So this is a weird situation. We’ve seen Hasbro allow high-end toy companies to make some of their characters, like threezero’s Transformers and Super7’s G.I. Joes. But Power Rangers, a brand they own outright across all media, is now going to have its main toy line made by Playmates. Both companies made the announcement today in a joint press release emailed to various outlets, including this one.
Go, Go…to Another Company
“Playmates is debuting its first Power Rangers collection with a kid targeted Mighty Morphin Power Rangers toy line in 2025,” reads the announcement. “As part of the agreement, Playmates holds licensing rights to develop additional cross-category Power Rangers products, including action figures, blasters, plush, role play, vehicles and accessories. The deal encompasses global distribution across all regions excluding Asia.”
[In Asia, presumably, the license is a bit different, as it would involve the original TV shows that got partly reshot stateside in order to create Power Rangers.]
“Hasbro will retain all entertainment rights and will continue to drive global strategy and growth for the Power Rangers franchise by strategically working with licensees across multiple categories, including publishing, fashion and footwear, promotions and more. Hasbro will also further activate the brand across their direct-to-consumer channel Hasbro Pulse and as part of its presence at major industry events like San Diego Comic Con.”
By the sound of it, Playmates will be handling the majority of the toys, with Hasbro handling other merchandise. There’s no word on how this affects outsourcing to high-end collector companies like Mezco.
The closest things to Power Rangers that Playmates has done lately are the Street Fighter figures that paired with Ninja Turtles for some two-packs. They’re fun toys, if not the photo-realistic sculpts fans had been getting used to from Hasbro. Playmates’ strength lies in keeping toys affordable for kids, and making in-scale vehicles and playsets.
If this works out, could we see Hasbro outsource other house brands that maybe also aren’t selling as actively? There are always possibilities.
