Bandai Namco is a diversified entertainment group spanning game development, anime production, plastic model kits, music, and VTuber content, with active projects across Tekken 8, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, Ace Combat 8, and multiple Gundam and Girls und Panzer titles, while navigating internal rights-management failures and leadership departures.
Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bandai Namco Filmworks, and Bandai Spirits operate as the group's primary content arms. Bandai Namco Entertainment leads in patent deterrence with 328 patents cited in 2025, the highest in the Japanese game industry. The company is preparing major game releases for 2026 and 2027: Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a port of Ace Combat Zero as a pre-order bonus; Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 arrives in 2027 with an original far-future setting and new characters; and Gundam Rogue Orbit, a new original Gundam action game, is set for 2027. Tekken 8 continues its third season pass with Bob entering early access on August 19, alongside crossover character Yujiro Hanma from Baki.
Bandai Namco Filmworks is managing multiple anime franchises. The fifth Girls und Panzer das Finale film opens in Japan on October 9, and the franchise's Motto Love Love Sakusen Desu! anime begins television broadcast in October. Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell, produced by Science SARU, streams on Prime Video starting July 7. The Sunrise 50th Anniversary project runs from 2026 to 2028, producing six original 3DCG shorts and the Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe film. However, the group faced a public rights-management failure when Bandai Namco Filmworks and Bandai Namco Pictures apologized for including an unapproved Attack on Titan reference in the new Sgt. Frog movie, promising to tighten internal verification systems.
Bandai Spirits continues to expand its plastic model kit lines. The 30 Minutes Fantasy series adds the Rosan Fortress and Liber Commander class-up armor sets, and the 30 Minutes Missions line releases an Armored Core VI VP-40S kit. The 30MP series completes the Kessoku Band lineup from Bocchi the Rock! with the Nijika Ijichi kit. A new Keroro Robot HG model releases alongside the film. Bandai Namco Music Live and Bandai Namco Research formed a VTuber business alliance, combining the MEWLIVE PROJECT with the ELMIRAIVE CX motion capture system. The group also launched the NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project, bundling five anniversary titles including Galaga, Time Crisis, and Family Stadium. Kohei Ikeda, director of Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, left Bandai Namco after 20 years, following former producer Katsuhiro Harada's departure in 2025.
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Bandai Namco and Game Studio released an 18-minute original anime promo made solely for the action RPG Echoes of Aincrad, set in the Sword Art Online universe. The promo will be removed from the internet on July 6, after which it will be unviewable. The game launches globally July 9/10 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5.
Bandai Spirits released five new Plano-saurus model kits from the Gachikoseibutsu-bu line on July 11, 2026. The lineup includes Tyrannosaurus 1915 and Spinosaurus 1915, which recreate outdated scientific reconstructions, plus a Pachyrhinosaurus with optional horn parts. Two Tyrannosaurus variants feature tropical rainforest and snowy region color schemes, the latter using a new Mineral Injection technology to simulate snow. All kits are snap-fit, no-tool, and include a display base.
Bandai Spirits' S.H.MonsterArts line is releasing a figure of Evangelion Unit-01 'G' Awakened Form from the Godzilla vs. Evangelion collaboration. Pre-orders start July 10, 2026, at the Tamashii Web Shop for 17,600 yen, with shipment in December 2026. The figure features new molds, Godzilla-inspired dorsal fins and tail, and a radioactive heat ray effect part.
Bandai Namco Filmworks will unveil the next anime project in the Gundam franchise during San Diego Comic-Con 2026. The announcement will take place at the "GUNDAM Showcase 2026 - Unveil the Next Gundam" panel on July 23 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. PT in Room 6BCF of the San Diego Convention Center. Special guests from Japan are expected to appear, and attendees will receive limited-edition novelty bags containing Gundam-themed merchandise while supplies last. A separate worldwide streaming program on GUNDAM CHANNEL INTL will air the same announcement on July 23 at 11:00 a.m. PT, followed by a broadcast on the official Gundam Channel YouTube account on July 24 at 3 a.m. JST. The new series is the latest in a franchise that recently expanded with Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe in theaters and the television series Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, which aired from April to June 2025. In addition to the anime reveal, the panel will provide updates on the franchise's broader direction, including international projects. The Gundam booth at SDCC will feature displays for the upcoming GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT video game, Gunpla-building workshops, and photo opportunities with Gundam statues.
