Collaboration with Local Communities

The TEKKEN series, developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment, contributes to the promotion of e-sports and the revitalization of local communities through peoples’ participation in international events and communities hosting of events.

TEKKEN 8 was selected as the main event at Evolution Championship Series 2024, the world's largest fighting game tournament, held in July 2024. In Japan, the Excellent TEKKEN Festival was held in December 2024 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the TEKKEN series, in conjunction with the official world tournament finals called TEKKEN World Tour 2024 Global Finals. Many fans from Japan and abroad attended the events, creating opportunities for communication across age groups and nationalities through the game.

In October 2021, we began working with Jupiter, an idol unit affiliated with 315 Productions that appears in Bandai Namco Entertainment’s THE IDOLM@STER SideM, and Choshi Electric Railway. In July 2022, we began our collaboration with Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, to roll out the Choshi PR Campaign. Since then, idols belonging to 315 Productions have engaged in PR activities highlighting popular tourist spots in Choshi City. At these locations, we displayed posters and life-sized panels of these idols and also sold original merchandise, thereby attracting many visitors.

Furthermore, in November 2023, members from the idol unit DRAMATIC STARS were chosen as the PR ambassadors for the Chiba Branch of East Japan Railway Company. In December 2023, we commenced the “315 ni ii Choshi” Choshi Tourism Campaign, which marked the 100th anniversary of Choshi Electric Railway and the start of the EeeE Choshi Service, a service for planning trips to Choshi City and its surrounding areas.

Bandai Namco Entertainment has launched a collaborative initiative with Yokohama Minato Mirai for THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE. In the Minato Mirai 21 area, efforts are being made to promote the Music Port YOKOHAMA campaign, aiming to enhance the city’s appeal and vitality by branding Yokohama as a music city. As part of this initiative, the interactive event, the Million Walking Tour in Minato Mirai was held in conjunction with the THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! 10th LIVE TOUR Act-4 MILLION THE@TER!!!! at K-Arena Yokohama in February 2024. Utilizing Sony Corporation’s Sound AR™ service, Locatone™^*, participants were able to experience the sensation of exploring Minato Mirai alongside the performers.

*Sound AR™ and Locatone™ are trademarks of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliated companies.

THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! held by Bandai Namco Entertainment collaborated with the Toyosu Disaster Prevention Festiv@l 2024 organized by the Koto Ward Association for Better Regional Disaster Prevention Capabilities to enhance disaster resilience in local governments. The event featured initiatives unique to IP collaborations, such as AED training sessions and the sale of exclusive disaster preparedness items, as well as a venue that immersed attendees in the IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! universe. This attracted not only local residents but also young people, including “producers” (the fan nickname for fans of the THE IDOLM@STER series), who have fewer opportunities to engage in disaster prevention activities, resulting in approximately 33,000 attendees throughout the event.

THE IDOLM@STER™& ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

At Bandai Namco Filmworks, we are supporting regional revitalization in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, which is the setting of the Love Live! Sunshine!! animation.

The Numazu Tourism Portal features a map of accessible locations where Love Live! Sunshine!! takes place in the city. Additionally, we are helping to invigorate the city’s tourism resources together with local residents. This includes wrapping public railcars and buses in vinyl film featuring scenes from the animation for promotional purposes and assisting with Machiaruki Stamp, an event where people visit tourist spots around the city to collect stamps.

In 2023, we participated in the Love Live! Sunshine!! Numazu Local Love Festival and the Numazu Future Expo 2023, part of the Numazu City 100th Anniversary Celebration.

At Bandai Namco Filmworks, we are working with Tokyo’s Suginami Ward, where we have an office, to help vitalize the community and foster anime culture under the slogan “Suginami—City of Anime.”

We provided images of characters from our animation for flags made by Suginami Ward that are displayed near Ogikubo Station on the JR Chuo Main Line and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. We also installed a Mobile Suit Gundam statue in front of Kami-Igusa Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. This statue is also used to raise awareness about a fire prevention campaign in the community.

In addition, we actively participate in various events held in Suginami Ward. For example, Bandai Namco Filmworks and Sunrise Beyond offered a flipbook class at Suginami Festa held in fiscal 2022.

In August 2021, we launched the Gundam Manhole Project in cooperation with local governments across Japan. In this initiative, we are installing Gundam Manholes, which are manhole covers featuring designs of characters and Mobile Suits that appear in Mobile Suit Gundam, in various locations nationwide. We aim to make these manholes a testament to the bond between Gundam fans and Gundam that transcends generations, thereby revitalizing Japan in cooperation with local governments.

To learn more, click the link below.
Official website of the Gundam Manhole Project (in Japanese only)

As part of the Bandai Namco Group’s cross-functional project known as the “Gundam Project,” life-sized Gundam statues were installed in various locations. Most recently, in April 2022, a full-scale RX-93ff ν (New) Gundam was on display at Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Fukuoka in April 2022. This was the seventh life-sized Gundam and the first in the West Japan area. The ν (New) Gundam that appears in Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack, the first completely original movie in the Gundam series, is very popular both in Japan and abroad. Under the supervision of Yoshiyuki Tomino, the director of the series, the newly designed RX-93ff ν (New) Gundam is the tallest life-sized Gundam yet, with a maximum height of 24.8 meters. In Fukuoka, considered the gateway to Asia, we hope that many Gundam fans enjoy the experience.

