ANDAI

Bandai
Researched by Melodie Dowell.

Bandai Co., Ltd. is a Japanese toy making company, as well as the producer of a large number of plastic model kits. It is the world's third largest producer of toys. Some ex-Bandai group companies produce anime and tokusatsu programs.

Bandai was founded in 1950. In the 1960s Bandai expanded to include export sales. The 1970s continued to see Bandai expand, with Bandai Models being established in 1971. Although not their most profitable range, Bandai's 1/48 scale AFV models dominated that segment of the model kit market. Bandai America Inc. was established as local US sales/marketing operation in 1978. Since the 1980s, Bandai has become the leading toy company of Japan, and to this day, has the main toy licenses in Japan to popular properties including Daikaiju, Ultraman, Super Robot, Kamen Rider, the Super Sentai and Power Rangers series (which they took part in creating), Gundam and many others. The managements of Bandai and Sega officially agreed to merge in the late 1990s, but the merger was later cancelled, citing "cultural differences".

Bandai USA: Bandai USA (doing business as Bandai America) is the American distribution arm of Bandai that makes toy products for the U.S. market and manufactures Power Rangers and Ben 10 toys, plus many other popular toys.

The horses shown here are from earlier years. They have Bandai China 1989 stamped on the bodies. These horses were found in the UK. It is unknown if they ever reached the US.

Above Left: The dark Chestnut about 13 cm tall, image provided by Melodie Dowell.

Dapple grey stallion
About 15 1/2 cm tall. Image provided by Melodie Dowell.

Palomino stallion
About 15 1/2 cm tall. Image provided by Melodie Dowell.

Dark grey stallion
About 15 1/2 cm tall. Image provided by Melodie Dowell.

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