OH! consortium in Japan are bringing us - and kids in the U.S. - the next hit anime-adventure series. YU-GI-OH! will make a great addition to our top-rated fall line-up.''

``We are delighted to join with Kids' WB! in introducing YU-GI-OH! to U.S. audiences,'' said Mr. Kahn. ``We are confident this extraordinary property will find enthusiastic acceptance among kids in the U.S.''

YU-GI-OH!, based on the comic book series, follows the adventures of Yugi, a smaller than average high school student -- and an easy target for bullies. When his grandfather, a local game shop manager, gives him an ancient Egyptian riddle called the ``Millennium Puzzle,'' and Yugi pieces it together, he unexpectedly becomes the powerful ``Game King,'' an alter-ego. When Yugi gets into sticky situations, the ``Game King'' takes over and protects Yugi and his friends. The game is on...as Yugi plays games to defeat his monster rivals.

Kids' WB!, jointly launched Pokemon with 4Kids Entertainment on network television in February 1999 with record-breaking success in the U.S. With this success, 4Kids Entertainment was tapped by YU-GI-OH! author, Kazuki Takahashi to exclusively manage the property's entire licensing program in the U.S. and across the international marketplace outside of Asia. Together, they now join forces, once again, to bring all Pokemon fans another adventure-filled series with strong friendships, teamwork and strategic mastering skills, presented in a sophisticated style of Japanese animation.

Currently in Japan and airing on TV Tokyo, YU-GI-OH! is a top-rated animated television series produced by NAS (Nihon Ad Systems, Inc.). The multi-media property is also in high demand with such products as videogames, card games and licensed products that have reached more than $2 billion in revenues. To date, publisher Shueisha has sold over 23 million comics and video games created by Konami who have sold 7 million copies for PlayStation and Game Boy platforms, in addition to the 3.5 billion YU-GI-OH! cards that have been sold. Now ready to take on the U.S., 4Kids Entertainment kicks-off the New York Licensing Show with today's formal introduction of the eagerly anticipated property.

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