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{{About|the Japanese toy manufacturer}}
{{short description|Japanese toy company}}
{{About|the Japanese toy manufacturer|3=Bandai (disambiguation)}}
{{Refimprove|date=August 2009}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
|name=Bandai Co., Ltd. <br/> 株式会社バンダイ
| name = Bandai Co., Ltd.
| native_name = 株式会社バンダイ
| native_name_lang = ja
|logo=[[File:BANDAI.svg|200px]]
| romanized_name = Kabushiki-gaisha Bandai
|type=[[Subsidiary]] of [[Bandai Namco Holdings]]
| image = Bandai head office building Asakusa 20170519.jpg
|fate=[[Mergers and acquisitions|Merged]] with [[Namco]]
| logo = Logo Bandai.svg
|predecessor=
| logo_size = 100
|successor=[[Bandai Namco Games]]
| logo_caption = Logo used since 1983
|foundation=July 5, 1950
|location=[[Taitō, Tokyo]], Japan
| image_caption = Bandai's corporate headquarters in [[Taitō, Tokyo]]
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
|key_people=Kazunori Ueno, [[President]] & [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]]<br>Mitsuaki Taguchi, [[Chief Operating Officer|COO]]
| former_name = Bandai-ya
|industry=[[Toy|Toy Maker]], [[Video game|software & programming]], [[film production]], [[anime]] & [[tokusatsu]]
| founder = Naoharu Yamashina
|products=[[Gunpla|Gundam models]], [[Godzilla]], [[Super Sentai|Super Sentai models]], [[Naruto]] Gachapon and Figurines, [[Tamagotchi]], [[Digimon]], [[plastic model]] kits, among others
| foundation = {{start date and age|July 5, 1950}}
|revenue=
| location = [[Taitō|Taitō, Tokyo]], Japan
|operating income=
| key_people = Masaru Kawaguchi (president)
|net income=
| industry = [[Entertainment]]
|num_employees=973 (as of March 31, 2005)
| products = {{plainlist|
|parent=[[Bandai Namco Holdings]]
* [[Action figure]]s
|subsid=
* [[Virtual pet]]s
|homepage=[http://www.bandai.co.jp/ Bandai Japan] <br> [http://www.bandai.co.uk/ Bandai UK]<br> [http://www.bandai.com/ Bandai US]<br> [http://www.bandaieurope.com/europe/index.php Bandai Europe]<br>[http://www.bandai-asia.com/ Bandai Asia]
* [[rail transport modelling|Model trains]]
|footnotes =
}}
| brands = {{unbulleted list|Bandai Shokugan|Charapaki|[[Digimon]]|Harumika|[[Tamagotchi]]}}
| operating_income = {{increase}}{{yen}}21.7 billion (2019)
| net_income = {{increase}}{{yen}}242.8 billion (2019)
| num_employees = 851 (January 2021)
| parent = [[Bandai Namco Holdings]] (2005–present)
| subsid = {{ubl|Bandai Logipal|Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles|Corporación Bandai México|Bandai UK|Bandai France|Bandai España|[[Bandai Spirits]]|CCP|Heart|MegaHouse|Plex|Seeds|Sun-Star Stationary}}
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.bandai.co.jp/e/|www.bandai.co.jp}}
| footnotes = {{cite web |title=Bandai Namco Group Integrated Report 2019 |url=https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/cgi-bin/releases/index.cgi/file/view/9501?entry_id=6637 |publisher=[[Bandai Namco Holdings]] |access-date=17 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517235639/https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/cgi-bin/releases/index.cgi/file/view/9501?entry_id=6637 |archive-date=17 May 2020 |date=13 September 2019}}<br>{{cite web |url=http://www.bandai.co.jp/e/company/index_bc.html |title=About Company |publisher = Bandai |access-date=21 April 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130094021/http://www.bandai.co.jp/e/company/index_bc.html |archive-date=30 January 2019}}
}}
}}


{{nihongo foot|'''Bandai Co., Ltd.'''|株式会社バンダイ|[[Kabushiki gaisha]] Bandai|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a Japanese [[multinational corporation|multinational]] toy manufacturer and distributor headquartered in [[Taitō|Taitō, Tokyo]]. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectables America and Bandai UK, are respectively headquartered in [[Irvine, California]], and [[Richmond, London]]. Since 2005, Bandai is the toy production division of [[Bandai Namco Holdings]], currently the world's second largest toy company measured by total revenue.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revenue of major toy companies worldwide 2017 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/241241/revenue-of-major-toy-companies-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402054544/https://www.statista.com/statistics/241241/revenue-of-major-toy-companies-worldwide/ |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |access-date=June 15, 2018 |website=[[Statista]] |language=en}}</ref> Between 1981 and 2001, Bandai was a manufacturer of [[:Category:Bandai consoles|video game consoles]].
{{Nihongo|'''Bandai Co., Ltd.'''|株式会社バンダイ|''Kabushiki-gaisha Bandai''}} is a [[Japan]]ese [[toy]] making and [[video game]] company, as well as the producer of a large number of [[plastic model]] kits. It is the world's third-largest producer of toys (after [[Mattel]] and [[Hasbro]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1707379,00.html|title=Lego Celebrates 50 Years of Building|date=28 January 2008|publisher=Time|accessdate=21 September 2011}}</ref> Some ex-'''Bandai''' group companies produce [[anime]] and [[tokusatsu]] programs. Its headquarters is located in [[Taitō, Tokyo|Taitō]], [[Tokyo]].<ref>"[http://www.bandai.co.jp/e/releases/E2002030401.html Bandai Group Establishes 'Bandai Channel' to Distribute Broadband Content]." ''[[Bandai Group]]''. March 4, 2004. Retrieved on March 16, 2010.</ref>


Bandai was founded by [[World War II]] veteran Naoharu Yamashina as Bandai-Ya on July 5, 1950, as the corporate spin-off of a textile wholesaler. The company began as a distributor of metallic toys and rubber swimming rings, before moving to metal cars and aircraft models. It was renamed Bandai Co., Ltd. in 1961 and achieved considerable success with its action figures based on the anime ''[[Astro Boy (1963 TV series)|Astro Boy]]''.
After the merger with game developer and amusement facility operator [[Namco]], Bandai Company, Limited is now under the management of [[Bandai Namco Holdings]] and a member of [[Bandai Namco Holdings|Bandai Namco Group]]. After group reorganisation in 2006, Bandai heads the group's Toys and Hobby [[Strategic Business Unit]] (SBU).<ref name=toyshobbysbu>[http://www.bandainamco.co.jp/en/about/business/toyshobby.html Toys and Hobby Strategic Business Unit]</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Origins and success with toys (1947–1968)===
In 1947, Naoharu Yamashina began working for a [[Kanazawa]]-based textile wholesaler.<ref name="NYT">{{cite web |last1=Pollack |first1=Andrew |title=Naoharu Yamashina, Toy Maker, Dies at 79 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/31/business/naoharu-yamashina-toy-maker-dies-at-79.html?auth=linked-google |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023043302/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/31/business/naoharu-yamashina-toy-maker-dies-at-79.html?auth=linked-google |archive-date=23 October 2020 |date=31 October 1997}}</ref> The eldest son to a rice retailer, Yamashina had studied business in high school and was enlisted in [[World War II]], where an impact from a grenade shrapnel blinded him in his right eye.<ref name="Economist">{{cite news |title=Obituary - Naoharu Yamashina |url=https://www.economist.com/obituary/1997/11/06/naoharu-yamashina |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807104747/https://www.economist.com/obituary/1997/11/06/naoharu-yamashina |archive-date=7 August 2020 |date=6 November 1997}}</ref><ref name="Grant">{{cite book |last1=Grant |first1=Tina |title=International Directory of Company Histories |date=2003 |publisher=[[St. James Press]] |page=44 |edition=Volume 55 |url=https://archive.org/details/internationaldir0000unse_c8r0/page/n695/mode/2up |access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> The textile business, ran by his wife's brother, was struggling financially as a result of Japan's post-war economy.<ref name="Ryall">{{cite web |last1=Ryall |first1=Julian |title=From Astro Boy to Gundam to Ultraman, how Bandai became Japan's top toy company |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2178825/astro-boy-gundam-ultraman-how-bandai-became-japans-top-toy-company |website=[[The South China Morning Post]] |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428083253/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2178825/astro-boy-gundam-ultraman-how-bandai-became-japans-top-toy-company |archive-date=28 April 2020 |date=23 December 2018}}</ref> He made little money working, and as he was having a difficult time finding ways to allow the business to pick up, a neighbor told him about the potential of the toy industry and the financial success that could be generated from it.<ref name="Ryall"/> Intrigued, Yamashina convinced his wife to travel to Tokyo with him to begin studying the potentially lucrative market for toys.<ref name="Grant"/> With little money or exposure in the field, the two worked long hours to establish a small toy distribution division within the textile business.<ref name="NYT"/>


