Namco Bandai
Encyclopedia
, also known as the Bandai Namco Group, is a Japanese holding company
formed from the merger of Namco
and Bandai
. It has interests in toy
s, video games and arcades
, anime
, and amusement parks. The new entity was founded on September 29, 2005. The company has its headquarters in Shinagawa
, Tokyo
.
Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. (NBHU) is a regional holding company that oversees U.S.-based operations. It was officially formed on January 2, 2006 and is located in the former Bandai U.S. headquarters in Cypress, California
.
Prior to the merger, Bandai owned Sunrise
, a Japanese animation company, which became a subsidiary of NBHD following the merger.
In September 2006, NBHD acquired CCP Co., Ltd. from Casio
and made it a wholly owned subsidiary.
NBHD fully acquired developers Banpresto
(whose video game operations were absorbed into Namco Bandai Games on April 1, 2008) and Namco Tales Studio
since the merger. Formerly, both were partially owned by Bandai and Namco respectively. On March 31, 2006, Namco and Bandai's video game operations merged into Namco Bandai Games
Inc. (NBGI). Namco
's arcade and facility management continues under the name of Namco Ltd.
The business of Bandai Networks Co., Ltd. was merged into Namco Bandai Games, Inc.
in April 2009 and Bandai Networks subsequently ceased to exist as a separate company.
Namco Bandai bought a 34% stake in Atari Europe on May 14, 2009, paving the way for its acquisition from Infogrames
. Until June 30, 2012, Infogrames has the option to sell the other 66% in Atari Europe to NBHD. Between June 31, 2012 to June 20, 2013, Namco Bandai gains the option to acquire the 66% stake. On the 7th of July 2009, Namco Bandai Holdings bought 100% of Atari Australia Pty Ltd. NBHD acquired 100% of the shares of Atari Asia Holdings Pty. Ltd. and 100% of the shares of Atari UK Ltd. These former Atari companies were merged into Namco Bandai Partners to handle distribution and publishing support in PAL territories, including contracts for other publishers' titles.
Namco Bandai is pursuing whole ownership of D3 Publisher
and currently owns 95% of the company's shares.
's toy-making facilities and regional subsidiaries.
, also with Banpresto
and D3 Publisher
, and the Sunrise
anime production company, along with the following:
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
formed from the merger of Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
and Bandai
Bandai
is a Japanese toy making and video game company, as well as the producer of a large number of plastic model kits. It is the world's third-largest producer of toys . Some ex-Bandai group companies produce anime and tokusatsu programs...
. It has interests in toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
s, video games and arcades
Video arcade
An amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
, anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, and amusement parks. The new entity was founded on September 29, 2005. The company has its headquarters in Shinagawa
Shinagawa, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Shinagawa City. The ward is home to nine embassies.As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population of 344,461 and a density of 15,740 persons per km². The total area is 22.72 km²....
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. (NBHU) is a regional holding company that oversees U.S.-based operations. It was officially formed on January 2, 2006 and is located in the former Bandai U.S. headquarters in Cypress, California
Cypress, California
Cypress is a suburban city located in the northern region of Orange County within Southern California. Its population was 47,802 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.
Business
The main business of Namco Bandai Holdings consists of the design and implementation of management strategies for the conglomerate and providing support for the overall business of its subsidiaries.History
Namco Bandai Holdings was created in 2005, when Namco and Bandai performed a management integration, carried out via a share exchange. The shareholders of Namco received one NBHD share for each Namco share and the shareholders of Bandai received 1.5 NBHD shares for each Bandai share.Prior to the merger, Bandai owned Sunrise
Sunrise (company)
is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise. It is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings. Its former name was Nippon Sunrise, and prior to that, Sunrise Studios...
, a Japanese animation company, which became a subsidiary of NBHD following the merger.
In September 2006, NBHD acquired CCP Co., Ltd. from Casio
Casio
is a multinational electronic devices manufacturing company founded in 1946, with its headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Casio is best known for its electronic products, such as calculators, audio equipment, PDAs, cameras, musical instruments, and watches...
and made it a wholly owned subsidiary.
NBHD fully acquired developers Banpresto
Banpresto
is a Japanese toy company, best known in America for game development, headquartered in the Shinagawa Seaside West Building in Shinagawa, Tokyo. It was founded April 1977 as Hoei Sangyo, Co. Ltd. The company was renamed Coreland in 1982, and during the 1980s it worked mainly as a subcontractor for...
(whose video game operations were absorbed into Namco Bandai Games on April 1, 2008) and Namco Tales Studio
Namco Tales Studio
, formerly , was a Japanese video game development company founded in 1986. The company was renamed in 2003 when Telenet Japan sold part of its stake and made Namco the majority shareholder. Namco Tales Studio continues to be the primary developer of the Tales RPG series, as they had been since the...
since the merger. Formerly, both were partially owned by Bandai and Namco respectively. On March 31, 2006, Namco and Bandai's video game operations merged into Namco Bandai Games
Namco Bandai Games
is an arcade, mobile and home video game developer and publisher based in Japan which is the product of a merger between the video game development divisions of Bandai and Namco. Namco Bandai Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings and specializes in production and sales of...
Inc. (NBGI). Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
's arcade and facility management continues under the name of Namco Ltd.
The business of Bandai Networks Co., Ltd. was merged into Namco Bandai Games, Inc.
Namco Bandai Games
is an arcade, mobile and home video game developer and publisher based in Japan which is the product of a merger between the video game development divisions of Bandai and Namco. Namco Bandai Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings and specializes in production and sales of...
in April 2009 and Bandai Networks subsequently ceased to exist as a separate company.
Namco Bandai bought a 34% stake in Atari Europe on May 14, 2009, paving the way for its acquisition from Infogrames
Infogrames
Infogrames Entertainment SA was an international French holding company headquartered in Paris, France. It was the owner of Atari, Inc., headquartered in New York City, U.S. and Atari Europe. It was founded in 1983 by Bruno Bonnell and Christophe Sapet using the proceeds from an introductory...
. Until June 30, 2012, Infogrames has the option to sell the other 66% in Atari Europe to NBHD. Between June 31, 2012 to June 20, 2013, Namco Bandai gains the option to acquire the 66% stake. On the 7th of July 2009, Namco Bandai Holdings bought 100% of Atari Australia Pty Ltd. NBHD acquired 100% of the shares of Atari Asia Holdings Pty. Ltd. and 100% of the shares of Atari UK Ltd. These former Atari companies were merged into Namco Bandai Partners to handle distribution and publishing support in PAL territories, including contracts for other publishers' titles.
Namco Bandai is pursuing whole ownership of D3 Publisher
D3 Publisher
D3Publisher is a Japanese video game publisher founded on February 5, 1992. Current CEO and president is Yuji Ito, and It is known for its Simple series of low-priced console games. Their games have been released for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2,...
and currently owns 95% of the company's shares.
Organization
NBHD is organized into three Strategic Business Units, supplemented by Affiliated Business Companies that provide logistical support. The SBUs consist of Toys & Hobby, Content (video games, anime and recording), and Amusement Facility (theme parks).Organizational History
The organization of NBHD has changed considerably since the merger. In 2007, NBHD consisted of 5 SBUs and the Affiliated Business Companies. In April 2009, the Game Contents SBU and the Network SBU were merged and since April 2010, NBHD consists of three SBUs and the Affiliated Business Companies.Toys & Hobby SBU
The Toys & Hobby SBU is mainly made up of the former BandaiBandai
is a Japanese toy making and video game company, as well as the producer of a large number of plastic model kits. It is the world's third-largest producer of toys . Some ex-Bandai group companies produce anime and tokusatsu programs...
's toy-making facilities and regional subsidiaries.
- Bandai Co., Ltd.Bandaiis a Japanese toy making and video game company, as well as the producer of a large number of plastic model kits. It is the world's third-largest producer of toys . Some ex-Bandai group companies produce anime and tokusatsu programs...
- Bandai S.A.
- Bandai UK Ltd.
- Bandai España S.A.
- Bandai GmbH
- Bandai Polska SP.ZO.O
- Bandai (H.K.) Co., Ltd.
- Bandai Asia Co., Ltd.
- Bandai Korea Co., Ltd.
- Creative Works Co., Ltd.
- Bandai (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd.
- Bandai Taiwan Co., Ltd.
- Bandai South Asia Pte., Ltd.
- Bandai Industrial Co., Ltd.
- Bandai (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
- Bandai America Inc.
- Bandai Corporacion Mexico S.A. de C.V.
- Megahouse Corporation
- CCP Co., Ltd.
- Seeds Co., Ltd.
- Plex Co., Ltd.
- People Co., Ltd.
- Sun-Star Stationary Co., Ltd.
Content SBU
The Content SBU is responsible for all video game products, including games for home consoles, arcades, and mobile platforms, as well as anime production and distribution. The bulk of these facilities are made up by the former NamcoNamco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
, also with Banpresto
Banpresto
is a Japanese toy company, best known in America for game development, headquartered in the Shinagawa Seaside West Building in Shinagawa, Tokyo. It was founded April 1977 as Hoei Sangyo, Co. Ltd. The company was renamed Coreland in 1982, and during the 1980s it worked mainly as a subcontractor for...
and D3 Publisher
D3 Publisher
D3Publisher is a Japanese video game publisher founded on February 5, 1992. Current CEO and president is Yuji Ito, and It is known for its Simple series of low-priced console games. Their games have been released for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2,...
