Saban Capital has bought back the rights to the Power Rangers series from Disney, and Namco Bandai will create games based on the property in a new long-term deal.
Billionaire Haim Saban and Japanese creator Toei introduced the first Power Rangers series in 1993 on the Fox Kids network. Bandai, THQ, and Sega have all published past Power Rangers video games. Disney, which published 2007's
Power Rangers: Super Legends, purchased the series from Saban in 2001 with its purchase of Fox Family Worldwide.
Bandai has been the toy partner for Power Rangers since the property was first introduced. The franchise has generated "well over $5 billion in retail sales worldwide," according to Saban Capital.
Saban did not disclose the terms of the new acquisition, but stated that its toy and game agreement with Bandai America is "long term." The company said that Power Rangers is the first property for the newly-established Saban Brands, which will manage and license entertainment properties.
"Power Rangers is one of the world's leading children's entertainment properties and we are delighted to see its return," said Haim Saban in a statement. "I am confident that the talented management team at Saban Brands will expand our licensing partnerships and capitalize on the significant growth potential of this powerful brand."