Yamashina assumed full control of the toy division on July 5, 1950, when it was spun-off as a separate company named {{nihongo foot|Bandai-ya|株式会社万代屋商店|Kabushiki gaisha Bandai-ya Shōten|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} in [[Taitō, Tokyo]].<ref name="NYT"/><ref name="History">{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.bandai.co.jp/corporate/history/ |website=www.bandai.co.jp |publisher=Bandai |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803101536/https://www.bandai.co.jp/corporate/history/ |archive-date=3 August 2020 |language=ja}}</ref> The name was derived from Japanese reading of Chinese phrase "bandai fueki" ([[wikt:万代不易|万代不易]]), meaning "eternally unchanging" or "things that are eternal."<ref name="NYT"/><ref name="Economist"/><ref name="RGamer 36">{{cite magazine|author=Wild, Kim|title=Retroinspection: WonderSwan |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=36 |issn=1742-3155|year=2007 |pages=68–71}}</ref> Being assisted by Atsuko Tatsumi, publisher of the ''Weekly Toy News'' in Tokyo, Bandai-ya distributed and imported celluloid dolls, metallic toys, and rubber swimming rings.<ref name="NYT"/><ref name="Grant"/> The company released its first original product the same year, the Rhythm Ball, a beach ball with a bell inside that suffered from numerous quality defects.<ref name="NYT"/><ref name="History"/> Bandai-ya improved the quality of its products as it continued designing new kinds of toys, such as inexpensive metal cars and aircraft models.<ref name="Grant"/><ref name="RGamer 36"/> Several of these were exported to the United States and elsewhere as a result of their popularity, being among the earliest "Made In Japan" products exported outside the country.<ref name="Grant"/>
[[File:96bandaired.jpg|thumb|[[Saab 96]] tin plate toy car by Bandai]]
Bandai was founded in 1950. In the 1960s Bandai expanded to include export sales. Bandai's racing car set, which first appeared in 1962, became a huge success. The 1970s continued to see Bandai expand, with Bandai Models being established in 1971. Although not their most profitable range, Bandai's 1/48 scale AFV models dominated that segment of the model kit market. Bandai America Inc. was established as local US sales/marketing operation in 1978. [[Spacewarp (toy)|Spacewarp]], a line of build-it-yourself toy rolling ball "roller coasters" was introduced by Bandai in the 1980s.
Since the 1980s, Bandai has become the leading toy company of Japan, and to this day, has the main toy licenses in Japan to popular properties including ''[[Kaiju|Daikaiju]]'', ''[[Ultraman]]'', ''[[Super Robot]]'', ''[[Kamen Rider (franchise)|Kamen Rider]]'', the ''[[Super Sentai]]'' and ''[[Power Rangers]]'' series (which they took part in creating), ''[[Gundam]]'' and many others.
The management of Bandai and [[Sega]] discussed a merger in the late 1990s, but the merger was later cancelled, citing "cultural differences".{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}


[[File:Bandai (1950s) logo.svg|thumb|left|120px|Bandai logo from 1959 to 1975]]
==Former subsidiaries==
As its revenue increased, Bandai-ya began expanding its operations.<ref name="Grant"/> A new shipping and warehouse facility was constructed in spring 1953, followed by research and development (R&D) and product inspection departments later that year.<ref name="Grant"/> A manufacturing facility, Waraku Works, was opened in early 1955 to increase the production of toys.<ref name="Grant"/> In the same year, it implemented the toy industry's first quality assurance system; the first toy approved by this was the 1956 [[Toyopet Crown]] model car, which was also Bandai-ya's first product with a guarantee.<ref name="History"/><ref name="DeMaria">{{cite book |last1=DeMaria |first1=Russel |title=High Score! Expanded: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games |date=7 December 2018 |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |isbn=978-1138367203 |edition=3rd}}</ref> The growing company worked on creating a friendly corporate image for itself, introducing a new logo, slogan, and television commercials that emphasized its quality products.<ref name="Grant"/> Bandai-ya was renamed Bandai in July 1961, the same time it started spreading its operations overseas, beginning with the establishment of Bandai Overseas Supply in New York City.<ref name="History"/><ref name="DeMaria"/>
[[File:Bandai headquarters -01.jpg|thumb|220px|Bandai headquarters]]
Before the formation of Bandai Namco Holdings, Bandai had many subsidiaries. After group reorganization in 2006, they are managed under several strategic business units (SBUs) of the group. Further detail:


While its toys often sold well in Japan, Bandai didn't achieve considerable success until 1963, when it began producing action figures based on the anime ''[[Astro Boy]]''.<ref name="History"/><ref name="Grant"/><ref name="DeMaria"/> The toy line's success prompted Bandai to reorganize and rethink its business strategies, as the company transitioned from working on original products to funding the creation of new television series and acting as a sponsor during their run, with advertisements that showed off Bandai's tie-in action figures and costumes.<ref name="History"/><ref name="Grant"/><ref>{{cite web |author1=The New York Times News Service |title=Founder Of Firm That Created Power Rangers |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-11-01-9711010273-story.html |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=24 October 2020 |date=1 November 1997}}</ref> A similar blockbuster hit was found with action figures in the likenesses of ''[[Ultraman]]'' characters, largely due to the popularity of the television series at the time; the figures were later released in North America to little fanfare.<ref name="Grant"/> In July 1966, it released Crazy Foam, a line of bubble blowing canisters that sold 2.4 million units in three months, thanks to the backing of an extensive marketing campaign.<ref name="History"/> Bandai's other products included the Thunderbird electrical vehicles, the Water Motor bath toys, and the Naughty Flipper, the last of which received a gold medal at the 1968 New York International Innovative productions Exhibition.<ref name="DeMaria"/> An additional manufacturing plant was acquired in late 1969 to further increase the production of toys.<ref name="Grant"/>
===Toys and Hobby SBU===


===Continuing expansion and Mobile Suit Gundam (1971–1983)===
====Popy====
Bandai continued its expansion throughout the 1970s. The company established a joint venture with model car manufacturer [[Tonka]] in 1970 and established Tonka Japan K.K., as part of Bandai's continuing mission in establishing ties with foreign companies. A subsidiary named [[Popy]] was formed a year later that specialized in the manufacturing of toys based on popular children's characters. Though Bandai became a major player in the Japanese toy industry, competing with companies such as [[Takara]] and [[Epoch]], executives believed the company needed to further spread out into international territories to help increase worldwide brand awareness.
In 1971, Bandai founded its subsidiary company '''[[Popy]]''' which helped to launch toylines such as ''Chogokin'' and ''[[Machine Robo]]''. It was merged into its parent company in 1983.


Bandai continued to expand in the 1970s with the creation of several subsidiaries; Tonka Japan in 1970 following a joint venture with [[Tonka]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://stefgarage.free.fr/tonka-historique/historiq-tonka.htm |title=Tonka historique |website=StefGarage |language=fr |access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> Bandai Models being established in 1971, and finally [[Popy]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://toyboxdx.com/datafiles/data/popy_data/popy_index.htm |title=ToyboxDX Guide to Chogokin and Popinika |website=Alen Yen's ToyboxDX |access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> who specialized in the manufacturing of toy characters.<ref name="1970s history">{{cite web |url=http://www.bandai.co.jp/e/company/history1970.html |title=Bandai's History: 1970's |website=Bandai |access-date=21 April 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223170629/http://www.bandai.co.jp/e/company/history1970.html |archive-date=23 February 2011}}</ref> Although not their most profitable range, Bandai's 1/48 scale AFV models dominated that segment of the model kit market. Bandai America Inc. was established as local US sales/marketing operation in 1978. [[Spacewarp (toy)|Spacewarp]], a line of build-it-yourself toy rolling ball "roller coasters" was introduced by Bandai in the 1980s.
====Bandai USA====
'''Bandai USA''' (doing business as '''Bandai America Incorporated''') is the American distribution arm of Bandai that makes toy products for the U.S. market and manufactures ''[[Power Rangers]]'', ''[[Big Hero 6 (film)|Big Hero 6]]'', ''[[Digimon]]'', and ''[[Ben 10]]'' toys. Other past products include


