Bandai America
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Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc. is an American toy company presently owned by Bandai Namco Holdings USA, a subsidiary of Japanese company Bandai Namco Holdings (the parent company of Bandai).[2] It is predated by Bandai America Incorporated, a U.S. subsidiary of Bandai established in October 1978.[3] Bandai America acquired the license to produce original Godzilla figures in 2002, and began doing so that year through its Creation Division (otherwise known as Bandai Creation).[4] The company released several more waves of figures until nearly two decades later in 2019, though the Creation Division's involvement ended in 2007. In 2018, Bandai Namco Holdings acquired Nippon Imports, LLC and its Bluefin Distribution brand, establishing Bandai Namco Collectibles LLC in their place that October.[5][3] Bandai America and Bandai Namco Collectibles finally merged in March 2022 to form the present Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles.[3] Though no original Godzilla figures have yet come from the modern company, it has been importing Japanese figures from Bandai's Movie Monster Series for the U.S. market since 2023.
History
Bandai America announced its initial Godzilla license offerings in 2002, set for release that fall; though a second assortment was announced for spring 2003,[4] it would not be released until 2005. It was followed by yearly assortments from 2006 to 2015, with the exception of 2008 and 2011. After a three-year gap, another assortmend was released in 2019, and it proved to be the last, as Playmates received the master license for Godzilla action figures in 2020. Aside from original figures of classic Godzilla characters, Bandai America also produced toys for Legendary Pictures' Godzilla in 2014. Its successor, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America, received the master toy license for the Ultra Series from Tsuburaya Productions in 2023,[6] and began selling figures and other merchandise based on the franchise (including the Netflix animated film Ultraman: Rising) in North America in July 2024.[7]
Original products
2002
The original assortment of figures was initially released through online retailers in 2002 with brick-and-mortar sales at stores like K-Mart and Toys ‘R’ Us occurring the following year.
6.5" Classic Figures
Four 6.5” scale figures were released in 2002 alongside a 10-pack of 2.5” figures and a 3”-scaled playset.
The back of the Wave 1 box
2002 packaging
magazine ad
Pack of Destruction
This set featured 10 2.5-inch kaiju figures.
Destoroyah Complete Form
Destoroyah Aggregate Form
Mothra Imago
Mothra Larva
The front of the packaging
The back of the packaging
Godzilla Crumble Zone
A set of 3" scaled figures based on the kaiju featured in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack: Godzilla, King Ghidorah (with folded wings), Mothra Larva and Imago, and Baragon. It also included a large mat, several vehicles, and breakable buildings.
The front of the packaging
The back of the packaging
2005
The 2005 assortment featured exclusively four brand-new 6.5” figures.
The back of the Wave 2 box
2006
The 2006 assortment featured four 6.5” figures all based on the film Godzilla Final Wars. The packaging for this wave also changed, featuring the 2004 Godzilla design and the Showa incarnation of King Ghidorah on a blue background.
Gigan 2004
The back of the Wave 3 box
2007
In addition to four brand new 6.5” figures, the 2007 assortment also introduced a 12” scale of figures. The packaging was modified yet again, changing the base color to a slate gray with photos of Showa Gigan and King Ghidorah added behind the 2004 Godzilla.
12-inch Godzilla Final Wars
12-inch Mechagodzilla
The back of the Wave 4 box
2009
Two new 6.5” figures and one new 12” figure debuted this year. The new First Godzilla figure utilized a completely new mold different from the original Godzilla 1954 figure from 2002.
12-inch Gigan 2004
2010
This was the first product assortment to consist exclusively of reissues. The box art changed to a red and black color scheme, still featuring the 2004 Godzilla amidst a destroyed city.
Gigan 2004
2010 packaging
2012
The 2012 product assortment consisted primarily of reissued figures but also introduced the Fusion Series, figures molded in translucent, glittery soft vinyl, and the Tokyo Vinyl line of 6” tall stylized figures.
Fusion Series Godzilla 1968
Fusion Series Gigan
Fusion Series Mechagodzilla
Fusion Series Godzilla 2000
Fusion Series Rainbow Mothra
Fusion Series Burning Godzilla
Tokyo Vinyl Godzilla 2004
Tokyo Vinyl Mechagodzilla
Fusion Series packaging
2013
The 2013 assortment was headlined by a brand-new 6.5” figure of King Caesar alongside a small set of chibi figures released in single packs, two-packs, or a complete set of six. Bandai America also released a repaint of the Godzilla 2004 figure sold exclusively at San Diego Comic Con 2013.
