Nelvana Enterprises has teamed up with d-rights for three new themed seasons of the hit anime series “Beyblade,” while Nelvana Studios is beginning production on the new show “Trucktown” based on a series of best-selling books.

Beyblade Gets New Themed Seasons

Three news seasons–“Beyblade: Shogun Steel,” “BeyRaiderz Shogun” (working title) and “BeyWarriors Cyborg” (working title)–are set to launch over the next year-and-a-half.

“Shogun Steel” is set to launch this fall, followed by “BeyRaiderz” in spring 2014 and “BeyWarriors” in fall 2014.

“‘Shogun Steel’ begins the most unique and fantastical vision of the Beyblade universe we have seen yet and continues to offer an exciting world of interaction between the TV series, toys and games,” says Colin Bohm, managing director, Nelvana. “The series’ fresh new storylines will reignite interest from current Beyblade fans as well as invite new fans of the franchise.”

New licensing partners are lining up as well, including Paris Geneve in Canada (boys sleepwear, underwear and t-shirts), Mad Dog Concepts in the U.S. (sleepwear and socks), Eugene Textiles in the U.S. and Canada (craft kits and fleece throws) and Black & White Shoes, which renewed its license for footwear in Canada and will be expanding into the U.S. Other licensees include Ferrero (chocolate eggs) and Fipotex (apparel and accessories) both in Europe, and Unilever (Signal) in Germany (toothbrushes and toothpaste).

Production Begins on ‘Trucktown’

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Studio has started production on the brand-new boys’ preschool animated show “Trucktown,” based on the series of best-selling books by children’s author Jon Scieszka and published by Simon & Schuster.

“Trucktown” follows the adventures of a group of rough and tumble young trucks lead by Jack Truck and his best friends Dump Truck Dan and Max the Monster Truck.

Forty, half-hour episodes have been greenlit with delivery set for spring 2014. Corus Entertainment’s Treehouse preschool channel in Canada is the first broadcaster to pick up the new series.

“We’re delighted to be bringing the world of Trucktown, which has engaged millions of kids through the books, to life on screen,” says Colin Bohm, managing director, Nelvana Enterprises. “The boisterous characters and rollicking action that Jon Scieszka created for the page has a proven track record, which the series will be able to introduce to even more kids and families.”