Animorphs Fast Food Merchandise

This article is written from a Real World point of view.

"Animorphs is our most important new franchise. Our partnership with KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell enables us to generate enormous exposure."

―Leslye Schaefer, vice president of marketing and consumer products, Scholastic Entertainment (Nov. 1998)

As part of the marketing license by Scholastic between 1998-1999, three Yum! Brands, Inc. fast food restaurants were able to produce officially licensed toys based on the popular Animorphs book series by K. A. Applegate and it's television adaptation. These three Yum! Brands franchises included KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut.

KFC

The KFC toys

Released in 1998, this five piece toy set was the only licensed Animorphs product to be released through KFC as a toy prize with the KFC Kids Meal.

Toy Name	Description	Toy Details from Packaging	Toy Image(s)	Packaging Image(s)
AnimorphsTM Puzzle Cube	Fold and unfold the puzzle cube to see different images.	Fold and unfold the puzzle cube inside and out to see different AnimorphsTM images. Once you start, you can't stop! Not suitable for children under 36 months.
Animorphing Box - Rub the middle of any of the sides to see Animorphs.	Heat changing cube stylized as a Blue Box. The cube depicts cover art from: The Stranger The Alien The Forgotten The Change The Unknown The Escape	Rub the middle area of any side of this mysterious black box to reveal six different AnimorphsTM morphing images. Watch closely, they'll change back again! For all ages. For best results, refrigerate until the cube turns black.	Image from The Unknown
<Thought Speak> Revealer	Read the story line on the card then use the red transparent window to see more.	Read the story line on each card. Use the red transparent window to reveal the hidden Thought Speak before moving to the next card. Not suitable for children under 36 months.
Tobias Hawk Glider	Throw it and it glides.	Two hours is the time-limit on being another creature. Tobias learned the hard way. Assemble your Tobias Hawk Glider by following these instruction: Place the wing and tail sections onto the plastic glider body fitting the pegs into the holes as shown. Snap the plastic wing supporter over the wing and tail sections to secure them to the glider body. Hold the Tobias Hawk Glider by the middle and throw him forward in a straight line. Not suitable for children under 36 months.		Instructions Includes one area for the wings and one area for the body
DNA Transfer Cards	Nine animal profile cards with a puzzle on their reverse side. These nine animal cards include: Lizard Dolphin Grizzly Bear Hammerhead Hawk Wolf Jaguar Cat Gorilla	Now you can help the fight against the Yeerks! Acquire DNA of nine animals by using these DNA Transfer cards. Simply rub the card and check to make sure you have acquired the DNA. The backs of the cards can be put together to solve a puzzle. (Puzzle solution located on the back of the DNA instruction sheet.) Not suitable for children under 36 months.	Front Back

Gallery

The KFC toys

KFC toy instructions

All five toys in packaging

KFC display board

Animorphing Cube

Image from The Stranger

Image from The Alien

Image from The Forgotten]

Image from The Change

Image from The Unknown

Image from The Escape

Animorphs Puzzle Cube

"Some people never change. Some do. Animorphs"

"He's only human. When he wants to be..." with image from The Alien

Rachel morphing into an elephant and Tobias morphing into a hawk

Animorphs logo

The Animorphs with animal shadows

Rachel with elephant shadow

"Yeerks" with image of a Yeerk

Scene from The Message

Animorphs logo with morphing palm

Taco Bell

Taco Bell toys and meal bag from 1998

1998 Toys

Released in November 1998, this five piece toy set was the first licensed Animorphs product to be released through Taco Bell as a toy prize with the Taco Bell Kid's Meals.

