Saban Brands picks Hasbro as Power Rangers toy licensee

Saban Brands has chosen Hasbro as the master toy licensee for its popular Power Rangers line, ending a 25-year partnership with Bandai.

The new deal will allow Hasbro Inc. to design, make and bring to market a variety of toys, games and role play items inspired by the Power Rangers franchise and its entertainment properties. Hasbro — known for brands like My Little Pony and Transformers — will have worldwide rights to the Power Rangers, excluding Japan and certain other Asian markets, starting on April 1, 2019.

Bandai said in a statement on its website Friday that it mutually agreed with Saban Brands to not renew their agreement.

The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, a television series about a group of teenagers that turn into superheroes, was created by Haim Saban, founder of Saban Brands.

The announcement comes just a few days after Saban said that Nickelodeon will continue to serve as the broadcaster of the Power Rangers television series in the U.S. through 2021.