Nicktoons to Premiere New Animated Series MONSUNO, 2/23

Nicktoons launches MONSUNO(TM), a half-hour action-adventure series debuting with two back-to-back episodes on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 8:00 p.m. (ET). In the 52-episode series, the fate of the world lies in the hands of a group of heroic kids who wrestle with the power to command and battle creatures called Monsuno. Following the premiere, Monsuno will air in its regular timeslot on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. (ET) on Nicktoons. Monsuno will also air on Nickelodeon channels around the world, starting Summer 2012.

"We're excited to be the home of Monsuno in the U.S. and around the world," said Keith Dawkins, SVP/General Manager, Nicktoons and TeenNick. "With powerful, action-driven animation, dynamic characters and a deeply woven original story mythology, this series has strong boy appeal."

Millions of years ago, Monsuno, a living DNA, hitched a ride to Earth in a concentrated asteroid pocket. When it landed on Earth, the impact drove the dinosaurs into extinction. The Monsuno DNA lay dormant until a scientist named Jeredy Suno activated it, sending a rippling wave of movement back into action. By doing so, Jeredy may have reignited the end of the world but he also created its salvation, the Monsuno monsters. Now, it's up to his son Chase to learn the secrets of Monsuno and help save the world from impending destruction.

In the series debut episode, "Clash" (premiering Feb. 23 at 8:00 p.m.), Chase and his two best friends learn that Jeredy is missing. Jon Ace and S.T.O.R.M. (Strategic Tactical Operatives for Recovery of Monsuno) join Chase at the lab, but it is soon revealed that they are after the fully-loaded Core that Jeredy left behind for his son. Then, in "Courage" (premiering Feb. 23 at 8:30 p.m.), Chase discovers that his father had created a Monsuno called Quickforce, who is being held captive and experimented on by S.T.O.R.M. Chase leads a brave infiltration of the S.T.O.R.M. facility in order to save Quickforce.

In 2011, Nicktoons had its highest-rated and most-watched year in history with boys 6-11 (+2% in delivery) and kids 6-11 (+3%), posting gains of +5% with boys 9-14 and +8% with tweens.

The Monsuno series is being co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners LLC, a joint venture between JAKKS Pacific, Inc. & Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc., with FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Topps Company, Inc. FME will be responsible for the exclusive worldwide distribution of Monsuno TV programming, except in Asia, and will act as the Master Licensing agent for the Monsuno brand outside of Asia. JAKKS Pacific is the creator of the underlying Monsuno property and master toymaker for the Monsuno toy line. The Topps Company has signed on to produce Monsuno trading card games, confectioneries and related products.

About Nicktoons

Nicktoons is the fastest growing kids' network and offers programming such as Dragon Ball Z Kai, Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Voltron Force, NFL's Rush Zone: Guardians of the Core, Power Rangers Samurai, and Speed Racer: The Next Generation, as well as a roster of hits that have defined kids' and animation lovers' TV, including Avatar: The Last Airbender, Invader Zim, Danny Phantom, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. Nicktoons currently reaches almost 58 million homes via cable, digital cable and satellite, and can be seen on Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, DirecTV, DISH Network and Time Warner Cable. Nicktoons and all related titles and logos are property of Viacom, Inc.