Toronto’s Spin Master Entertainment is teaming up with Tokyo’s TMS Entertainment and Corus-owned prodco Nelvana to relaunch the hit animated TV property Bakugan, which first hit airwaves as Bakugan Battle Brawlers (pictured) back in 2008.

A new series, which was initially mentioned during a Corus conference call in January, will debut this December on Cartoon Network in North America, with rollouts planned for Latin America and EMEA in 2019, followed by Australia and New Zealand. In Canada, the show will launch on Teletoon.

Plans for the IP revamp include the development of new toys, toy-linked TV animation and the formation of a joint production committee. Bakugan Battle Planet will take kids on adventures with Dan and his best friends, the first people on Earth to bond with mysterious alien creatures known as the Bakugan.

On the licensing and merchandising side of things, a toy line featuring card and app play is in the works, along with products that offer a new take on the classic marble game. Consumer products will be available in North America and other select markets in Q1 2019, in advance of a full global rollout by Q2. Cartoon Network Enterprises is taking the lead on the program in all territories except Asia, where Takaratomy is developing a toy line for Japan, and TMS is managing distribution of the animated series, toy manufacturing and the licensing program.

Spin Master Entertainment EVP Jennifer Dodge recently noted that before the company became a preschool powerhouse with Rusty Rivets and PAW Patrol, it was a market leader in boys action properties, due largely to its success with Bakugan.