BANDAI TABLETOP GAMES
Connecting the Joy of Building with the Joy
of Playing to Create New Tabletop
Fan Experiences
Profile
Fumihiro Muto
Manager
Table Top Game Team
Hobby Marketing Department
Hobby Products Division
BANDAI SPIRITS CO., LTD.
Leveraging Technology Cultivated in the model kit Business to Provide New Hobbies
Bandai Spirits Co., Ltd., is launching BANDAI TABLETOP GAMES as a new endeavor that combines the joy of building that it has cultivated through its model kit business with the joy of playing.
Our entry into the tabletop game market stems from ongoing efforts to further enhance the value of model kits. Up to this point, we have provided enjoyment in the form of building, painting, collecting, and sharing model kits. By adding the experience of battling with assembled models with friends at the same table, we aim to foster deeper and longer lasting engagement with fans. In an era of growing digitalization, the value of analog games that are played in-person is increasing. We believe BANDAI TABLETOP GAMES holds great potential to serve as a touchpoint connecting new fans and existing fans, thus contributing to the maximization of IP value.
Serving Distinct Roles: GUNDAM ASSEMBLE and PLAKORO
GUNDAM ASSEMBLE, scheduled for release in October 2026, is a product designed with an awareness of the miniature board game market, which has deep roots in Europe and North America. In these regions, there is a culture of enjoying competitive games with miniature figures both in stores and at home, with players of all ages gathering with friends to play. In its entry into this market, Bandai Spirits, is combining the powerful Gundam IP with the modeling techniques, quality, and collectability know-how it has cultivated through its Gundam model kits.
The key features of GUNDAM ASSEMBLE are its meticulous approach to miniature modeling, its story elements linked to works from the Gundam series, and its accessible game design that makes it easy to enjoy. Another distinguishing feature is that development is being carried out for a simultaneous Japanese- and English-language release in Asia (including Japan), Europe, and North America, with the support of North American game designers. We will target miniature game fans in Europe and North America and Gundam and Gundam model kit fans in Japan and other Asian countries, expanding our fan base through region-specific entry points.
Meanwhile, PLAKORO, which launched in July 2026, is designed to be even more accessible for beginners. It is a reimagining of a product launched approximately 30 years ago, redesigned for today’s elementary school-aged children as well as parents who played the original game. In the past, players faced difficulties in finding opponents and convenient places to play, and battles could be slow to reach a conclusion. For this new version, however, the game has been refined to allow for fast-paced, engaging battles. Since launch, PLAKORO has garnered a strong positive response as a game that can be enjoyed across generations by both children and parents, and sales have gotten off to a strong start. While we are currently focusing on rolling out the product in Japan and other Asian countries, we are also considering the possibility of expansion into other regions in the future.
Cultivating Communities and Creating New Touchpoints with Fans
The top priority of BANDAI TABLETOP GAMES is to establish environments conducive to play and create player communities. While we had long considered the idea of entering the tabletop game market, building play spaces and communities on a global scale posed a significant challenge. In preparation for entry into the market, we spent considerable time building a sustainable play environment, including establishing an authorized retailer system, holding in-store hands-on demonstrations, meetups, and tournaments, and developing digital infrastructure such as event registration and matching systems. Through regular events at authorized retailers, beginner workshops, and settings where players can teach one another, we will support the growth of communities where fans naturally connect.
We also place emphasis on ensuring a continuous rollout of products. For GUNDAM ASSEMBLE, we plan to release new products every month, expanding the range of unit formations and strategies. Furthermore, we will actively target not only people who play games but also those who enjoy painting and collecting. By offering multiple ways to enjoy the product—playing, building, painting, and collecting—we aim to create an entry point into the Gundam series and continue to maximize the value of Gundam.
As for PLAKORO, we plan to continually add new Pokémon to the lineup while emphasizing expandability and diverse combinations of game elements so players can pursue the creation of their own powerful combinations and strategies. We will also introduce new mechanics that alter battle strategies, establishing a cycle that allows players to always enjoy the game in a fresh environment.
As part of BANDAI TABLETOP GAMES, Bandai Spirits will combine the joy of building and playing that it has offered up to this point with the joy of playing with friends in-person, thereby creating a new culture of gaming. Through BANDAI TABLETOP GAMES, we seek to create spaces that connect us with fans, and fans with one another.
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