In May 1980, Makoto Yamashina, son of the founder, became president of Bandai. Naoharu Yamashina became chairman of the board. Upon his arrival, Makoto Yamashina completely changed the ageing staff of Bandai and replaced them with younger employees with the intent of not only bringing new ideas, but also revisiting the strategy of the group. The new president took a different commercial approach by selling directly to retailers rather than going through intermediates.<ref name="Grant"/><ref name="History"/>
*''[[Alienators: Evolution Continues]]''
*''[[Astro Boy (2003 TV series)|Astro Boy]]''
*''[[Big Bad Beetleborgs|Beetleborgs]]''
*''[[Ben 10 (franchise)|Ben 10]]''
*''[[Big Hero 6 (film)|Big Hero 6]]''
*''[[Cardcaptor Sakura]]''
*''[[Cyclonians]]''
*''[[Dick Tracy (1990 film)|Dick Tracy]]''
*''[[D.I.C.E.]]''
*''[[Dinozaurs]]''
*''[[Digimon]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball (anime)|Dragon Ball]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z]]''
*''[[Doraemon (2005 anime)|Doraemon]]''
*''[[Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within]]''
*''[[Godaikin]]''
*''[[Godzilla]]''
*''[[Gundam]]''
*''[[Kamen Rider Series|Kamen Rider]]''
*''[[Ojamajo Doremi|Magical DoReMi]]''
*''[[Masked Rider (TV series)|Masked Rider]]''
*''[[Mega Man (TV series)|Mega Man]]''
*''[[Metal Heroes]]''
*''[[M.U.S.C.L.E.]]''
*''[[One Piece]]''
*''[[Power Rangers]]''
*''[[Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures]]''
*''[[Sailor Moon]]''
*''[[Saint Seiya]]'' - for American distribution, it was relabeled ''[[Saint Seiya|Knights of the Zodiac]]''
*''[[Sega Pico]]''
*''[[Strawberry Shortcake]]''
*''[[Super Sentai]]''
*''[[Tamagotchi]]''
*''[[Teen Titans (TV series)|Teen Titans]]''
*''[[Thundercats]]''
*''[[Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends]]''
*''[[The Tick (1994 series)|The Tick]]''
*''[[The Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog]]''
*''[[Kinnikuman|Ultimate Muscle]]''
*''[[Ultraman]]''
*''[[Unazukin]]''
*''[[Wedding Peach]]''
*''[[Xyber 9: New Dawn]]''
*''[[Zatch Bell!]]''


In July 1980, Bandai launched the 'Gundam Plastic Model' based on the animated series ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' which gave birth to the [[Gunpla]] range of scale model kits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gundam-france.com/v4/index.php/component/content/article/44/1852-30-ans-de-gunpla.html |title=30 ans de Gunpla, de 1980 à 2010 |website=Gundam-France.com |language=fr |access-date=21 April 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610150336/http://www.gundam-france.com/v4/index.php/component/content/article/44/1852-30-ans-de-gunpla.html |archive-date=10 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/where-are-gundam-plastic-models-made-5536020 |title=Where Are Gundam Plastic Models Made? |first=Brian |last=Ashcraft |date=11 May 2010 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> In November, the subsidiary Celent was created.<ref name="History"/>
===Visual and music contents SBU===


===Entry into the video game market (1983–1989)===
====Bandai Visual====
{{multiple image
{{main|Bandai Visual}}
|title = Bandai videogame platforms
'''[[Bandai Visual]] Company, Limited''', produces and distributes many popular [[anime]] and [[tokusatsu]] titles. These titles include ''[[Cowboy Bebop]]'', ''[[The Big O|Big O]]'', ''[[Outlaw Star]]'', ''[[Please Teacher!]]'', ''[[Escaflowne]]'', and the popular ''[[Gundam]]'', ''[[Kamen Rider Series|Kamen Rider]]'', ''[[Ultra Series|Ultraman]]'', and ''[[Super Sentai]]'' series. Its subsidiaries include the '''Emotion Music Company, Limited''', in which the logo is the [[Moai]], a [[statue]] found on [[Easter Island]]. It now heads the Visual and Music Contents SBU. Their American division, '''Bandai Visual USA''' was absorbed into Bandai Entertainment in July 2008. Bandai Entertainment is no longer acquiring licenses to new anime. As of March 1, 2013 Bandai Entertainment is no longer distributing home video in North America except for some.
|align =
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|image1 = Bandai Arcadia 2001 (1982) 2.jpg
|caption1 = [[Arcadia 2001#Bandai Arcadia|Arcadia]]
|image2 = Bandai LCD Solarpower.jpg
|caption2 = [[Handheld electronic game#Bandai LCD Solarpower|LCD Solarpower]]
|image3 = Bandai-Playdia-Front.jpg
|caption3 = [[Playdia]]
|image4 = WonderSwan-Black-Left.jpg
|caption4 = [[WonderSwan]]
|footer =
}}
Bandai became one of the first third-party developers for the Nintendo [[Family Computer]] in 1985.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=Steven L.|author-link=Steven L. Kent |year=2001|title=The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World |isbn=978-0-7615-3643-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/ultimatehistoryv00kent |url-access=limited|publisher=Prima Publishing |page=[https://archive.org/details/ultimatehistoryv00kent/page/n306 306]}}</ref> Among its first titles was ''[[Tag Team Match: MUSCLE]]'', a video game adaptation of the ''[[Kinnikuman]]'' manga, which sold over one million copies.<ref name="History"/> Bandai also produced the Family Trainer Pad, released outside Japan as the [[Power Pad]], which also performed well commercially. A series of games was released both in the US and in Japan, including ''[[Athletic World]]'' and ''[[Stadium Events]]'' for the NES. Shortly after its release, Nintendo purchased the rights to the FFF mat in North America, replacing it with their own redesign, the [[Power Pad]]. In order to maintain branding continuity, ''Stadium Events'' was pulled from shelves after a short period of availability at [[F. W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth's]] stores. Because the game was pulled from shelves and discontinued before many copies were sold, Bandai's ''Stadium Events'' is universally accepted as the rarest licensed NES game released in North America.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesniped.com/2008/05/30/origional-nintendo-stadium-events-cartridge |title=Original Nintendo Stadium Events Cartridge |date=2008-05-30 |website=Gamesniped.com |access-date=2012-08-13 |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209110340/http://gamesniped.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/cropped-crosshair-favi-32x32.png |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wii Feature: 25 rarest Nintendo games ever |website=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date=2008-06-29 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=191868 |access-date=2012-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701193314/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=191868 |archive-date=1 July 2008}}</ref> A shrink-wrapped copy of the game sold for $41,270 on eBay in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/rare-nintendo-game-is-40-000-windfall/1391148 |title=Rare Nintendo game is $40,000 windfall |first=Mike |last=Smith |date=26 February 2010 |work=Yahoo! Games |access-date=21 April 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302144305/http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/rare-nintendo-game-is-40-000-windfall/1391148 |archive-date=2 March 2010}}</ref> The sister game to ''Stadium Events'', called ''Athletic World'' was initially released with a label that indicated compatibility with the Family Fun Fitness mat, but was later re-released with an updated label that mentions the Power Pad instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitpress.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-107994.html |title=Variant labels for NES games |date=2007-10-18 |work=Retrogaming Roundtable |access-date=2012-08-13}}</ref> Stadium Events was not released by name again, but instead was slightly modified and relaunched as the Power Pad pack-in game, ''[[World Class Track Meet]]''.
Since the 1980s, Bandai has become the leading toy company of Japan, and to this day, has the main toy licenses in Japan to popular properties including ''[[Kaiju|Daikaiju]]'', ''[[Ultraman]]'', ''[[Super Robot]]'', ''[[Kamen Rider]]'', the ''[[Super Sentai]]'' and ''[[Power Rangers]]'' series (which it took part in creating), ''[[Gundam]]'', and many others. In February 1989, it acquired arcade game developer Coreland and reorganized it into [[Banpresto]], which became Bandai's coin-operated entertainment division.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bandai Buys Coreland To Make Games |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19890301p.pdf |access-date=1 August 2020 |agency=Game Machine |issue=351 |publisher=Amusement Press |date=1 March 1989 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522192955/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19890301p.pdf |archive-date=22 May 2020 |location=Japan |page=30}}</ref> In the early 1990s, Bandai published games for [[Nintendo]] in [[Video gaming in the United Kingdom|the United Kingdom]], including ''[[Street Fighter II]]'' on the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/nforce-magazine-06/NForce_06_Dec_1992#page/n7/mode/2up |title=Streets Ahead |date=December 1992 |magazine=N-Force |issue=6 |access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref>


===Mainstream success and expansion (1989–1995)===
====Bandai Entertainment====
{{expand section|date=August 2022}}
{{main|Bandai Entertainment}}
'''[[Bandai Entertainment]], Inc.''' was involved in the distribution of numerous anime in North America, as well as [[manga]] and other merchandising ventures related to anime. Its headquarters in the United States were located in [[Cypress, California]].


=== Financial decline and failed merger with Sega (1995–1999) ===
====Carddass====
'''Carddass''' is the Bandai [[subsidiary]] responsible for releasing [[collectible card game|trading card games]] based on popular Bandai franchises. This includes games such as the ''[[Gundam War Collectible Card Game]]'' based on the ''[[Gundam]]'' metaseries, as well as a Gash Bell (''[[Zatch Bell! The Card Battle|Zatch Bell!]]'') TCG, ''[[Naruto CCG]]'', ''[[Rangers Strike]]'' (''[[Super Sentai]]'' series, ''[[Kamen Rider Series|Kamen Rider]]'' series, ''[[Metal Hero]]'' series), ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' ''[[Ultra Galaxy Daikaijyu Battle]]'' (''[[Ultra Series|Ultra]]'' series) and most recently their most successful to date, the ''[[Battle Spirits Trading Card Game]]''.


In January 1997, Bandai announced it would merge its operations with Japanese video game developer [[Sega]].<ref name="CVG 187">{{cite news |title=Sega In Shock Merger With Bandai!! |agency=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=184 |date=March 1997 |page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/bandai-and-sega-band-together/ |title=Bandai and Sega band together |date=23 January 1997 |website=CNET |access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/1997/01/23/national/sega-bandai-to-merge-into-entertainment-giant/ |title=Sega, Bandai to merge into entertainment giant |date=23 January 1997 |work=[[The Japan Times]] |access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref> The merger, a $1 billion [[stock swap]] where Sega would acquire Bandai and dissolve the company,<ref name="CVG 187"/> would have established a new entertainment conglomerate named Sega Bandai Ltd. with an estimated $6 billion in revenue.<ref name="Kotaku Merge">{{Cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/5828939/when-sega-wanted-to-take-over-the-world-and-failed-miserably|title=When Sega Wanted to Take Over the World (and Failed Miserably)|last=Plunkett |first=Luke|date=9 August 2011|website=Kotaku|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123203543/https://kotaku.com/5828939/when-sega-wanted-to-take-over-the-world-and-failed-miserably|archive-date=23 November 2018|url-status=live|access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> The announcement followed a {{yen}}9 billion loss from Bandai the same month, attributed to declining game sales and the poor reception of the [[Apple Pippin]] console.<ref name="CVG 187"/> Bandai felt Sega was an appropriate company to merge with, as it possessed an American management model and several international offices, in addition to owning several successful franchises like ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]''.<ref name="CVG 187"/><ref name="Kotaku Merge"/> Opposition arose within Bandai's employees and midlevel executives, as neither felt the company's family-friendly work ethic meshed well with Sega's top-down corporate culture.<ref name="Wired Merge">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/1997/05/bandai-calls-off-planned-merger-with-sega/|title=Bandai Calls Off Planned Merger with Sega |date=28 May 1997|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> As a result, Bandai called off the merge in May before its finalization in October.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/28/business/acquisition-of-bandai-by-sega-called-off.html|title=Acquisition of Bandai by Sega Called Off|last=Pollack |first=Andrew|date=28 May 1997 |work=The New York Times|access-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025638/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/28/business/acquisition-of-bandai-by-sega-called-off.html|archive-date=8 November 2018}}</ref> President Makoto Yamashina took responsibility for its failure, publicly apologizing and resigning his position within the company.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Other Bandai Happenings |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=97 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=August 1997 |page=18}}</ref> Bandai instead agreed to a business alliance with Sega.<ref name="Wired Merge"/>
====Sunrise====
{{main|Sunrise (company)}}


===Namco takeover and restructuring (2005–present)===
===Game contents SBU===


After its merger with game developer and amusement facility operator [[Namco]] in 2005, Bandai Company is now under the management and a member of [[Bandai Namco Holdings]] (Bandai Namco Group). Following a group reorganisation in 2006, Bandai heads the group's Toys and Hobby [[strategic business unit]] (SBU).<ref name=toyshobbysbu>{{cite web |title=Toys and Hobby SBU |work=Bandai Namco Holdings|url= http://www.bandainamco.co.jp/en/about/business/toyshobby.html|access-date=30 December 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529054250/http://www.bandainamco.co.jp/en/about/business/toyshobby.html |archive-date=29 May 2010}}</ref> Bandai Entertainment announced it would cease its distribution operations in January 2012.<ref>{{cite news |first=Egan |last=Loo |date=2012-01-02 |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-02/bandai-entertainment-to-stop-releasing-new-dvds-bds-manga |title=Bandai Entertainment to Stop Releasing New DVDs, BDs, Manga |work=Anime News Network |access-date=2012-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Crystalyn |last=Hodgkins |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-31/bandai-entertainment-to-discontinue-home-video-manga-novel-sales |title=Bandai Entertainment to Discontinue Home Video, Manga, Novel Sales |date=31 August 2012 |work=Anime News Network |access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref> Beez Entertainment is no longer releasing new anime in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |first=Egan |last=Loo |date=2012-01-05 |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-05/france-beez-entertainment-stops-releasing-new-anime |title=France's Beez Entertainment Stops Releasing New Anime |work=Anime News Network |access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref>
====Bandai Games (now Bandai Namco Games)====
'''Bandai Games''' produced and distributed [[video game]]s based on Bandai properties including ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front]]'', ''[[New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Duel|Gundam Wing: Endless Duel]]'' and ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo]]''.


In February 2018, [[Saban Brands]] and Bandai's US division jointly announced a mutual agreement to not renew their [[Power Rangers]] master toy license, effective Spring 2019, after which competing toy company [[Hasbro]] will inherit the license. This transition will not affect Bandai Japan's [[Super Sentai]] (the series from which Power Rangers takes footage) master toy license with [[Toei Company|Toei]].
In the early 1990s, Bandai published games for [[Nintendo]] in [[Video gaming in the United Kingdom|the United Kingdom]], including ''[[Street Fighter II]]'' on the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref>http://archive.org/stream/nforce-magazine-06/NForce_06_Dec_1992#page/n7/mode/2up</ref>


A sister company, [[Bandai Spirits]], was established on 15 February 2018. On 1 April 2018, the division of Bandai that dealt with products for adult customers (including figures and plastic models) as well as [[Banpresto]]'s prizes business were transferred over to Bandai Spirits.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/cgi-bin/releases/index.cgi/file/view/6091?entry_id=5509 |title=Notice Regarding Reorganization of Subsidiaries |date=9 February 2018 |website=Bandai Namco |access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref>
In the beginning of 2005, Bandai Games opened a United States office as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bandai America which, prior to that, handled the publishing of video games in North America itself.


== Product lines ==
On March 31, 2006, it merged with [[Namco|Namco Ltd.]] and was renamed [[Bandai Namco Games]] Inc.
=== Scale models ===
''(incomplete list)''
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==== ''Star Wars'' ====
Bandai has developed kits of the following ''Star Wars'' vehicles and figures:
* ''[[Millennium Falcon]]''
* [[X-wing fighter|X-Wing]]
* [[Y-wing|Y-Wing]]
* [[TIE fighter|Tie fighter]]


===Motorsports===
=== Toys ===
[[File:SuperGT-BANDAI.jpg|190px|thumb|2006 Bandai Direzza [[Lexus SC430|SC430]].]]
{{see also|2006 Super GT season}}
In 2006, Bandai entered [[Super GT]] with [[Lexus SC]], and won 2006 Super GT Season GT500 Class Round 3 Overall Winner and ranked on fifth place in GT500 Class.


* {{ill|S.H.Figuarts|ja}} line
{{-}}
** [[Kira Yamato]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Donohoo |first=Timothy |date=2024-01-27 |title=Bandai Reveals Gundam Seed Freedom Kira and Lacus Action Figures |url=https://www.cbr.com/gundam-seed-freedom-kira-lacus-bandai-action-figures-international-release/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>
** [[Lacus Clyne]]<ref name=":0" />
* ''[[Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba]]'' Action Figures
** Tanjiro and Nezuko (2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geolas |first=Paris |date=2024-01-26 |title=Demon Slayer's New Tanjiro and Nezuko Bandai Action Figures to See Worldwide Release |url=https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-tanjiro-nezuko-bandai-action-figures-international-release/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>
** “[[Pocoyo]]” related products (2010-2012)


==Corporate structure==
==Consoles==
Bandai's headquarters is in [[Taitō, Tokyo]], [[Japan]]. The company owns offices in the United States (Bandai America), Mexico (Bandai Corporación Mexico), the United Kingdom (Bandai UK), Indonesia (Bandai Namco Indonesia), France, Spain, Taiwan, and mainland China. In the past, it owned offices in Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Germany, and East Asia, which acted as distributors for Bandai products in their respective countries. Bandai is a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Bandai Namco Holdings]] and heads its parent's Toy and Hobby Content Strategic Business Unit (CSBU).
[[File:Pippin-Atmark-Console-Set.jpg|thumb|The [[Apple Bandai Pippin|Pippin Atmark]]]]
During the late 1970s, Bandai sold the ''TV Jack'' console line: a series of pong based consoles. The last of the series was the [[Bandai Super Vision 8000]] console released in 1979. It wasn't a simple pong based console system but a cartridge system with an 8-bit NEC D780C (Z80 clone) as [[CPU]].


Bandai is among the largest and most profitable toy companies worldwide, alongside [[Hasbro]] and [[Mattel]]. The company focuses on creating unique and innovative products for its consumers, and to bend established conventions within the industry; its slogan, "Break out of the box" was made in reference to this.<ref>{{cite web |title=Overview |url=https://www.bandai.co.jp/e/ |website=www.bandai.co.jp |publisher=Bandai |access-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918073432/https://www.bandai.co.jp/e/ |archive-date=18 September 2020 |location=Japan}}</ref>
During the early 1980s, Bandai distributed a number of videogame machines. In 1982 the Bandai Arcadia, a variant of the Emerson [[Arcadia 2001]], was released in Japan by Bandai. There were also four Japan-exclusive game releases which were the only known Arcadia titles written by other companies than UA Ltd. They also released local variants of the [[Intellivision]] and [[vectrex]] game consoles.


===Subsidiaries of Bandai===
Bandai produced a running mat called the ''[[Family Fun Fitness]] System'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] starting in 1986. A series of games was released both in the US and in Japan, including ''[[Athletic World]]'' and ''[[Stadium Events]]'' for the NES. Shortly after its release, Nintendo purchased the rights to the FFF mat in North America, replacing it with their own redesign, the [[Power Pad]]. In order to maintain branding continuity, ''Stadium Events'' was pulled from shelves after a short period of availability at [[F. W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth's]] stores. Due to the fact that the game was pulled from shelves and discontinued before many copies were sold, Bandai's ''Stadium Events'' is universally accepted as the rarest licensed NES game released in North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesniped.com/2008/05/30/origional-nintendo-stadium-events-cartridge |title=Origional Nintendo Stadium Events Cartridge &#124; Rare Video Games Auctions, Sales & Pricing |publisher=Gamesniped.com |date=2008-05-30 |accessdate=2012-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=191868 |title=Wii Feature: 25 rarest Nintendo games ever |publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date=2008-06-29 |accessdate=2012-08-13}}</ref> A shrinkwrapped copy of the game sold for $41,270 on eBay in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/rare-nintendo-game-is-40-000-windfall/1391148|title=Rare Nintendo game is $40,000 windfall|author=Mike Smith}}</ref> The sister game to ''Stadium Events'', called ''Athletic World'' was initially released with a label that indicated compatibility with the Family Fun Fitness mat, but was later re-released with an updated label that mentions the Power Pad instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitpress.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-107994.html |title=Variant labels for NES games [Archive&#93; - Retrogaming Roundtable |publisher=Digitpress.com |date=2007-10-18 |accessdate=2012-08-13}}</ref> Stadium Events was not released again, but instead was slightly modified and relaunched as the Power Pad pack-in game, ''[[World Class Track Meet]]''.
[[File:BANDAI Hobby Center バンダイホビーセンター - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|The Bandai Hobby Center in [[Aoi-ku, Shizuoka]]]]
Bandai Spirits Co., Ltd. produces figurines and plastic models targeted towards older demographics, utilizing popular licenses such as ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'', ''[[One Piece]]'', ''[[Pokémon]]'', ''[[Kirby (series)|Kirby]]'', [[Disney]], ''[[Star Wars]]'', ''[[Hatsune Miku]]'', ''[[Dragon Ball]]'', ''[[Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba|Demon Slayer]]'', ''[[Kamen Rider]]'', ''[[Super Sentai]]'', ''[[Ultraman]]'', and ''[[My Hero Academia]]''.


Bandai produces confectioneries, board games, and capsule toys through its subsidiary MegaHouse Corporation, which also releases toys and figurines under its MegaToy label. MegaHouse also holds the license for the [[Rubik's Cube]] in Japan, and has created multiple variations of the toy specifically for Japanese audiences. Manga series, television shows, and character-themed products are created by the Plex subsidiary.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pineda|first1=Rafael Antonio|title=Bandai's Plex Subsidiary to Absorb Tamagotchi Developer Wiz |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-08/bandai-plex-subsidiary-to-absorb-tamagotchi-developer-wiz/.143150 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208164637/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-08/bandai-plex-subsidiary-to-absorb-tamagotchi-developer-wiz/.143150 |archive-date=8 February 2019 |date=8 February 2019}}</ref>
In the 1990s, Bandai teamed up with [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] to make [[Apple Bandai Pippin|The Pippin]]. They also made their own game console, the [[Playdia]]. Neither was a mass-market success. In 1999, Bandai created the [[WonderSwan]] portable game system. It, and its update, the [[WonderSwan Color]], sold modestly well, but were unable to seriously challenge the dominant Game Boy Color and later, the Game Boy Advance. It was discontinued in 2003.


==Notes==
==Handheld systems==
{{notelist}}
[[File:SwanCrystal-Wine-Left.jpg|thumb|right|[[Swan Crystal]]]]
Bandai has also released a series of [[handheld game console]]s including the [[WonderSwan]], [[WonderSwan Color]] and [[Swan Crystal]]. The systems were only released in Japan.

Bandai has also released a series of [[LCD games]] including ''[[Tuttuki Bako]]'' (released in Japan in 2008) and the ''[[Bandai LCD Solarpower|LCD Solarpower]]'' series (released in the 1980s in both regions).

==Games developed/published by Bandai==
;[[Bandai Super Vision 8000]]
*''Beam Galaxian''
*''Gun Professional''
*''Missile Vader''
*''[[Reversi|Othello]]''
*''PacPacBird''
*''Space Fire''
*''Submarine''

;LCD
*''Patsy Duck''
*''Sailor Moon''
*''Sailor Moon Heart''
*''Anpanman''

;[[Arcadia 2001]]
*''[[Doraemon]]''
*''[[Dr. Slump]]''
*''Mobile Soldier [[Gundam]]''
*''Super Dimension Fortress [[Macross]]''

;[[Bandai RX-78]]
*''[[Gundam]]: Luna Tsu no Tatakai''

;[[Mac OS]]
*''[[The Journeyman Project: Pegasus Prime]]''

;[[Playdia]]
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S Quiz Taiketsu! Sailor Power Kesshuu]]''
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS Sailor Moon to Hiragana Lesson!]]''
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailormoon SS Sailor Moon to Hajimete no Eigo]]''
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailormoon SS Youkoso! Sailor Youchien]]''

;[[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]]
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S]]''

;[[Sega Game Gear]]
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S]]''

;[[Game Boy]]
*''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (video game)|Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]]''
*''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (video game)|Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie]]''
*''[[SD Sengokuden Tenka Touitsu Hen|SD Sengokuden 2: Tenka Touitsu Hen]]''
*''[[Welcome Nakayoshi Park]]''
*''[[Kaijū-ō Godzilla]]''

;[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]
*''[[The Adventures of Gilligan's Island|Adventures of Gilligan's Island]]''
*''[[Akuma-kun: Makai no Wana]]''
*''[[Athletic World]]''
*''[[Bandai Golf: Challenge Pebble Beach]]''
*''[[Chubby Cherub]]''
*''[[Dick Tracy]]''
*''[[Dig Dug II]]''<ref>* [[:File:Dig Dug II NES box.jpg|Dig Dug II box art]], also see [http://www.mobygames.com/game/dig-dug-ii-trouble-in-paradise Moby Games] entry.</ref> (The NES version of ''[[Dig Dug]]'' was only released in Japan, until the [[Wii Virtual Console]] release in the US in June 2008.)
*''[[Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (video game)|Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde]]''
*''[[Dragon Power]]''
*''[[Dragon Spirit]]''
*''[[Dragon Spirit: The New Legend]]''
*''[[Dynowarz]]''
*''[[Frankenstein: The Monster Returns]]''
*''[[Galaga]]''
*''[[J. League Super Top Players]]''
*''[[Legends of the Diamond]]'' (Typo on the top label states ''Legends of the Daimond'' {{sic}})
*''[[Monster Party]]''
*''[[M.U.S.C.L.E.]]''
*''[[Ninja Kid]]''
*''[[Shooting Range]]''
*''[[Stadium Events]]'' (Later pulled from shelves and retooled as ''[[Power Pad|'World Class Track Meet']]'')
*''[[Street Cop]]''
*''[[Super Team Games]]''
*''[[The Rocketeer]]''
*''[[Toxic Crusaders]]''
*''[[World Class Track Meet]]''
*''[[Xevious]]''

;[[Nintendo DS]]
*''[[Power Rangers Samurai]]''
*''[[Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop]]''
*''[[Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2]]''
*''[[Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3]]''

;[[Mega Drive|Sega Genesis]]
*''[[List of Dragon Ball video games|Dragon Ball Z: Sagas of Bravery]]''

;[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S Kurukkurin]]''
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S Kondowa Puzzle de Oshioikiyo!]]''
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS Fuwa Fuwa Panic]]''
*''[[List of Sailor Moon video games|Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars Fuwa Fuwa Panic 2]]''
*''[[Captain Tsubasa J: The Way to World Youth]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: Sagas of Bravery|Dragon Ball Z Super Butoden]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: Sagas of Bravery|Dragon Ball Z Super Butoden 2]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: Sagas of Bravery|Dragon Ball Z Super Butoden 3]]''
*''[[Gon (video game)|Gon]]''
*''[[Kamen Rider]]''
*''[[Mazinger Z (video game)|Mazinger Z]]''
*''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (video game)|Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]]''
*''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition]]''
*''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (video game)|Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie]]''
*''[[Panic in Nakayoshi World]]''
*''[[Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers]]''
*''[[Ruin Arm]]''
*''[[Shōnin yo Taishi wo Idake!!]]''
*''[[Ultraman: Towards the Future (video game)|Ultraman: Towards the Future]]''

;[[PlayStation]]
*''[[Captain Tsubasa J: Get In The Tomorrow]]''
*''[[Digimon World]]''
*''[[Digimon World 2]]''
*''[[Digimon World 3]]''
*''[[Digimon Rumble Arena]]''
*''[[List of Dragon Ball video games|Dragon Ball:Final Bout]]''
*''[[From TV Animation - One Piece: Grand Battle! 2]]''
*''[[Kids Station: Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon World Chibiusa to tanoshii mainichi]]''
*''[[Samurai Deeper Kyo]]''
*''[[Scooby-Doo Arcade]]''

;[[PlayStation 2]]
*''[[.hack]]''
*''[[D.I.C.E.]]''
*''[[Digimon Rumble Arena 2]]''
*''[[Digimon World 4]]''
*''[[Digimon World Data Squad]]''
*''[[Eureka Seven vol.1: New Wave]]''
*''[[InuYasha: Feudal Combat]]''
*''Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space''
*''Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon''
*''Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo''
*''Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Never Ending Tomorrow''
*''Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front''
*''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam]]''
*''[[MS Saga: A New Dawn]]''
*''[[One Piece: Grand Adventure]]''
*''[[One Piece Grand Battle!]]''
*''[[Scooby-Doo Adventure]]''
*''[[Space Sheriff Spirits]]''
*''[[The Fast and the Furious (2006 video game)|The Fast and the Furious]]'', 2006 (Published as [[Bandai Namco Games]] and distributed by [[Universal Studios|Universal Interactive]])
*''[[Zatch Bell! Mamodo Battles]]''
*''[[Zatch Bell! Mamodo Fury]]''
*''[[Ultraman Nexus]]''

;[[PlayStation 3]]
*''[[Demon's Souls]]''
*''[[Dark Souls]]''
*''[[Dark Souls II]]''
*''[[Ra.One]]''
*''[[Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2]]''
*''[[Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3]]''

;[[Sega Saturn]]
*''[[List of Dragon Ball video games|Dragon Ball Z: Shin Butoden]]''

;[[Nintendo GameCube]]
*''[[Chibi-Robo!]]'' (in Japan)
*''[[One Piece: Grand Adventure]]''
*''[[One Piece Grand Battle!]]''
*''[[Zatch Bell! Mamodo Battles]]''
*''[[Zatch Bell! Mamodo Fury]]''
*''[[Digimon Rumble Arena 2]]''

;[[Wii]]
*''[[One Piece: Unlimited Adventure]]''
*''[[Power Rangers Samurai]]''
*''[[Ra.One]]''

;[[Virtual reality]] / [[Augmented reality]]
*''[[Mugen Puchipuchi]]''
*''[[List of Tamagotchi releases|Tamagotchi Connection]]''
*''[[Tuttuki Bako]]''

;[[Xbox 360]]
*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam]]''
*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2]]''
*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Raging Blast]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Raging Blast 2]]''
*''[[Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi]]''
*''[[Power Rangers: Super Samurai]]'' ([[Kinect]] video game)
*''[[Ra.One]]''
*''[[Zegapain NOT]]''
*''[[Zegapain XOR]]''
*''[[Dark Souls]]''
*''[[Dark Souls 2]]''

;[[Game Boy Advance]]
*''[[Digimon Battle Spirit]]''
*''[[Digimon Battle Spirit 2]]''
*''[[Digimon Racing]]''
*''[[Zatch Bell!|Zatch Bell! Electric Arena]]''

;[[Microsoft Windows]]
*''[[Dark Souls]] (ported)''
*''[[Dark Souls 2]]''

;[[Wii U]]
*''[[Tamagotchi Formula]]''

;[[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]]
*''[[Tamagotchi Tennis Championship DX]]''
*''[[Tamagotchi Connection: 3D Corner Shop]]''
*''[[Yo-Kai Watch]]''


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of game manufacturers]]
{{Portal|Tokyo|Companies}}
*[[Bandai Museum]]
* [[Fisher-Price]]
* [[Hasbro]]
* [[The Lego Group|LEGO]]
* [[Mattel]]
* [[Spin Master]]
* [[MGA Entertainment]]
* [[Tomy|TOMY]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website}}
*[http://www.bandai.co.jp/ Bandai (Japanese)]
*[http://www.bandainamco.co.jp/ Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. (Japanese)] (parent company)
*[http://www.bandaigames.com/ Bandai Games] (now called Bandai Namco Games)
*[http://www.bandaivisual.co.jp/ Bandai Visual]
*[http://www.bandaieurope.com/ Bandai Europe]
*[http://www.bandai.fr/ Bandai France]
*[http://www.bandai.co.uk/ Bandai UK]
*[http://www.bandai.com/ Bandai USA]
*[http://www.bandai-asia.com/ Bandai ASIA]
*[http://www.bandaikorea.co.kr/ Bandai Korea]
*[http://www.bandai.de/ Bandai Deutsch]


{{Namco Bandai}}
{{Bandai Namco}}
{{Bandai Namco Hardware}}
{{Sunrise}}
{{Scale model brands}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Japan|Tokyo|Companies}}


[[Category:Amusement companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Bandai| ]]
[[Category:Bandai| ]]
[[Category:Companies based in Tokyo]]
[[Category:Japanese companies established in 1950]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Toy companies established in 1950]]
[[Category:Mass media companies based in Tokyo]]
[[Category:Japanese brands]]
[[Category:Japanese brands]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1950]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Tokyo]]
[[Category:Media companies established in 1950]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1950]]
[[Category:Media companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Bandai Namco Holdings subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Video game companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Software companies based in Tokyo]]
[[Category:Super GT teams]]
[[Category:Super GT teams]]
[[Category:Toy brands]]
[[Category:Toy companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Toy companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Trading card companies]]
[[Category:Namco Bandai Holdings]]
[[Category:Video game companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Video game publishers]]
[[Category:Anime companies]]
[[Category:2005 mergers and acquisitions]]

Latest revision as of 07:35, 28 December 2024

Bandai Co., Ltd.
Native name
株式会社バンダイ
Kabushiki-gaisha Bandai
FormerlyBandai-ya
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedJuly 5, 1950; 74 years ago (July 5, 1950)
FounderNaoharu Yamashina
HeadquartersTaitō, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Masaru Kawaguchi (president)
Products
Brands
Increase¥21.7 billion (2019)
Increase¥242.8 billion (2019)
Number of employees
851 (January 2021)
ParentBandai Namco Holdings (2005–present)
Subsidiaries
  • Bandai Logipal
  • Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles
  • Corporación Bandai México
  • Bandai UK
  • Bandai France
  • Bandai España
  • Bandai Spirits
  • CCP
  • Heart
  • MegaHouse
  • Plex
  • Seeds
  • Sun-Star Stationary
Websitewww.bandai.co.jp
Footnotes / references
"Bandai Namco Group Integrated Report 2019". Bandai Namco Holdings. September 13, 2019. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
"About Company". Bandai. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

Bandai Co., Ltd.[a] is a Japanese multinational toy manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Taitō, Tokyo. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectables America and Bandai UK, are respectively headquartered in Irvine, California, and Richmond, London. Since 2005, Bandai is the toy production division of Bandai Namco Holdings, currently the world's second largest toy company measured by total revenue.[1] Between 1981 and 2001, Bandai was a manufacturer of video game consoles.

Bandai was founded by World War II veteran Naoharu Yamashina as Bandai-Ya on July 5, 1950, as the corporate spin-off of a textile wholesaler. The company began as a distributor of metallic toys and rubber swimming rings, before moving to metal cars and aircraft models. It was renamed Bandai Co., Ltd. in 1961 and achieved considerable success with its action figures based on the anime Astro Boy.

History

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Origins and success with toys (1947–1968)

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In 1947, Naoharu Yamashina began working for a Kanazawa-based textile wholesaler.[2] The eldest son to a rice retailer, Yamashina had studied business in high school and was enlisted in World War II, where an impact from a grenade shrapnel blinded him in his right eye.[3][4] The textile business, ran by his wife's brother, was struggling financially as a result of Japan's post-war economy.[5] He made little money working, and as he was having a difficult time finding ways to allow the business to pick up, a neighbor told him about the potential of the toy industry and the financial success that could be generated from it.[5] Intrigued, Yamashina convinced his wife to travel to Tokyo with him to begin studying the potentially lucrative market for toys.[4] With little money or exposure in the field, the two worked long hours to establish a small toy distribution division within the textile business.[2]

Yamashina assumed full control of the toy division on July 5, 1950, when it was spun-off as a separate company named Bandai-ya[b] in Taitō, Tokyo.[2][6] The name was derived from Japanese reading of Chinese phrase "bandai fueki" (万代不易), meaning "eternally unchanging" or "things that are eternal."[2][3][7] Being assisted by Atsuko Tatsumi, publisher of the Weekly Toy News in Tokyo, Bandai-ya distributed and imported celluloid dolls, metallic toys, and rubber swimming rings.[2][4] The company released its first original product the same year, the Rhythm Ball, a beach ball with a bell inside that suffered from numerous quality defects.[2][6] Bandai-ya improved the quality of its products as it continued designing new kinds of toys, such as inexpensive metal cars and aircraft models.[4][7] Several of these were exported to the United States and elsewhere as a result of their popularity, being among the earliest "Made In Japan" products exported outside the country.[4]

Bandai logo from 1959 to 1975

As its revenue increased, Bandai-ya began expanding its operations.[4] A new shipping and warehouse facility was constructed in spring 1953, followed by research and development (R&D) and product inspection departments later that year.[4] A manufacturing facility, Waraku Works, was opened in early 1955 to increase the production of toys.[4] In the same year, it implemented the toy industry's first quality assurance system; the first toy approved by this was the 1956 Toyopet Crown model car, which was also Bandai-ya's first product with a guarantee.[6][8] The growing company worked on creating a friendly corporate image for itself, introducing a new logo, slogan, and television commercials that emphasized its quality products.[4] Bandai-ya was renamed Bandai in July 1961, the same time it started spreading its operations overseas, beginning with the establishment of Bandai Overseas Supply in New York City.[6][8]

While its toys often sold well in Japan, Bandai didn't achieve considerable success until 1963, when it began producing action figures based on the anime Astro Boy.[6][4][8] The toy line's success prompted Bandai to reorganize and rethink its business strategies, as the company transitioned from working on original products to funding the creation of new television series and acting as a sponsor during their run, with advertisements that showed off Bandai's tie-in action figures and costumes.[6][4][9] A similar blockbuster hit was found with action figures in the likenesses of Ultraman characters, largely due to the popularity of the television series at the time; the figures were later released in North America to little fanfare.[4] In July 1966, it released Crazy Foam, a line of bubble blowing canisters that sold 2.4 million units in three months, thanks to the backing of an extensive marketing campaign.[6] Bandai's other products included the Thunderbird electrical vehicles, the Water Motor bath toys, and the Naughty Flipper, the last of which received a gold medal at the 1968 New York International Innovative productions Exhibition.[8] An additional manufacturing plant was acquired in late 1969 to further increase the production of toys.[4]

Continuing expansion and Mobile Suit Gundam (1971–1983)

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Bandai continued its expansion throughout the 1970s. The company established a joint venture with model car manufacturer Tonka in 1970 and established Tonka Japan K.K., as part of Bandai's continuing mission in establishing ties with foreign companies. A subsidiary named Popy was formed a year later that specialized in the manufacturing of toys based on popular children's characters. Though Bandai became a major player in the Japanese toy industry, competing with companies such as Takara and Epoch, executives believed the company needed to further spread out into international territories to help increase worldwide brand awareness.

Bandai continued to expand in the 1970s with the creation of several subsidiaries; Tonka Japan in 1970 following a joint venture with Tonka,[10] Bandai Models being established in 1971, and finally Popy,[11] who specialized in the manufacturing of toy characters.[12] Although not their most profitable range, Bandai's 1/48 scale AFV models dominated that segment of the model kit market. Bandai America Inc. was established as local US sales/marketing operation in 1978. Spacewarp, a line of build-it-yourself toy rolling ball "roller coasters" was introduced by Bandai in the 1980s.

In May 1980, Makoto Yamashina, son of the founder, became president of Bandai. Naoharu Yamashina became chairman of the board. Upon his arrival, Makoto Yamashina completely changed the ageing staff of Bandai and replaced them with younger employees with the intent of not only bringing new ideas, but also revisiting the strategy of the group. The new president took a different commercial approach by selling directly to retailers rather than going through intermediates.[4][6]

In July 1980, Bandai launched the 'Gundam Plastic Model' based on the animated series Mobile Suit Gundam which gave birth to the Gunpla range of scale model kits.[13][14] In November, the subsidiary Celent was created.[6]

Entry into the video game market (1983–1989)

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Bandai videogame platforms

Bandai became one of the first third-party developers for the Nintendo Family Computer in 1985.[15] Among its first titles was Tag Team Match: MUSCLE, a video game adaptation of the Kinnikuman manga, which sold over one million copies.[6] Bandai also produced the Family Trainer Pad, released outside Japan as the Power Pad, which also performed well commercially. A series of games was released both in the US and in Japan, including Athletic World and Stadium Events for the NES. Shortly after its release, Nintendo purchased the rights to the FFF mat in North America, replacing it with their own redesign, the Power Pad. In order to maintain branding continuity, Stadium Events was pulled from shelves after a short period of availability at Woolworth's stores. Because the game was pulled from shelves and discontinued before many copies were sold, Bandai's Stadium Events is universally accepted as the rarest licensed NES game released in North America.[16][17] A shrink-wrapped copy of the game sold for $41,270 on eBay in February 2010.[18] The sister game to Stadium Events, called Athletic World was initially released with a label that indicated compatibility with the Family Fun Fitness mat, but was later re-released with an updated label that mentions the Power Pad instead.[19] Stadium Events was not released by name again, but instead was slightly modified and relaunched as the Power Pad pack-in game, World Class Track Meet.

Since the 1980s, Bandai has become the leading toy company of Japan, and to this day, has the main toy licenses in Japan to popular properties including Daikaiju, Ultraman, Super Robot, Kamen Rider, the Super Sentai and Power Rangers series (which it took part in creating), Gundam, and many others. In February 1989, it acquired arcade game developer Coreland and reorganized it into Banpresto, which became Bandai's coin-operated entertainment division.[20] In the early 1990s, Bandai published games for Nintendo in the United Kingdom, including Street Fighter II on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.[21]

Mainstream success and expansion (1989–1995)

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Financial decline and failed merger with Sega (1995–1999)

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In January 1997, Bandai announced it would merge its operations with Japanese video game developer Sega.[22][23][24] The merger, a $1 billion stock swap where Sega would acquire Bandai and dissolve the company,[22] would have established a new entertainment conglomerate named Sega Bandai Ltd. with an estimated $6 billion in revenue.[25] The announcement followed a ¥9 billion loss from Bandai the same month, attributed to declining game sales and the poor reception of the Apple Pippin console.[22] Bandai felt Sega was an appropriate company to merge with, as it possessed an American management model and several international offices, in addition to owning several successful franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog.[22][25] Opposition arose within Bandai's employees and midlevel executives, as neither felt the company's family-friendly work ethic meshed well with Sega's top-down corporate culture.[26] As a result, Bandai called off the merge in May before its finalization in October.[27] President Makoto Yamashina took responsibility for its failure, publicly apologizing and resigning his position within the company.[28] Bandai instead agreed to a business alliance with Sega.[26]

Namco takeover and restructuring (2005–present)

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After its merger with game developer and amusement facility operator Namco in 2005, Bandai Company is now under the management and a member of Bandai Namco Holdings (Bandai Namco Group). Following a group reorganisation in 2006, Bandai heads the group's Toys and Hobby strategic business unit (SBU).[29] Bandai Entertainment announced it would cease its distribution operations in January 2012.[30][31] Beez Entertainment is no longer releasing new anime in Europe.[32]

In February 2018, Saban Brands and Bandai's US division jointly announced a mutual agreement to not renew their Power Rangers master toy license, effective Spring 2019, after which competing toy company Hasbro will inherit the license. This transition will not affect Bandai Japan's Super Sentai (the series from which Power Rangers takes footage) master toy license with Toei.

A sister company, Bandai Spirits, was established on 15 February 2018. On 1 April 2018, the division of Bandai that dealt with products for adult customers (including figures and plastic models) as well as Banpresto's prizes business were transferred over to Bandai Spirits.[33]

Product lines

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Scale models

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(incomplete list)

Scale model trains by Bandai

Star Wars

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Bandai has developed kits of the following Star Wars vehicles and figures:

Toys

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Corporate structure

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Bandai's headquarters is in Taitō, Tokyo, Japan. The company owns offices in the United States (Bandai America), Mexico (Bandai Corporación Mexico), the United Kingdom (Bandai UK), Indonesia (Bandai Namco Indonesia), France, Spain, Taiwan, and mainland China. In the past, it owned offices in Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Germany, and East Asia, which acted as distributors for Bandai products in their respective countries. Bandai is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings and heads its parent's Toy and Hobby Content Strategic Business Unit (CSBU).

Bandai is among the largest and most profitable toy companies worldwide, alongside Hasbro and Mattel. The company focuses on creating unique and innovative products for its consumers, and to bend established conventions within the industry; its slogan, "Break out of the box" was made in reference to this.[36]

Subsidiaries of Bandai

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The Bandai Hobby Center in Aoi-ku, Shizuoka

Bandai Spirits Co., Ltd. produces figurines and plastic models targeted towards older demographics, utilizing popular licenses such as Mobile Suit Gundam, One Piece, Pokémon, Kirby, Disney, Star Wars, Hatsune Miku, Dragon Ball, Demon Slayer, Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, Ultraman, and My Hero Academia.

Bandai produces confectioneries, board games, and capsule toys through its subsidiary MegaHouse Corporation, which also releases toys and figurines under its MegaToy label. MegaHouse also holds the license for the Rubik's Cube in Japan, and has created multiple variations of the toy specifically for Japanese audiences. Manga series, television shows, and character-themed products are created by the Plex subsidiary.[37]

Notes

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  1. ^ Japanese: 株式会社バンダイ, Hepburn: Kabushiki gaisha Bandai
  2. ^ Japanese: 株式会社万代屋商店, Hepburn: Kabushiki gaisha Bandai-ya Shōten

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Revenue of major toy companies worldwide 2017". Statista. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Pollack, Andrew (October 31, 1997). "Naoharu Yamashina, Toy Maker, Dies at 79". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Obituary - Naoharu Yamashina". The Economist. November 6, 1997. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Grant, Tina (2003). International Directory of Company Histories (Volume 55 ed.). St. James Press. p. 44. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Ryall, Julian (December 23, 2018). "From Astro Boy to Gundam to Ultraman, how Bandai became Japan's top toy company". The South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on April 28, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History". www.bandai.co.jp (in Japanese). Bandai. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Wild, Kim (2007). "Retroinspection: WonderSwan". Retro Gamer. No. 36. pp. 68–71. ISSN 1742-3155.
  8. ^ a b c d DeMaria, Russel (December 7, 2018). High Score! Expanded: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games (3rd ed.). CRC Press. ISBN 978-1138367203.
  9. ^ The New York Times News Service (November 1, 1997). "Founder Of Firm That Created Power Rangers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  10. ^ "Tonka historique". StefGarage (in French). Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  11. ^ "ToyboxDX Guide to Chogokin and Popinika". Alen Yen's ToyboxDX. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  12. ^ "Bandai's History: 1970's". Bandai. Archived from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  13. ^ "30 ans de Gunpla, de 1980 à 2010". Gundam-France.com (in French). Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  14. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (May 11, 2010). "Where Are Gundam Plastic Models Made?". Kotaku. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  15. ^ Kent, Steven L. (2001). The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World. Prima Publishing. p. 306. ISBN 978-0-7615-3643-7.
  16. ^ "Original Nintendo Stadium Events Cartridge". Gamesniped.com. May 30, 2008. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  17. ^ "Wii Feature: 25 rarest Nintendo games ever". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. June 29, 2008. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  18. ^ Smith, Mike (February 26, 2010). "Rare Nintendo game is $40,000 windfall". Yahoo! Games. Archived from the original on March 2, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  19. ^ "Variant labels for NES games". Retrogaming Roundtable. October 18, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  20. ^ "Bandai Buys Coreland To Make Games" (PDF). No. 351. Japan: Amusement Press. Game Machine. March 1, 1989. p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 22, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  21. ^ "Streets Ahead". N-Force. No. 6. December 1992. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  22. ^ a b c d "Sega In Shock Merger With Bandai!!". No. 184. Computer and Video Games. March 1997. p. 8.
  23. ^ "Bandai and Sega band together". CNET. January 23, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  24. ^ "Sega, Bandai to merge into entertainment giant". The Japan Times. January 23, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  25. ^ a b Plunkett, Luke (August 9, 2011). "When Sega Wanted to Take Over the World (and Failed Miserably)". Kotaku. Archived from the original on November 23, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  26. ^ a b "Bandai Calls Off Planned Merger with Sega". Wired. May 28, 1997. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  27. ^ Pollack, Andrew (May 28, 1997). "Acquisition of Bandai by Sega Called Off". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  28. ^ "Other Bandai Happenings". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 97. Ziff Davis. August 1997. p. 18.
  29. ^ "Toys and Hobby SBU". Bandai Namco Holdings. Archived from the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  30. ^ Loo, Egan (January 2, 2012). "Bandai Entertainment to Stop Releasing New DVDs, BDs, Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  31. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 31, 2012). "Bandai Entertainment to Discontinue Home Video, Manga, Novel Sales". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  32. ^ Loo, Egan (January 5, 2012). "France's Beez Entertainment Stops Releasing New Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  33. ^ "Notice Regarding Reorganization of Subsidiaries". Bandai Namco. February 9, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  34. ^ a b Donohoo, Timothy (January 27, 2024). "Bandai Reveals Gundam Seed Freedom Kira and Lacus Action Figures". CBR. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  35. ^ Geolas, Paris (January 26, 2024). "Demon Slayer's New Tanjiro and Nezuko Bandai Action Figures to See Worldwide Release". CBR. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  36. ^ "Overview". www.bandai.co.jp. Japan: Bandai. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  37. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 8, 2019). "Bandai's Plex Subsidiary to Absorb Tamagotchi Developer Wiz". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 8, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
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