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via 4Kids Entertainment press release:

4Kids Secures Rights To Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time

NEW YORK (September 14, 2010) – 4Kids Entertainment has secured the global theatrical, television and home entertainment rights (excluding Asia) to Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time, a special 3D animated film released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series created by Kazuki Takahashi, and will showcase the title to broadcasters at the upcoming MIPCOM 2010 market in Cannes.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time features the main heroes from all three of the previous series: Yugi Muto (from Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters), Judai Yuki (Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monster GX), and Yusei Fudo (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s). The story brings these three together to fight a fierce duel against Paradox, a powerful new enemy who is as evil as he is mysterious. It is also the world’s first full-length animated feature to be drawn by hand and then rendered into 3D for the big screen. The film was very well received during its Japanese exhibition in January, earning over $3,000,000 in its limited weekend run at 124 3D theatres.

The ensuing drama is a fast-paced, multi-layered, positive-spirited film which travels through time periods of three different duelists, providing viewers a unique experience of the colors and feel of each generation. Ultimately they all work together in the intense and action-packed final duel to save humankind from a post-apocalyptic world, and provide fans all they could hope for in a special tenth anniversary film.

“Our plan is to release the film into 3D theatres in early 2011 in select markets, and follow that window with a television debut and DVD release,” said Brian Lacey, Executive Vice President, 4Kids Entertainment International. “We are confident that this Yu-Gi-Oh! movie will be well received by global broadcasters and kid viewers since our Yu-Gi-Oh! broadcast partners and others have requested this kind of event-driven content from the producers.”

“‘Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time’ will provide broadcasters very high quality content that will work in multiple dayparts, delivering strong audience demos,” added Lacey. “ This is a very promotable movie for their advertising community which creatively brings all of the Yu-Gi-Oh! heroes together for a beautifully produced and action-packed program.”

The continuing strength of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise is affirmed by the broadcast of the TV series in over 80 countries, as well as the phenomenal success of the trading cards, currently translated into six languages, and recording sales of more than 22.5 billion cards in 51 countries since its launch, a record-setting feat which has earned the brand a Guinness World Record.