Toei Animation Co. Ltd. has appointed Spanish licensing leader Biplano as merchandising broker for DRAGON BALL series and SAINT SAIYA. Biplano will handle the properties for Spain and Portugal, encompassing all merchandising rights for the brands with the exception of toy, video game and publishing categories.

Announcement of the Toei-Biplano agreement was made from the Paris Toei Animation office by Kanji Kazahaya, Director of International Department of Toei Animation Co., Ltd.

“Biplano ranks among one of the international market’s most prolific licensing organizations and brings to its representation of DRAGON BALL and SAINT SAIYA an outstanding track record of licensing success, and deep commitment to our brands,” said Kazahaya.

“We are excited to be working with Toei Animation, one of the most respected names in animation production. The company’s DRAGON BALL continues to rank among the world’s most powerful brands, while SAINT SAIYA is generating excitement throughout the world on the heels of its stellar two-decade success in Japan,” said Jordi Rey, General Manager of Biplano.

Saint Seiya, one of Japan’s most popular and longest running anime series, has captivated audiences for over twenty years with its epic storylines, intense action and dazzling imagery. Its inclusion in the Ephebe exhibition is a natural, due to its entertaining, yet serious treatment of classic mythology’s stories and themes.

Now boasting 508 episodes, the Dragon Ball phenomena follows Goku’s quest (main character in the series) in his search for the seven magic Dragon Balls in a saga that encompasses three 3 parts - Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. Dragon Ball adapts Japanese big success comics of the same title by Akira Toriyama. Since this animated series produced in 1986, this has continued broadcasted in major European countries. In Spain, this is currently aired on Cuatro.