, and the Sunrise
Sunrise (company)
is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise. It is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings. Its former name was Nippon Sunrise, and prior to that, Sunrise Studios...
anime production company, along with the following:
Asia and Australia
- CelliusCelliusCellius , located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is a computer game developer founded in 2007 as a venture between Sony and Namco Bandai. The aim of the company is to "help take share from Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co." Sony hopes that the company will make up for the losses it made during quarter two of...
in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2007. - Namco Bandai GamesNamco Bandai Gamesis an arcade, mobile and home video game developer and publisher based in Japan which is the product of a merger between the video game development divisions of Bandai and Namco. Namco Bandai Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings and specializes in production and sales of...
Inc. in Tokyo, Japan, merged from video game development divisions of NamcoNamcois a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
and BandaiBandaiis a Japanese toy making and video game company, as well as the producer of a large number of plastic model kits. It is the world's third-largest producer of toys . Some ex-Bandai group companies produce anime and tokusatsu programs...
on March 31, 2006. - BanprestoBanprestois a Japanese toy company, best known in America for game development, headquartered in the Shinagawa Seaside West Building in Shinagawa, Tokyo. It was founded April 1977 as Hoei Sangyo, Co. Ltd. The company was renamed Coreland in 1982, and during the 1980s it worked mainly as a subcontractor for...
Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, founded April 1977 as Hoei Sangyo, Co. Ltd, acquired April 1, 2008. - D3 PublisherD3 PublisherD3Publisher is a Japanese video game publisher founded on February 5, 1992. Current CEO and president is Yuji Ito, and It is known for its Simple series of low-priced console games. Their games have been released for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2,...
is headquartered in JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, founded in 1992, acquired in 2009. - Namco Tales StudioNamco Tales Studio, formerly , was a Japanese video game development company founded in 1986. The company was renamed in 2003 when Telenet Japan sold part of its stake and made Namco the majority shareholder. Namco Tales Studio continues to be the primary developer of the Tales RPG series, as they had been since the...
in Tokyo, Japan, founded as Wolf Team in 1986, fully acquired from Telenet JapanTelenet Japanwas a Japanese video game and software developer founded in October 1983 by Kazuyuki Fukushima. The company was also known as Nippon Telenet . The company was best known for the Valis series as well as its Wolfteam & RiOT divisions...
on September 29, 2005. - Namco Bandai Studios Asia Pty Ltd in Sydney, Australia, formerly Infogrames Studios Asia Pty Ltd and Atari Studios Pty Ltd.
- Namco Bandai Melbourne House Pty Ltd in Melbourne, Australia, formerly Infogrames Melbourne House Pty Ltd and Atari Melbourne House Pty Ltd.
- Namco Bandai Partners Australia Pty Ltd in Sydney, Australia, founded as Ozisoft Pty Ltd in 1982, acquired July 7, 2009 from AtariAtariAtari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
. - Namco Bandai Partners Asia Holdings Pty Ltd in Sydney, Australia. Former names have been Atari Asia Holdings Pty Ltd and Infogrames Asia Holdings Pty Ltd, serves as Namco Bandai's asset holdings company for the Asian region outside of Japan.
- Bandai ChannelBandai ChannelBandai Channel Co., Ltd. is a distributor and broadcaster of anime by broadband access. It was established on March 1, 2002 by Bandai in coordination with Sunrise Inc., Bandai Visual Co., Ltd. and Bandai Networks Co., Ltd...
- Bandai VisualBandai Visual, is a Japanese anime, film production and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai Co., Ltd. and a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc., which is based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Since the reorganisation of Namco Bandai Holdings in 2006, Bandai Visual now heads the group's Visual and...
- LantisLantis (company)is a Japanese company that specializes as a music publisher label for Japanese musicians, anime soundtracks and video game soundtracks. It was established on November 26, 1999, and in May 2006, it was bought by, and became a subsidiary of, Bandai Visual...
- SunriseSunrise (company)is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise. It is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings. Its former name was Nippon Sunrise, and prior to that, Sunrise Studios...
North America
- Bandai Entertainment
- Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
- Namco NetworksNamco NetworksNamco Networks America, Inc. is a developer and publisher of small-scale games targeting the mobile and casual game markets. The startup company based in San Jose, California was strategically acquired by Namco Bandai Holdings and renamed as Namco Networks to serve as its mobile games...
America Inc. - Namco Bandai Online.
Amusement Facility SBU
The Amusement Facility SBU oversees the company's theme parks and the management of its own arcades, most of which were acquired through the merger with Namco.- Hanayashiki Co. Ltd, acquired with Banpresto in March 2006.
- NamcoNamcois a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
Ltd. - Namco Cybertainment
- Pleasure Cast Co. Ltd, acquired with Banpresto in March 2006.