Beyblade

Beyblade began in July 1999 when Takara launched a line of customizable spinning tops in Japan, inspired by the manga of Takao Aoki. The toys became a hit, and an anime adaptation by Madhouse aired from 2001 to 2003, introducing the world to characters like Tyson Granger and the Bladebreakers. A film, Beyblade: Fierce Battle, released in 2002. After Takara merged with Tomy in 2006, Takara Tomy took over the brand.

The Metal Saga kicked off in 2008 with Beyblade: Metal Fusion, swapping plastic parts for metal Fusion Wheels and Energy Rings. The anime, produced by Tatsunoko Production and SynergySP, ran four seasons, with a 2010 film titled Metal Fight Beyblade vs the Sun: Sol Blaze. Beyblade Burst followed from 2015 to 2021, introducing a burst mechanic where tops could split apart on impact. That generation saw a long-running anime and a shift to younger protagonists.

Current generation Beyblade X arrived in 2023, featuring an Xtreme Dash system that lets tops ride stadium walls at high speed. Takara Tomy took over global distribution from Hasbro, causing initial supply hiccups but record sales in Japan. A new anime, Beyblade X, streams worldwide. The brand has sold over 100 million units globally, with cumulative revenue exceeding $1 billion.[edit]