Bandai Namco Entertainment released a new trailer for Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad on Tuesday, previewing the game's Death Game Mode. The mode is a permadeath option that deletes the player's save file upon character death, with no respawns. It is normally available only after completing the game once, but early access is included with the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions. The game launches in Japan on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 9, and on PC via Steam on July 10. The Western release is July 10 across all platforms. Players create their own customizable avatar and explore Aincrad alongside characters like Kirito and Asuna. Aimer performs the theme song "Live to Survive." The game has four editions: Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, and Aincrad (Bandai Namco Store exclusive). The Ultimate Edition adds a digital soundtrack, digital artbook, an in-game armor pack, and the bonus anime "Unanswered//butterfly," which follows other characters during the original Sword Art Online story. The Deluxe Edition includes expansion DLC and a starter item pack.
Bandai Spirits will release a six-volume plush prize series, The Idolmaster Shiny Colors Chibi Gurumi ~PJ: REFRAC7IONS~, exclusively at Namco locations starting November 2026. The chibi gurumi dolls feature idols from the shuffle unit project PJ: REFRAC7IONS in their unit costumes. Volumes 1 through 4 arrive in November, volumes 5 and 6 in December.
Rebel Wolves, the studio founded by former CD Projekt RED developers, and Bandai Namco Entertainment held a media preview for their debut title "The Blood of Dawnwalker" on July 7, 2026. The open-world dark fantasy action RPG launches on September 3 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Narrative director Jakub Szamałek gave an interview alongside hands-on play sessions of the first four hours. The game stars Coen, a young man who becomes a Dawnwalker-human by day and vampire by night-after his village is attacked by the vampire lord Brencis. Coen has 30 days and 30 nights to rescue his family before Brencis's coronation. Time advances only when the player makes significant choices, not during exploration or combat. The "narrative sandbox" design allows players to approach the main goal freely, including the possibility of storming the castle on day one. Combat uses a directional system where blocking and attacking in the right direction conserves stamina. The vampire form offers powerful abilities like teleportation and bloodsucking, but bloodlust can trigger uncontrollable urges to bite and kill NPCs, even those with whom Coen has built close relationships. The game is the first entry in a planned multi-title saga spanning centuries.
Bandai Spirits has announced the full prize lineup for the Ichiban Kuji Tamagotchi ~Guruguru Discovery! Tamagotchi Paradise!~ lottery, including a Tamagotchi Paradise-shaped alarm clock, a Dekabebimamatchi blanket in cushion, and a UFO light. The 750-yen lottery will be available sequentially from July 25, 2026. The Last One prize is a Ferris Wheel tape cutter.
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on July 6 that two mobile suits from the film "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM" will appear as giant nebuta floats at the 2026 Aomori Nebuta Festival. The Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam and the Infinite Justice Gundam Type II, crafted by nebuta master Hiroo Fukushi, will serve as the front nebuta leading a parade group. The exhibition is the first installment of the Gundam Festival Project, an initiative that places Gundam IP into locally cherished festivals as a form of regional revitalization. A newly drawn event key visual shows characters Kira Yamato, Lacus Clyne, Athrun Zala, and Cagalli Yula Athha dressed in haneto dancer costumes. The parade will also distribute collaboration fans featuring that visual. The festival runs from August 2 to August 7, with a pre-festival display on August 1. A pop-up shop opens July 18 at the To-O Nippo Shinmachi Building, selling limited goods and tie-up products with local Aomori items like Stamina Gen Tare sauce, Gachirin apple juice, and Nanbu Senbei crackers. Additional collaborations include chocolate banana flavored English Toast bread and Polo Chocolat cake in limited packaging.
