Bandai Co., Ltd. announced today that "Hyper Yo-Yo," the competitive toy that sparked a craze in Japan in the late 1990s, will be revived in the Reiwa era with a brand new look. Detailed information is scheduled to be officially announced on July 1, 2024.
"Hyper Yo-Yo" (ハイパーヨーヨー) is a series of high-performance yo-yo toys released by Bandai Co., Ltd. in 1997. Utilizing an OEM strategy, Bandai collaborated with multiple yo-yo manufacturers such as YOMEGA, DUNCAN, and YOYOFACTORY to develop products. In addition to its competitive performance, it was also easy to disassemble for maintenance and customize with different parts, allowing both beginners and experienced players to assemble a Hyper Yo-Yo that suited their style.
On the other hand, the manga "Hyper Yo-Yo," based on this toy, also began serialization in 1997, and an adapted TV anime series was released the following year. It depicted the story of the talented rookie protagonist, Shunichi Domoto, who, as his talent emerged and through continuous practice, engaged in passionate yo-yo battles with numerous masters. Through the expansion of multimedia works, a "Hyper Yo-Yo" craze quickly swept across Japan, selling 27 million units between 1997 and 1998.
It has been ten years since the IP craze declined in 2014, leading Bandai to completely end all "Hyper Yo-Yo" merchandise and related projects. Developing competitive toys in an era where 3C products like smartphones are widely prevalent and video games are ubiquitous is truly challenging. In what form will Bandai revive "Hyper Yo-Yo" in the Reiwa era?
ハイパーヨーヨーが令和に生まれ変わる！
7月1日にそのすべてが明らかに！#ハイパーヨーヨー復活 pic.twitter.com/GtlErNGmwA— ハイパーヨーヨー【公式】 (@hyper_yoyo_info) June 14, 2024
via： BANDAI TOYS