Nelvana is getting back into the Beyblade business, and will coproduce another 51 episodes of the toy/programming franchise with the Japanese production and rights management outfit d-rights Inc.

The series — Beyblade: Metal Fusion — is set to launch in North America in fall 2010, introducing new characters while continuing the storyline of the franchise’s heyday in 2002 and 2003. Nelvana will represent d-rights internationally for distribution of the show, merchandising rights and home video.

‘Nelvana is excited to be part of the re-launch of this global toy phenomenon and to work with our international partners to bring kids this great updated toy line and new television episodes’ said Mark Northwood, VP of worldwide licensing for the Corus-owned cartoon shop in a statement. The deal was unveiled at the Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas.