Hello

Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!

Happy Bloomin’ Friday!

I’ve been attending LA Previews for over a decade, and it’s incredible to see how much the event has grown! In fact, the Toy Association’s expanded footprint was featured in the LA Times today. It’s been wonderful catching up with so many of you this week, and I’m looking forward to even more meetings, networking, and events next week.

Here is a list of LA events, courtesy of the Toy Association. And don’t forget — next Tuesday is our second annual gathering at the Laugh Factory. Here are the details!

  • The POP/Nextoy/Laugh Factory LA party is September 16th! Get your tickets HERE and NOW! It is Rubee Tuesday - a super-funny night at the Laugh Factory!  Contact David Fuhrer, Bob Fuhrer or me with questions.

Our Young Inventor Challenge Fundraiser is almost over - your $20 contribution will help support and inspire kids around the world! We just had a class of 24 kids from Switzerland register! Watch this video!

If you missed tBR last week - we’ve moved tBR to the Toy Association’s email server, and TA’s Liam O’Malley has taken on curating the news links, selecting the bullets, videos, and a few other pieces of tBR (thank you, Liam!). I’ll continue writing and curating the intro, feature stories, cartoon, and quote—as always, please feel free to reach out to me anytime. If you have questions about receiving the newsletter, Liam will be your go-to.

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Thank you for reading the Bloom Report here or on the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed! Please support our work by advertising and/or setting up a POP profile. 

Mary and the POP Team

Bloom Report Subscribers Say...

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Rachele Harmuth, Chief Product Officer at CrunchLabs

Turning Curiosity into Confidence

Mary Couzin - People of Play (POP): Rachele, congratulations on your promotion to Chief Product Officer at CrunchLabs! What does this new role mean to you?

Rachele Harmuth (RH): Thank you! When I first joined CrunchLabs, I knew I’d found a place where creativity and engineering could come together to inspire kids and adults alike. Becoming Chief Product Officer means I get to keep scaling that vision, guiding not just the “what” we build, but the “why” and “how.”  And the best part? It’s the only job I know where a slingshot, glitter, fart spray, and a whiteboard marker are equally important tools.

MC: You’ve had a big career through some major companies. What drew you to the startup CrunchLabs in the first place?

RH: Impact. We turn curiosity into confidence. Kids build real STEM skills, because learning feels like play. At the heart of it, I want to make things that matter. CrunchLabs is more than toys or kits. It’s this powerful mix of science, storytelling, and play that builds creative confidence. Kids don’t just follow steps, they hack, they invent, they surprise themselves. That’s a skill set for life. Plus, I loved the boldness of the mission: “reach as many brains as possible.” Most companies measure success on things like “shareholder value.” We measure them by how many “brains” we reach. Read more

Young Inventor Challenge: 20th Anniversary Spotlight

Name: Julie McNamara, Teacher
Location: Palos East Elementary School

I teach a gifted and talented pull-out program for students in grades 1–5 at Palos East Elementary in Palos Heights, Illinois. I've taught ALPS (Accelerated Learning Program for Students) since 2011 in which I enrich the accelerated curriculum by incorporating STEAM-based learning.

The summer before I moved into the ALPS role, I was doing some online research looking for competitions for this new group of students. I discovered the Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) and immediately recognized its potential to inspire my students. I developed a unit on inventions and game design incorporating the engineering design process for my fourth graders, and our district (Palos 118) entered the competition for the first time that school year. The excitement it generated has fueled our participation every year since. Read more

(Note from Mary:  It is the 20th Anniversary of the Young Inventor Challenge! We have BIG plans and would love to include you - be a sponsor, a judge or a volunteer. We appreciate all the help we can get to support the next generation of toy people! Contact Ahren Hoffman ahren@peopleofplay.com today.)

Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!

Cartoon of the Week: Thank you to the person who wishes to be anonymous for the cartoon this week.

Memorable Quotes:  “When Americans lend a hand to one another, nothing is impossible. We’re not about what happened on 9/11. We’re about what happened on 9/12.” -Jeff Parness

Toy Industry Word of Day:  If you can think of a toy/game industry word not in our POPDictionary, add it and we will connect it to you POP profile, feature it here in an upcoming week and on POP's homepage! ​

Have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share? Send it to me!  Mary​​​

Happiest of Birthdays to our colleagues celebrating birthdays this past week!

