Master Toy Licensee for NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution Kids & Family Series To Showcase Figures, Playsets, Role Play and Plush
EL SEGUNDO, CA — Playmates Toys will premiere a broad line-up of toys based on the NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution Kids & Family animated preschool series Team Mekbots Animal Rescue at New York Toy Fair. The series about four youngsters from around the globe who suit up as robotic animals known as Mekbots to perform heroic animal-rescue adventures is streaming now on Peacock and YouTube.
As master toy licensee, Playmates will design and distribute figures, playsets, vehicles, role play and plush toys. On display for the first time at Toy Fair at Playmates Toys’ booth #3003, the first retail products are expected to arrive on shelves in Spring 2026.
Team Mekbots Animal Rescue follows four friends — Mateo, Mei Lin, Frost and Kawhi — who live together at The Sanctuary, a beautiful nature preserve, and form the Mekbots Animal Rescue team to showcase their love for animals and their unique powers. In their Mek Jet HQ, these little heroes travel all over the world to rescue animals, from bison and baby gorillas to pink dolphins and speedy lions.
The 78 x 7′ series from More Minds Studio and M2 Animation launched on Peacock and YouTube TV simultaneously in January 2025 Rob Hudnut and Mads Munk executive produce. Shane Amsterdam is story editor and Steed Sun is art director.
“NBCUniversal’s popular preschool series Team Mekbots Animal Rescue celebrates the themes preschoolers love most: heroic kids, rescuing animals and high-tech robots,” said Rafael Macias, global CPG commercial officer, Universal Products & Experiences. “Our collaboration with Playmates for a toy line inspired by the hit series perfectly captures that authentic connection, tapping into natural play patterns and inspiring and delighting kids to create their own epic adventures at home.”
"We are excited to grow our preschool business further by adding Team Mekbots Animal Rescue," said Jeff Trojan, vice president of marketing, Playmates Toys. “The compelling characters and action-adventure storyline focused on saving animals, combined with high-quality animation, inspire a great range of toys. Based on the property's successful streaming launch and early interest from U.S.-based retailers, we’re confident kids will quickly be captivated with the series and toys alike.”
About UNIVERSAL PRODUCTS & EXPERIENCES
Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, as well as engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and third-party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s lines of business include Consumer Products and Games, along with Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. More information is available at universalproductsexperiences.com.
About Playmates Toys
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026, Playmates Toys is among the most well-respected and creative marketing and distribution companies in the global toy industry with a proven track record of creating innovative, affordably priced products and developing and managing long-term brand franchises. Playmates past and current partners are among the world’s leading entertainment companies including Paramount, Legendary Entertainment, Toho, Miraculous Corp., NBC Universal, Rainbow Studios, Warner Bros., WWE and Disney. A licensed entertainment specialist, Playmates’ success stories include broad, multi-segment product lines inspired by a wide variety of beloved movies and animated series including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Miraculous Ladybug, Godzilla x Kong, Voltron, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Disney Princess, The Simpsons and many others. From its offices in Hong Kong and California, Playmates designs, develops, markets, and distributes its products in over 80 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit playmatestoys.com.
