Sanrio taps Jakks Pacific for Hello Kitty

The iconic feline face of Sanrio will finally be getting a North American master toy partner, as Jakks Pacific comes aboard to expand the popular girl-skewing property’s presence at mass retail.

The toyco will be putting Hello Kitty and other Sanrio properties on a range of products, including figures, playsets, plush toys, indoor and outdoor children’s furniture, seasonal products and interactive toys.

Launching this fall at stores across the US, the initial lineup is slated to include mini-figures (molded clip-ons, urban vinyl figures, collectible vinyl figures and a purse playset with small figures). Jakks will also rollout Hello Kitty activities, such as Pen Craft, customizable pens with beads and charms, and Hello Kitty String World playsets, which allow kids to create their own jewelry, room décor and small dolls, and the branded Disco Desktop Speaker.