Nijisanji virtual liver Hayato Kagami announced on July 3, 2026, during his seventh debut anniversary stream that his exclusive giant robot unit, the KI-31-7BS Daikagami, will be commercialized as a physical action figure under Bandai Spirits' ROBOT Soul brand. The announcement was also shared by the official TAMASHII NATIONS X account. Daikagami, which debuted as a costume variation in July 2023, is a giant robot that can seat Kagami on its palm and wields a giant hammer. It previously appeared as a photo spot at Nijisanji Fest 2023 and in a 2024 café event alongside Chaika Hanabatake's Chaika Armor. Kagami, who debuted from Nijisanji in 2019 as the president of the fictional toy company Kagami Industrial, commented on X that the figure will "bring the strongest shock to everyone's hands." No release date or price has been announced yet.
Bandai Namco Entertainment unveiled a new trailer for the smartphone game Bleach Mirrors High at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4. The trailer introduces two original player characters, Shirin Migishima and Shirane Sanari, both designed by Bleach creator Tite Kubo. Players will choose one of the two and experience a story set after the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. The trailer also shows the characters in action and includes their voices, though the voice cast has not yet been announced. Alongside the trailer, Bandai Namco opened recruitment for a closed beta test. Applications run until July 13, with approximately 20,000 participants selected. The closed beta test is scheduled from July 22 to 29 according to one source, or July 23 to 30 according to another; data will not carry over to the full release. The game is an action title for iOS and Android, described as a Gotei 13 Experience Action game. Kubo is credited with production cooperation, character concept, and character design. Cast information for the two protagonists is expected at a later date.
Bandai Namco Entertainment America released the opening movie for the action RPG Echoes of Aincrad, featuring the theme song "Live to Survive" by Aimer. The song launches digitally Wednesday in English and Japanese. The game launches July 9 in Japan and July 10 worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed at EVO 2026 a gameplay trailer for Bob, the next Season 3 character for Tekken 8. Bob enters early access on August 19 with a full release on August 24. Other Season 3 characters include Kunimitsu, Roger Jr., and Yujiro Hanma from the Baki series.
YLAB STUDIOS and Bandai have released three new manga works in June 2026 as part of a joint project. The latest, 'Killing Guard,' hit number one among male readers and number four overall on its launch weekend. The other two titles are 'Reverse No Mercy: The Genius Gamer Dominates Reality with Cheat Items' and 'Meteor Girl: I Was Chosen by the Galaxy's Strongest Beauty.'
Bandai Namco Filmworks released the first full trailer and key visual for the fifth Girls und Panzer das Finale film, which opens in Japan on October 9. The film follows Ooarai's win in the semi-finals and their finals match against St. Gloriana Girls' College. The franchise also announced a television broadcast for the Motto Love Love Sakusen Desu! anime starting in October.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will provide 11.5 billion yen (~$71.1 million) in subsidies to 15 entertainment companies, including Crunchyroll, Bandai Namco, and Shueisha, to accelerate overseas expansion. The program covers half the cost of AI-driven translations, advertising, and international event participation. The government aims to counter piracy, which caused an estimated 5.7 trillion yen in losses in 2025, and grow the combined subscriber base of participating services from 100 million to 300 million.
Bandai Spirits will release an HG series plastic model of the newly designed New Keroro Robot on June 26, 2026, the same day as the new Keroro Gunso movie opens in Japan. The kit includes color-coded parts, stickers, weapons, effect parts, and a self-standing stand.
Bandai Spirits announced a 30MP plastic model of Bocchi the Rock! drummer Nijika Ijichi, including a large drum set and multiple face parts. The kit releases June 26, 2026, for 5,940 yen. With this release, all four Kessoku Band members are now available in the 30MP series.
