Janex International INC. (JANX)

[Wise Investment]

PHOENIX, Oct 3, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Janex International, Inc. (OTC
Bulletin Board: JANX) -- designer, manufacturer, and distributor of unique
children's products -- announced today that it has acquired majority ownership
of Anvil Studios, Inc. (www.anvilstudios.com) -- a leading edge theatrical,
television and convergence content company specializing in classical and 3D
animation. Anvil's client base includes DreamWorks, Hyperion/Disney,
Sony/Columbia and Warner Brothers. Included in the acquisition is a license to
3D interactive Internet software and other technology that make up a new
presentation layer for the World Wide Web.

Vincent W. Goett, Janex Chairman and CEO, said, "The combined attributes of
Janex, with our enterprises in toys, games, books and interactive technology,
coupled with the capabilities of Anvil Studios to provide theatrical, television
and computer graphic/3D animation, solidifies our strategic initiative to
establish Janex as a major force in the children's entertainment/educational
market."

Under the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, Janex acquires controlling
interest of Anvil Studios for 10,440,000 shares of Janex stock, $500,000 working
capital, and $150,000 dedicated production funds.

Robert Dotson, Anvil President, who has over ten years of upper management
experience in technology development and entertainment, will direct the
operations of Anvil Studios. Mr. Dotson stated, "With the successful completion
of large theatrical and television projects for clients such as DreamWorks,
Hyperion/Disney and a joint Sony/Columbia -- Warner Brothers production, Anvil
Studios has garnered a reputation in the animation industry as having the
ability to deliver a higher quality product in shorter time frames than our
competitors. We look forward to utilizing our experience, talent and technology
to provide media products to create robust value and exposure for Janex's
existing children's product lines."

Anvil is in full production of a television pilot for Joy Berry's "SuperStar
Kid's Club" -- a half-hour television show featuring Berry, world-renowned
author of over 250 self-help books for children that have sold over 80 million
copies and generated gross revenues in excess of 200 million dollars. Anvil
Studios and Ms. Berry, creator and executive producer of the TV series, are
currently in negotiations with major television networks for the distribution
rights to "SuperStar Kid's Club."

Mr. Goett said, "Anvil Studios will leverage its experience, talent and
reputation to produce its own original properties. Anvil currently owns rights
to a full-length animated feature film "Hope Canyon" which has generated
significant interest in Hollywood. In addition, Anvil is in discussions to
participate in the development of a theme park and other merchandising products
based on the film."

Anvil also holds rights to "Soldiers of Misfortune," a theatrical live-action
comedy targeted at families, and an episodic "reality based" television
property, under tight wraps, targeted at teens.

Goett also stated that, "Janex will showcase Anvil's 3D interactive animation
technology on its innovative and entertaining Web Site: www.okid.com. This will
enhance the interactive playability and entertainment value for the entire
family. Our site's extensive capabilities afford us another medium in which to
introduce and merchandise all of our product lines."

Janex is currently organizing a transition of its corporate offices to Phoenix,
most probably to the 2700 Building on Central Avenue where Anvil Studios has
maintained offices and production facilities. "As we swing these major
properties into full production ("Hope Canyon," "Superstar Kid's Club," and
"Soldiers of Misfortune") we anticipate increasing our personnel in the Phoenix
area to over 200, and possibly more to support those projects. Ninety percent of
those associates will be production staff and artists working directly on the
film and television properties," stated Goett. "We are excited about what this
will do for the community and for those talented folks who have been waiting so
long for this to materialize in Phoenix."

As a result of the value of these business developments, Janex has secured the
services of Mr. Beau Van Deren as Chief Financial Officer. Van Deren, in
addition to the value of his CPA and law background, provides a great deal of
experience in creating financial cohesion in diverse ventures. "Beau brings not
only key public (company) experience to us but also an ability to see the
vision, codify it, and be part of the team in execution -- both financially and
operationally," says Goett.

Janex's current business focuses on the development, design, manufacturing and
marketing of children's toys, games and specialty/educational products, coin
banks, flashlights, water activity products and battery operated toothbrushes
trademarked under the names Janex, DaMert and Malibu Fun Stuff. Janex
incorporates licensed characters into most of its products, and sells its
products to the United States and Canadian mass merchant retailers, toy
specialty stores and departments stores. The addition of Anvil to the Janex
family will dramatically increase Janex's access to licensed characters and
development of the same.

Certain information in the news release does not relate to historical financial
information and may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the
company's actual results in the future to differ materially from its historical
results and those presently anticipated and projected.

Among these risks and uncertainties are general economic conditions, especially
during peak buying seasons for the company's products; competitive pricing and
program changes; manufacturing performance; the company's relationship with its
sales, manufacturing and distributing entities; the company's ability to respond
to costumer change, orders and delivery schedules; demographic trends; the
company's ability to control costs; to attract and retain high-quality
employees; and the company's ability to maintain its customer base and finalize
significant transactions.


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SOURCE Janex International, Inc.


CONTACT: Vincent W. Goett, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of
Janex International, [phone]; or Robert Dotson, Presi
ent of Anvil
Studios, [phone]
(JANX)

http://www.prnewswire.com

Copyright (C) 2001 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

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KEYWORD: Arizona
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: REA
OTC
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SUBJECT CODE: TNM
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