Updated Mar 21, 2026 by Bandai Namco
Financial · September 1, 2010
Published by Bandai Namco
Bandai Namco faced a severe financial downturn for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, reporting a net loss of ¥29.9 billion and a 91.6% collapse in operating income. This decline was primarily driven by a global economic recession, a stagnant DVD market, and a lack of hit software titles, with half of the company’s 86 video game releases failing to achieve profitability. Significant special losses, including a ¥12.75 billion goodwill impairment and ¥21.2 billion in inventory devaluations, further strained the balance sheet. While the Toys and Hobby unit remained resilient through core franchises like Gundam and Masked Rider, the Game Contents and Amusement Facility segments suffered heavy losses across Japan, Europe, and the Americas. In response, the Group initiated the "Restart Plan" in April 2010 to restore profitability and operational agility. Central to this strategy is a shift from a vertical, outlet-based structure to a horizontal "content first" model. This reorganization merged the previously separate game, visual, and music units into a single Content Strategic Business Unit (SBU) designed to maximize Intellectual Property (IP) value across multiple platforms simultaneously. Structural reforms also included a workforce reduction of 800 employees, the closure of 63 unprofitable amusement facilities, and a streamlined management hierarchy that more closely links the holding company to core operations. Looking forward, the Group aims to achieve ¥6.5 billion in cost reductions by fiscal year 2011 while targeting ¥400 billion in net sales. Strategic priorities include a "selection and concentration" approach to game development, expanding into mobile and social networking markets, and leveraging global IP projects such as the 30th anniversary of PAC-MAN. Despite the significant net loss, the Group maintained a stable dividend policy and reinforced its corporate governance and CSR frameworks to ensure long-term stability and global growth.
Profile The BANDAI NAMCO Group develops entertainment-related products and services in a wide range of fields, including toys, game software, arcade game machines, visual content, music content, and amusement facilities. We aim to become a “Globally Recognized Entertainment Group” by establishing a strong operational foundation in Japan while aggressively developing operations in overseas markets to secure future growth. Our Mission Statement Dreams, Fun and Inspiration “Dreams, Fun and Inspiration” are the Engine of Happiness. Through our entertainment products and services, BANDAI NAMCO will continue to provide “Dreams, Fun and Inspiration” to people around the world, based on our boundless creativity and enthusiasm. Our Vision The Leading Innovator in Global Entertainment As an entertainment leader across the ages, BANDAI NAMCO is constantly exploring new areas and heights in entertainment. We aim to be loved by people who have fun and will earn their trust as the “Leading Innovator in Global Entertainment.”
RESTART In April 2010, the BANDAI NAMCO Group launched the Restart Plan to counter the lengthening economic slump and the Group’s declining performance. Under the Restart Plan, the Group will work to bolster its operational foundation to support the implementation of the current Mid-term Business Plan. Goals of the Restart Plan • Transforming into a speedy group • speedy group Improving profitability and and strengthening financial standing strengtheningfinancialstanding By implementing initiatives targeting the achievement of these two goals, the Group will do its utmost to achieve its medium-to-long-term vision of do its being a “Globally Recognized Entertainment Group.” utmost n-to-longto achieveitsmedium -termvision of beingₐ Globally RecognizedEntertainmentGroup."
Contents 03 RESTART : Improving Profitability and Strengthening Financial Standing 04 Improving Profitability and Strengthening Financial Standing 05 Consolidated Financial Highlights 07 RESTART : Transforming into a Speedy Group 08 Message from the President 13 NEW START : Creation of the Content SBU 14 Feature : Maximizing Content Value through the Content SBU 21 Review of SBU Operations 22 Toys and Hobby 24 Content 25 Amusement Facility 26 Corporate Governance 28 The BANDAI NAMCO Group’s CSR Initiatives 30 Overview of Main Group Companies 32 Directors and Corporate Auditors 33 Financial Section 69 Corporate Data Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this annual report are based on the information available to management as of August 2010, and include various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from these projections for a variety of reasons. Major factors that could influence actual results include changes in the BANDAI NAMCO Group’s operating environment, market trends, and exchange rate fluctuations. Notes 1. All figures in this report are rounded to the nearest unit. 2. FY2010.3 and the year under review represent the one-year period ended March 31, 2010. 3. Figures in this annual report are as of August 2010.
