Bandai Namco expects huge profit increases across the board thanks to Elden Ring’s enduring success, new Idolmaster title and booming hobby market 

Bandai Namco Holdings announced upward revisions to their projections for the second quarter of the financial year ending on March 30, 2025. The company expects significantly higher profits and sales across all of its businesses, far exceeding last year’s Quarter 2 results. 

Among its businesses, Bandai Namco Holdings highlights the particularly strong performances of four sectors- its Digital Business (e.g. video games), Toys and Hobby Business, IP Production Business, and Amusement Business. 

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

In games, Elden Ring’s Shadow of The Erdtree DLC has become a huge hit – selling 5 million copies worldwide in its first 3 days. It contributed to Bandai Namco’s record-breaking quarterly sales earlier this year. It seems that the DLC, as well as the base game, have continued to be strong sellers. Bandai Namco also stated that its apps have been performing well, emphasizing that Gakuen Idolmaster (with its Slay the Spire style gameplay) got off to a good start when it was released in Japan on May 16.  

Gakuen Idolmaster
Gakuen Idolmaster.

In the Toys and Hobby sector, Bandai Namco stated that its products targeted at adults, such as plastic model kits and trading card games, as well as other products like capsule toys sold well worldwide.  

As for IP Production, the report highlighted the box office revenue from the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM movie, which netted 1.06 billion yen in its first 3 days in theaters in Japan, before going on to be screened in over 50 countries. 

Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM.

As a result, Bandai Namco Holdings expect their consolidated projections to be far higher than the previous forecast issued on August 8. The net sales forecast has been revised upwards by 9.9% from the previous forecast to 610 billion yen. Operating profit is expected to increase by 36% to 112 billion yen. In addition, the company has also revised its sales forecast for the entire year to 1.15 trillion yen, an increase of 70 billion yen from the previous forecast, or 6.5%. 

Earlier this year, some segments of Bandai Namco holdings reported losses (such as Bandai Namco Online, that operated the ill-fated Blue Protocol, and Tekken 8 developer Bandai Namco Studios). However, Bandai Namco Holdings as a whole has experienced increasing profits thanks to the continued strong performance of certain sectors. 

Verity Townsend
Verity Townsend

Automaton West Editor and translator. She has a soft spot for old-school Sierra adventure games and Final Fantasy VIII (yes, 8!). Can often be found hunting down weird forgotten games and finding out everything about them. Frequently muses about characters and lines from Metal Gear Solid and Disco Elysium. Aims to keep Automaton fresh and interesting with a wide variety of articles.

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