Eddy Goldfarb
Chris Saldana
Karen Reed
Alan Dorfman
Micheal McKay
Jason Duncan
Janis Van Tine
Merle Robbins RIP
Liza Gresko

Financial, Legal and Tariffs

Paramount Plans Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

The bid would be made mostly in cash. A deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery would be costly.

Diamond Files Adversary Proceedings Against 31 Vendors

Diamond Comic Distributors has taken the next step in attempting to seize and sell consignment inventory in its warehouse by filing adversary proceedings against 31 consignment vendors, from Ablaze LLC to Zenescope Entertainment, Inc.

Warner Bros. Discovery sues Midjourney for generating ‘countless’ copies of its characters

Hollywood’s battle with AI is heating up as Warner Bros. Discovery alleges that Midjourney generated “countless” infringing images and videos of its copyrighted characters, including Superman, Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo, and more.

Sparkle Pop Responds on Consignment Sales

Sparkle Pop has responded to Diamond’s motion on its sales of consignment inventory, alleging that its sales of the inventory were due to lack of action by Diamond.

Financial Reporting, Tariffs

Big Jump in GameStop Collectibles Sales

Collectible sales were up 63% over category sales in the same quarter a year ago, from $139.4 million in Q2 2024 to $227.6 million in Q2 2025.

Trump’s pressure on Europe to slap 100% tariffs on India and China raises eyebrows

Europe is unlikely to acquiesce to the White House's request to slap high tariffs on its Asian counterparts.

Potential Trump tariff refund bill could top $1 trillion as Supreme Court fight looms

The Supreme Court has not indicated when it might rule on a request by the Trump administration to decide quickly on whether many new tariffs are legal.

Stories, Comments, and Advice

Hasbro charity tournament raises over £8,000 for Toy Trust

The annual Hasbro In The Community Charity Football and Netball Tournament returned on Friday 5th September under blue skies, with a brilliant turnout of players, sponsors and supporters all coming together to raise funds for the Toy Trust.

Step Into A World Of Imagination At The Lego Group's Boston Hub

Discover how the Lego Group's Boston HQ provides employees the space to work and play.

Marketing to the Adult Collector

In 2024, when adults surpassed every other age group in money spent on toys, the industry finally sat up and took notice.

Exclusive: Viewpoint – TikTok’s impact on the Toy industry

Asha Bhalsod, founder of Etopia Consultancy, shares her thoughts on why TikTok could be the new Amazon for toys.

Kerala Architect Built a Home With 6200 Discarded Toys

To tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution, architect Vinu Daniel designed a circular house with its exterior wall made of earth blocks, Mangalore tiles, and 6,200 discarded toys.

Oregon Duck goes viral for sporting Labubu costume, see the video #Shorts

The University of Oregon's mascot, The Oregon Duck, masqueraded as a popular Labubu doll during the team's home stand against Oklahoma State.

From the Editor: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Lights, Camera, Play: The Toy Industry Assembles for Previews in LA.

The Toy Insider’s 2025 Holiday Trend Preview

An early look at The Toy Insider's 2025 picks for the hottest toy trends of the holiday season!

Exclusive: Spotlight on Playground Crazes and Pocket Money Collectibles

Toy World's Gabriela Jiménez García speaks with leading suppliers in the Pocket Money collectibles category to identify the trends and toys dominating playgrounds this year.

The eyes and ears club … it’s the Friday Blog!

It’s the time of year when the ability to clone myself would come in handy.

History and Nostalgia

Fascination Checkers

Released in 1962 by Remco, Fascination Checkers was a two-player twist on traditional checkers, played on a distinctive corner-and-cross game board.

Darth Vader’s Lightsaber Sells for a Record $3.6 Million at Propstore Auction

The original lighsaber used by Darth Vader in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and its sequel “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” has been sold at an auction for $3,654,000.

Flashback: Five Iconic Toys from the Year 2000

It may feel like yesterday, but these picks are now a quarter of a century old!

Razzle from Parker Brothers

“And they’re off again!”

Disney’s Limited-Edition Mickey and Minnie Replica Dolls Use the Original 1930s Patterns

The plush duo is a recreation of Charlotte Clark's now-treasured collectibles.

