Production house Twin Engine has entered a strategic partnership with toy giant Bandai to launch a collaborative development initiative. The agreement focuses on creating original intellectual properties that will simultaneously expand across manga, animation, and merchandising sectors. Both companies have committed to an initial investment of 4 billion yen, roughly $25.35 million, to support the venture.
Under the terms of the deal, the labor is divided by each company's core strengths. Twin Engine will spearhead the planning, production, and distribution of the animation, while Bandai will manage product development, marketing, and the broader licensing strategy for the resulting IPs. The partnership is designed to maximize the market reach of these new properties from their inception.
This move aligns with Twin Engine's ongoing efforts to consolidate production power. Founded by Kōji Yamamoto in 2014, the company has increasingly focused on its EOTA studio system, which integrates various animation houses—including BUG FILMS, Scooter Films, and most recently, Studio NuT—to create a flexible and collaborative production environment. Further details regarding the specific projects resulting from this new partnership are expected to be unveiled in the near future.
