Konami Cross Media NY Signs Major Publishing Deals for Yu-Gi-Oh!
Random House Children's Book and Panini Group
to Target Gen Alpha
LONDON October 7, 2025 – In a move to strengthen brand engagement with Gen Alpha, Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. has signed two major publishing deals for the iconic anime entertainment brand, Yu-Gi-Oh!
The announcement was made today at the Brand Licensing Europe show by Jennifer Coleman, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Licensing for Konami Cross Media, NY, Inc.
“As the largest publisher in the world, Random House Children's Books, a division of Penguin Random House, is looking to expand its Anime portfolio of intellectual properties with Yu-Gi-Oh! leading the charge,” said Coleman. “With its focus on multiple child-friendly formats as well as some collectible offerings, this deal will help deepen awareness of the Yu-Gi-Oh! IP across multiple generations, including Gen Alpha.”
Author and Editorial Director Dennis Shealy of Random House Children's Books stated: “We plan to elevate the brand's awareness by promoting our Yu-Gi-Oh! books at school bookfairs and book clubs as well as through collaborations with Konami Cross Media NY. We look forward to joining collective forces to forge unique effective ways to cross-market and promote to our respective audiences and fan-base.”
Random House Children's Book will debut its Yu-Gi-Oh! titles throughout the United States and Canada, including various territories and military bases, while Panini Group will launch Yu-Gi-Oh! book titles globally in specific European, Central and South American markets.
Panini Group will introduce Yu-Gi-Oh! titles in France and French speaking territories in Belgium, first with an eye towards expansion into Spanish language and distribution in Latin America as well as further reach throughout Europe.
Added Coleman: “Panini Group has a strong distribution network, including kiosks and newsstands, throughout Europe, which provides incredible awareness for Yu-Gi-Oh! among the brand's younger fans. Panini's products, including sticker books and other collections, are a great way for younger fans to explore, engage and learn more about Yu-Gi-Oh! as they mature into fans who can then enjoy the Anime series, the TRADING CARD GAME and the mobile games that are available worldwide.”
Licia Dallolio, Senior Licensing Manager of Panini Group, stated: “As we focus on engaging with the youngest Yu-Gi-Oh! fans, those born between 2010 and 2025, who represent the first generation to grow up immersed in technology – we are committed to creating unique and meaningful experiences tailored to their world. Panini is truly excited to be working on such an iconic project, and we are confident it will ignite the enthusiasm of fans everywhere. By understanding how Gen Alpha interacts with the world, we aim to shape future trends and strengthen the brand's connection with its next generation of followers.”
About Panini Group
Panini Group, founded over 60 years ago in Modena, Italy, is recognized as the global leader in officially licensed collectibles and stands as one of the foremost publishers of comics, children's magazines, and manga. With a strong international presence, the Group operates subsidiaries across Europe, Latin America, and the United States, distributing its products in more than 150 countries and employing a workforce of over 1,200 professionals. Panini's publishing and distribution network spans a wide array of channels, including kiosks, newsstands, bookstores, comic shops, convenience stores, mass-markets, and digital platforms. Its editorial portfolio is designed to engage audiences across all age groups—from early childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. The company offers activity books and licensed magazines for preschoolers, lifestyle and entertainment magazines for pre-teens and teenagers, and a broad selection of comic books, manga, graphic novels, and prose novels for young adults. Panini produces specialized content for sports enthusiasts, including fan magazines and annual almanacs. The Group's iconic sticker and trading card collections continue to captivate collectors and fans of all ages, with global distribution across both mainstream and hobbyist markets.
About Random House Children's Books
Random House Children's Books (rhcbooks.com) is the world's largest English-language children's trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and nonfiction, the imprints of Random House Children's Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. Random House Children's Books is a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
About Yu-Gi-Oh!:
Yu-Gi-Oh! is a true global phenomenon and perennial fan favorite. For over 25 years the Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Game has amassed a fervent following and the brand continues to flourish with each new series and expansion. To date, fans have engaged by reading the original Manga as well as watching more than 1,000 Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime episodes across eight series and playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and Yu-Gi-Oh! digital titles. The future is bright for the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise with a robust slate of new content, games and merchandise planned for release that will continue to engage and entertain fans globally.
to Target Gen Alpha
LONDON October 7, 2025 – In a move to strengthen brand engagement with Gen Alpha, Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. has signed two major publishing deals for the iconic anime entertainment brand, Yu-Gi-Oh!
