• Company Name: Bandai Co., Ltd.

• Founded: July 5, 1950

• Headquarters: Taito City, Tokyo, Japan

• Industry: Toys, Hobbies, Collectibles, Entertainment

• Parent Company: Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.

• Corporate Slogan: _Dreams and Creation_ [2]

Bandai began in 1950 under the name Bandai-ya, originally manufacturing simple toys such as metal cars, rubber swimming rings, and celluloid products. In 1961, the company officially changed its name to Bandai. [3]

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Bandai expanded rapidly by obtaining licenses for popular television characters and anime. This strategy transformed the company into Japan’s leading toy manufacturer. [3]

One of Bandai’s biggest strengths became producing toys directly tied to successful anime, manga, television series, and films. This close relationship with Japanese pop culture helped establish Bandai as an international brand. [3]

In 2005, Bandai merged with the video game company Namco to form Bandai Namco Holdings. [4]

This merger combined:

• Bandai’s expertise in toys and merchandise

• Namco’s expertise in video games and arcades

Today, Bandai serves as the Toy & Hobby division of the Bandai Namco Group, while other subsidiaries focus on video games, animation, amusement facilities, and entertainment. [4]

Bandai operates across many product categories. [5]

Toys

• Children’s toys

• Electronic toys

• Educational toys

• Role-play toys

Plastic Models

Bandai is considered one of the world’s premier manufacturers of plastic model kits. [5]

Its engineering innovations include:

• Snap-fit assembly

• Color-separated molding

• High-detail injection molding

Action Figures

Popular figure lines include:

• S.H.Figuarts

• Anime Heroes

• Dragon Stars

• Limit Breaker Series

Collectibles

Bandai produces:

• Premium statues

• Character figures

• Gashapon (capsule toys)

• Ichibankuji lottery prizes

Trading Card Games

Bandai publishes numerous collectible card games based on popular franchises. [5]

Digital Toys

Bandai pioneered electronic toys, most famously:

• Tamagotchi

• Digimon virtual pets

Candy Toys

Known in Japan as Shokugan, these combine candy with collectible figures or miniature toys. [5]

Capsule Toys

Bandai operates one of Japan’s largest capsule toy businesses through its Gashapon brand. [5]

Bandai owns or manages numerous well-known brands, including:

• Tamagotchi

• Gunpla

• S.H.Figuarts

• Gashapon

• Ichibankuji

• Anime Heroes

• Dragon Stars

• Tamashii Nations

• Banpresto (now a Bandai Spirits brand)

These brands target audiences ranging from young children to adult collectors. [6]

In 2018, Bandai established Bandai Spirits, a company dedicated primarily to products for older fans and collectors. [7]

Bandai Spirits oversees:

• Gunpla model kits

• High-end figures

• Prize figures

• Ichibankuji

• Premium collectibles

This division focuses on hobbyists and adult collectors, complementing Bandai’s traditional toy business. [7]

Bandai manufactures products for many globally recognized franchises, including:

• Mobile Suit Gundam

• Dragon Ball

• One Piece

• Digimon

• Tamagotchi

• Kamen Rider

• Super Sentai

• Ultraman

• Naruto

• Demon Slayer

• Jujutsu Kaisen

• Pokémon (selected products)

• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon

• Power Rangers (various periods)

• Godzilla

• Evangelion

The company also develops original brands alongside licensed properties. [8]

One of Bandai’s most famous products is Gunpla (Gundam Plastic Models). [9]

Since 1980, Bandai has sold hundreds of millions of Gundam model kits worldwide. Gunpla is renowned for:

• Exceptional engineering

• Easy snap-fit construction

• Detailed articulation

• Wide range of grades and scales

It remains one of the most successful model-kit lines ever created. [9]

In 1996, Bandai introduced Tamagotchi, a handheld virtual pet that became a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Millions of units were sold, and the franchise continues today with modern devices that include online connectivity and new gameplay features. [10]

Bandai launched Digimon in 1997 as a virtual pet aimed at a broader audience. The brand expanded into:

• Anime series

• Video games

• Trading card games

• Toys

• Collectibles

Digimon remains one of Bandai’s most recognizable original franchises. [11]

Bandai operates worldwide through regional companies in:

• Japan

• North America

• Europe

• Southeast Asia

• China

• South Korea

• Hong Kong

• Taiwan

Its products are sold in more than 50 countries through retailers, hobby shops, specialty stores, and online platforms. [12]

Bandai emphasizes creativity, entertainment, and intellectual property (IP). Its official slogan is:

Dreams and Creation

The company aims to deliver experiences that connect generations of fans through toys, hobbies, and entertainment. [13]

Over more than 70 years, Bandai has grown from a small Japanese toy maker into a global leader in toys and collectibles. Its influence spans anime, gaming, model building, and pop culture, making it one of the most recognized names in the hobby industry. Through products like Gunpla, Tamagotchi, Digimon, and licensed figures from major franchises, Bandai has helped shape the modern collectibles market and remains a major force in entertainment merchandise worldwide. [14]

1. About Us｜Bandai Co., Ltd. / BANDAI SPIRITS Co., Ltd. Official Corporate Site

2. Three-Minute Introduction｜Bandai Co., Ltd. / BANDAI SPIRITS Co., Ltd. Official Corporate Site

3. Company Profile｜Bandai Co., Ltd. / BANDAI SPIRITS Co., Ltd. Official Corporate Site

4. About Us

5. Business Introduction｜Bandai Co., Ltd. / BANDAI SPIRITS Co., Ltd. Official Corporate Site

6. Our Business｜Bandai Co., Ltd. / BANDAI SPIRITS Co., Ltd. Official Corporate Site

7. Corporate Overview | Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

8. 歴史｜株式会社バンダイ・株式会社BANDAI SPIRITS 公式企業サイト

9. History | Company Information | Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.

10. History | Company Information | Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.

11. History | Company Information | Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.

12. Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc. – manufacturer and master toy licensee of some of the most popular brands in collectibles, children’s toys and entertainment today