Hasbro will be the new Power Rangers global master toy licensee (excluding Japan and some Asian territories), succeeding Bandai, which has held the license for 25 years since its U.S. debut. The new arrangement goes into effect in April, 2019. Bandai continues as licensee for those other territories.

Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner is extremely familiar with Power Rangers, having been CEO of Bandai Namco North America for three years in the late 1990’s. The deal could feed both the entertainment and consumer products ends of Hasbro’s business.

Even bigger news was buried in the last sentence of the companies’ join release: the joint press release from Saban and Hasbro is that “In recognition of this investment and during a period of time after Hasbro becomes the master toy licensee, the arrangement provides Saban Brands and Hasbro with the opportunity to initiate Hasbro’s purchase of the Power Rangers property.” No further detail was immediately available.

The news of Bandai’s departure came in a Saban statement late Thursday that it and Bandai “have mutually agreed not to renew their global Power Rangers master toy license agreement, effective April 2019. Bandai will continue to support Power Rangers, including the 2018 commemoration of the Power Rangers 25th anniversary and the current season, Super Ninja Steel.” It added that Bandai will continue with licensed toy rights for the “Super Sentai” series, coproduced by Saban and Toei, in Japan and select Asian markets.