Bandai Namco Filmworks and Bandai Namco Pictures issued an apology for including an unapproved reference to Attack on Titan in the new Sgt. Frog movie. The rights holders had clearly stated their objections beforehand, but a communications breakdown within the companies allowed the reference to remain. The companies promised to tighten internal verification systems.
Patent Result has released its Deterrence Power Ranking 2025 for the game and entertainment industry, tallying how often each company's patents were cited as reasons for rejection in other companies' patent examinations during 2025. Bandai Namco Entertainment leads the ranking with 328 patents cited, followed by Konami Digital Entertainment with 285 and Sony Interactive Entertainment with 228. Sega ranks fourth with 198, Nintendo fifth with 161, and Colopl sixth with 148. GREE Holdings, Capcom, Square Enix Holdings, and DeNA round out the top ten. The ranking consolidates company groups and reflects patent holders as of May 2026. Bandai Namco's most cited patent covers an event presentation control system for virtual three-dimensional spaces, cited in examinations of four applications including one from MIXI. Konami's top patent grants benefits according to object selection in a game, affecting Capcom, Colopl, and Bandai Namco. SIE's most cited patent assigns virtual reality spectators to venue seats and transmits to head-mounted displays, used in four rejections including one from NTT Communications.
Bandai Spirits has released a teaser image for a new figure in its Robot魂 ver. A.N.I.M.E. action figure line, strongly hinting at a Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam release. The image, posted on the official Gundam Tamashii Nations X account on June 26, shows a silhouette with a distinctive antenna alongside the phrase "The Pulse of Zeta." The teaser has generated excitement among fans, who are speculating about whether the figure will include a full transformation feature. Previous Zeta Gundam figures have appeared in other Bandai Spirits lines such as Metal Build and Metal Robot Spirits, but this would be the first in the ver. A.N.I.M.E. line, which focuses on anime-accurate proportions and articulation. No release date or pricing has been announced yet.
Dengeki Hobby Web published its Amazon Hobby New Arrivals Ranking TOP 10 on June 25, 2026, based on items available at standard retail prices as of 1:00 PM that day. The list covers a range of plastic model kits, die-cast cars, and candy toys. Bandai Spirits' "30MF Class Up Armor (Rosan Fortress)," released on June 20, placed 8th. The product image on Amazon remains a silhouette, and the armor set is designed to combine with the separately sold "30MF Rosan Lancer" to form the "Rosan Fortress" class. The top spot went to Good Smile Company's "Space Runaway Ideon MODEROID Mini Combination Transformation Ideon Assembly Plastic Model." Other notable entries include Hot Wheels Car Culture's Ferrari Testarossa at 2nd, Bandai SMP's "Gekisou Gattai RV Robo" at 3rd, and Good Smile Company's "Getter Robo G MODEROID Mini Combination Transformation Getter Dragon" at 4th. Bandai's "Gundam Artifact Best Selection," a compilation of five popular mobile suits from the candy toy series that began in 2021, ranked 10th and is scheduled for an October release.