The Darkest Chapter In The Star Wars Saga Was The Animated Show Ewoks

Not everything in the past was better. When it comes to science fiction franchises from the 1970s and 1980s, we often have a tendency to romanticize the so-called purity of the way things used to be.

Backstory: Return of the Plastic Jedi

Kenner’s Bold Star Wars Relaunch in 1995 Awakened the Force at Retail and Unleashed a Modern Collector Economy

Dutch Pinball Museum – Rotterdam, Netherlands

The Dutch Pinball Museum is a hands-on experience where history and gameplay merge, offering a nostalgic journey that bridges the past and present.

Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Playset from Matchbox

Released by Matchbox in 1988, the Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Playset captured the whimsy and vibrancy of the hit television series.

Licensing and Entertainment

Hollywood turns to video games to bring fresh IP to the big screen For decades, studios have tried to capitalize on the financial success and cultural relevance of video games, but it's only clicked in the last few years.
Promoting Play: WildBrain CPLG Expands Playmobil Licensing Program

WildBrain CPLG expands the Playmobil brand with worldwide promotions and cross-category partners like McDonald's, Kia Motors, and more.

BBC Studios Adds the Heelers to Halloween with New Bluey Products

This fall, 'Bluey' fans can get spooky and silly with new Halloween costumes, activities, apparel, decor, and more starring BBC Studios’ beloved characters.

Kidoodle.TV joins the Sesame Street streaming team

Netflix and YouTube won't be the only ones offering this iconic preschool series on their platforms.

Lion Forge secures a US$30-million investment

The money will help support the studio, which is developing Chicka Chicka Boom Boom with Simon & Schuster for Nickelodeon.

Thunderbird Entertainment, tokidoki Dive Into Licensing Partnerships for ‘Mermicorno: Starfall’

Licensing partnerships include Abrams for publishing, Ashtel Studios for personal care, BBC International for footwear, Franco Manufacturing for bedding and bath, and Komar for sleepwear.

Bagpuss wakes up for a cinematic comeback

Threewise Entertainment is giving the beloved British stop-motion character a big-screen sequel for 2027.

OpenAI comes for Hollywood with Critterz, an AI-powered animated film 

OpenAI hopes Critterz will convince wary film execs to embrace AI with its low budget and accelerated production schedule. 

Hazbin Hotel season 2 teaser gives fans what they really want

The first teaser for season 2 of A24's hit animated series Hazbin Hotel has arrived, and the show's vast fandom is going to be picking over it frame by frame.

Believe it or Not: AMP Comics Secures Publishing Rights to Iconic Superhero Series

The groundbreaking superhero series, which originally aired from 1981–1983, will return in an all-new comic series premiering in 2026—led by an all-star team that includes the original Hero himself, William Katt, as Executive Producer.

Heathside partners with WWE

Heathside Trading and WWE have announced a new licensing partnership, with the Khadou brand promising lines fans will be proud to collect.

PhatMojo Secures Global Toy Rights to Roblox Hit Grow A Garden

The deal, brokered by licensing agency Think Influence, brings the digital gardening sensation into the physical world with a new range of toys designed for building, collecting, customizing, and sharing.

‘Hot Wheels Matchbox Adventures’ Gears up for Fifth Season

Mattel is revving up for a revival. A new season of Hot Wheels Matchbox Adventures is coming to YouTube, sporting all-new races and rescues.

Mattel Announces New American Girl Challenge Series on YouTube

Mattel is expanding its portfolio of digital content with an all-new American Girl series on YouTube, 'The Great American Girl Challenge.'

Dance with Dinos in Mattel’s New ‘Barney’s World’ YouTube Series

Barney is back, and he’s busting a move! Mattel’s lovable purple dinosaur is starring in a new YouTube series to get kids moving and grooving.

Paramount Pictures and Legendary ink three-year distribution deal

 The deal could potentially cover kids and family titles like Danny and the Dinosaur or Magic: The Gathering. 

PBS eliminates another 34 positions

This brings the job cuts to nearly 100 in recent months, as the pubcaster continues navigating the complete loss of federal funding.

Spirit Halloween scores with KPop Demon Hunters

The retailer is developing costumes based on Netflix's kids movie sensation.

People of Play

PEOPLE: Roku’s Jennifer Vaux makes a move to Netflix

Also, Sesame Workshop has appointed Kendall Hubert as EVP of revenue and philanthropy, and Sarah Rose is leaving Paramount to join The Royal Foundation as CEO.