Toy Name	Description	Toy Details from Packaging	Toy Image(s)	Packaging Image(s)
Yeerk on the Brain	Magnetic brain maze - with the magnetic finger provided, move the Yeerk across the brain to solve the maze.	The Yeerks are among us. They get in the brains of human beings. They can get anyone. Even you! Place magnetic claw over your own finger. Move the claw in the underside of the brain and guide “Yeerk” through the domed maze. Start “Yeerk” on the right hemisphere of the arrow, guide around brain, and finish at the left arrow.
Animorpher	Mirror image changer stylized as a Blue Box.	There is only one way to resist the invasion and it's up to you to save the world. The power is in your hands. Time to mee the tiger. With the "A" on top, hold cube at arm's length to see the reflection of your face. Place hand on the back side of the cube, and rub the back until the black fades to gray. Hold cube towards a light source (but not directly into the sun), then remove your had to reveal the tiger. Block the light source with you hand to see the Tiger's face change back into your reflection. Begin again with Step 1 for lots of fun.	In packaging
Andalite Beam	Changing image projector shaped like an Andalite Dome ship.	Inside this Andalite Dome Ship, a powerful light reveals the secret transformation that will change the world. Release the Beast. In a dark room, point the Andalite Beam 8 to 12 inches from wall. Push button on underside. Turn knob on side to see the Animorphs character transform into a rhino.	Changing projected image
Claw to Hand Watch	Clock with timer held by morphing raptor claw with clip.	As an Animorphs, you have the power to become any creature you touch. But there's a serious time limit. Ignore it and you may never be human again. Two hours max. Turn gear to move your transform window. Set window to current time so you will know when two hours are up. Refer to included watch instruction sheet to set time and date.
Animorphing Sphere	Picture changing ball. This was the toy given to those under age 3.	Do you ever wish you could fly away? You would if you were in charge of protecting Earth from evali alien slugs. Ride the sky. Roll ball and watch the spinner transform from the Animorphs character into a hawk.

1999 Toys

All 5 Taco Bell transforming toys

Released between September 13, 1999 to October 10, 1999, this five piece toy set was the second licensed Animorphs product to be released through Taco Bell as a toy prize with the Taco Bell Kid's Meals.

Toy Name	Description	Toy Details from Packaging	Toy Image(s)	Packaging Image(s)
Cassie/Anteater	Transforming human to anteater action figure.	Possible Cassie action figure becomes an anteater on a secret mission! Anteater's tongue moves.	Human mode Anteater mode
Tobias/Hawk	Non-transforming action figure with glow-in-the-dark human figure inside a transparent hawk body. This was the toy given to those under age 3.	--		--
Marco/Shark	Transforming human to hammerhead shark action figure.	Poseable Marco action figure becomes a cunning shark! Watch the shark's temperature sensitive body change color! Color changing. Shark's eyes Glow-in-the-dark!	Human mode Shark mode
Rachel/Fly	Transforming human to fly action figure.	Poseable Rachel action figure becomes a fly to spy on alien enemies! Fly's eyes Glow-in-the-dark! Press the button for wing-flapping action! Fly wings and leg are moveable!	Human mode Fly mode
Jake/Lizard	Transforming human to lizard action figure.	Poseable Jake action figure becomes a lizard for a quick getaway! Lizard's sides are removable! With poseable jointed tail	Human mode Lizard mode	--

Gallery

Taco Bell Animorphs toys advertisement from Disney Adventures Magazine, November 1998

Taco Bell Meal Bag 1999

Taco Bell Meal Bag 1999

1999 Taco Bell morphing toys advertised on scholastic.com/animorphs

Pizza Hut

1998-1999 Toys

Pizza Hut toys table tent

"My full name is Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill.
I am a young Andalite. And I am always hungry.
Humans call their Earth food stations restaurants. Restaurants are wonderful places! Some restaurants serve a wonderful food called pizza. What can I say about pizza? The crust! The sauce! The cheese! The toppings! This is perhaps one of Earth's most amazing foods.
Now, one of my very favorite restaurants has joined forces with my human friends to help defeat the Yeerks. Finally! Two worthy activities, eating pizza and saving the universe from evil, have united. Nothing will ever be the same again.
My dictionary defines "hut" as a rugged dwelling. But Pizza Hut is not rugged and no one is lucky enough to dwell there. Still, I am very glad that from from November 9, 1998 to January 4, 1999, many of the Pizza Huts will be serving Animorphs stuff with their Kids' Meals. In addition, the place mats will be printed with Animorphs activities to keep you busy when the pizza is gone. Amazing. Zing."

