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Exciting news for collectors this morning!
Bandai Namco Holdings has announced the acquisition of a controlling stake (80% of shares) in toy distributor Nippon Imports LLC– best known under their trade name Bluefin. A new subsidiary will be developed as a result- currently titled Bandai Namco Collectibles– and operations are tentatively scheduled to begin in January 2019.
The motive for this purchase is to strengthen Bandai’s merchandise sales in the North American toy market, taking advantage of Bluefins’ extensive experience with USA distribution and collector events.
This is definitely an exciting time for Bandai fans! A new deal could mean greater access to Japanese exclusives for US fans, OR some positive changes to current distribution methods.
Stay tuned to TokuNation as we keep you up to date on this exciting business deal!
The new combined effort, "Bandai Namco Collectibles" will begin operations in January 2019.
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/new...ompany/.137100
I really hope this increases the amount of imports.
If they could find a way to get minipla more readily available in America I'd be so down for that, as well as other products that are of a higher tier than normal toy sales like the SOC sentai mecha.
And if this would mean an easier way to get Shodo stateside, that'd be fantastic too!
Will definitely be hoping for the best from this. It does sound good.
Considering how hard Bluefin suddenly dropped the ball on promoting releases and doing more than just western properties, I can only hope for the best here.
Bandai obviously knows there's a western market for their JP toy lines. I hope they can capitalize well.
Hopefully this means I can actually get some replacement parts for my HG kits.
Here just hoping that Bandai does the same thing in Europe...
I know that Cosmic Group is the main distributor in Europe, but it wouldn't hurt to straight up have Bandai there.
Could Hasbro and Mattel be the next ?
Keep reading: Bandai Namco Acquires Nippon Imports (aka Bluefin) - Page 2
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