Bandai Co., Ltd is a Japanese toy maker and a producer of many plastic model kits as well as a former video game company. It is the world's third-largest producer of toys (after Mattel and Hasbro), as well as the second-largest toy company in Japan.
Bandai Co., Ltd was founded in 1950 by Naoharu Yamashina in Tokyo, Japan.
First Bandai product was a tiny, mechanical toy car that sold for ¥120 yen ($3) called the 'Liliput'
In the 1980s, Bandai expanded into the production of video games, and became a major producer of the game consoles of the era, including the Family Computer (Famicom), which was marketed under the name 'Nintendo Entertainment System' outside of Japan.
In March 2006, Bandai and Namco announced plans to combine their operations. The merger took effect on September 29, 2005.
In 2018, Bandai Namco Group had a net revenue of $5.78 billion.
Today, the company is focused on a broad range of toy products for kids, adults, and collectors, including action figures, model kits, and other hobby products.
A Japanese toy company formed from the merger of the toy divisions of Takara and Tomy in 2006. It is one of the largest toy companies in the world.
Hasbro is an American multinational conglomerate with toy, board game, and media assets, being the largest toy maker in the world in terms of stock market value and third-largest with revenues of approximately $5.21 billion.
Mattel is an American multinational toy manufacturing company founded in 1945, producing dolls, toy cars, and games. The company's name is an amalgamation of Harold 'Matt' Matson and Elliot Handler, who began Mattel by selling picture frames.
A plastic model kit that requires assembly that represents military vehicles and mobile suits from the Gundam franchise. Many kits are available in both child-friendly SD (Super Deformed) and more advanced HG (High Grade), RG (Real Grade), and MG (Master Grade) versions.
A handheld digital pet created in Japan by Akihiro Yokoi, and marketed by Bandai. The gadget was first released in Japan in 1996 and was wildly popular, leading to a worldwide craze for virtual pets.
bandai produces many action figure lines such as dragon ball Z, one-piece, and Naruto, and other heroes such as the Avengers, Batman, and Superman.
Bandai has quite a few popular products, but perhaps the iconic Gundam plastic model kits and Tamagotchi digital pets stand out as the most beloved by fans.
Gundam model kits are popular among modelers because of their high level of detail and poseability. Many kits are available in different scales, from small and easy-to-assemble 'SD' versions to highly detailed 'MG' and 'RG' kits. Additionally, many Gundam series have been popular with anime fans for decades, which has helped fuel the popularity of the model kits as collectible items.
Yes, Bandai toys are well known for their durability and longevity. The company is known for producing high-quality products that can stand up to rough handling, and many collectors prize vintage Bandai toys for their continued play value.
Bandai's toys and models range widely in price, with small figures starting at around $5, and larger, more complex models costing hundreds of dollars. Most Model Kits range from $20-$50
Bandai products can be found at many toy and hobby stores worldwide, as well as through major online retailers like Amazon and eBay. Additionally, there are many specialty online retailers that offer a wide variety of Bandai products, including HobbyLink Japan, AmiAmi, and Mandarake.