Brand management company FUNimation Prods. Ltd. announced today that it has acquired the rights to the popular British animated preschool series Make Way for Noddy. The CG show, produced by Chorion PLC, will debut in the U.S. with 50 all-new episodes on PBS Kids this July.
Consisting of 100 10-minute episodes, Make Way for Noddy is based on the beloved books of children’s author Enid Blyton. The show is set in the magical world of Toyland, a place where toys come to life and adventures never cease. The title character is a little wooden boy who can’t stop nodding when he gets excited because his head is on a spring. The peaceful way of life in Toyland is often disrupted by a pair of mischief-making goblins named Sly and Gobbo, who live in the Dark Wood just outside of the capital city.
Noddy airs in 115 territories and is set to arrive in China and Japan as well this year. The property recently made its publishing debut in China, where state-owned Beijing Publishing House released translated versions of Blyton’s original 24-book series.
The Noddy brand has sold more than 1 million books and 500,000 videos since its launch in 2002. Also available at retailers is a full line of merchandise that includes toys, interactive, apparel, plush, playsets, party goods and games.
As the master licensor for Noddy in North America, FUNimation is showcasing the property at this year’s editions of NATPE, Toy Fair and Licensing Show.
Win a Funko X Lilo & Stitch Prize Pack!