The back of the Wave 9 12-inch figure box
The back of the Wave 9 6.5-inch figure box
Godzilla, Mechagodzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, Gigan, Destoroyah chibi figures
Chibi Destoroyah packaged as a single figure
Chibi Mothra packaged as a single figure
Chibi Gigan packaged as a single figure
Chibi Godzilla packaged as a single figure
Chibi King Ghidorah packaged as a single figure
Chibi Mechagodzilla packaged as a single figure
Chibi figures six-pack front cover
Chibi figures six-pack back cover
Chibi Godzilla and Mechagodzilla two-pack
Chibi Mothra and King Ghidorah two-pack
Chibi Gigan and Destoroyah two-pack
Chibi figures two-pack back cover
SDCC Godzilla 2004
SDCC Godzilla 2004 + Box
SDCC Godzilla 2004 + Box
2014
Classic
The 2014 Classic assortment returned to almost entirely reissued figures, changing the packaging to accompany the 60th anniversary of the Godzilla franchise. The sole exception was a remold of the 2005 King Ghidorah figure which received smaller wings and curved tails.
Remolded King Ghidorah
The back of the Wave 10 box
Godzilla (2014)
In addition to the classic assortment of figures, Bandai America produced several toys exclusively for Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla.
Gimmick figures
Three figures, two 6.5” scale, one 10”, were released focused primarily on integrated gimmicks. The smaller, 6.5” figures featured buttons on the figures that activated the action features. The 10” Atomic Roar Godzilla features a pillar of flashing atomic breath that shoots out of the figure’s mouth when the figure is leaned forward.
Atomic Roar Godzilla
Smash Strike Godzilla
Loose Smash Strike Godzilla
Tail Strike Godzilla
Loose Tail Strike Godzilla
Packs of Destruction and Destruction City
Each pack contained a 3” scaled monster figure, several breakable buildings and a military aircraft. The Destruction City playset featured small figures of Godzilla and the Eight-Legged MUTO, several buildings, and five military vehicles. Both the Packs of Destruction and the Destruction City playset had variants of building colors: gray, red, and blue for the Packs of Destruction and gray and green for the City playset.
Chibi figures
Two sets of two chibi-styled figures of Godzilla and both MUTOs were released in similar size and style to the Classic assortment of chibi figures.
Chibi Battle Damaged Godzilla and Eight-Legged MUTO two-pack
Chibi Godzilla
Chibi Battle Damaged Godzilla
Chibi Winged MUTO
Chibi Eight-Legged MUTO
6.5" Godzilla
A figure of the 2014 Godzilla styled similarly to the classic assortment was also released, though in 2014 film-branded packaging. This figure was repainted with blue dorsal fins as a New York Comic Con 2014 exclusive.
Godzilla 2014 with box
2015
The only confirmed release for 2015 was a 12” Godzilla 2014, released in the same packaging as the company's other Godzilla (2014) offerings.
Toy Fair 2015 display
Toy Fair 2015 display
2019
Figures
The last wave of 6.5" figures from Bandai America were released exclusively to Walmart in 2019. Later that year, the 12” Godzilla and Mechagodzilla figures were sold in stores like Gamestop and FYE alongside reissues of the chibi figure two-packs. Bandai America also released a Fusion Series-styled Godzilla 1954 exclusively at San Diego Comic Con 2019. Some of the 6.5" figures would go on to appear in Playmates packaging and be sold in stores alongside the company's first wave of Godzilla and Kong figures.
Godzilla 1954 in box
Godzilla 1954 box sleeve
Blind Bags
In mid-2019, Bandai America released a wave of 3.5-inch tall blind bag figures. The figures released in this wave include:
- Godzilla 1954
- Godzilla 1984
- Godzilla 1995
- Mechagodzilla 1974
- Mothra 1992
- SpaceGodzilla
- Rodan 1956
- King Ghidorah 1991
Godzilla Card Game
- Main article: Godzilla Card Game.
Bandai America released a competitive Godzilla Card Game in September of 2019, and began supporting the game with organized in-store play events in October.
Japanese imports
Shokugan (2014-2019)
- See also: Shokugan.
In 2014, Bandai America released the Shokugan Godzilla Collection figures to American markets. They were direct imports from Japan featuring the original Japanese-language packaging.
The second wave of figures, alongside a giant 50cm Godzilla 2018 figure, were shown at the company's Toy Fair 2019 display and were released in August of that year.[8][9]
In 2024, a third wave of figures were released as blind boxes.
Godzilla 2016 (fourth form), Godzilla 2016 (second form), Godzilla 2017, and Type-3 Kiryu 3.5" Import Vinyl Figures in Bandai America's Toy Fair 2019 display
Mega Godzilla alongside Bandai America's King Ghidorah, King Caesar, and Godzilla 1954 classic Godzilla figures at Toy Fair 2019
Movie Monster Series (2023-)
- See also: Movie Monster Series.
On July 15, 2023, after nearly four years of silence regarding any Godzilla merchandise, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America announced that it would be bringing five Japanese Movie Monster Series figures to North America through Amazon that coming fall. The figures included King Ghidorah 2019, Millennium Godzilla, Godzilla 2019, Hedorah, and Mechagodzilla (Heavily Armed). They featured no notable differences from the Japanese releases aside from modified tags which removed some Japanese-language information on the inside.
