Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Spirits are actively releasing games, model kits, and merchandise across multiple franchises, with a new original Gundam action game, a major Ace Combat entry, and a retro game initiative all launching in 2026.
Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Spirits have maintained a high release cadence across games, plastic models, and merchandise through mid-2026. The publisher announced several major titles during June 2026 events: Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc. on Unreal Engine 5 and including a port of Ace Combat Zero as a pre-order bonus. Gundam Rogue Orbit, a new original action game, is set for 2027 on the same platforms. The NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project bundles five anniversary titles including Galaga, The Adventure of Valkyrie, Genpei Tōma Den, Family Stadium, and Time Crisis, with a pop-up shop and a plug-and-play gun controller.
Bandai Spirits has expanded its 30 Minutes Missions line with an Armored Core VI VP-40S kit and a weapon set, and added a Kaho Komiya idol model to the 30 MINUTES SISTERS series. The DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross figure, the largest transforming toy of its kind at 650mm, opens pre-orders June 1 for November 2026. The HG 1/100 Macross line added Chuck Mustang's VF-31E Siegfried. Banpresto revealed prize figures for Ranma 1/2, Blue Archive, Gintama, and other franchises for October through December 2026.
Bandai Namco Filmworks is releasing Patlabor EZY as three theatrical films, with File 1 out May 15, File 2 on August 14, and File 3 in March 2027. Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe arrives as a two-part film series starting November 20. The Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199 sixth film opens June 26. Bandai Namco Entertainment partnered with Plott on the short-form vertical anime IP Tengutosen, debuting in July. Kohei Ikeda, director of Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, left Bandai Namco after 20 years, following former producer Katsuhiro Harada's departure at the end of 2025.
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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.
Bandai Namco Filmworks revealed the main trailer and visual for the sixth film in the Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199 series, titled Aoi Meikyū (Blue Labyrinth). The film opens June 26. The trailer shows the Yamato appearing in present-day Tokyo as the crew passes through a space-time node to 2026. The anime runs seven films total.
Bandai Namco Entertainment is partnering with short anime maker Plott to develop Tengutosen, a new intellectual property debuting in July. The project tests whether vertical-screen short anime can replicate the commercial energy of traditional action manga adaptations, leveraging Bandai Namco's merchandise strengths.
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced that Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe will reach Japanese theaters as a two-part film series. The first part opens on November 20, 2026. The date arrived with a new trailer and key visuals. Original Votoms creator Ryōsuke Takahashi returns as supervising director. Kenji Kawai, known for his work on Mobile Suit Gundam 00, is composing the score. Mechanical design duties go to Yoshihiro Sono, who worked on Votoms: AT Stories, and Shinobu Tsuneki, whose credits include Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These. The project was first revealed in January 2026. The second film does not yet have a date. Bandai Spirits and Megahouse, two Bandai Namco subsidiaries, will produce merchandise tied to the films. Bandai Spirits plans a High Grade model kit and a Hi-Metal R figure of the Scopedog in a desert color scheme. Megahouse will release 8cm model kits in its VA-KIT Platoon line. More merchandise details are expected at the 64th Shizuoka Hobby Show, which runs May 16 and 17 at Twin Messe Shizuoka.
New survey data from the Japan Animation Creators Association shows a sharp rise in full-time salaried roles at anime production studios. In 2024, 47 percent of respondents held permanent positions, up from 17 percent in 2013. Non-permanent work fell from three in four to one in two over the same period. Average monthly working hours dropped to about 190, and median annual earnings rose to ¥4 million, though work stress remains high.