Sega Toys is seeking to license manga rights for Zhu Zhu Pets to a Japanese publisher for initial release this year, and plans to follow up with an animated series in 2011, according to Nikkei, via Anime News Network.  Sega is also the Asian licensee for the toy line, and plans to launch them in Japan in April.  China and Southeast Asia will also be countries of emphasis. 

The robotic hamster Zhu Zhu Pets, of course, were the surprise hit of the holiday season, generating tons of press coverage about parents seeking the hard-to-find toys for their kids.  Sales hit 12 million pieces (or around $100 million at retail), according to the report. 

Zhu Zhu Pets were launched by Cepia, the Missouri-based toy company started by Russell Hornsby (who also founded Trendmasters) last fall.