On August 25, the company announced that it would next be releasing Destoroyah and Burning Godzilla on November 30.[10]
On September 20, the company revealed that the next two Movie Monster Series figures released in North America would be Godzilla and Gigan from Godzilla Final Wars; they were released in December.[11]
In January 2024, pre-orders for the fourth wave emerged, consisting of Mechagodzilla from Godzilla: Tokyo SOS, Manda from Godzilla Final Wars, and the 1954 Godzilla with a planned March release date.[12]
In March 2024, pre-orders for the fifth wave emerged, consisting of Megaguirus, Mechagodzilla 2002, and Anguirus 2004, with a planned May release window.
Godzilla Action Figure (2024-)
- Main article: Godzilla Action Figure.
Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America began selling Bandai's Godzilla Action Figure toys in North America in mid-2024. The company will also sell a Special Gold Version of Godzilla 2023 (which in Japan is exclusive to the Godzilla Store) at its booth at New York Comic-Con.
Egg Monsters Godzilla (2024-)
- Main article: Egg Monsters Godzilla.
Around the same time as the Godzilla Action Figures, the company also began selling Bandai's Godzilla-E.G. transforming figures, rebranding them as "Egg Monsters Godzilla."
HG Series (2024-)
- Main article: HG Series.
In 2024, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America started selling Bandai’s HG D+ gashapon figures as blind bags.
Godzilla Monster Series (2024-)
Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America began a line of 5" vinyl figures called the Godzilla Monster Series.
Godzilla 1954
Godzilla 1954 Translucent Edition
Mechagodzilla 1974
Godzilla 2023 Odo Island Ver.
Godzilla 2023 in its packaging
The back of the box
Mini Godzilla Collection (2024-)
Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America starting selling Bandai's Mini Godzilla Collection blind box figures in mid-2024. Figures included: Godzilla 1954, Mechagodzilla 1974, Godzilla 1991, King Ghidorah 1991, and Mothra 1992.
Japanese releases
- Main articles: Movie Monster Series#Movie Monster EX Series, Movie Monster Series#King of the Monsters Series.
Bandai America's Japanese parent company released the Smash Strike, Tail Strike, Atomic Roar Godzilla figures, and the Destruction City playset in Japan in 2014 to coincide with the Legendary Pictures film’s release in Japan. In 2015, Bandai Japan released the 6.5” Godzilla 1968, King Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla 1974, and King Caesar in Japan as the Movie Monster EX Series. The 12” Godzilla Final Wars and Mechagodzilla figures were also released as part of the King of the Monsters Series in 2016.
Atomic Roar Godzilla
Atomic Roar Godzilla packaging
Tail Strike Godzilla
Destruction City
Unproduced products
In 2005, Bandai America showcased 6.5” scale prototypes of Mecha-King Ghidorah and Anguirus 1955, but they were ultimately unreleased.
At Toy Fair 2013, a 6.5” LittleGodzilla figure was showcased but canceled due to the character's low popularity among fans.[13] The prototype for the Fusion Series Burning Godzilla featured a markedly different paint scheme that was similar to the Japanese Movie Monsters Series release and was cast in orange translucent vinyl with charcoal painted sections. A “Meltdown” variant of the normal Fusion Series figure was also showcased, but it was ultimately unreleased.
Prototypes of a second assortment of Tokyo Vinyl figures, consisting of Godzilla 1954, Minilla and King Ghidorah, were also showcased at Toy Fair 2013 but were canceled due to the line’s poor sales.[13]
Bandai America’s Toy Fair 2015 display included repackaged Godzilla 2014 and MUTO figures from Bandai’s Godzilla-E.G. line, rebranded as “Hatch-n-Heroes”, but they were also ultimately unreleased.
In interviews with Toho Kingdom, the company stated that they had plans to release figures for Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Shin Godzilla, but these were also ultimately unreleased as well.[14]
Mecha-King Ghidorah and Anguirus 1955 prototypes
Unreleased LittleGodzilla
Fusion Series Burning Godzilla prototype
Unreleased Fusion Series Meltdown Godzilla
Godzilla 1954 prototype
King Ghidorah and Minilla prototypes
Unreleased "Hatch-n-Heroes" on display at Toy Fair 2015
Trivia
- From December 2014 to February 2015, Toho Kingdom hosted a Bandai America poll for fans to weigh in on which non-Godzilla monsters they wanted the company to produce next.[14] The top six vote-getters were Anguirus, Megalon, Titanosaurus, the female MUTO, Varan, and Biollante. Bandai America ultimately never released any of these figures, nor the Shin Godzilla figures that they referred to in a follow-up interview on the website.
References
This is a list of references for Bandai America. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]
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