4Kids Entertainment will get to know the ins and outs of Mikey Simon, the star of Animation Collective’s Kappa Mikey, as the company has acquired worldwide licensing rights to the new action-comedy series slated to debut on Nicktoons in the U.S. and on Nickelodeon International Channels in 2006. 4 Kids Entertainment will handle the marketing, promotional and licensing initiatives for this latest creation from animation Collective’s Larry Schwarz, also the creative brain behind the popular 4Kids TV series, The Incredible Crash Test Dummies, as well Leader Dog and Tortellini Western currently airing on Nicktoons.
Kappa Mikey tracks the bumpy road to stardom for the once-struggling actor turned huge Japanese anime star, Mikey Simon. One of television’s first fish-out-of-water anime comedies, the show spotlights the difficulties that come with fame, as Mikey struggles with the paparazzi while he’s trying to get to know his co-stars, acclimate to Japanese culture and adjust to living with the public’s eye on him at all times.
A unique animated property with a show within a show format, 4Kids Entertainment plans to develop a licensing and strategy that will capitalize on Kappa Mikey’s innovative premise, plethora of engaging characters and tricked out vehicles. The initial licensing program is expected to focus on toys, apparel, games and trend products.
