Bandai Namco Reports Record Q1 2026 Results Driven by Gundam Sales
Bandai Namco Reports Record Q1 2026 Results Driven by Gundam Sales
Highlights
Bandai Namco posts record-high Q1 2026 results with net sales up 7.1% YoY to ¥300B ($2B) and operating profit up 17.9% to ¥51.9B ($399M).
Mobile Suit Gundam IP sales jumped 81.2% YoY, driving Digital division profit up 47.7%.
Bandai is expanding its presence in India through investment in SuperGaming, creator of Indus Battle Royale, as part of its strategy to tap into one of the fastest-growing gaming markets.
Bandai Namco has reported record-high financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, demonstrating strong growth driven largely by its iconic Mobile Suit Gundam IP. The company posted net sales of ¥300 billion ($2 billion), marking a 7.1% year-on-year increase, while operating profit surged 17.9% to ¥51.9 billion ($399 million). Ordinary profit also rose 11.4% to ¥54.6 billion ($369 million) for Q1 2026.
The Digital division, which encompasses Bandai Namco's video game business, enjoyed steady growth. Sales in this segment grew by 1.3% from ¥106 billion ($716 million) to ¥108 billion ($730 million), with profit surging an impressive 47.7%, from ¥14.7 billion ($99.3 million) to ¥21.7 billion ($147 million). This profit growth was influenced by the success of Elden Ring: Nightrein, which has sold over five million copies.
A significant driver of this performance was the Mobile Suit Gundam IP, which recorded a remarkable 81.2% sales increase year-on-year through its gunpla (DIY action figure) sales and licensing. This surge comes amid cross-group initiatives leading up to the IP’s 50th anniversary in 2029, solidifying Gundam's place as Bandai Namco’s top-selling intellectual property for this quarter. Other standout performers included the mobile game SD Gundam G Generation Eternal, launched in April.
Bandai Namco’s Home Console Game segment sold a total of 10.8 million units in Q1 2026 across 15 new titles (33 including localized versions). Sales were split between 4.62 million units from new games and 6.13 million from repeat titles. Looking ahead, Bandai Namco plans to grow its network content by leveraging strong core titles, although it anticipates higher upfront costs related to new releases in home console and network games.
India represents a strategic market for Bandai Namco’s growth, especially as the country’s gaming industry rapidly evolves. Bandai Namco has been directly connected to this growth through its investment in Pune-based SuperGaming, a rising game development studio known for its culturally rich and innovative title, Indus Battle Royale. SuperGaming’s global expansion plans and technology platform align with Bandai Namco’s vision of investing in growing gaming markets.
Author
Abhimannu Das is a web journalist at Outlook India with a focus on Indian pop culture, gaming, and esports. He has over 10 years of journalistic experience and over 3,500 articles that include industry deep dives, interviews, and SEO content. He has worked on a myriad of games and their ecosystems, including Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends.
Abhimannu Das is a web journalist at Outlook India with a focus on Indian pop culture, gaming, and esports. He has over 10 years of journalistic experience and over 3,500 articles that include industry deep dives, interviews, and SEO content. He has worked on a myriad of games and their ecosystems, including Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends.
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