A Brief History of BANDAI SPIRITS
BANDAI-YA was established in Asakusa-Kikuyabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo.
Rhythm Ball, our first original product, was launched.
First original product launched
The industry pioneering quality control system was established and Bandai’s first toy with product warranty was released.
Bandai’s first toy with product warranty
The company name changed from BANDAI-YA to Bandai.
Acquire a factory in Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, to start manufacturing plastic models.
CHOGOKIN MAZINGER Z was launched.
CHOGOKIN MAZINGER Z
SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO plastic model kits were launched.
SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO plastic model kits
GUNPLA was launched.
GUNPLA
Bandai adoped “Dreams and Creation” as the corporate slogan and renewed its corporate logo to the current version.
Launching the Iropla Series, which first introduces multi-color molding technology to mold parts in four different colors on a runner sheet for Plastic Models.
IROPLA Series
SAINT SEIYA Saint Cloth Series. (Figures)
SAINT SEIYA Saint Cloth Myth
Launch of plastic models using the snap fit method, which enables construction without adhesive.
Launch of the High Grade (HG) Series, a 1/144 scale standard GUNPLA brand.
Banpresto Co., Ltd. (merged in 2019) launched the first game prizes for amusement facilities.
The first game prizes for amusement facilities
Launch of the Master Grade (MG) Series, a 1/100 scale advanced GUNPLA brand.
Ichibankuji, a sure-win character prize lottery, was launched.
SOUL OF CHOGOKIN GX-01 MAZINGER Z was launched.
SOUL OF CHOGOKIN GX-01 MAZINGER Z
Launch of the Super Imaginative Chogokin (SIC) Series, a brand spun off from the Chogokin Series.
Launch of the Perfect Grade (PG) Series, the highest-grade brand that embodies the ultimate GUNPLA on a scale of 1/60.
The new figures brand based on “The SAINT SEIYA Saint Cloth series” called the “Saint Cloth Myth” was launched.
The first branch of the comprehensive Gunpla establishment, THE GUNDAM BASE, opened in Korea.
Management integration with Namco Limited. The Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. was founded and it marked the beginning of the Bandai Namco Group.
Operation of the Bandai Hobby Center plastic model kits production plant (Shizuoka Prefecture) began.
BANDAI HOBBY CENTER
GUNDAM.INFO, an official portal site for GUNDAM information is released.
“TAMASHII NATIONS,” a brand for mature fans, was launched.
The “S.H.Figuarts” series of high quality posable character figures was launched.
The TAMASHII NATIONS figure exhibition event TAMASHII NATION was held for the first time.
The robot figure brand “THE ROBOT SPIRITS” for mature fans was launched.
The World Collectible Figure series of game prizes were launched, based on the concept of palm-sized "treasures".
The World Collectible Figure Series
The official PREMIUM BANDAI shopping site opened.
An 18-meter-high, Life-Sized Gundam Statue appears at the Odaiba Shiokaze Park in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the airing of MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM on TV. During 52 days of exhibition, some 4.15 million people visit the park to see the statue.
Launch of Urban Material Chogokin Mazinger Z, an ultimate superalloy model made from carbon and titanium, which is produced to order.
Launch of the Real Grade (RG) Series, a brand that pursues a 1/144 scale GUNPLA that looks realistic.
GUNPLA RG Series
Launch of the “OTONA NO CHOGGOKIN” series, a perfectionist hobby item for mature fans, which interprets solid objects that exist (or existed) as characters and gives them an elaborate concrete form.
OTONA NO CHOGOKIN Series
The Ultimate Complete Toy Brand METAL BUILD Series was launched.
The GUNPLA Builders World Cup, which determines the world’s No. 1 GUNPLA builder, begins.
PREMIUM BANDAI's overseas expansion began in Hong Kong.
DX SOUL OF CHOGOKIN MAZINGER Z was launched.
Launch of the S.H. Figuarts Series, which achieves both the presence of models and their natural mobility by molding them from their skeleton.
S.H. Figuarts Series
The Q posket series of amusement prize product figures with large eyes that shine teary were launched.
The first official GUNPLA-themed integrated facility in Japan called THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO was opened in Rinkai Fukutoshin.
THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO
Bandai Spirits Co.,Ltd. was established.
Bandai Spirits Co.,Ltd.
Launch of Figures-Rise Labo, a project to study expressions that have not yet been achieved by previous plastic models and evolve technology to achieve them.
Established TAMASHII NATIONS QUALITY, the logotype that globally certifies the quality of the products of TAMASHII NATIONS, which unified brand for products for mature fans.
TAMASHII NATIONS QUALITY
Bandai Spirits Co.,Ltd. (amusement prize business) consolidated.
Opening of TAMASHII NATIONS Tokyo, the world’s first directly managed flagship shop for TAMASHII NATIONS,
a brand for mature fans, in Akihabara.
Over 700 million GUNPLA units shipped to date.
Construction of a new plant at the Bandai Hobby Center with the aim of bolstering plastic model production capabilities, including GUNPLA.
An original electronic money service by PREMIUM BANDAI, PREBAN Pay, started.
The GUNPLA Gundarium alloy model 1/144 scale RX-78-2 GUNDAM was released. Following the setup of the cartoon, Gundarium alloy is refined on earth and applied to the parts of this GUNPLA.
To cap the 40th anniversary of GUNPLA, PERFECT GRADE UNLEASHED 1/60 RX-78-2 GUNDAM is released as the current mark of GUNPLA and the ultimate GUNPLA leading to the future.
PERFECT GRADE UNLEASHED 1/60 RX-78-2 GUNDAM
Ichibankuji ONLINE was officially launched.
Ichibankuji ONLINE
The Gunpla Recycling Project, in which Gunpla runners are collected with the aim of producing plastic model products through chemical recycling in a joint initiative with our fans, was launched.
Commemorating Gundam's inauguration as the PR ambassador for the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, HG 1/144 RX-78-2 GUNDAM [PR ambassador of the Japan Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai] was released.
![Release of HG 1/144 RX-78-2 GUNDAM [PR Ambassador of the Japan Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai]](../../../images/about/history/img_history_31.jpg)
HG 1/144 RX-78-2 GUNDAM [PR ambassador of the Japan Pavilion, Expo 2020 DUBAI]
Gunpla Academia, educational materials that use the subject of Gunpla, was developed.
We started offering lesson packages for elementary schools throughout Japan about the fun of manufacturing and the global environment.
We started offering lesson packages for elementary schools throughout Japan about the fun of manufacturing and the global environment.
BANPRESTO LAB, a figure exhibition space in Akihabara, Tokyo was launched under the BANPRESTO brand name.
BANPRESTO LAB
GUNDAM PARK FUKUOKA, a Gundam entertainment complex, opened at LaLaport Fukuoka.
GUNDAM PARK FUKUOKA
TAMASHII NATIONS TOKYO reopened as TAMASHII NATIONS STORE
Tokyo in Akihabara.
Tokyo in Akihabara.
TAMASHII NATIONS STORE
TOKYO
TOKYO
The Bandai Hobby Center reduces CO₂ emissions to real zero by introducing two new power measures.
TAMASHII NATIONS STORE SHANGHAI, the first overseas TAMASHII NATIONS flagship store, opened in Shanghai, China.