Bandai Visual

Bandai Visual was founded on August 23, 1983, as a subsidiary of the toymaker Bandai, tasked with producing and distributing home video software. It quickly established itself in the anime market through its Emotion label, releasing titles such as Mobile Suit Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion. In 2006, following a restructuring within Bandai Namco Holdings, the label was placed in charge of the group's Visual and Music Content Strategic Business Unit, overseeing subsidiaries like Emotion Music Company and Lantis music publishing.

A major reorganization came on April 1, 2018, when Bandai Visual merged with Lantis to form Bandai Namco Arts. The label continued to operate within the new company, retaining its identity for select releases. In April 2022, Bandai Namco Arts was renamed Bandai Namco Filmworks, and Bandai Visual remains an active label under this entity. Its headquarters are located in Shinagawa, Tokyo.

Bandai Visual's catalog spans both anime and live-action content, distributed on Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming platforms. The brand is closely tied to major franchises like Gundam and Love Live!, leveraging its parent company's vast intellectual property portfolio. Its international presence once included the North American subsidiary Bandai Entertainment, which operated from 2002 until its closure in 2012, a move that prompted fan backlash over incomplete series releases.[edit]