Bakugan - The Hot, New Game Coming to a Galaxy Near You

What do you call a world out of balance where a galaxy called Vestroia, inhabited by miniature warriors begins to merge with the human world, upsetting the natural balance of both?

What do you call a Japanese TV anime program that debuted on TV Tokyo in '07 with over fifty episodes and within a year, exploded in popularity in both Canadian and US markets?

Further, What do you call a board game that ties this galactic world and the anime program together into a phenomena resulting in hosted tournaments by Toys "R" Us in both summers since the program was released?

If you're a young, trend-setting game enthusiast, then you already know to call this the world of 'Bakugan Battle Brawlers.'

Since the anime series debuted, the Bakugan game has taken on a life of its own. The series, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, and the game were developed and released in conjunction by Sega Toys and Spin Master. The game uses metal cards and magnetic spring-loaded miniature figures, called Bakugan--small creatures set into conflict by the battle brawlers who wield them.

The story is about Dan Kuso and his five friends (Runo, Marucho, Shun, Alice, and Julie) who, one day, witness random cards falling out of the sky. From this surreal event, they created a card game called Bakugan. The group collectively call themselves Battle Brawlers having the aim to restore balance between the galaxy of Vestroia and the human world with which it had begun to merge. The creatures of Vestroia are known as Bakugan, and an evil Bakugan, Naga, has upset the natural balance by stealing the silent core. Accompanied by a human named Michael, Naga seeks the infinity core, further disrupting the balance between both worlds. Now the Battle Brawlers find themselves in constant battle for the fate of Vestroia against such foes as Masquerade, Hal-G, and the Bakugan Naga.

Taking on the role of a Bakugan Battle Brawler, each player uses selected "Bakugan warriors" -- fearsome creatures like Juggernoids, Fear rippers, and "Robatallians -- to earn points against their opponents by rolling them into battle. The Bakugan warriors take the shape of magnetic marbles which instantly pop open into Bakugan warrior action figures when rolled onto metal Gate Cards. Players use a bit of creativity and a whole lot of strategy to place their Gate Cards, each one affecting the battle in different ways.

To play Bakugan, players typically set up the game on a board called the Bakugan battle arena and use Bakugan warriors (magnetic marbles), cards, and accessories of their choice) to begin the game.