Konami Cross Media NY, Inc., known for producing English-language adaptations of Japanese IP, has just announced a number of licensing deals for the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. These partnership agreements include one with Forbidden Planet, the world’s largest pop culture direct-to-retail company, and more.
Today, a global phenomenon, the Yu-Gi-Oh! media franchise kicked off with a manga series written and illustrated by Kazuki Takahashi, which was serialized in Shueisha‘s shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump between September 1996 and March 2004, about a teenager named “Yugi Mutou” who becomes host to a gambling alter-ego, who helps Yugi navigate conflict through the “Duel Monsters” card game. The manga series has spawned a media franchise that includes several spin-off series, anime adaptations from Toei Animation and NAS, video games, and a popular real-world card game based on the manga’s fictional “Duel Monsters” game, the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, and is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
With anime and manga so popular across Europe, Konami is focusing on the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) market. With this push, fans can expect more Yu-Gi-Oh! merchandise to soon be found at global retail chains, with additional licensee deals that feature fashion, skateboards, puzzles, special plush accessories, bags and collectible action figures.
“We are pleased to conclude these new licensee partnerships that will introduce many must-haves Yu-Gi-Oh! products for the first time, giving us access to important retail distribution channels in key territories around the world,” said Jennifer Coleman, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Licensing, at the Company, in a press release provided to Comics Beat. “The new Yu-Gi-Oh! merch will begin to roll out by third quarter this year.”
Fine Chaos
Fine Chaos, the Danish fashion house, is bringing its distinct style and eye to a range of Yu-Gi-Oh!- inspired apparel, making a special debut at the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2025 in Paris. The company uses its garments and collections to tell a story that keeps its global fan base coming back for more with each new drop.
Forbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet will conduct a deep dive into Yu-Gi-Oh! and the 1100+ hours of the anime series to create never-before-seen collectible merch for hard-core fans. Since 1978, Forbidden Planet has been a haven for pop culture enthusiasts, selling action figures, books, comics, graphic novels, toys, and games at stores in many major UK cities. Forbidden Planet’s footprint covers the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland, bringing an array of Yu-Gi-Oh! products exclusively to their stores and online.
Clementoni
Clementoni is a leader in the toy space in EMEA and known for their extensive portfolio of IPs in the puzzle category. The Italian company, with a rich history of fostering growth in children and adults by continuously evolving play experiences, will develop a series of Yu-Gi-Oh! puzzles, which will have wide distribution across retailers, helping to build a Yu-Gi-Oh! presence in toy aisles across Europe.
Finesse
In a move to bring more colorful and affordable skateboards and decks for younger consumers, Finesse Skateboards will introduce a Yu-Gi-Oh! line of skateboards and decks targeting younger consumers. With its impressive craftsmanship Finesse Skateboards products have gained distribution in popular retailers like Zumiez as well as local skate shops.
Gatherers’ Tavern
Konami Cross Media NY has brought on board Gatherers’ Tavern, the design and manufacturing studio dedicated to bringing the worlds of fantasy, games, and literature to life. Targeting fans of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, Gatherers’ Tavern will bring to market a unique style of Yu-Gi-Oh! special plush accessories bags.
Hiya Toys
Hiya Toys will create high end action figures of Yu-Gi-Oh! characters that will have strong appeal with the brand’s fans and collectors. Established in 2009, Hiya Toys has quickly become a leading name in the industry, renowned for its attention to detail and accurate representation of pop culture characters. Hiya Toys has a strong relationship with top distributors in the U.S., Europe and Asia and will provide support via social media.
Starbright Licensing
Lastly, Starbright Licensing, KCMNY’s sub-agent for Italy, shared their latest deal for Yu-Gi-Oh! Pernigotti, the international confections and chocolate company will launch a line of Yu-Gi-Oh! Chocolate Easter eggs in time for Easter 2026. This marks a category expansion for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Brand and another fun and exciting way to target both collectors and Gen Alpha.
Yu-Gi-Oh! x glam
Yu-Gi-Oh! has partnered with g.l.a.m. GmbH & Co.KG, or glam, a full-service licensing agency that focuses on toys & games, fashion & accessories, home & living as well as back to school products, to become the franchise’s new sub agent for Germany.
glam first presented Yu-Gi-Oh! products at Essen’s recent BRANDmate trade show and London’s Brand Licensing Expo. There, “one of the first deals finalized by the glam team and Konami Cross Media NY is an agreement with Van der Erve,” according to a press release provided to The Beat. “The Belgium-based apparel manufacturer, known for its strong portfolio of manga and anime, gaming, and character entertainment IP, will create a Yu-Gi-Oh! apparel collection for children and adults that will launch throughout Europe and the UK.”
Source: Konami
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