Spin Master has inked a new licensing agreement to distribute Takara TOMY’s anime-inspired digital pet Punirunes to new markets outside of Asia. 

Under the deal, Spin Master will leverage its global network to roll out the Japanese toyco’s Punirunes products to all major retailers starting in August, including Walmart, Target and Amazon. 

Targeting kids ages five and up, the digital pet includes a full-color LCD screen and more than 55 characters to collect, care for, play with and customize using a wide range of accessories. Punirunes pets also feature a unique squishy button that, when touched, mirrors the movements of the user on screen as if they’re actually touching and interacting with their new digital friend. 

Since launching in 2021, Punirunes has sold more than 700,000 units across Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Doug Wadleigh, Spin Master’s president of toys, says he is eager to collaborate with TOMY to expand Punirunes to additional markets because of the brand’s proven international success across Asia and the demand for quirky new toys from the anime fandom. 

Spin Master is no stranger to the digital pet market—the company unveiled its own original line of Bitzee interactive pets to retailers worldwide last year. Post-launch, Bitzee nabbed a Best Collectible nomination at the 2023 Toy of the Year Awards and was the best-selling youth electronics toy in the US last year, according to Circana.