Kids
Nick US in deal with Toynami & UNKL for ‘Spongebob Squarepants’
MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Nickelodeon, Toynami and designer vinyl toy brand UNKL have entered into a new licensing agreement to create a line of co-branded ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ urban vinyl toys modeled after UNKL‘s UniPo figures.
The new toy line inspired by the television show, which will offer fans and collectors a take on the yellow sponge, was announced by UNKL co-founder Jason Bacon, Toynami president George Sohn and Licensing Street MD JJ Ahearn.
The first wave of figures will include SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and The Flying Dutchman, which will be available to specialty retailers this fall.
Nickelodeon Consumer Products senior VP, global toys and video games Manuel Torres said, “Our collaboration with UNKL and Toynami has resulted in a truly unique line of figures that showcase SpongeBob‘s spirit through an innovative new toy design. These products will appeal to SpongeBob fans and collectors of all ages.”
Bacon said, “UNKL is thrilled to offer their creative take on one of the most iconic characters in pop culture history. Combining the irreverence and loveable nature of SpongeBob and his friends with UNKL‘s UniPo character and adding the expertise of Toynami, we‘ve created something special that fans will love.”
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
