Bandai
Bandai is a Japanese company based in Taitō, Tokyo, and established in 1950.
The company, named Bandai-ya until 1961, would release its first original product in 1950 (the Rhythm Ball) alongside distributing and importing metallic toys, celluloid dolls and rubber swimming rings. 1961 would see Bandai’s first international expansion into the United States, with the Bandai Overseas Supply based in New York City, though their US sales and marketing office wouldn’t open until 1978. Bandai’s UK division would open in 1982 – their other offices include Taiwan, mainland China, France, Indonesia, Mexico and Spain. In 2006 Bandai would merge with Namco to form Bandai Namco Holdings.
Bandai has produced a wide range of licensed products – their earliest success was with Astro Boy figures in 1963, and they would go on to produce products for Saban’s Power Rangers from 1993 to 2018. Namco properties have also had products produced by Bandai, notably Tekken and Pac Man. In 1996 they would introduce the globally successful Tamagotchi virtual pet, followed by the Digital Monster in 1997 which would spawn the media franchise Digimon. Bandai also distributes products from other companies worldwide such as Playmates Toys.
List of Doll Lines Made by Bandai
