GUNDAM CARD GAME Set to Launch on December 8

In T-minus twenty days the GUNDAM CARD GAME will launch at Johnson Space Center in Houston, home of NASA’s Mission Control Center and the perfect backdrop for the world premiere of BANDAI CARD GAMES’ brand-new trading card game (TCG) based on the global hit anime series “Mobile Suit Gundam.” BANDAI CARD GAMES staff and executives will host an invited audience comprised of press, influencers, and retailers for an immersive GUNDAM experience showcasing the new card game. Guests at the special world premiere event will be among the first to ever play the new GUNDAM CARD GAME—before the North American launch of its Edition Beta product in January 2025, and well ahead of its full global release later that year.

NYCC 2024: Bandai Has All Your Anime Favorites

You want Deku from My Hero Academia in his ultimate lone superhero form? They got it. You want the crazy homicidal pale kaiju from Kaiju No8? He's waiting for ya! Along with Marvel Movie Superheroes, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z and more... Bandai took their usual large slice of real estate and wowed action figure fans on the floor of New York Comic Con. John J Galbo was there, fighting his way through legions of sultry Harley Quins and pelvic thrusting Deadpools to bring us all that plastic goodness. We've got the info tags along with pics of the figures on display, so all the data you'll need for pre-orders is right at your fingertips. 

The Gundam Base Mobile USA Tour

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America ("BNTCA") is set to embark cross country with the Gundam Base Mobile USA Tour, kicking off at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Las Vegas from November 16, 2023. Here fans will get hands-on experience with Gunpla workshops, purchase exclusive model kits, and take part in various activities including unique photo-ops, playing video games and more! Additional Gunpla model kits will be available for purchase online. The Gundam Base Mobile USA Tour will make its final stop at Fan Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 5-7, 2024.

Toy Fair 2023: Bandai on Dragonball Z, Gundam, Godzilla, Disney, Anime & More

This October is a constant game of catch up with Toy Fair 2023 and New York Comic Con booked BACK to BACK...for whatever reason. Insanity over logic? PERHAPS! Whatever the reasoning, we are neck deep in geek news while the spookiest of seasons begs our attention like an adorable kitten in a Dracula costume mewing at our feet. Today, we are crunching video shot by Jonathan and Meghan as they sped across the Toy Fair show floor, feverishly working to bring you the best possible coverage of all the companies we know and love. Every year, it's like a massive family reunion with endless cousins we are charged to photograph, all screaming LOOK WHAT WE CAN DO!! It's exhausting...it's never-ending...and it's really cool!

Bandai Tackles the Video Game Legends of TEKKEN

Gaming is a massive business, and no matter which way the pendulum of good fortune is swinging for the industry as a whole, toy companies have always been there to create little plastic people from your favorite titles. Recently, movies like Sonic and The Super Mario Bros. movie have exploded onto screens large and small, reminding all points of commerce of a simple fact... Once a hit, always a hit. That said, it should have come as no surprise when Jada Toys began releasing their Street Fighter action figure line, and following close behind is Bandai with a new figure series called GAME DIMENSIONS!

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Launches Vital Hero

Launching this summer, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America introduces Vital Hero, a brand-new gamified wearable band that evolves how kids play, stay active, battle, and compete with friends. This first wave of Vital Hero bands features one unique Digital Monster per band, and an extensive roster of Digital Monsters kids can collect to extend their play.

Bluefin Announces Voltron Super Mini-Pla Kit From Bandai Shogukan

Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan and Asia, announces an exciting new release for pop culture, giant robot and anime fans as it opens pre-orders for the Voltron Super Mini-Pla from Bandai Shokugan brand.

Voltron is the newest addition to the Super Mini-Pla product line from Bandai Shokugan and is set for release in September by authorized Bluefin retailers nationwide and also from select leading online outlets.

New Big Hero 6 TV Show Means New Bandai Toys!

We are just under 1 month away from the return of Baymax and Big Hero 6 to their new home on the Disney Channel! The premiere movie kicking off the series was everything I could have wanted, with all the characters back in place, as they should be, and it all felt seamless. I've got high hopes for the actual series, so June can't get here fast enough!

