The BHC PDII MUSEUM will open on September 2nd inside the new Bandai Hobby Center Factory (Shizuoka City), a plastic model production facility of BANDAI SPIRITS. A preview of the new factory and museum was held for members of the press on August 20th ahead of the museum's opening. The new factory was built with the aim of ensuring a more stable production system for plastic models. The company produces a variety of plastic models, but the most popular among them are the plastic models (Gunpla) from the popular anime series "Gundam." Popular products can sometimes be difficult to obtain, so many fans are hoping for increased production. Will the new factory help alleviate shortages?
◇Increasing demand for Gunpla
The first Gundam anime series, Mobile Suit Gundam, aired from April 1979 to January 1980, and Gunpla was released in July 1980, after the TV anime aired. In 1983, multi-color molding technology was introduced, which allows for the simultaneous molding of four colors and four different materials. In 1987, the 1/144 RX-93 ν Gundam was released, which used a snap-fit method that allows assembly without the use of adhesive, and Gunpla has a history of evolution.
Cumulative shipments exceeded 300 million units in May 1999, 400 million units in July 2010, and 800 million units in September 2024. This shows that cumulative shipments have doubled in the 14 years since 2010. Gunpla, which will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2025, is showing no signs of slowing down.
In recent years, the demand for Gunpla has been boosted by the success of "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury" and "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX" in attracting new fans. Furthermore, with the widespread availability of video streaming services, Japanese anime has spread further around the world, and Gunpla has also become increasingly popular overseas. The increased demand can also make popular products targets for resale.
◇ Full-scale operation to increase production by approximately 35%
The company has been strengthening its plastic model production functions since the start of operations at the new Bandai Hobby Center in December 2020. The new factory was built on a site of approximately 14,724 square meters adjacent to the main Bandai Hobby Center building and began operations on July 24th.
Full-scale operation is scheduled for 2026, when it is expected to be able to increase production by approximately 35% compared to 2023, aiming for a stable supply. At the preview, the company's president and CEO, Hiroshi Sakakibara, emphasized, "We want to deliver more products to plastic model fans around the world."
It's been 45 years since the birth of Gunpla. With ever-evolving technology and an expanding global market as a backdrop, the new factory will mark the 50th anniversary and a step towards the next half century.