Bandai Namco Entertainment released the first trailer for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 on June 23, 2026, offering a detailed look at the game ahead of its planned 2027 launch. The trailer, titled "Welcome to West City," introduces the game's setting of AGE 1000 and several original characters: Brett, an aspiring hero who considers himself the protagonist's senior and rival; Tap, a prodigy who entered university early; ROM, an idol pursuing her entertainment career; and Lilica, a classmate of the player-created hero. The story follows a protagonist who arrives in the futuristic timeline with no memory and becomes involved with a new generation of student heroes in West City. Voice actors include Hiro Shimono as Brett, Mariya Ise as Tap, Yuina as ROM, and Hina Yomiya as Lilica. The trailer also shows Bulma retaining her youthful appearance and Gamma 1 wearing a new outfit marked with "1000." A gameplay mechanic lets players fill a gauge to summon the soul of legendary Dragon Ball characters like Trunks, Vegeta, and Piccolo. The project was teased earlier as "Age 1000" and has been in development for about six to seven years. Akira Toriyama contributed to world-building and character design. The game will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Bandai Namco Music Live and Bandai Namco Research Inc., both part of the Bandai Namco Group, announced a business partnership agreement for the VTuber business on June 23. The alliance combines Bandai Namco Music Live's content production capabilities, including its VTuber project MEWLIVE PROJECT, with Bandai Namco Research's advanced technologies, such as the portable motion capture system ELMIRAIVE CX. As the first initiative under the partnership, a 3D fishing location video featuring MEWLIVE PROJECT VTuber Kumanō Beatrice was produced. The shoot took place at Asakawa International Trout Fishing Ground in Hachioji, Tokyo, using ELMIRAIVE CX to fuse 3D footage with real-time live-action backgrounds on-site, rather than the conventional method of compositing separately recorded 3D footage later. The video is scheduled for release on Kumanō Beatrice's YouTube channel on June 23 at 12:00. The partnership aims to create next-generation virtual experiences as the VTuber market matures and demand for immersive technology grows. New developments for MEWLIVE PROJECT based on this alliance are expected to begin this summer, with details on content updates and events to be announced later.
Bandai Spirits announced the Rosan Fortress Class Up Armor set for its 30 Minutes Fantasy plastic model series. The heavy knight armor, designed for the Rosan Empire faction, includes a long lance and armor parts. It releases June 20, 2026, for 1,100 yen. The set attaches to the base Rosan Lancer kit to class up to a higher job via armor swapping.
Bandai Spirits announced the Liber Commander Class Up Armor set for its 30 Minutes Fantasy plastic model series. The set, releasing June 20, 2026, attaches to the Liber Knight base kit to upgrade the figure to a commander role. It includes a long sword, halberd, shield, and armor parts, with articulated joints and a movable cape. The set costs 1,100 yen.
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced the Sunrise 50th Anniversary project, running from 2026 to 2028, to mark 50 years since the first Sunrise-branded work, Muteki Chōjin Zambot 3, in 2027. The project includes a key visual of 50 selected works and the Mirai e no Kōro short film project, which will produce six original 3DCG animated shorts in collaboration with other studios. The first two shorts, Dice with Demon and Metafear, were revealed, and the previously announced Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe is also part of the initiative.
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on June 16 that the new TV anime Ghost in the Shell: The Ghost in the Shell will stream on Prime Video in Japan starting July 7 at 23:30 JST, with the fastest domestic unlimited viewing. The series will air on Kantele and Fuji TV's new anime slot Ka Anibar!! at 23:00 JST the same day. Overseas, the anime will stream exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions, excluding mainland China, Russia, and Vietnam. A Prime Video-exclusive trailer was released alongside the announcement, showing Public Security Section 9 members led by Motoko Kusanagi and hinting at the mysterious hacker Puppeteer. The anime is produced by Science SARU, with Moko-chan directing in her debut role. Series composition and script are by Tow Ubukata, character design and chief animation direction by Shuhei Handa, and music by Taisei Iwasaki. The ending theme is "Blue" by MILLENNIUM PARADE, featuring Saya Gray and Daniel Caesar. A US premiere screening of episodes 1 and 2 will take place at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4, with a staff panel and autograph sessions.
Bandai Namco Entertainment released the demo for Echoes of Aincrad, the new action RPG set in the Sword Art Online universe, on June 16. The demo covers the entire beta test chapter that opens the full game, letting players experience the period before the official service of the in-game MMO Sword Art Online becomes a death game. Playtime is roughly three to four hours, and save data carries over to the full release. Players control a fixed young swordsman avatar during the beta test, then customize their real appearance when the main story begins. The demo includes five missions, all weapon types, and a tutorial for the combat system, which features light and heavy attacks, sword skills, guarding, dodging, parrying, and a severance mechanic that lets players destroy enemy limbs. Partner character Iori, a hardcore beta tester, accompanies the player and can be ordered into Switch Mode or Free Mode. The full game launches July 9 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and July 10 on PC via Steam. Aimer performs the theme song "Live to Survive." Streaming guidelines restrict full-game streaming to Very Hard difficulty with Death Game Mode enabled until July 17.