Bandai Namco Music Live uses the proceeds from charity merchandise auctions at artists’ performance venues and live streaming to donate to nature conservation.

We have cooperated with the Inazuma Rock Festival, which is held for the purpose of preserving Lake Biwa, since 2021. We will continue to promote charity activities through music.

The first and second floors of the Bandai headquarters building are dedicated museum spaces that can be enjoyed by the general public. In addition, statues of various characters have been installed at Fan Fun Street next to the headquarters building in an effort to promote interactions with local residents and benefit the community.

Notes:
・ The exhibits on the first and second floors of the Bandai headquarters are open to the public (free of charge).
・ Open hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays (final admission at 4:30 p.m.).
・ The exhibits are closed on weekdays that are the Company’s designated holidays.
・ Please note that the exhibits may be closed due to company events or other occasions.

Bandai Spirits is a member of Minato Eco-Conscious Consortium organized by Minato Ward in Tokyo. In fiscal 2023, we participated in Business and the Environment Exhibition 2023 organized by Minato Eco-Conscious Consortium. During the event, we held an original environmental learning program called Capsule Stamp Workshop for elementary school students and their parents living in Minato Ward.

Bandai Namco Holdings China, based in Shanghai, China, held a gaming event to connect the local community with Bandai Namco fans at Yuyuan Road in Shanghai from February 24 to 26, 2023. At the event venue, in addition to holding board games utilizing IP (intellectual property such as characters) such as Taiko no Tatsujin, we distributed novelty items of PAC-MAN and Gundam. More than 2,000 fans and local residents participated in the event over three days.

At various locations of the Bandai Namco Group, we participate in local cleanup activities.

In fiscal 2023, we took part in a beach cleanup event organized by the nonprofit organization Orange County Coastkeeper at Bolsa Chica Beach, California, the United States. Through this activity, we contribute to protecting water that allows people to swim safely and fish to thrive, promoting the overall restoration of the region’s watersheds.

In Lyon, France, we participated in the campaign, Clean in Lyon, which focuses on picking up litter from both the rivers and land to address water pollution and waste issues. Alongside other companies and organizations, we spent a day cleaning up, resulting in a total of 3.345 tons of waste collected. Additionally, in collaboration with the scuba diving organization, Diving for Future, we retrieved three tons of waste from the rivers.

We participated in the local cleanup activity organized by the Minato Ward aimed at promoting a smoke-free environment in the Shiba district. Working with the local government and nearby companies, we led cleaning activities by picking up litter around the west exit of Tamachi Station, while other participants engaged in awareness-raising activities regarding the prohibition of street smoking in Minato Ward, removed graffiti, and placed warning stickers on abandoned bicycles and illegal street signs.

The Bandai Namco Group’s cross-functional project, Gundam Project, made its first appearance featuring the Gundam series at the Odori Site of the 2024 Sapporo Snow Festival.

To introduce the Gundam series to many people both domestically and internationally, a snow sculpture of the Rising Freedom Gundam from the film, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, was displayed during the Sapporo Snow Festival. Additionally, a visually immersive booth featuring themed branding was set up for the sale and exhibition of related merchandise.

In November 2023, we participated in the Oarai Anglerfish Festival in Oarai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture, where Girls und Panzer is set, and held the first Girls und Panzer cast event in four years. The Oarai Anglerfish Festival is an annual event held in Oarai Town known locally as a seasonal autumn event.

On the day, a talk was held on stage at Toyopet Smile Hall Oarai. The event was broadcast live on YouTube and merchandise was sold, enlivening the atmosphere for the festival participants and Girls und Panzer fans from all over the country.

At the company buildings of each Group company, Christmas trees featuring Bandai Namco characters were displayed during the Christmas season, creating a space that could be enjoyed by visiting customers and the general public.

In addition, along with the tree, the Christmas display at some locations displayed Christmas present boxes made from recycled infection prevention panels that were used to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Bandai Namco Korea conducted a donation-based walking challenge as part of the 20th anniversary of Gundam Base from October 16, 2023, to November 30, 2023, spanning 46 days. The walking challenge was designed to promote employee health, reduce CO₂ emissions, and support children who will shape the future. Ultimately, 100 employees participated in the event, achieving a total of 41,479,087 steps, significantly exceeding the initial goal of 20,000,000 steps. Based on these results, a donation of 5 million KRW, equivalent to approximately 625 Happy Lunch Boxes, was made through Happy Alliance, a social contribution organization, to support the healthy growth of food-insecure children.

In addition, on December 3, 2023, employees from Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America (BNTCA) and Bandai Namco Entertainment America (BNEA), along with their family and friends, participated in the JDRF One Walk event held at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. This event is a charity walk organized by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) aimed at raising funds for the treatment, prevention, and cure of type one diabetes. A total of 32 participants, including family and friends, joined from the Bandai Namco Group.

Meanwhile, in fiscal 2023, Bandai Namco Foundation of America served as a sponsor for the activity zone, providing children with games and prizes. It also donated around US$14,000 to support future activities for children.

At business sites with trucks or passenger vehicles of Bandai Logipal and Logipal Express, we provide ongoing donations to traffic safety associations in the local area to help support traffic safety activities. During traffic safety week in spring and autumn, we work together with local police departments and traffic safety associations to raise awareness along the streets.