CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS:
Other assets - net, related party amounts	$ 0	$ 195
4Kids Entertainment, Inc. shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	15,777,711	15,652,845
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	13,653,824	13,528,958
Treasury shares (in shares)	2,123,887	2,123,887