History of Bandai Namco Filmworks in Timeline
Bandai Namco Filmworks, formerly Sunrise Inc., is a Japanese anime studio established in 1972 as Sunrise Studio. Initially part of Shoeisha Co., Ltd., it gained independence in 1977 and became Nippon Sunrise Inc., later Sunrise Inc.. In 1994, it was acquired by Bandai and integrated into Namco Bandai Holdings in 2005. The company specializes in the production, planning, and management of anime, becoming a key part of Bandai Namco Holdings' entertainment business.
September 1972: Foundation as Sunrise Studio
In September 1972, Sunrise Studio, Limited was founded as the animation studio branch of Shoeisha Co., Ltd. by former Mushi Production staff.
September 1972: Sunrise Studio Founded
In September 1972, Sunrise, operating under the trade name of the company's IP Production Group division, was founded as an animation studio.
1972: Sunrise Studio founded by Mushi Production members
In 1972, former members of Mushi Production founded Sunrise Studio. Sunrise chose to focus on producers and mecha anime to sell toys, rather than focusing on a single creator.
1976: Co-production of Combattler V
In 1976, Sunrise co-produced Combattler V with Toei Company as part of the Robot Romance Trilogy.
1977: Co-production of Voltes V
In 1977, Sunrise co-produced Voltes V with Toei Company as part of the Robot Romance Trilogy.
1977: Independence and Rebranding to Nippon Sunrise Inc.
In 1977, the studio gained independence from Shoeisha and Tohokushinsha and rebranded itself to Nippon Sunrise Inc.
1978: Co-production of Majokko Tickle and Tōshō Daimos
In 1978, Sunrise co-produced Majokko Tickle and Tōshō Daimos with Toei Company, and also released Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3.
1979: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Mobile Suit Gundam
In 1979, Mobile Suit Gundam won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
1979: Co-production of Daltanious and Cyborg 009 and The Ultraman
In 1979, Sunrise co-produced Daltanious and Cyborg 009 with Toei Company and worked with Tsuburaya Productions to animate The Ultraman.
1979: Mobile Suit Gundam series launch
In 1979, Sunrise launched the Mobile Suit Gundam series, including spin-offs and sequels.
1980: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Space Runaway Ideon
In 1980, Space Runaway Ideon won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
1980: Production of Space Runaway Ideon
In 1980, Sunrise produced the apocalyptic anime series Space Runaway Ideon.
1983: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Crusher Joe
In 1983, Crusher Joe, a co-production with Studio Nue, won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
1983: Release of Armored Trooper Votoms and Aura Battler Dunbine series
In 1983, Sunrise released the Armored Trooper Votoms and Aura Battler Dunbine series.
1985: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Dirty Pair
In 1985, Dirty Pair won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
1987: Rebranding to Sunrise Inc.
In 1987, Nippon Sunrise Inc. rebranded to Sunrise Inc., a name that would be used for over 35 years.
1988: Launch of Mashin Hero Wataru series
In 1988, Sunrise launched the Mashin Hero Wataru series which ran until 1997.
1990: Start of Brave series co-production
In 1990, Sunrise began co-producing the Brave series with Takara Tomy, which ran until 1997.
1991: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Future GPX Cyber Formula
In 1991, Future GPX Cyber Formula won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
1991: Start of Eldran series co-production
In 1991, Sunrise began co-producing the Eldran series with Takara Tomy, which ran until 1993.
February 1994: Sunrise Inc. Joins Bandai Group
In February 1994, Sunrise Inc. officially became a part of the Bandai Group.
1994: Acquisition by Bandai
In 1994, Sunrise Inc. was acquired by the toy and entertainment company Bandai.
1996: Release of The Vision of Escaflowne
In 1996, Sunrise released The Vision of Escaflowne.
1999: Launch of Crest of the Stars series
In 1999, Sunrise launched the Crest of the Stars series which ran until 2001.
1999: Release of The Big O
In 1999, Sunrise released The Big O, with a second season following in 2003.
2002: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Gundam SEED
In 2002, Gundam SEED won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
2002: Release of Overman King Gainer
In 2002, Sunrise released Overman King Gainer.
