Konami plans to grow the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand with new book licensing opportunities targeted towards Generation Alpha, as announced today at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE). Random House Children’s Books will distribute the new titles in the U.S. and Canada, while Panini Group will cover the global markets in Europe, as well as Central and South America.
Jennifer Coleman, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Licensing for Konami Cross Media, NY, Inc., shares her thoughts on the brand’s publishing expansion with Random House Children’s Books: “As the largest publisher in the world, Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House, is looking to expand its Anime portfolio of intellectual properties with Yu-Gi-Oh! leading the charge. With its focus on multiple child-friendly formats as well as some collectible offerings, this deal will help deepen awareness of the Yu-Gi-Oh! IP across multiple generations, including Gen Alpha.”
Executives from Random House Children’s Books and Panini Group emphasize their shared commitment to expanding Yu-Gi-Oh!’s reach among young fans through tailored strategies and collaborations. Random House plans to raise awareness by promoting its Yu-Gi-Oh! titles at school book fairs, book clubs, and through cross-marketing with Konami Cross Media NY. Panini Group aims to engage Gen Alpha with meaningful, tech-savvy experiences while leveraging its strong European distribution network of kiosks and newsstands. With products like sticker books and collectibles, Panini provides accessible entry points for younger audiences, helping them grow into fans of the broader franchise, including the anime, trading card game, and digital content.
To learn more about upcoming licensing opportunities for the Yu-Gi-Oh brand, visit konami.com.