Joan Lawrence Introduces Toy Safety Fundamentals to FIT Toy Design Students

Lawrence, who served as the students’ formal introduction to toy safety, has been presenting her “Building Safety into Toy Design” session to FIT’s Toy Design class for more than 25 years.

CrunchLabs Promotes Toy Industry Veteran Rachele Harmuth to Chief Product Officer

In this role, Harmuth will lead product strategy and innovation as the company expands beyond its successful subscription business into new toy and education verticals, positioning CrunchLabs as a global STEM toy brand.

BBC Studios Appoints Suzy Raia as EVP, Global Consumer Products

The move reflects the company’s continued investment in its global brands and commercial growth strategy.

PEOPLE: Hello Sunshine names Maureen Polo as new CEO

Also, former Bandai UK exec Nic Aldridge has landed at Heathside Trading to head up Khadou's toys and marketing. 

TCA Accelerator Coaching Call with Michael Harring

With the goal of $49,000, Michael Harring's Wayward Ghouls Kickstarter is almost at 50% with a $19,000 pledge but as he shared in this interview, for some reason, pledges have stalled. 

GI Joe designer reminisces about working at Hasbro

For Ronald Rudat, working at Hasbro was more than just a paycheck — it was a passion.

Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals

Women in Toys Celebrates 2025 Wonder Women Award Winners

Honorees were recognized in Los Angeles this week.

Registration opens for Toy Fair New York

Members of the toy trade can register now for Toy Fair New York, book hotels at the best rates and map their personalised agenda with the Toy Fair mobile app.

CHITAG 2025 filling up fast

The CHITAG organisers report that this year’s event is set to be the biggest yet, with a host of sponsors and exhibitors already on board.

Applications Open for Creative Factor Inventor Day at Toy Fair® 2026

Toy inventors and designers are now invited to apply for a chance to pitch their ideas to top toy and youth entertainment professionals and manufacturing partners at Toy Fair® this February.

Toy Association’s “Toy Building” Opens its Doors in El Segundo, Marking Historic Milestone for U.S. Toy Industry

The Toy Building brings together global toy companies, mid-sized manufacturers, and emerging startups, whose showrooms will attract buyers, licensors, and key decision makers from around the world to preview toy prototypes, scout new toy trends, and hold private meetings

Ty bounces into the spotlight at Autumn Fair

Toy World's Caroline Tonks and Mark Austin took a trip up to Birmingham earlier this week to visit Autumn Fair 2025 and see what the show had to offer for Toy exhibitors.

Winners of the Big Christmas Wishlist revealed

At The Big Christmas Press Show 2025, consumer specialists, retail insiders, shopping experts and trendsetters have come together to reveal this year's most coveted products for Christmas.

ASTRA’s Insights: The Final Lap of the Year

As 2025’s trade show season winds down, ASTRA is already building toward a bigger, brighter 2026.

SEGA & Atlus announces TGS 2025 lineup

SEGA and Atlus have announced their plans for this year’s Tokyo Game Show and judging from what’s been revealed there are four surprise titles which obviously have yet to be announced.

The Kidults Award winners announced

The Kidult Awards judging panel has come up with a host of stand-out items that they expect to be on Christmas lists this year.

Companies and Brands

Hasbro and Disney Consumer Products Announce Collaboration with Disney for PLAY-DOH

The purpose-driven collaboration combines the sensory and creative play of the PLAY-DOH brand with the magic of Disney storytelling.

Santoki Unveils LEGO Clock Collection at LA Fall Toy Previews

Santoki has revealed its newest addition to the LEGO lifestyle lineup: The LEGO Clock Collection. The four clocks in the collection debuted at LA Fall Preview Market Weeks in El Segundo, Calif.

Jumbo Group's HITSTER, a Fast-paced, Music-driven Party Game

If there’s one truth in entertainment, it’s that music connects us. The right song can instantly transport you to a high school dance, the front seat of your first car, even just a brief moment in time. 

Pudgy Penguins Expands Toy Portfolio with Fun In Motion and Horizon Partnerships

The company has announced collaborations with Fun In Motion Toys and Horizon Group USA to bring its fan-favorite characters into new formats.

Star Trek Celebrates 60 Years with Fan Events, Partnerships, New Series in 2026

The franchise also released a podcast and YouTube series in honor of Star Trek Day.