RESTART Improving Profitability and Strengthening Financial Standing Strengthening FinancialStanding Ahead of the launch of the Restart Plan, the Group Aheadimplemented a number of measures to strengthen its financial standing. Having established a solid Group implemented strengthen foundation, we will now take steps to ensure the smooth progress of the Restart Plan. standing. Havingestablished a solid financial its a foundation, wewillnowtakestepsₜₒ ensure the smoothprogressof theRestart Plan.
Improving Profitability and Strengthening Financial Standing Implementing measures ahead of the Restart Plan In the fiscal year under review, we implemented measures to improve our profitability and strengthen our financial standing. These measures principally involved valuation accounting procedures. We recorded an allowance for distribution inventories and an estimated valuation loss resulting from inventory reviews for game software and packaged visual products in Japan and overseas, totaling approximately ¥5.0 billion. In addition, the Company recorded the following special losses: special additional retirement benefits of approximately ¥1.9 billion associated with workforce reductions aimed at achieving greater organizational efficiency, a loss of about ¥5.5 billion on the closure of amusement facilities scheduled for the next and subsequent fiscal years and others, and impairment loss on goodwill of approximately ¥12.7 billion following a review of the future business plans of three subsidiaries, including Bandai Visual Co., Ltd. In addition, we implemented a reversal of deferred tax assets of approximately ¥4.0 billion. We are also taking steps to reduce our workforce. Through solicitations for voluntary retirement at NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. and the existing voluntary early retirement programs at other companies, by the end of FY2011.3 we expect to reduce the Groupwide workforce by 600 employees, or about 8% of the current level of approximately 7,500. Consolidated Statements of Operations Unit: ¥ billion FY2010.3 Net sales ¥ 378.5
. and the existing voluntary early retirement programs at other companies, by the end of FY2011.3 we expect to reduce the Groupwide workforce by 600 employees, or about 8% of the current level of approximately 7,500. Consolidated Statements of Operations Unit: ¥ billion FY2010.3 Net sales ¥ 378.5 Cost of sales 249.8 Selling, general and administrative 126.9 Major Components of Loss expenses Operating income 1.9 Special additional retirement benefits due to about ¥1.9 billion revision of personnel structure Other loss (21.2) Loss on the closure of amusement facilities about ¥5.5 billion and others Loss before income taxes and (19.3) Impairment loss on goodwill of about ¥12.7 billion minority interests certain subsidiaries Income taxes 10.5 Minority interests 0.1 Reversal of a certain amount of about ¥4.0 billion deferred tax assets Net income (loss) (29.9) Cost Reductions in FY2011.3 We expect to save approximately ¥3.0 billion through the Savings from personnel system reevaluation about ¥3.0 billion implementation of personnel system reforms and about ¥2.5 billion in reduced amortization through the goodwill. We will also pursue Reduced amortization of goodwill about ¥2.5 billion efficiency at Group companies and reevaluate indirect expenses. As a result of these measures, we are forecasting cost reductions of Others about ¥1.0 billion about ¥6.5 billion for the Group overall. (reevaluation of indirect expenses, increased efficiency, etc. ) 6.5 Total about ¥ billion
Bandai Namco’s 2009 annual review presents a candid assessment of a fiscal year dominated by the global financial crisis, which eroded consumer spending and forced the group to miss the objectives of its 2006‑2009 mid‑term plan. Consolidated net sales fell 7.4 % to ¥426.4 billion, operating income dropped 33.1 % to ¥22.3 billion, and net income plunged 63.8 % to ¥11.8 billion, driving a sharp decline in return on equity. All three core segments recorded double‑digit contractions: Toys & Hobby sales fell 8 % with a 19 % fall in operating profit, Game Contents declined 4 % while operating profit fell 26 %, and Amusement Facilities slumped 14 % with operating profit down 76 %. Character‑merchandising contributed ¥13 billion in sales, and the Game Contents SBU generated ¥150.3 billion in net sales and ¥11.6 billion in operating income, though a further decline to ¥5.5 billion in FY 2010 was forecast. The report underscores a strategic pivot toward medium‑ to long‑term growth, anchored in overseas expansion and structural reform. Japan’s share of external sales fell from 81 % in FY 2006 to 74 % in