With anticipation of the new series come the usual geek questions...what's the plot...who are the villains...WHAT CAN WE EXPECT!! Luckily, Bandai's new toy line may reveal little bits of info. Let's check them out...

Prepare For Bandai's Neko Busou: Cat Weapons

In a world with folks struggling to keep up with the non-stop deluge of super hero toys alongside the constant rain of movie inspired collectibles releasing every month, one company chose another path. Bandai Japan, ever cognizant of the needs of super collectors, providing them with a fantastic array of effects that compliment theirs and, really, the entire world's action figure releases, allowing them to stand amid fire and lighting and impact the ground like a super hero should, came to a startling discovery. We love cats, and yet, we don't arm them. That's about to change...

Bandai Releases 13 New Tamagotchi for the Spring Season

Just in time for spring, Bandai America is releasing 13 new mini Tamagotchi devices, each with brand new colors. These new colors are being introduced following the successful winter release of the mini Tamagotchi, which also featured varied colors and the introduction of new flocked versions. And much like the Winter Tamagotchi, the springtime release features the familiar miniature-sized, egg-shaped, pixelated LCD screen and the pocket-sized pet that has been a collector’s item for over 20 years.

Toy Fair 2018: Bandai Back Into Big Hero 6

BAYMAX RETURNS!! I don't know about you, but I was crazy excited to watch the return of Baymax and Big Hero 6 on Disney XD last year in an animated TV movie heralding the coming of the cartoon series this month. The art was excellent, the characters were on point and everything was just as it should be. I'm in for the next 25 episodes! Word is Disney has already ordered a Season 2 (with another 25 episodes), so we aren't going to be rid our fluffy robot friend anytime soon. Of course, with a new cartoon, we must have NEW TOYS!! We still don't know what the deal was with those Stealth BH6 figures last year, but we are excited to show you an entirely new line, given the attention the series deserves. Let's dig in...

Toy Fair 2018: What's New With The Power Rangers?

AND WE ARE BACK into the UK Toy Fair coverage. Long time readers will note our coverage this year is a little fuller than in the past. That, my dear friends, would be because in past years, we'd cover the building from top to bottom and squeeze out MAYYYYYBE one new toy line, a handful of McFarlane reveals (Thanks, Todd!) and then some new items that, while fun, were not big news at all. This year, we'd heard the companies were cracking down and we were turned away from some stands, but the amount of coverage we were allowed across the floor was ASTOUNDING and the work reflects that...so good on you, UK Toy Fair for finally letting us show off some excellent bits before we hit New York! We love it when you make us work hard and..well...yea...i'm working pretty durn hard. Woooooo. ~thud~

TAMAGOTCHI IS BACK

'90s kids hoping to relive their childhood can now do so in full glory with the return of everyone’s favorite digital pet, Tamagotchi®!

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of Tamagotchi in the United States and to memorialize the occasion, Bandai America is releasing a smaller version of the device in limited quantities on November 5, 2017. Totally Awesome!

Awakening and evoking nostalgic feelings from the mid-to-late '90s, this smaller Tamagotchi device features the familiar egg shape, pixelated LCD charm, and, of course, the recurrent need for tender-loving-care that endeared fans in 1997 when it was first released! Like the original Tamagotchi device, the mini Tamagotchi includes six different shell designs from the initial Japanese launch and each one includes six characters. To pay homage to fans, the mini Tamagotchi will also feature the iconic packaging design of the original Tamagotchi device. Now, both original fans and new fans can obsess over caring for their Tamagotchi character, and as they do the character will uniquely grow and develop.

TTPM Holiday Showcase: Bandai on Zak Storm, Mech-X4 & Power Rangers

Taking 2 minutes to shift gears from New York Comic Con to the TTPM Holiday Showcase, where many a reveal hit the show floor, much to my surprise! We weren't allowed access to Bandai at Toy Fair 2017, so seeing them at this small-ish NY event was excellent, and you'd best believe we took full advantage of our unencumbered time in front of their new toys. Let's take a look at everything that was on hand...