CONNETIX Powers Global Expansion with U.S. Target Rollout

With an exclusive U.S. retail debut at Target and the addition of My Creative Box to its portfolio, CONNETIX is setting new benchmarks in magnetic play while fueling Brave Toys’ global growth strategy.

Mattel and Rizzoli Unveil “The Mattel Archive” to Celebrate Eight Decades of Iconic Toys, Imagination, and Innovation – Publishes October 2025

It chronicles Mattel’s transformation from its founding in 1945 in a California garage to its present-day status as a global leader in toys and family entertainment.

Holy Pickle Everything Blesses Store Shelves

With the ongoing success of the original Pickle Everything Game and everything "pickle" trending worldwide, it is no miracle that this relished new version made its way to retail so quickly.

Engagement and Insights Evolved: Inside CLOCK.WORK by pocket.watch

Discover how pocket.watch’s Clock.Work helps brands reach Gen Alpha kids and parents through COPPA-compliant campaigns across YouTube, OTT, and gaming — building safe, authentic connections in the spaces where families play and engage.

Hasbro Partners with Hershey’s for Fun-sized Furby Series

Trick-or-treating just got even sweeter! Hasbro is teaming up with Hershey’s for Furby Minis that put a tasty twist on the toy box favorite. 

NUK, Ms. Rachel Partner for New Sippy Cup Collection

NUK and Ms. Rachel partnered for a new sippy cup collection, designed to make the transition from bottles to cups easier.

Goliath Unleashes High-Speed Battle Action with Hyper Burst

The vehicle collection brings a battle royale element to the race track.

The Engine Shed relaunches as ModelGiant

ModelGiant customers will be welcomed into a refreshed shop with a bold new identity, revised opening hours and a new look and feel.

Clarification on Toy City distribution rights

Maison Battat has asserted that it holds exclusive distribution rights for Mr. Pa and Laura for the UK and Europe.

Toymaster welcomes Phillips Hobbies

Phillips Hobbies in March, Cambridgeshire is the latest retailer to become a member of the Toymaster group.

The Werebears return - and with Baby Three crossover

The Werebears brand has been brought back to life by David Middleton of Midco Sourcing and Midco Toys, working together with Kandy Toys.

Pop Mart Collectibles Arrive at Books-A-Million This Fall

The retailers are partnering to bring POP MART’s must-have collectibles and IP to Books-A-Million locations across the US.

Cottage Door Press, Mattel Bring New Stories to Luna StoryTime Projector

The Luna StoryTime Projector library expands with Mattel brands, like Barbie, Hot Wheels, Thomas and Friends and Angelina Ballerina.

Walmart deepens collectibles offering with live shopping series

About a year ago, Walmart began offering collectibles through its online marketplace, allowing merchants to sell dolls, sports memorabilia, comic books and other coveted collectibles on the platform. 

‘Passion in board game profession has given way to economic reality’: Ludonaute to stop publishing new games in wake of selling off Colt Express, Living Forest IPs -

Long-running French board game publisher Ludonaute is calling time on creating new games at the end of 2025, saying the hobby's huge expansion in recent years had seen passion within the industry leech away in favour of economic decision-making.

Lego confirms it's working on a Star Trek: The Next Generation set

Lego revealed that a set is in the works with an Instagram post set in the Enterprise’s transporter room.

Asmodee to adapt its ‘most iconic’ games into shorter, child-friendly versions with launch of kids-focused brand -

Asmodee has launched a dedicated kids-focused brand as it prepares to release a slate of re-worked, simpler and shorter versions of some of its most popular titles.

Lego Star Wars unveils Ultimate Death Star set

With a total of 9,023 pieces, the Ultimate Death Star is the largest Lego Star Wars set to date, recreating some of the most legendary moments in cinematic history.

Plus-Plus addresses Back to School demand with Activity Pads

Combining fun and educational outcomes, the Activity Pads foster creativity, problem-solving and hands-on skill development beyond the classroom.

Tree Town Toys Relaunches ‘Yes & Know Invisible Ink Trivia Game Books’

The brand returns with new content, global distribution, and six launch titles.

Super Impulse Revives Aqua Pets for a New Generation

Set to hit North American shelves this summer, the revived line updates the original concept with vibrant new colors, fresh characters, and expanded interactive features.

