Licensing legend Al Kahn unveils an original franchise inspired by ancient Japanese legend and the sport of sumo. An animated series, trading card game, toys and collectibles arrive in 2027.

NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Al Kahn helped turn Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Nintendo and Cabbage Patch Kids into worldwide sensations that defined childhood for generations. Now he is ready to do it again.

Kahn today unveiled SUMOMON, an original franchise rooted in ancient Japanese history and the power, ritual and spectacle of sumo. Independently financed and heading into production, SUMOMON launches in 2027 with a streaming animated series, a trading card game, and a full line of toys and collectibles.

"I've been lucky enough to be there at the start of some of the biggest brands kids have ever loved," said Kahn. "I know that feeling when you're looking at the next one. When I had the idea for SUMOMON it gave me that feeling all over again."

Details of the SUMOMON world remain under wraps. What Kahn will say is that an ancient force is stirring, a new generation of champions is rising, and the battles will be unlike anything audiences have seen.

"Kids don't just want to watch a great show. They want to collect it, play it, trade it and live in it," said Kahn. "SUMOMON was built from day one to be a hit animated series, a trading card game players can't put down, and toys and collectibles kids will have to own. Each one makes the others bigger."

"Sumo is one of the oldest and most dramatic sports on Earth, and no one has ever built a world like this around it," Kahn added. "We believe SUMOMON will be the next great global franchise. In 2027, everyone is going to know the name."

SUMOMON originated through Kahn's collaboration with creators Anthony and John Gentile and together they developed the IP for the launch of a brand-new gaming universe.

First Look at New York Comic Con

Kahn and the SUMOMON team will be at New York Comic Con, October 8–11, offering select partners an exclusive first look and taking meetings on distribution, licensing, merchandising and master licensee opportunities worldwide.

"The partners who get in early on SUMOMON are going to be very glad they did," said Kahn.

SUMOMON. Coming 2027. www.sumomon.com

Media Contact

Lauryn Garza, Zebra Public Relations, 1 3477841980, lauryn@zebrapublicrelations.com, www.zebrapublicrelations.com

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SOURCE SUMOMON