Bandai Spirits is re-releasing the GM II Semi Striker from Mobile Suit Gundam UC as both a 1/100 Master Grade and a 1/144 High Grade model. Pre-orders open June 15, 2026 on Premium Bandai. The MG ships in October 2026; the HG ships in August 2026.
Bandai's Gashapon Online began accepting reservations for Mobile Suit Gundam MOBILE SUIT ENSEMBLE Vol. 31 on June 11, 2026. The five-type lineup is led by Wing Gundam Zero and includes Heero Yuy. Each capsule costs 500 yen. Shipments are scheduled for late October 2026. Reservations close on July 12 or when stock runs out.
Bandai Spirits is releasing a plastic model kit of the Arquebus AC VP-40S from Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon as part of its 30 Minutes Missions (30MM) series. The kit goes on sale June 13, 2026, for 2,530 yen. It features a common structure for head, core, arms, and legs that allows part swapping similar to the game's assembly system. The set includes the VP-66LH handheld weapon, and shoulder and left-hand weapons use 3mm joints for compatibility with other 30MM Armored Core VI kits. The same day also sees the release of Weapon Set 07, which includes close-combat chainsaw weapons: WB-0000 BAD COOK, WB-0010 DOUBLE TROUBLE, BML-G2/P19SPL-12, and SB-033M MORLEY, priced at 1,650 yen. Both products are non-scale plastic model kits from Bandai Spirits.
Bandai Namco announced Hello Kitty Party Land, a new party game featuring over 160 Sanrio characters, during the Nintendo Direct livestream on Tuesday. The game launches for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on October 29. It includes over 40 mini-games, 16 partner characters, and board games for up to four players.
Bandai Namco and Kairosoft announced One Piece: Grand Gourmet, a restaurant management simulation game, during the June 2026 Nintendo Direct. The game launches on October 23, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, iOS, and Android at a price of $19.99. Players take charge of the Baratie Number Two, a floating restaurant, and work with the Straw Hat Crew to expand it. The game features over 400 One Piece characters rendered in pixel-art style, a first for the franchise. Players collect ingredients, cook dishes with Sanji, and customize the restaurant with more than 200 items inspired by locations like Whole Cake Island and Egghead. Recipes include dishes such as Water-Water Meat BBQ and Sea King Penne Gorgonzola, with additional recipes unlocked through exploration. The Switch 2 version supports Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Kairosoft previously developed a similar anime-themed management game, Doraemon's Dorayaki Story.
Bandai Namco Entertainment has released official screenshots for the new action game Gundam Rogue Orbit, set for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game's official website and X account are now live. Players pilot the Gundam Helix as protagonist Rex alongside partner Haro Vee.
Bandai Spirits announced the HG 1/100 VF-31E Siegfried (Chuck Mustang's Machine) from Macross Delta, featuring a large radome and a swap-part transformation system. Three items launch June 6, 2026: the standard kit at 5,500 yen, a dedicated water-slide decal sheet at 770 yen, and a deluxe set with an acrylic stand and decals.
Bandai Namco Entertainment opened pre-orders on June 3 for two special editions of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve at Premium Bandai. The Collector's Box costs 15,730 yen and the Ace of Aces Box costs 39,600 yen, both shipping in September ahead of the game's October 2 release.
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced during Sony's State of Play livestream on June 3 that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will launch on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game is the latest entry in the Ace Combat series, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Players take the role of a fighter pilot rescued at sea by the aging aircraft carrier Endurance, belonging to the Federation of Central Usea. The player is entrusted with the legendary ace known as the Wings of Seave, a symbol of hope, and must reclaim lost territory alongside three new companions. The game is developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., a studio formed in July 2022 by Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA, and is built on Unreal Engine 5. A port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War will be included as a pre-order bonus for the digital version and as an early purchase bonus for the physical version. Early access for the Deluxe Edition begins on September 29.
