AMBot | 04/16/2003 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
In the last E-NEWZ issue from the end of February, we reported to you about the great international successes of the Japanese animated series Yu-Gi-Oh!. Since then, after the series has also launched in Germany, we have our own success story—and it is no less impressive: since March 10, the Japanese import has been airing in the successful anime block on RTL II, from Monday to Friday at 1:50 PM. Right from the start, the ratings showed the enormous potential of this animated series. With a market share among children between three and thirteen years old that was significantly above the average of the entire block, Yu-Gi-Oh! quickly took the lead in March and clearly pushed ratings hits like Pokémon or Detective Conan down the ranks.
Even in April, the series continues to show unprecedented ratings success, with market shares sometimes exceeding 40% in the measured target group of children aged 3-13 and up to 700,000 viewers. But that’s not all: on March 21, Konami of Europe released the first two Yu-Gi-Oh! video games for GameBoy Color and PSone. The first official sales figures from MediaControl even exceeded our wildest expectations. As reported in issue 10/2003 of the toy industry newsletter "planet toys": "According to this, the PSone version has already taken the undisputed top spot in this short period and was sold more often in the last week of March than all the other PSone products in the Top 50 combined. The GameBoy Color version also rapidly rose from the main field to first place during the same period and, as a full-price product, is more successful than all the following positions in the Top Ten combined." On April 17, the GameBoy Advance version "Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel" will finally be released—first place is already reserved. Also starting in mid-April, the first trading cards will be available at newsstands, for which Konami, together with distribution partner Amigo and retail partners, plans to organize exciting tournaments for kids. MATTEL, the main licensee for toys, will also deliver the first action and collector figures as well as so-called model kit assortments in mid-April. Over the course of the year, the Battle City game set, the Yu-Gi-Oh! Millennium game, and finally the Hexors Starter Set and Booster Set will follow: a real challenge even for older Yu-Gi-Oh! fans! All product launches will be accompanied by high-profile campaigns, including TV, print, online, and PR.
Over the course of the year, shoes from Leomil, Holland, trendy textiles from Santex Moden, Würselen, nightwear and underwear from Tex-Ass, Essen, a cool soundtrack from BMG, Munich, delicious sweets from BIP, Holland, Joyco, Spain, and Topps Merlin, England, posters from Reinders, Bocholt, school accessories from Undercover Bekadis, Nuremberg, bedding from Belltex, Belgium, calendars and poster magazines from Carlsen Comic, Hamburg, and much more will follow.
Get the hype—IT’S TIME TO DUEL!!!
Even in April, the series continues to show unprecedented ratings success, with market shares sometimes exceeding 40% in the measured target group of children aged 3-13 and up to 700,000 viewers. But that’s not all: on March 21, Konami of Europe released the first two Yu-Gi-Oh! video games for GameBoy Color and PSone. The first official sales figures from MediaControl even exceeded our wildest expectations. As reported in issue 10/2003 of the toy industry newsletter "planet toys": "According to this, the PSone version has already taken the undisputed top spot in this short period and was sold more often in the last week of March than all the other PSone products in the Top 50 combined. The GameBoy Color version also rapidly rose from the main field to first place during the same period and, as a full-price product, is more successful than all the following positions in the Top Ten combined." On April 17, the GameBoy Advance version "Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel" will finally be released—first place is already reserved. Also starting in mid-April, the first trading cards will be available at newsstands, for which Konami, together with distribution partner Amigo and retail partners, plans to organize exciting tournaments for kids. MATTEL, the main licensee for toys, will also deliver the first action and collector figures as well as so-called model kit assortments in mid-April. Over the course of the year, the Battle City game set, the Yu-Gi-Oh! Millennium game, and finally the Hexors Starter Set and Booster Set will follow: a real challenge even for older Yu-Gi-Oh! fans! All product launches will be accompanied by high-profile campaigns, including TV, print, online, and PR.
Over the course of the year, shoes from Leomil, Holland, trendy textiles from Santex Moden, Würselen, nightwear and underwear from Tex-Ass, Essen, a cool soundtrack from BMG, Munich, delicious sweets from BIP, Holland, Joyco, Spain, and Topps Merlin, England, posters from Reinders, Bocholt, school accessories from Undercover Bekadis, Nuremberg, bedding from Belltex, Belgium, calendars and poster magazines from Carlsen Comic, Hamburg, and much more will follow.
Get the hype—IT’S TIME TO DUEL!!!
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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