The PopCult Toybox

hp-001Toy Fair is over, but we still have plenty of news to bring you as we sort out the reports and figure out what’s the most newsworthy items. We’ll probably wrap up our coverage by Friday, and then move on to the next big things in pop culture.

For now, we’re going to look at toys based on Harry Potter, since you can’t find many pop culture phenomenons bigger than good old Harry.

Jakks Pacific announced that they will be releasing a series of new technologically enhanced Wands in the Harry Potter Wizard Training Wand collection, as well as an assortment of Die-Cast Wands inspired by fan-favorite characters. Additionally, the Wizarding World™ toy line will also include the new Niffler Challenge Game inspired by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

We go to the PR: “With 11 different spells to learn and master, kids can now train like a wizard with the Harry Potter Wizard Training Wands (seen at the head of this post and below). Using active motion sensors, these wands track movement throughout five different modes of play, allowing for endless spell casting alone or with friends. The Wizard Training wands assortment includes Harry Potter’s Wand, Albus Dumbledore’s Wand, and Lord Voldemort’s Wand; each sold separately for $24.99.”

“Kids can also collect die-cast replica wands from some of their favorite Harry Potter characters. With a variety of 12 different styles, for only $4.99 kids can master the wizardry of Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter himself, and many more. Each wand stands 4 inches high and includes a special stand for display purposes. And in the spirit of Wizarding World magic, each wand is sold in a blind mystery box allowing the wand to choose its wizard!”

 

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JAKKS Pacific also introduces the Niffler Challenge Game, inspired by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. This two-player game allows each player to load up the Niffler with jewelry and coins until they spill onto the cases; the first player to spill the contents wins. For the first time the adorable, mischievous Niffler has its own game. The game includes one Niffler on a rocking base, two wands, 64 coins and necklace pieces — available for $19.99 this fall.

 

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LEGO has an impressive set that’s sure to entice Harry Potter fans. The Hogwarts Great Hall set (above) has one side that looks like the outside of the stately fixture of Hogwats, while the other side showing the inside of the building with room for all your Harry Potter minifigures as well as other features like the Sorting Hat and other iconic items, characters and characters from the films.

hp-004Funko expands their Rock Candy line to include several new Harry Potter figures (seen right and below). This is Funko’s less-cartoony representation of characters that doesn’t transform everything into their big-headed “Pop” style. The first wave of figures in this line was a big hit last year.

Among the figures due out in 2018 are Harry Potter with the prophecy orb; Ron Weasley in his Quidditch Uniform; Lord Voldemort and Albus Dumbledore.

There’s also a Barnes & Noble exclusive figure of Neville Longbottom with the Sword of Gryffindor from Book 7.

Funko also showed a new line of Harry Potter plush figures (seen below, bottom), but those have already hit retail. They’re still pretty darned cute-looking.

With a Broadway play, and a new movie due out this year, in addition to millions of fans of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts clamoring for more, it’s no surprise that the world of toys is being overrun by Wizards this year. I would be at all surprised if even more Harry Potter merchandise hits stores near the end of the year.

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