Rocket signs new partners for Godzilla

Brandora Editorial Staff - September 2021

Ahead of its 70th anniversary celebrations in 2024, Rocket Licensing has announced four new licensing partners for the iconic Godzilla brand.

GB Eye has signed up to create a new range of framed and unframed prints, posters, mugs, eco bags and eco bottles using the Japan-inspired classic artwork from the licensor, Toho International.

In the apparel category, Trademark Productions and Bioworld International are on board to cover distribution across all mass, fashion and specialist retail channels, with men’s women’s and kids’ apparel. The ranges will cover both the classic brand, and the new animated series, Godzilla Singular Point. The product ranges are currently in development for launch later this year and early 2022.

In publishing, Welbeck has joined the consumer products line-up for the biggest name in entertainment, to create The Illustrated History of Godzilla coffee table book, which is set to be full of fantastic imagery and information on the franchise from 1954 to the present day, and is scheduled for launch in summer 2022.

Rocket has also secured a DTR deal with specialist pop culture retailer Forbidden Planet for a range of classic Godzilla apparel and gift lines across their bricks-and-mortar stores and online.

Godzilla holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continually running film franchise, having first hit our screens in 1954, and as such, has a 90% consumer awareness and is loved by a huge spectrum of fans, young and old, male and female, from all around the world.

New content is regularly released to breathe new life into the brand. In 2021, following the release of the Godzilla vs. Kong feature film and home video, the new animated series, Godzilla Singular Point, was introduced on Netflix, alongside official YouTube channel launches, and exclusive content on the official social media accounts.

Godzilla Singular Point taps into the growing global appeal of the anime entertainment scene. The series was developed by Studio Bones, the team behind My Hero Academia, and Orange, the popular Japanese animation studio. The series comprises 13 x 25-minute episodes, combines hand-drawn and CG animation styles and launched with a new cast and original story.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, consumers will be treated to yet more exciting new content ahead of the big anniversary celebrations in 2024, including a continued rollout of Japanese Godzilla content, which has so far never been seen outside of Japan. There will also be more exclusive content on the official social media accounts, expanded custom content for the official YouTube channel, and the reintroduction of the Hanna-Barbera Godzilla series.

Rob Wijeratna, Joint MD, Rocket Licensing, commented: “We’re seeing a really good response to Godzilla and generally to the Japanese/anime trend recently, especially with the Tokyo Olympics this summer. So, it’s a really good time to further build the Godzilla brand as such a well-established classic franchise in the category.”

“We are delighted to welcome these new licensees on board as the Godzilla brand is set to grow to new heights over the coming years, ahead of its 70th anniversary.”