Pig New World: Peppa Pig’s Evie-lution Begins

Hasbro deepens Peppa Pig's emotional storytelling and builds fresh momentum across global retail.

Gabby’s Dollhouse Takes Center Stage

From a theatrical debut to a nationwide tour, new toys, and a video game launch, Gabby's Dollhouse is expanding beyond the screen with its biggest year yet.

Ollyball Expands with Full-Force Indoor Sports Line at Dick’s Sporting Goods

The brand brings baseball, pickleball, soccer, volleyball, and football sets to retail this fall.

Talkin’ Games: Top Trumps USA

Top Trumps USA sharpens its strategy, expanding retail reach and stacking the deck for 2026.

Brilliant PR & Marketing Rebrands as Brilliant

The agency’s new identity unites PR, marketing, influencer, social, and retail activation under one banner.

Spotlight On: YuMe’s Fresh Collections

YuMe's Paul Fish details the company's distribution relationships, upcoming collaborations, and more.

Lionel Trains: 125 Years of Legendary Locomotives

Lionel Trains honors its past and builds the future with catalog callouts, event exclusives, and behind-the-scenes access.

MGA Entertainment Launches DohKins to Spark Preschoolers’ Imaginations

DohKins from MGA Entertainment combines adorable characters with moldable, never-drying dough across various playsets.

Hasbro Relocates Rhode Island Operations to Boston Seaport

The relocation is part of the company’s Playing to Win strategy, designed to drive innovation, expand partnerships, and attract top talent.

Sky Castle announces partnerships with Jazwares and Tokidoki

Sky Castle has announced a series of partnerships with globally recognised brands and digital content creators to expand its award-winning Sticki Rolls product line.

Playtime PR first ever UK certified PeopleFirst organisation

The PeopleFirst recognition highlights Playtime’s commitment to nurturing a supportive, inclusive and inspiring culture that celebrates individuality, fosters belonging and empowers people to thrive.

L.O.L. Surprise! unveils Care Bears range

L.O.L. Surprise! and pop culture icon Care Bears are teaming up for the colourful, all-new L.O.L. Surprise! Loves Care Bears doll collection.

Agoro Brings Precious Metals to the Surprise Toy Market

New blind box collectibles debut in silver and gold, featuring Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney icons.

Hot Wheels Taps World Champion Quarterback Russell Wilson & Son Win Wilson For New Campaign Launch

Hot Wheels is partnering with World Champion quarterback, Russell Wilson and his five-year-old son, Win Wilson, for a campaign featuring the new Hot Wheels Speed Snap Track System.

Property Profile: Popples Pop Into Play

The Loyal Subjects ushers in a plush comeback for a new generation.

Peanuts 75th Anniversary Expands with Global Collaborations, Pop-Ups, and Special Events

WildBrain CPLG brokers new and expanded licensing programs for the IP.

Visional Pop and Niko Studio Bring Bichi Mao to North America

The hit character will expand internationally with content and consumer products through a new partnership.

Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development

Nintendo patents summoning mechanic in the U.S.

The news comes with Nintendo and The Pokemon Company suing Palworld maker Pockerpair over alleged patent infringement.

LEGO Voyagers getting Nintendo Switch 2 version 15th September

When two friends make it their mission to rescue an abandoned spaceship, they embark on a journey beyond their wildest dreams, ultimately learning the value of being connected.

Roblox announces short-video, AI features amid child safety concerns

Roblox on Friday announced new short-video and AI features that come amid increasing lawmaker scrutiny into how the company protects children on its platform.

Hollow Knight: Silksong launch crashes online gaming stores

Steam, the Nintendo eShop and Playstation Store among those that crashed on Friday, unable to cope with demand for the Australian-made game

The Pokemon Company and Takara Tomy have announced Poke-Nade

The new Tamagotchi style toy features over 150 Pokemon to play with and take care of all housed in a Pokeball.

Former Nintendo developer talks about company’s approach to new franchises

Former Nintendo developer Ken Watanabe has had the chance to chat with Bloomberg about the Kyoto-based company and one thing which came up is the company’s approach to creating new IPs.

Nintendo announced it won $2 million lawsuit against Switch modding webstore

Nintendo is busy celebrating a $2 million legal win today over Ryan Daly and a Modded Hardware website.