2004: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Gundam SEED Destiny
In 2004, Gundam SEED Destiny won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
2005: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Gundam SEED Destiny
In 2005, Gundam SEED Destiny won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
2005: Integration into Namco Bandai Holdings
In 2005, Sunrise Inc. was integrated into Namco Bandai Holdings.
2006: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
In 2006, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
2006: Release of Code Geass
In 2006, Sunrise released Code Geass, with a second season in 2008.
2007: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
In 2007, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
2008: Animage Anime Grand Prix Award for Code Geass R2
In 2008, Code Geass R2 won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award.
2012: Closure of Bandai Entertainment and Beez Entertainment
In 2012, Bandai Entertainment and Beez Entertainment, which licensed and distributed anime produced by Sunrise and Bandai, shut down following Bandai Entertainment's restructuring.
2013: Sunrise to Begin Licensing Anime in North America
At Anime Boston 2013, Sunrise confirmed it would begin licensing anime in North America and was negotiating with Sentai, Funimation, and Viz to distribute their titles on DVD and Blu-ray. Right Stuf agreed to distribute and re-release Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn on DVD in North America.
2013: Release of Valvrave the Liberator
In 2013, Sunrise released Valvrave the Liberator.
2014: Expanded Distribution Deal with Right Stuf
In 2014, Sunrise expanded its distribution deal with Right Stuf, releasing the Gundam series previously licensed by Bandai Entertainment.
2015: Release of Previously Unreleased Works in North America
In 2015, Sunrise, through its distribution deal with Right Stuf, released several works not previously released in North America, including Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ.
September 30, 2016: Launch of Yatate Bunko Imprint
On September 30, 2016, Sunrise launched a light-novel publisher, Yatate Bunko Imprint, to publish original titles and supplement their existing franchises with new materials.
October 2021: Bandai Namco Announces New Logo and Restructuring
In October 2021, Bandai Namco Holdings revealed a new logo and announced a major organizational shuffle, which would later affect Sunrise.
April 1, 2022: Merger to form Bandai Namco Filmworks
On April 1, 2022, Bandai Namco Group restructured, merging Sunrise with the home video division of Bandai Namco Arts and Bandai Namco Rights Marketing to form Bandai Namco Filmworks. Sunrise continued to operate as a division within the new company.
August 2023: Sunrise Name Retained as a Major Brand
As of August 2023, the Sunrise name has been kept as one of the major brands of Bandai Namco Filmworks.
March 1, 2024: Bandai Namco Filmworks Acquires Eight Bit
On March 1, 2024, Bandai Namco Filmworks announced the acquisition of anime studio Eight Bit, making it a wholly owned subsidiary.
February 4, 2025: Bandai Namco Filmworks America Established
On February 4, 2025, Bandai Namco Holdings USA announced the establishment of Bandai Namco Filmworks America to manage international licensing and brand activities, effective April 1st. This announcement coincided with the start of co-financing and co-production of the Gundam film with Legendary Pictures.
Mentioned in this timeline
The tiger is a large powerful cat belonging to the...
The Sun the star at the center of our Solar...
Boston is the capital and largest city of Massachusetts serving...
September is the ninth month of the year in the...
Blue is a primary color in both the RYB and...
Trending
16 days ago Jessica Alba to Appear in Katseye's 'Gabriela' Music Video: Twists and Gowns!
19 days ago Sam Rockwell discusses 'White Lotus' monologue, leopard briefs, and new Martin McDonagh reunion.
57 minutes ago Julio Rodriguez Achieves Record Steals Feat as Mariners Fall to Royals.
Davido born David Adedeji Adeleke is a highly influential Nigerian singer songwriter and record producer He is widely recognized as...
26 days ago Walton Goggins stars in Walmart ad aiming to reshape brand perception.
2 months ago Willy Adames rumors, slow start concerns, and Giants' signing struggles in MLB.
Popular
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Candace Owens is an American conservative and far-right political commentator...
A blue moon is defined in several ways most commonly...
Thom Tillis is the senior U S Senator from North...
KPop Demon Hunters is a animated musical fantasy action comedy...
Starbucks is an American multinational coffeehouse chain established in Seattle...