Konami Cross Media NY has entered a licensing agreement with Intimo to bring a range of Yu-Gi-Oh!-branded products to the U.S. market. Jennifer Coleman, Senior Vice President of Licensing and Marketing at Konami Cross Media NY, announced the deal, which covers a diverse line of merchandise tied to the long-running Yu-Gi-Oh! anime and trading-card franchise.
Under the agreement, Intimo plans to develop sleepwear, accessories and home goods inspired by Yu-Gi-Oh!. The collection is expected to launch in time for the upcoming holiday season. Financial terms and a more precise release date were not disclosed in the announcement.
An experienced licensing partner
Intimo is a privately-held apparel and accessories company that specializes in licensed merchandise. Its product offering includes sleepwear, loungewear, blankets, backpacks and lunch bags, and the company has built a history of collaborations with names such as Paramount, Warner Bros., Hasbro and Universal.
Coleman presented the Yu-Gi-Oh! agreement as an extension of that business. She said Intimo has a strong presence in the children's market and is actively expanding its portfolio to embrace evergreen anime properties.
"Yu-Gi-Oh! is the clear choice for this expansion," Coleman said. "We are excited to work with the Intimo team to launch a full product line, including comfortable pajamas, cozy blankets, stylish backpacks, essential cold-weather gear, and practical lunch boxes."
What the collection will cover
The categories named by Coleman — pajamas, blankets, backpacks, cold-weather gear and lunch boxes — correspond with the apparel, accessories and home goods that Intimo already produces for its licensed lines. The planned Yu-Gi-Oh! range is therefore set to sit alongside those existing collections.
Sarah Daitzman, Senior Vice President of Sales, Licensing & Merchandising at Intimo, said the partnership expands the company's anime offering. "Partnering with a globally recognized and beloved franchise like Yu-Gi-Oh! elevates the excitement and quality of our growing anime portfolio," she said.
Daitzman added that Intimo is committed to delivering products featuring fans' favorite characters and to upholding the high standards for which the company is known.
Timing and scope
The Yu-Gi-Oh! collection is expected to arrive in time for the upcoming holiday season, placing the planned launch around a significant retail period for licensed merchandise. The agreement adds a globally recognized franchise to Intimo's roster of licensed partners and extends Konami Cross Media NY's branded merchandise reach in the U.S. market.
The announcement listed Jeff Pryor as the media contact for more information.