Kingdom Hearts 4 fans finally get a glimmer of hope

Other than sharing a smattering of new KH4 screenshots in May of this year, it's pretty much been radio silence for three years.

Genshin Impact is coming to Among Us

The crossover will go live on Wednesday, letting Among Us fans become the "cutest cosplayer at your Emergency Meetings," according to Innersloth.

Genki will pay Nintendo damages over 3D-printed Switch 2

Genki’s parent company, Human Things, will pay Nintendo an undisclosed amount of money in damages to close the case, according to a legal filing submitted on Monday.

Highlighted Press Releases

IGLOO BOOKS REVEALS EXCITING NEW DISNEY AND MARVEL-THEMED ADVENT CALENDARS FOR HOLIDAY 2025

To celebrate Holiday 2025, three new Storybook Advent Calendars are launching in September to make sure the cheer lasts all December long. What’s more, Igloo Books has once again partnered with the ultimate storytellers for these special advent calendars: Disney! The three new styles launching for this holiday season are Disney’s Stitch Advent Calendar, Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Advent Calendar, and Marvel’s Spidey & His Amazing Friends Advent Calendar ($31.99 each).

Safety and Regulatory

China’s Labubus are the must-have toy of the year. So are the fakes

At a busy market in a small town of China’s Hebei province, Labubu is no longer the coveted collectible displayed in glass cases.

Roblox to extend age checks in attempt to curb adults talking with children

The fast-growing platform which has more than 110 million users a day playing games like Grow A Garden and Brookhaven RP has been hit by child safety concerns as experiments found children as young as five may be able to communicate with adults while playing games.

RIP - Rest in Play - Remembering Those that have Passed

Michihiro Maeda

The president and CEO of Epoch Making Toys, Michihiro Maeda, has passed away at the age of 67. He first joined the company in 1989, and was appointed president in 1995.

Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories

Some Added Friday Morning. Check Back for Complete Lists.

Toy Trade Monthly & Special Issues​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Adventure Media & Events (US)​

 

 

​Toyworld (UK)

  1. Here we go again … it’s the Friday Blog!
  2. Obituary: Michihiro Maeda
  3. Asmodee launches new Asmodee Kids brand
  4. Heathside partners with WWE
  5. The Werebears return – and with Baby Three crossover
  6. Plus-Plus addresses Back to School demand with Activity Pads
  7. Ty bounces into the spotlight at Autumn Fair
  8. Winners of the Big Christmas Wishlist revealed
  9. Exclusive: Spotlight on Playground Crazes and Pocket Money Collectibles
  10. Hasbro charity tournament raises over £8,000 for Toy Trust


Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld

  1. L.O.L. Surprise! unveils Care Bears range
  2. Bluey movie landing in cinemas on 6th August 2027
  3. Sky Castle signs partnerships with Jazwares and Tokidoki
  4. Landsec teams up with Holovis to launch ApolloDomes
  5. Wildbrain CPLG expands licensing programme for Playmobil
  6. Stumble Guys partners with Avatar: The Last Airbender
  7. PhatMojo signs toy rights for Roblox Grow A Garden game
  8. Sega reveals new fashion collaborations
  9. Lego Star Wars unveils Ultimate Death Star set
  10. Deddy Bears comes to life on screen with Chris Dicker
     

ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US) 

​- Wizards of the Coast Unveils More Sets From 'Magic: The Gathering' 'Spider-Man' Superdrop
- WizKids Reveals New 'D&D Replicas of the Realms: Red Dragon 12-inch Trophy Plaque'
- Wizards of the Coast Bumps Up 'Magic: The Gathering' Banned and Restricted Announcement
- 'BattleTech Gothic' Heads to Retail
- Sirius Dice Explores 'D&D Undermountain'
- WizKids Unveils New 'D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures' Gem Dragon
- Big Jump in GameStop Collectibles Sales
- Venom Gets His Own 'Marvel HeroClix' Booster Set
- 'Warmachine Core Book' Hits Preorder
- Rolling for Initiative -- Good Gaming Gifts 2025

Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)​​

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Global Toy News​​​


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The Bugg Report (Australia)​​

The Toy Universe (Australia)

hobbyDB

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BoardGameWire​​​

Toy Store (Italy)

 

Casual Game Insider

Casual Game Insider: Fall 2025 Issue

Video of the Week!

Tough Negotiations for Terrific Toy Collections | American Pickers

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