Bandai Namco Pictures

Bandai Namco Pictures Inc., often shortened to BN Pictures, is a Japanese animation studio that branched off from Sunrise in 2015. The move was part of a restructuring plan by Bandai Namco Holdings to streamline its anime production, specifically targeting shows for children and families. BN Pictures took over several major franchises from Sunrise, including Sgt. Frog, the Battle Spirits series, the Aikatsu! series, Gintama, and the adventures of Zorori. Since its launch in April 2015, the studio has focused on creating colorful, accessible content that appeals to younger audiences, often with a strong emphasis on music, fashion, or playful humor.

While it lacks the big-budget theatrical releases of some competitors, BN Pictures has carved out a steady niche in TV animation, with Aikatsu! becoming a multimedia hit spanning games, cards, and live events. The studio's work tends to be lighthearted and episodic, favoring character-driven stories over complex arcs. Critics have generally praised its consistent animation quality and vibrant art style, even if the narratives rarely break new ground. In recent years, BN Pictures expanded into the Love Live! franchise with Superstar!! and revived Tiger & Bunny for a second season, showing some versatility beyond its core children's demographic.[edit]