Edison Nation, it’s morphin’ time!

Bandai America is looking for groundbreaking ways to engage both boys and girls, deliver new and exciting entertainment/play experiences and grow their distinguished toy lines.

Who is Bandai America?
Bandai America is a global leader in developing engaging, quality toys that capture children’s imaginative spirit and provide endless fun! Bandai is the manufacturer and master toy licensee of some of the most popular brands in children’s toys and interactive entertainment today, including Power Rangers®, Ben 10™, ThunderCats™, Pocoyo™, Tamagotchi®, and Digimon®, among other boys, girls, preschool and hobby product lines. Additionally, Bandai enjoys partnerships with the Cartoon Network, Saban Brands, Warner Brothers and many others, which enables them to always offer inspiration and creativity to their young consumer audience.

If your idea could potentially usher in the next innovative toy craze, extendable platform and/or leverage one of Bandai’s existing brands, this search is for you!

Some ideas to kick start your creative toy-making engines!

New technology: Toys that incorporate new technologies (think: GPS, 3-D, mobile apps and further) and can be played across platforms, such as video games, iPhone® apps, trading cards and more and /or the ancillary platform can be added and played with the toy.

Not your old-school game of tag: Innovations in role-play, such as the next generation of laser tag and/or competitive action role-play that isn’t your run of the mill hide-and-go-seek game.

New Features: Cool new features in action figure and vehicle transformation, morphing and battling. Do you have a new take on connecting play patterns between action figures, play sets, vehicles and more?

The next big thing: Is your idea the next must-have Christmas, birthday or back-to-school toy to own?

Let’s hear it for the girls: For the growing girls’ toy line, consider clever differentiations and trends right now that may include feature dolls or plush, and creative activities.

Let’s hear it for the little people: Think innovative executions and play patterns for traditional preschool activities, like shape sorting, peek-a-boo, color match, and so forth.

Other important items to note:

Have questions about Bandai America? Visit www.Bandai.com

The more proprietary and differentiated your idea is, the better.

The more on-point your idea is with today’s consumer trends the better.

Are you filling a marketplace void or creating a whole new product segment?

Price points and margins do matter especially when mass market retail accounts for the highest percentage of the business.

Bandai logo: ® and © 2011 Bandai.
Power Rangers: ® and © SCG Power Rangers LLC.
ThunderCats: TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Ted Wolf. (s11)
Ben 10: TM and © CARTOON NETWORK.
Pocoyo: TM & © 2005-2011 Zinkia Entertainment S.A.

We ask for well-communicated ideas. This includes filling out our easy-to-use submission form to the best of your ability. Upload images, sketches and any other media that support your idea. Tell us your story. We even encourage you to create a video demonstrating your innovation. Don’t worry. We aren’t expecting you to break out your inner Spielberg. Please keep videos to less than 2 minutes.

As always, your submission should be unique and protectable (patent protection is highly preferred, but not a conclusive requirement).