Toy Fair 2017: Bandi's Power Rangers Legacy & Movie Toys

Back into the Toy Fair 2017 coverage with our bud M@ Hawkins as he dips into Bandai for the briefest of visits with their Power Rangers Legacy line, which as you know, makes Power Rangers fan's dreams come true. From Megazords to electronic prop replicas to limited edition action figures even the most die hard Marvel Legends fans have been popping for, Bandai have been killing it in the collector arena. UK Toy Fair's offerings were few, but fun! Let's take a look at what was on hand...

Bandai S.H.Figuarts Captain America: Civil War Ant-Man Reviewed

by Darian S. Kovach

This should be a short review.
Get it? I’ll wait.

Short... review…

Comedic gold. Send that home to your parents, compliments of the ol’ Darianster.
Today we’re taking a look at the brand spanking new S.H.Figuarts Ant-Man. This isn’t my first Figuarts figure. I’m pretty much a sucker for any super hero/Star Wars license they release. The figure is a 1:12 replication of Scott Lang in his second Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) uniform. As expected, it’s a great figure. How great is it?

Toy Fair 2016: Bandai's Miraculous

Filled with action, comedy and adventure, Miraculous Ladybug is the only authentic, modern every-girl superhero. Her good character is girl and mom approved and the toy line will inspire every girl to save the day. Miraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir premiered this past fall in the United States on Nickelodeon and will roll-out globally, in 120+ markets over the next three months. SPOTS ON!

The Miraculous toy product line is targeting girls 4-8 years old with the toys delivering key themes of aspirational action play (Ladybug’s World), transformation (BE Miraculous) and friendship (Marinettte’s World). The line launches globally in Fall 2016.

Toy Fair 2016: Bandai SpruKits

Bandai created and continues to dominate the character model kit market around the world, most commonly represented in the billion dollar Gundam franchise. With SprüKits, kids and adult fans can build their favorite action figure characters including those from DC Comics, Microsoft’s Halo®, Dentsu, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and have their creation look like a great collectible action figure without needing any glue, paint or scissors, as is typically expected in a model kit.

SprüKits are offered in three building levels to accommodate builders of all abilities. Level 1 figures are designed to be entertaining and easy to assemble. For those builders looking for the next challenge, Levels 2 and 3 kits increase in complexity and build time, which delivers a larger figure with sharper details, and increased articulation.

A New Mission for Disney's Big Hero 6?

Sometimes, a company just can't calculate how popular a TV show or movie is going to be, so their toy line based on the property will be small-ish...conservative......tiny.. and ultimately sad if that property turns out to generate some love. Big Hero 6 could be counted among these properties, as Bandai covered all the primary characters in a very simple, kid friendly 4 inch figure line quite adequately, but collectors were left hoping our Asian brothers would embrace the film and deliver SUPER MEGA ULTRA POSABLE BAYMAX!!! Instead, our best Baymax has pop up wings and makes wooshing noises..and that's OK too...but we can do better I think. Now..there's hope.

Tokyo Toy Show 2015: Mahou Shoujo Lovefest: Sailor Moon Vs Cardcaptor Sakura

Yes, Timmy, there are other things going on in the world beyond San Diego Comic-Con! Hard to believe, but true. New York Asian Film Festival has just wrapped (reviews on the way) and Fantasia is just about to begin (coverage incoming!), and on the other side of the world in the opposite time zone, our newest reporter Wendy Epstein is banging out her coverage of the Tokyo Toy Show, complete with a TON of pics sure to make you cry tears of joy...but like they do in Anime with the wavy lines. Let's get this show started with a Mahou Shoujo Lovefest!! Take it Wendy...

Reporting live from Tokyo, 'tis I, your Idle Hands guide to the highlights of Tokyo Toy Show 2015!

First, a bit of background on the show: Tokyo Toy Show is held annually at the Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Center (the same venue as Comiket) in late June. With two industry-only days and two days open to the public, it serves as a stage for companies to show off their current product line and introduce the world to their summer/fall quarter additions live and in person.