MESSAGES FROM REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPANIES
Bringing experiences that resonate across generations into
the daily lives of fans around the world
In Charge of Toys and Hobby Unit
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.
President and CEO
BANDAI CO., LTD.
Record-High Performance Marks a Strong Start to the New Mid-term Plan
In FY2026.3, the Toys and Hobby Unit achieved a record-high performance for the eighth consecutive year. I view this as a very solid start in the first year under the new Mid-term Plan. We performed well in all categories, including Gundam model kits, Ichibankuji, GASHAPON capsule toys, confectioneries, and stationery. With regard to IPs, the Gundam series saw tremendous growth across a wide range of businesses, driven by efforts coordinated with the release of visual works. For toys, we saw encouraging signs that our established IPs are reaching new fan demographics, such as the growing global popularity of Tamagotchi Paradise.
The cornerstone of this strong performance has been the growing global appeal of Japanese IPs. Equally important has been our ability to capitalize on that demand through a business model that leverages our longstanding expertise in planning and development to rapidly bring IP-driven products and services to market. Going forward, to avoid excessive dependence on any single product category, we will continue to build a stronger portfolio by diversifying our products, areas of operation, and fan touchpoints. Also, to respond to rising raw material and logistics costs, we will closely monitor trends while continuing efforts to maintain and heighten profitability through improvements in terms of product specifications and production efficiency.
Further Strengthening Global Rollouts, Supply Structure, and Business Portfolio
Concerning global rollouts, products such as Gundam model kits, the ONE PIECE and Gundam trading card games, and Tamagotchi Paradise have been performing strongly in North America. Such products have also met with success in inland China, where we are steadily rolling out products tailored to fans in the region, including the commercialization of local IPs. Looking ahead, we will continue to introduce the business models we have refined in Japan on a global scale. At the same time, we will advance localization efforts tailored to the preferences and logistics situations in each region, hold events centered on IPs, and expand our sales networks. In these ways, we will further increase the number of touchpoints we have with fans around the world.
In addition, we will continue to strengthen our supply structure to respond to growing global demand. For Gundam model kits, we expect total production capacity to increase by approximately 35% compared with FY2024.3 following the commencement of full-scale operations at our new factory. ( P58) At the same time, we are expanding production capacity for trading card games while accelerating the rollout of multilingual titles and strengthening our overseas marketing efforts. Ensuring that the right products reach the right customers at the right time is essential to protecting and enhancing the value of IPs.
Equally essential is the fundamental evolution of the touchpoints between our products and fans. One such touchpoint is Premium Bandai—which boasts a global membership base of over eight million—in addition to other e-commerce platforms and physical stores, such as brand shops, through which we are able to directly serve customers. These channels provide us with the ability to assess customer preferences and purchasing behavior through direct marketing. Connecting our online and physical channels will enable us to provide more personalized product recommendations, encourage repeat purchases, and build stronger relationships with fans.
Connecting Children's Dreams to Future Generations and the World
At the heart of the Toys and Hobby Unit is a commitment to bringing dreams to children. Precisely because our products for the mature fan base are performing so well, we remain fully committed to IPs, products, and services for children. One of our greatest strengths is our ability to develop a wide range of products, including Ultraman, KAMEN RIDER, and PRETTY CURE, which are well known among parents as well as children. The characters and toys people encounter in childhood often leave lasting impressions that stay with them into adulthood and are passed on to the next generation. Creating products and services that foster these enduring connections across generations is one of Bandai Namco's most important responsibilities. Tamagotchi, which is now celebrating its 30th anniversary, perfectly embodies this concept. We have grown the Tamagotchi IP over many years, and it is once again seeing a surge in global popularity through toys, digital products, retail experiences, and licensing activities. We remain committed to further developing Tamagotchi into an IP that will be cherished for generations to come while serving as a key earnings pillar for the Group.
The Toys and Hobby Unit is not merely a business that creates and sells products. Rather, we aspire to create meaningful experiences by deepening connections between IPs and fans and creating memories that last a lifetime. We believe those experiences can resonate across generations, and our mission as the Toys and Hobby Unit is to ensure that fans around the world can experience that value in their daily lives and pass that joy on to the next generation.
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