Kohei Ikeda, game director for Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, announced on Monday that he has left Bandai Namco Entertainment after 20 years at the company. His departure follows that of former Tekken project producer Katsuhiro Harada, who left at the end of 2025 and now leads SNK's new studio.
At the 84th Prize Fair in Tokyo, Bandai Spirits' Banpresto brand displayed upcoming prize figures for release from October to December 2026. The lineup includes figures for Blue Archive, Ultraman Series, Baki, Witch Hat Atelier, Ranma 1/2, Dandadan, Naruto, Gintama, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on June 1 the launch of the NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project, an initiative to develop content from classic Namco games. The project centers on five titles marking anniversaries this year: Galaga (45th), The Adventure of Valkyrie, Genpei Tōma Den, and Family Stadium (all 40th), and Time Crisis (30th). Alongside game releases, the project includes a pop-up shop called Namco Game Selection Summer Market at Hakuhinkan TOY PARK in Ginza, Tokyo, running from July 11 to August 6, featuring goods from Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Mappy, and others. A demo version of the 3D puzzle game Namco Legendary Mountains, developed by B-Side, is available on Steam for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and Mac. A plug-and-play gun controller from Tassei Denki, which includes Time Crisis, Gun Bullet, Steel Gunner, and Steel Gunner 2, is also on sale. Additional merchandise includes the second wave of Classic Game Blankets from KADOKAWA Game Linkage, featuring designs from The Adventure of Valkyrie and Mappy, releasing September 16 at 3,300 yen each, as well as Galaga pins and family cassette cases. The project aims to make Namco titles more accessible to both longtime fans and new generations.
Aniplex president Atsuhiro Iwakami will become the next president and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, effective April 2026, as reported by the Nikkei and covered by Animenomics. Iwakami, who has led Aniplex for ten years, will be the first executive with a video production background to head the Japanese music giant. The appointment reflects the growing influence of Aniplex within Sony Music Group, as more than half of Sony Music's sales in Japan now come from non-music sources, including Aniplex. Aniplex produced both "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle," the highest-grossing anime film globally, and "Kokuho," Japan's highest-grossing live-action film. External revenue from Sony Music's visual media and platform business, which includes Aniplex, rose 42.8 percent in the nine months ended December 2025 compared to the same period last year. Prior to leading Aniplex, Iwakami worked on productions such as the "Monogatari" series, "Puella Magi Madoka Magica," and "Sword Art Online," and produced the mobile game "Fate/Grand Order" and the "Demon Slayer" anime adaptation.
Bandai Namco Music Live and MusicRay'n announced that 'Mirror Shibuya,' an illustrated audio drama starring the multidimensional artist SZNO, will begin streaming on SZNO's YouTube channel on March 21, 2026. The six-episode story follows Yuno, a member of the idol group Spark★Twinkle, who is attacked and falls unconscious, then wakes up in a mirrored version of Shibuya where she meets a mysterious girl named SZNO. The series is described as an urban fantasy work combining music, subculture, and urban legends, centered on two versions of Shibuya: one of shadow and one of light. The project features a notable creative team: setting and character design concept by Jin (creator of Kagerou Project), character design by Ritao (who contributed to KAF and Project SEKAI: Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku), and music direction by Seiji Mizushima (director of Mobile Suit Gundam 00). Voice actress Eriko Nakamura (Haruka Amami from THE iDOLM@STER) plays the mysterious bat character. Seven VTubers from the MEWLIVE production also appear, including Yuno Mihanada, BearTrice Kumano, and Kurone Yousagi. New music from SZNO will be released every Saturday through the end of April.
