Character Options was granted UK distributorship for the two new YouTube gaming properties at the start of 2023.

Heading up the retail storm is the Aphmau collection, created by the number-one female gamer of the same name. Jessica Bravura (better known as her online alias Aphmau) is a top gamer on YouTube, known for her love of cats. Her fast-growing, engaged following currently stands at 15.8m subscribers, creating huge demand for mini versions of her animated feline friends.

Demand is echoing the sales success from the US where tens of thousands of pieces are being sold each week. Following its launch at London Toy Fair, the range was featured in This Morning’s Top Trends of 2023 segment, leading the charge in the UK. Now Aphmau fans can get their hands on the new collectible Mystery MeeMeow surprise figures and MeeMeow Mystery Plush.

LankyBox features stars Justin and Adam, along with a cast of animated characters. Their YouTube channel features high-energy, laugh-out-loud content, including challenges, gaming and shorts. The LankyBox toy collection is flying off the shelves, as each piece takes inspiration from the channel. There are Mystery Figures for kids to unwrap and collect, 8-inch Plush and Mystery Boxes including lots of unboxing surprises.

Mark Hunt, Character Options’ Marketing director, commented: “Both Aphmau and LankyBox have an extremely loyal and passionate fanbase that have driven red hot toy sales in both the US and now here in the UK; the fans are craving more collectibles so keeping the line fresh, delivering newness regularly is key to ensuring the trend continues at this pace.”

For more information, call the Character Options team on 0161 633 9800 or email sales@charactergroup.plc.uk.