Bandai Namco’s 2011 financial results demonstrate a decisive turnaround after the sizable loss recorded in the previous year. Net sales rose 4 % to ¥394 billion, while operating income surged 767 % to ¥16.3 billion and a modest profit of ¥1.8 billion was posted after a ¥29.9 billion deficit. The recovery was anchored by a revitalised Toys & Hobby segment, whose sales increased 6 % to ¥158 billion, and a newly profitable Content segment, which posted a 7.4 % sales increase to ¥179.9 billion and swung to ¥3.1 billion in segment income. Although the Amusement‑Facility segment saw sales dip 4.6 % to ¥62.3 billion, efficiency measures lifted its segment income by more than five‑fold to ¥1.8 billion. Growth drivers included long‑standing character franchises such as Mobile Suit Gundam, Kamen Rider and POWER RANGERS, alongside a new adult‑collectible line projected to generate ¥10 billion in FY2012. Cross‑divisional initiatives, exemplified by the successful Kamen Rider OOO launch, reinforced the domestic market, which still accounts for roughly 90 % of revenue, while overseas performance lagged. The company’s governance framework features nine directors—three independent—and four statutory auditors, supported by committees overseeing internal control, risk‑compliance, information security and CSR. Environmental, social and economic responsibilities are pursued through projects like “BANDAI NAMCO Forest,” packaging‑reduction efforts, disability employment and cultural support. Financially, total assets contracted 5.4 % to ¥308 billion and the equity ratio slipped to 68.8 %, yet cash flow from operations more than doubled to ¥22.6 billion, delivering a current ratio of 245 % and an interest‑coverage ratio
The 2012 annual review presents Bandai Namco’s ambition to become the leading integrated entertainment group by 2015, targeting record operating income of ¥42.5 billion and record sales of ¥480 billion through a “Empower‑Gain Momentum‑Accelerate Evolution” strategy that leverages its global intellectual‑property portfolio. The fiscal year ending 31 March 2012 delivered ¥454.2 billion in net sales, a 15.2 % increase year‑on‑year, while operating income surged 111.8 % to ¥34.6 billion and net income rose 944.6 % to ¥19.3 billion, lifting the operating‑margin to 7.6 % from 4.1 % the prior year. Segment profit expanded 450 % to ¥17 billion, driven by strong arcade‑machine sales (¥73.4 billion), home‑software revenue (¥86 billion) and network‑content earnings (¥33.6 billion). Strategically, the group focuses on converting flagship franchises—Gundam, Kamen Rider, Power Rangers, Pretty Cure—into profit engines, reducing the share of unprofitable titles from roughly half of the portfolio in FY 2010.3, and extending market reach into new Asian territories while deepening brand management in Europe and the United States. Expansion into adult‑focused products, mobile and social gaming, and segmented amusement‑facility marketing complements the core toy
The 2013 fiscal year demonstrated Bandai Namco’s ability to convert its long‑standing intellectual property into record financial results, underscoring an IP‑Axis strategy that leveraged legacy brands across toys, games and multimedia. Consolidated net sales reached ¥487.2 billion, a 7.3 % increase year‑on‑year, while operating income surged 40.6 % to ¥48.6 billion, delivering a 10 % operating margin and a 14.1 % return on equity. Net profit of ¥183.1 billion and cash holdings of ¥119 billion (≈US $1.27 billion) highlighted strong liquidity, and a ¥2.64 billion mid‑year dividend reflected confidence in cash generation. The Content segment accounted for 83.4 % of sales, with flagship franchises such as Mobile Suit Gundam contributing ¥65.2 billion and the Idolmaster franchise expanding from a single arcade title into a multi‑platform ecosystem. Domestic demand drove the bulk of performance; overseas sales comprised only 7.6 % of revenue, prompting a strategic merger of Namco Bandai Games Europe and Namco Bandai Partners to consolidate European marketing and restore profitability. Related‑party activity centered on a 26.3 % stake in Happinet, which generated ¥46‑48 billion in sales and ¥9‑10 billion in receivables. The company adjusted its actuarial assumptions, lowering the discount rate to 0.6‑1.4 % and reducing expected plan‑asset returns, while operating‑lease obligations rose to ¥8.7 billion. Corporate social responsibility was framed around four pillars—product safety, societal impact, environmental stewardship, and supply‑chain management—and operationalized through initiatives such as a