The announcement was made today at the Brand Licensing Europe show by Jennifer Coleman, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Licensing for Konami Cross Media, NY, Inc.
“As the largest publisher in the world, Random House Children's Books, a division of Penguin Random House, is looking to expand its Anime portfolio of intellectual properties with Yu-Gi-Oh! leading the charge,” said Coleman. “With its focus on multiple child-friendly formats as well as some collectible offerings, this deal will help deepen awareness of the Yu-Gi-Oh! IP across multiple generations, including Gen Alpha.”
Author and Editorial Director Dennis Shealy of Random House Children's Books stated: “We plan to elevate the brand's awareness by promoting our Yu-Gi-Oh! books at school bookfairs and book clubs as well as through collaborations with Konami Cross Media NY. We look forward to joining collective forces to forge unique effective ways to cross-market and promote to our respective audiences and fan-base.”
Random House Children's Book will debut its Yu-Gi-Oh! titles throughout the United States and Canada, including various territories and military bases, while Panini Group will launch Yu-Gi-Oh! book titles globally in specific European, Central and South American markets.
Panini Group will introduce Yu-Gi-Oh! titles in France and French speaking territories in Belgium, first with an eye towards expansion into Spanish language and distribution in Latin America as well as further reach throughout Europe.
Added Coleman: “Panini Group has a strong distribution network, including kiosks and newsstands, throughout Europe, which provides incredible awareness for Yu-Gi-Oh! among the brand's younger fans. Panini's products, including sticker books and other collections, are a great way for younger fans to explore, engage and learn more about Yu-Gi-Oh! as they mature into fans who can then enjoy the Anime series, the TRADING CARD GAME and the mobile games that are available worldwide.”
Licia Dallolio, Senior Licensing Manager of Panini Group, stated: “As we focus on engaging with the youngest Yu-Gi-Oh! fans, those born between 2010 and 2025, who represent the first generation to grow up immersed in technology – we are committed to creating unique and meaningful experiences tailored to their world. Panini is truly excited to be working on such an iconic project, and we are confident it will ignite the enthusiasm of fans everywhere. By understanding how Gen Alpha interacts with the world, we aim to shape future trends and strengthen the brand's connection with its next generation of followers.”
About Panini Group
Panini Group, founded over 60 years ago in Modena, Italy, is recognized as the global leader in officially licensed collectibles and stands as one of the foremost publishers of comics, children's magazines, and manga. With a strong international presence, the Group operates subsidiaries across Europe, Latin America, and the United States, distributing its products in more than 150 countries and employing a workforce of over 1,200 professionals. Panini's publishing and distribution network spans a wide array of channels, including kiosks, newsstands, bookstores, comic shops, convenience stores, mass-markets, and digital platforms. Its editorial portfolio is designed to engage audiences across all age groups—from early childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. The company offers activity books and licensed magazines for preschoolers, lifestyle and entertainment magazines for pre-teens and teenagers, and a broad selection of comic books, manga, graphic novels, and prose novels for young adults. Panini produces specialized content for sports enthusiasts, including fan magazines and annual almanacs. The Group's iconic sticker and trading card collections continue to captivate collectors and fans of all ages, with global distribution across both mainstream and hobbyist markets.
About Random House Children's Books
Random House Children's Books (rhcbooks.com) is the world's largest English-language children's trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and nonfiction, the imprints of Random House Children's Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. Random House Children's Books is a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
About Yu-Gi-Oh!:
Yu-Gi-Oh! is a true global phenomenon and perennial fan favorite. For over 25 years the Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Game has amassed a fervent following and the brand continues to flourish with each new series and expansion. To date, fans have engaged by reading the original Manga as well as watching more than 1,000 Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime episodes across eight series and playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and Yu-Gi-Oh! digital titles. The future is bright for the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise with a robust slate of new content, games and merchandise planned for release that will continue to engage and entertain fans globally.
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