Japan’s popular Mameshiba characters are making their US licensing debut.

A collection of Mameshiba 4′ clip plush from Toynami will be sold at HotTopic.com for US$8.99 apiece. The product will also be carried at the Hastings national chain and at the Trans World Entertainment chain of mall stores.

Bioworld Merchandising is also set to create Mameshiba apparel and accessories featuring t-shirts, fleece, shorts, headwear, bags, leather goods and hosiery. Bioworld products will be distributed through all channels in the US and Canada beginning in the spring. And in the summer, publisher VIZ Media will be launching the first wave of Mameshiba books.

Created by global advertising, communications and marketing company Dentsu as interstitials in Japan, the trivia-spouting bean-dogs have garnered more than US$100 million in licensed product sales since 2008. And Mameshiba animated shorts have earned more than seven million total views on YouTube.

Dentsu Entertainment USA is actively seeking licensees for stationery and jewelry.