Apr 25, 2022

Namco Bandai merges production subsidiaries, including legendary "Gundam" studio Sunrise.

NAMCO BANDAI has consolidated its film production operations, including the legendary Japanese studio Sunrise, as NAMCO BANDAI Filmworks Inc. [NAMCO BANDAI Rights Marketing and NAMCO BANDAI Arts were also merged under NAMCO BANDAI Filmworks, while Sunrise Music, NAMCO BANDAI Music Creative and NAMCO BANDAI Arts were combined as NAMCO BANDAI Music Live.

Sunrise has been one of Japan's most prolific animation studios for the past 50 years; established in September 1972, the studio has produced some of the country's most popular and internationally popular animated films and series, including "Mobile Suit Gundam," "Cowboy Bebop," "Space Runaway Ideon," "Crusher Joe" and "Code Geass. The company has produced some of the most popular animated films and series in Japan and abroad.

Sunrise was acquired by Bandai in 1994, but did not acquire all rights to the Gundam IP until Bandai Namco (Bandai and Namco merged in 2005) acquired advertising company Sotsu in 2020. Prior to that, Sotsu controlled all commercial rights to the franchise.

Sunrise lost its reputable name as part of the reorganization that went into effect on April 1, but Bandai Namco promised that the studio would retain some autonomy and continue to work with many of its most popular franchises, operating them as individual brands.

To coincide with this announcement, Bandai Namco adopted a new logo and launched a Purpose page on its website explaining the logo's design concept. The page also includes two promotional videos featuring Sunrise's classic Gundam characters (pictured at the top), one a hybrid of live action and animation, the other fully animated.

The company's statement of purpose says:

Bandai Namco exists to share dreams, fun, and excitement with people around the world. BANDAI NAMCO exists to share dreams, fun, and excitement with people around the world, connecting people and society and creating a brighter future for all by providing unique and highly entertaining products and services.