Build-A-Bear to Debut Exclusive New Animated YouTube Series KABU on December 26
Rhea-AI Summary
Build-A-Bear (NYSE:BBW) will launch an original animated series, KABU, with a 13-episode season debuting exclusively on the Build-A-Bear YouTube channel on December 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM ET. The series follows a group of stuffed-animal friends in Kabuville who model kindness, collaboration and problem-solving across themes like friendship, screen time and peer pressure. A teaser released December 17 accompanies a simultaneous plush collection rollout at Build-A-Bear workshops worldwide on December 26. New episodes will premiere weekly on Fridays at 7:00 AM ET.
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Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peers showed mixed moves pre-news: OLPX up 10%, while WOOF fell 1.93% and others were near flat, suggesting stock-specific rather than sector-driven context.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 04 | Brand expansion | Positive | -15.5% | National expansion of Hello Kitty and Friends experiential workshops. |
| Dec 04 | Brand expansion | Positive | -15.5% | Repeat entry: new Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop locations announcement. |
| Dec 04 | Earnings results | Positive | -15.5% | Record Q3 revenue, solid EPS and reaffirmed full-year guidance. |
| Nov 20 | Earnings call date | Neutral | +3.6% | Scheduling of Q3 results release and investor conference call. |
| Nov 12 | Dividend declaration | Positive | -0.3% | Announcement of a $0.22 per-share quarterly cash dividend. |
Recent positive operational and financial headlines often coincided with flat-to-negative next-day moves, indicating a tendency toward divergence from headline tone.
Over the past months, Build-A-Bear reported record Q3 revenue of $122.7M and reaffirmed guidance, announced a $0.22 quarterly dividend, and expanded its Hello Kitty experiential concept to major U.S. malls. Despite these seemingly positive milestones, the stock saw a -15.54% move following both the Q3 results and the Hello Kitty expansion news. This animated KABU YouTube launch continues the trend of extending the brand into content and experiences.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Build-A-Bear’s strategy of deepening its brand through original content, with a 13-episode KABU series debuting on its YouTube channel and tied to new plush launches on December 26. Recent context includes record $122.7M Q3 revenue, reaffirmed guidance, and experiential partnerships such as Hello Kitty-themed workshops. Investors may watch how engagement with the series translates into store traffic, merchandise demand, and whether it complements the company’s established retail-driven model.
Key Terms
kawaii technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Group of Adorable Stuffed Animal Friends Promote "PAWsitivity" and Kindness
Designed to feel like a warm hug from a colorful, character-filled world, KABU transports viewers to Kabuville – a bright, welcoming place built on pure "PAWsitivity." This lovable group of young stuffed animal friends with "heart" navigate the ups and downs of growing up, including friendship, disagreements, and responsibilities. Each episode explores relatable situations that the furry friends work through by being "collaBEARative" and, of course, sometimes silly.
Even while playfully exploring subjects like competition, self-doubt, screen time, and peer pressure, through the eyes of a cadre of stuffies in over-the-top imaginative situations, the tone stays warm and honest. Sprinkled with moments that older audiences and caregivers can relate to, KABU is perfect for co-viewing.
Given Build-A-Bear's heartfelt mission and core values such as collaboration, giving, and celebrating, the company felt compelled to create this series in light of research consistently showing kindness is the #1 character trait parents want for their kids — often ranking above grades or awards — even as many worry today's world reinforces the opposite message.
"Our wish for KABU is to provide an entertaining, engaging and fun way to playfully explore some of the challenges of childhood and parenting today while supporting and hopefully reinforcing the concepts and benefits of friendship, collaboration and kindness," said Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "We believe this intention is in keeping with our mission as well as aligned with what Build-A-Bear has consistently delivered for almost 30 years, the creation of memorable, amazing experiences for kids and kids at heart."
Stuffed with laughter and surprising moments, KABU's key characters were inspired by classic Build-A-Bear furry friends like Bearmey, Bearnard and Pawlette the bunny. The character design was playfully reimagined for the series through the lens of the globally popular "kawaii" art style, known for expressive eyes, clean lines and absolute cuteness. As such, the KABU name is based on the word "cub" in Japanese, the origin of the kawaii style.
This style also inspired a collection of new plush animals that will be simultaneously launched at Build-A-Bear Workshops around the globe on December 26.
Meet the Furry Friends from Kabuville
- Bearnice – A shy, sweet, soft-spoken bear who sees the good in everyone, but her fiery side sparks fast, especially around her twin brother, Bearnard.
- Bearnard – Bearnice's fun-loving twin is outgoing, sports-obsessed, and chief irritator, yet always the first to support her when it counts.
- Bearemy – The self-declared "oldest friend" is full of clever, unusual insights. An old soul: sophisticated, never snobbish.
- Catrina – A matter-of-fact cat whose stubborn streak never gets in the way of kindness. Meticulous and methodical, she loves any kind of game.
- Catlynn – A free-spirited, independent kitten all about sports and staying active. Confident on the field, but her social skills can sometimes be…awkward.
- Monkgomery – Sweet, smiley, and the source of occasional monkey business. A loyal prankster with sharp humor who always shows up for his friends.
- Pawlette – A natural leader who loves adding beauty wherever she goes. Positive and motivating, she loves creating and a good story.
- Pandemona – A rebellious punk-rock panda, songwriter, and musician. Beneath the edge is someone who gets deep into her feelings. Not available as a plush.
- Poodella – A poised puppy scientist devoted to her lab and inventions. Brilliant and a bit self-conscious, she's thoughtful and driven. Not available as a plush.
New episodes will premiere Fridays at 7:00 AM ET, starting December 26. For more information, visit buildabear.com and https://www.youtube.com/buildabear.
View teaser clip here: https://youtu.be/EJKB9BhjKJY
(*Source: Multiple national parent surveys including Pew Research Center and Harvard Graduate School of Education findings)
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/build-a-bear-to-debut-exclusive-new-animated-youtube-series-kabu-on-december-26-302644876.html
SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop
FAQ
When does Build-A-Bear's KABU premiere and on which channel (BBW)?
Will Build-A-Bear (BBW) release toys alongside the KABU series and when?
How often will new KABU episodes stream on the Build-A-Bear YouTube channel (BBW)?
What themes does Build-A-Bear's KABU series emphasize for viewers (BBW)?
Are all KABU characters available as plush toys at Build-A-Bear (BBW)?