Bandai Spirits announced a new plastic model kit for Kaho Komiya, a tokusatsu-loving idol from "THE iDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS," as part of its 30 MINUTES SISTERS (30MS) series. The kit is set for release on May 30, 2026, priced at 4,180 yen including tax. It includes all body parts in a single package, with pre-colored costume chest parts that reproduce the character's color coding and details. The model features small wings on the back, a skirt with a wavy printed sheet, and some parts made from smoke clear material with glitter. The skin parts have a matte finish. Three types of pad-printed face parts and hand parts, including three types that can hold a microphone, are included. The hair ornament parts replicate the design of the 20th anniversary costume and can be removed. The kit is compatible with separately sold 30MS series parts for customization. Bandai Spirits also announced a separate option parts set, the 30MS Option Parts Set 28 (Action Wear α), releasing on the same day for 2,420 yen, which adds new joint gimmicks for enhanced posing.
Bandai Spirits confirmed a new DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross toy to mark the franchise's 45th anniversary. The fully transformable figure measures 650 mm in fortress mode and over 700 mm in storm attacker mode, making it the largest such toy ever released. Pre-orders begin June 1 for a November 2026 release at 99,000 yen.
Bandai Namco Entertainment released a trailer for My Hero Ultra Rumble Season 17, which launches May 27. The season adds Mirko as a new playable character, several new costumes, and a new battle style for Present Mic arriving after June. The game is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Bandai Spirits has announced the commercialization of the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross, a large-scale figure measuring approximately 650mm (about 1/2000 scale) in total length. The figure is the first product commemorating the 45th anniversary of the anime Super Dimension Fortress Macross. It reproduces the transformation between fortress ship and assault mode without requiring replacement parts. Light-up gimmicks are installed in the bridge, chest, and legs; bringing the included bow of the Kerkaria near the chest and legs triggers lighting effects. The living block cycles through morning, noon, evening, and night lighting, and can randomly switch to emergency mode. The Daedalus and Prometheus sections are separable. The Daedalus can open its bow hatch and deploy a ramp, and the set includes three Monster and five Tomahawk Destroids to recreate the Daedalus Attack. Four VF-1 Valkyrie/Super Valkyrie units at the same scale are also included. Pre-orders open at general retail stores from June 1, 2026, with a release scheduled for November 2026 at a price of 99,000 yen (tax included).
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced that Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters will launch on August 28 for Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game features 22 national teams and over 110 playable characters. Pre-orders include a 2026 Japan National Team Jersey cosmetic and other bonuses.
Bandai Namco Filmworks released a new video for the Patlabor EZY anime project on Thursday, introducing the main characters of the Special Vehicles Division 2. The project consists of eight episodes released as three theatrical films. The first film, File 1, debuted on May 15, 2026, and contains the first two episodes in an omnibus format. File 2 follows on August 14, 2026, with episodes four through six, and File 3 arrives in March 2027 with the final two episodes as a two-part story. The story is set in the 2030s, where Labors have become commonplace and are increasingly replaced by autonomous robots. SV2 still uses a tuned-up version of the SV-98 Ingram. The cast includes Sumire Uesaka as Towa Kuga, Kikunosuke Toya as Kippei Atori, Ami Koshimizu as Saki Hirata, Chikahiro Kobayashi as Akihiko Hazama, Setsuji Sato as Yuta Yanai, Yume Matsumura as Hachikuma Yuzuki, and Megumi Hayashibara as Kimika Saeki. Shigeru Chiba reprises his role as Shigeo Shiba. Yutaka Izubuchi directs at J.C. Staff, with Kazunori Ito writing the script. Mori Calliope performs the opening theme, and Mariko Nagai performs the ending theme.
Bandai Namco will open a Mega Kawaii Mart pop-up shop at the Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights, Illinois on May 15, 2026. The store will sell MegaHouse figures and merchandise, including Look Up figures and Mega Cat Project items featuring characters from Naruto, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Hero Academia. A Nyaruto mascot will appear for photo ops on May 15-16.