# Bandai

> Japanese toy making and video game company

**Wikidata**: [Q507269](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q507269)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandai)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bandai

## Summary
Bandai is a Japanese company primarily known for toy manufacturing and its involvement in the video game industry. Founded on July 5, 1950, it produces a diverse range of products including action figures, toys, video games, and digital pets. Bandai operates as a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings.

## Key Facts
- Bandai was founded on July 5, 1950, by Naoharu Yamashina.
- It is a Japanese company, headquartered in Taitō-ku, Tokyo.
- Bandai's primary industries are toy making and the video game industry.
- It is owned by Bandai Namco Holdings and functions as a subsidiary company.
- As of August 2018, Bandai had 810 employees.
- In 2019, Bandai reported a net profit of 242.8 billion yen and an operating income of 21.7 billion yen.
- Notable works include the video game "Cannon Ball."
- Bandai produces products such as action figures, toys, and digital pets, and was involved in video game production until 2001.
- The original Bandai Co., Ltd. was dissolved in 2005.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Bandai?
A: Bandai is a Japanese company that specializes in toy manufacturing and has a significant presence in the video game industry. It was established in 1950 and is known for creating various entertainment products.

### Q: When was Bandai founded?
A: Bandai was founded on July 5, 1950. Its founder was Naoharu Yamashina.

### Q: What types of products does Bandai make?
A: Bandai produces a wide array of products, including action figures, general toys, and digital pets. Historically, it was also involved in the creation of video games until 2001.

### Q: Who owns Bandai?
A: Bandai is owned by Bandai Namco Holdings, operating as one of its subsidiary companies.

### Q: Where is Bandai headquartered?
A: Bandai's headquarters are located in Taitō-ku, Tokyo, Japan. This location has been its primary headquarters since April 2004.

## Why It Matters
Bandai holds significant importance as a long-standing Japanese company with a dual focus on toy manufacturing and the video game industry. Its inception in 1950 marked the beginning of a prolific history in producing popular entertainment products, from action figures and digital pets to video games, which have influenced global popular culture. As a key subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings, Bandai continues to play a crucial role in the development and distribution of beloved franchises and intellectual properties across various media. Its competitive presence alongside major international and Japanese video game developers and publishers, such as Nintendo, Square Enix, and Electronic Arts, underscores its enduring impact on the entertainment software market. Bandai's ability to adapt and maintain relevance in both traditional toy markets and the rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape highlights its strategic importance and lasting legacy.

## Notable For
- Being a pioneering Japanese company in both toy manufacturing and the video game industry since 1950.
- Producing iconic physical products including action figures, toys, and digital pets.
- Its historical role as a video game developer and publisher, with "Cannon Ball" cited as a notable work.
- Operating as a significant subsidiary within the larger Bandai Namco Holdings corporate structure.
- Owning or having owned several related entities, including Banpresto, Bandai Entertainment Company, Shinsei, and Yutaka.

## Body

### Overview
Bandai is a Japanese company, also known by aliases such as Bandai Co., Ltd., Ban Dai, Bandai Entertainment, and Bandaï. It was founded on July 5, 1950, by Naoharu Yamashina. The original Bandai Co., Ltd. was dissolved in 2005. Its legal form is a kabushiki gaisha (private company limited by shares).

### Operations
Bandai's headquarters are located in Taitō-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Specifically, its preferred headquarters address since April 2004 is 東京都台東区駒形1-4-8. Prior to this, from January 1989 to March 2004, its headquarters were at 東京都台東区駒形2-5-4, Taitō-ku. As of August 2018, Bandai employed 810 individuals. In 2019, the company reported a net profit of 242.8 billion yen and an operating income of 21.7 billion yen.

### Products and Services
Bandai operates primarily in the toy making and video game industries. It is classified as a manufacturer, video game developer, and video game publisher. Its product or material produced includes action figures, toys, and digital pets. Bandai was involved in video game production from 1981 until 2001. A notable work attributed to Bandai is the video game "Cannon Ball."

### Corporate Relationships
Bandai is owned by Bandai Namco Holdings and is a subsidiary company of this parent organization. It has owned Yutaka and had subsidiaries including Bandai Visual (from 1983 to 2018), Banpresto, and Bandai Entertainment Company. Shinsei is also listed as owned or operated by Bandai.

### Related Entities and Competitors
Bandai is related to "video game developer" (a class) and specific "Things" like Apple Pippin and Bandai RX-78.
Bandai competes with numerous companies in the video game industry, including:
-   **Direct Competitors (Video Game Industry)**: Mojang Studios, Ubisoft, Epic Games, Rovio Entertainment, Gameloft, Riot Games, Electronic Arts, Valve Corporation, Square Enix, FromSoftware, Sierra Entertainment, Obsidian Entertainment, Naughty Dog, Xbox Game Studios, Square, Game Freak, Take-Two Interactive, 2K, Codemasters, Konami, Nintendo.
-   **Indirect Competitors (Video Game Industry)**: Crytek, Blizzard Entertainment, Paradox Interactive, BioWare, Maxis, DICE, Bungie, Ubisoft Montreal.

### Digital Footprint
-   **Website**: https://www.bandai.com/ (English)
-   **Twitter**: @BandaiAmerica (verified account, 56,954 followers as of February 7, 2023)
-   **Image**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Bandai_head_office_building_Asakusa_20170519.jpg
-   **Logo**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Logo_Bandai.svg
-   **Various IDs**: imdb_id: co0176394, golden_id: Bandai-RGGDJ, freebase_id: /m/01qszl, pcsx2_wiki_id: Bandai, usb_vendor_id: 0992, fandom_wiki_id: bandai, scummvm_wiki_id: Bandai, opencorporates_id: jp/5010501016209, boijmans_artist_id: 2089, japan_search_name_id: バンダイ, mobygames_company_id: 3880, 4101, musicbrainz_label_id: 93238240-96ee-4298-98ed-9c6cd88ac0f7, videogamegeek_company_id: 934, visual_novel_database_id: p15567, crunchbase_organization_id: bandai-america, bandai-co-ltd, museum_of_modern_art_artist_id: 39236, boardgamegeek_game_publisher_id: 934, internet_game_database_company_id: bandai, philadelphia_museum_of_art_entity_id: 13524.
-   **Works in Collections**: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Het Scheepvaartmuseum.
-   **Native Language Name**: 株式会社バンダイ
-   **Revised Hepburn Romanization**: Kabushiki-gaisha Bandai

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  "foundingDate": "1950-07-05",
  "founder": {
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    "name": "Naoharu Yamashina"
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  "headquarter": {
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  "product": ["action figure", "toy", "video game", "digital pet"]
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## References

1. LastDodo
2. [Source](http://www.bandai.co.jp/corporate/history80.html)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
6. [Source](https://www.boijmans.nl/en/collection/artworks/110219/palettacom)
7. [Plastic speelgoed in de vorm van een dolfijn. 1968](https://n2t.net/ark:/33862/collect/667855)
8. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Bandai-RGGDJ)
9. [Source](https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C45056)
10. VideoGameGeek
11. [Bandai - PCSX2 Wiki](https://wiki.pcsx2.net/Bandai)