―Ax

Released between November 9, 1998 to January 4, 1999, this five piece toy set was the first licensed Animorphs product to be released through Pizza Hut as a toy prize with the Pizza Hut Kid's Pack.

Toy Name	Description	Toy Details from Packaging	Toy Image(s)	Packaging Image(s)
Jake Animarker	Two felt pen markers (one with invisible ink and one with revealing highlighter) stylized to look like Jake's human head morphing into a tiger's.	Write secret messages to your friends that the Yeerks can't read. Only a fellow Animorph can decode it! Write secret messages in invisible ink to your friends! Allow clear ink to dry before decoding message. Marker snaps apart to decode. Message encoder Message decoder
Rachel Animarker	Two felt pen markers (one with invisible ink and one with revealing highlighter) stylized to look like Rachel's human head morphing into a bear's.	Write secret messages to your friends that the Yeerks can't read. Only a fellow Animorph can decode it! Write secret messages in invisible ink to your friends! Allow clear ink to dry before decoding message. Marker snaps apart to decode. Message encoder Message decoder
Tobias Anistamper	Hawk on a pedestal stamp. Rolling it reveals a silhouette of Tobias morphing into a hawk in orange ink. Wings flap as it rolls.	Roll the Anistampers across paper to see cool Animorphs patterns. If the stamper becomes dry, add 1-2 drops of water. And don't forget to replace the cap! Tobias Anistamper shows Tobias morphing into a hawk. Wings flap as Tobias Anistamper rolls.
Yeerk Anistamper	Yeerk shaped stamp. Rolling it reveals the message <DON'T BE A YEERK> in green ink. Legs wiggles as it rolls.	Roll the Anistampers across paper to see cool Animorphs patterns. If the stamper becomes dry, add 1-2 drops of water. And don't forget to replace the cap! Tobias Anistamper shows Tobias morphing into a hawk. Wings flap as Tobias Anistamper rolls.
Yeerk Pool Ship Squirter	A rubber ball stylized like the Yeerk Pool Ship. This was the toy for children under 36 months.	--

1999 Toy

Released in 1999, this toy was the second licensed Animorphs product to be released through Pizza Hut.

Toy Name	Description	Toy Details from Packaging	Toy Image(s)	Packaging Image(s)
Animorphs Travel Game	Small Animorphs-themed board game.	Game Rules: All PLAYERS - Start your mission on the "Animorphs Logo". Always move in the direction of the arrows. To start you must throw a 2. Throw again to move. Use your power to morph and be the first player to safely move one whole circle of an outer elipse. Beware of controlled humans. Symbols: White circle - You acquire animals DNA & successfully "morph" & go to the nearest "Animorphs Logo" symbol following the direction of the arrows. Black circle - Encounter "TAXXONS" Go back 3 spaces. "Animorphs Logo" - Suspect the nearest player to you of being under "yeerk" control, send them back to the start. If all other players are on start when you land on the symbol, then treat it as a blank space. Arrow - Choose your direction - BEWARE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHO IS CONTROLLED!

Gallery

Place mat

Pizza Hut Toys Instructions - these were found inside each bag that included a 3+ toy (the two Anistampers and the two Animarkers, but not the Pool Ship Squirter)

Pizza Hut Toys Instructions -back

Scholastic.com/Animorphs uses the voice of Ax to remind you to visit your local Pizza Hut for Animorphs Toys

Placemat and all five toys in bags

Pizza Hut Table Tent

External Links

• 1999 Taco Bell toys advertised on scholastic.com/animorphs
• Pizza Hut toys advertised on scholastic.com/animorphs
• More Animorphs! Published November 1, 1998