Animation planning firm Twin Engine and toy giant Bandai have announced a strategic partnership to co-create and nurture new intellectual properties. The collaboration centers on a 4 billion yen investment fund dedicated to developing original manga projects designed specifically for future animation adaptation and subsequent commercialization.
By uniting at the earliest stages of development, the companies aim to solve the fragmentation often found in the anime industry, where production and merchandising are frequently handled by separate entities with misaligned goals. Twin Engine will leverage its network of 18 animation studios and creative units, while Bandai will apply its extensive infrastructure in product development, licensing, and global distribution to ensure these new properties maintain a consistent brand identity from the page to the screen and store shelves.
This move follows Twin Engine's recent expansion of its business model, including a separate capital and business alliance with SBI Holdings established in May 2026. While the Bandai partnership focuses on the creative pipeline and physical merchandise, the SBI alliance provides the financial technology and capital necessary to scale these projects for international markets.
These dual partnerships signal a shift in Twin Engine’s corporate strategy, moving away from traditional production-only roles toward a comprehensive management model. By integrating financial backing, studio-first production, and large-scale commercialization, the company is positioning itself to build and sustain original IPs with long-term viability.
