Gundam Surpasses One Piece and Dragon Ball as Bandai’s Most Profitable Anime Franchise

Gundam, the iconic mecha anime franchise celebrating its 45th anniversary, has achieved an unprecedented financial milestone by becoming Bandai Namco’s most profitable anime property, surpassing both One Piece and Dragon Ball in revenue generation.

The Announcement

In its recent financial highlights, Bandai Namco revealed that Gundam generated approximately 254.3 billion yen (about $1.6 million) during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. This impressive figure represents a significant leap forward for the franchise, which saw its revenue accelerate dramatically while other globally recognized anime brands plateaued or cooled under Bandai’s operations.

What’s New

The financial success wasn’t just a gradual climb but a dramatic surge. During FY2025 alone, Gundam generated 153.5 billion yen, adding roughly 100 billion yen year-over-year—a 65% growth rate that’s remarkable for an over 45-year-old property. The momentum continued into Q1 FY2026, with Gundam revenue hitting 65.4 billion yen, an 81.2% increase year-over-year, making that single quarter one of Gundam’s all-time highs.

The catalyst for this financial explosion? Last year’s Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX anime series, which was released right at the start of FY2026 in April 2025. The new series revitalized interest in the franchise across multiple demographics.

Why It Matters

What makes Gundam’s success particularly noteworthy is the role of its merchandise ecosystem. Gunpla (Gundam plastic model kits) and hobby sales carried Bandai’s entire Toys and Hobby division to a record high. This demonstrates how a mature franchise can continue to innovate and expand its revenue streams beyond just media content.

For anime fans, this financial achievement signals that intellectual property with strong worldbuilding, mechanical design, and passionate fanbases can maintain remarkable longevity. Gundam’s ability to reinvent itself while maintaining core appeal offers valuable lessons for other long-running franchises.

J-Hub’s Take

Gundam’s financial triumph reflects several important trends in the anime industry:

1. The Power of Nostalgia with Innovation: While Gundam has deep roots, it continues to attract new audiences through fresh takes like GQuuuuuuX, proving that classic properties can evolve without betraying their essence.

2. Merchandise-Driven Success: Unlike some franchises that rely primarily on streaming or home video sales, Gundam demonstrates how merchandise can become a primary revenue driver, especially for physical collectibles.

3. Mecha Genre Resilience: In an era dominated by isekai and school dramas, Gundam’s success shows that the mecha genre still has significant commercial appeal when executed well.

4. Longevity Through Worldbuilding: With alternate universes, timelines, and continuities, Gundam has created a rich multiverse that allows for endless storytelling without creative stagnation.

The fact that Gundam has outperformed both One Piece and Dragon Ball—two of anime’s most globally recognized franchises—speaks to the strength of Bandai’s IP management and the enduring appeal of mecha stories.

What’s Next

With this momentum, we can expect continued investment in Gundam across multiple media formats, including more anime series, video games, and expanded merchandise lines. The franchise’s financial success may also encourage Bandai to take more risks with experimental Gundam projects that could push the genre boundaries even further.

For fans, this record-breaking performance ensures that Gundam will remain a significant force in the anime landscape for years to come, potentially leading to more ambitious productions and innovative storytelling approaches that honor the franchise’s legacy while pushing it into new territory.