Singapore, October 20, 2023 - In collaboration with GENCO and Netflix, Kasagi Labo today announced an exclusive SODA mobile accessories merchandise line based on the PLUTO anime series.
The animated series is produced by GENCO and adapted from Naoki Urasawa’s mystery manga inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s legendary Astro Boy “The Greatest Robot on Earth” from the 1960s. It premieres on October 26, 2023 on Netflix.
The PLUTO x SODA merchandise collection showcases the iconic logo mark of PLUTO, as well as motifs from the anime, adapted into SODA's products – phone cases for Samsung S23 Series, iPhone 14 Series, the latest iPhone 15 Series – and Apple AirPods cases which feature designs inspired by the Sahad Flower Painting and Gesicht, the Europol robot detective from the PLUTO narrative.
All SODA phone cases feature wireless charging technology (MagSafe-compatible for Apple devices), with up to 6ft of impact drop protection. Phone cases start at US $45 USD and are available to ship worldwide from soda.center and the Amazon US store.
In a video interview with Tarō Maki, the President of Genco, Inc. (株式会社ジェンコ) and Executive Producer to PLUTO, he brought up that the joy of anime (consumption) is both watching the animation and collecting the character merchandise. While presently, merchandise featuring original anime IP predominantly circulates within Japan and the United States, Maki expressed his heartfelt aspiration for this situation to evolve, making such merchandise easily accessible to fans worldwide. Maki asserted, "Fans exist across the globe and should be treated with parity. I view this equality as my ultimate vision. My fervent desire is for merchandise to be within reach of every anime enthusiast on this planet."
Kendrick Wong, CEO and founder of Kasagi Labo, also expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The PLUTO x SODA collection is a much-anticipated collaboration to redefine the boundaries of anime and style. Our involvement in this project underscores Kasagi Labo’s dedication to promoting the anime industry while fostering creative partnerships that benefit all parties involved.”
Through the SODA tech accessories brand, Kasagi Labo aims to provide an official licensed merchandise channel for anime creators to showcase their talents and expand their reach beyond traditional mediums. It is a celebration of the artistry that anime represents and a testament to the power of collaboration within the industry.
To learn more about the PLUTO x SODA collection, please visit www.soda.center.
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