By Sagar V. Mankar 
Bandai Namco recently released its financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2025, ending on September 30, 2024. The company reported significant growth in both revenue and profit, thanks to the strong performance of its flagship franchises.
Financial Performance Overview
According to the financial report, Bandai Namco achieved net revenue of ¥611.3 billion (approximately $3.96 billion) during the first half of FY25. This marks a 21.8% increase compared to the same period last year, highlighting robust growth.
The revenue distribution shows that Japan remains the company’s largest market, contributing 69.5% of total revenue. The Americas accounted for 10.5%, closely followed by Europe at 10.4%, while rest of the Asia contributed 9.6%.
In terms of profitability, Bandai Namco’s operating profit surged by 73.6% year-over-year, reaching ¥113.6 billion ($737.2 million). This substantial growth reflects the successful performance of its core entertainment properties.
Top-Selling Franchises
Among its top franchises, Mobile Suit Gundam led the pack, generating ¥76.5 billion ($496.5 million) in revenue, up 5% from the previous year.
- Following closely was the Dragon Ball franchise, which earned ¥75.7 billion, showing a 9.6% increase.
- One Piece also performed exceptionally well, with revenue of ¥73.2 billion, up 22% year-over-year.
- Other strong performers included Naruto at ¥15 billion (+26.6%) and Kamen Rider at ¥14.6 billion (+11.6%).
Bandai Namco is optimistic about the remainder of the fiscal year. The company has set ambitious targets, aiming for record-breaking earnings by the end of FY25. It expects net sales to reach ¥1.15 trillion ($7.46 billion), which would be a 9.5% increase from the previous year.
Additionally, it forecasts an operating profit of ¥160 billion ($1 billion), marking a 76.4% growth.
Success in the Video Game Segment
The Digital Entertainment division, which includes video games, also saw substantial growth. Net sales in this segment reached ¥228.5 billion ($1.48 billion), a 31.1% increase compared to the previous year.
Operating profit in this division jumped by an impressive 188%, amounting to ¥44.7 billion ($290 million).
Bandai Namco reported selling 18.17 million units of console games during the first half of the fiscal year, nearly matching the previous year’s figures. The company released a total of 93 new game titles, with digital downloads making up 61% of back catalog sales.
Europe emerged as the top-performing region in terms of game copies sold, accounting for 43% of total units sold. The Americas followed with 33%, while Japan contributed 24%.
Bandai Namco highlighted several key titles driving revenue growth, including Elden Ring, which received a boost from its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. The DLC sold 5 million units within three days of release, contributing to the positive results. Additionally, Gundam Breaker 4 saw a strong launch, further boosting the company’s video game sales.
One of the most notable successes was Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, which was launched just after the end of the second quarter. The game made an impressive debut by selling over 3 million copies within the first 24 hours of its release, which the publisher described as “outstanding sales.” This title is expected to significantly contribute to Bandai Namco’s performance in the second half of the fiscal year.
Looking Forward
Bandai Namco’s robust financial performance in the first half of FY25 suggests a favorable forecast for the entire year. The company anticipates a net revenue of ¥1150 billion, marking a 10% year-over-year increase, alongside an operating profit of ¥160 billion, which represents a 77% surge from the previous year.
As Bandai Namco continues to expand its market reach and leverage its beloved franchises, it is poised for a record-breaking year ahead.