Sun Sets on Gundam Studio Sunrise

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Since their formation in 1972, Sunrise have grown to be one of the most well-known studios in the anime industry. Their logo can be seen in the credits of every one of the many Gundam series since 1979, plus other cult hits like Cowboy Bebop, Gintama and Love Live!. Starting soon, however, Sunrise will be undergoing a transition of sorts.

Sunrise's parent company Bandai Namco announced plans to merge Sunrise with Bandai Namco Core Arts and Bandai Namco Core Arts Marketing last October. The merger will officially commence in April, the start of the new business year in Japan, and the new company will be called Bandai Namco Filmworks. They also have a new logo, identical to the recently rebranded Bandai Namco logo:

Sunrise were aquired by toy (and gunpla) manufacturer Bandai in 1992, before they merged with video game publisher Namco in 2006 to form Bandai Namco. While the official name of the company will be changing, Bandai Namco have confirmed they'll be reusing the Sunrise moniker when branding new anime, so maybe that old-school logo will still be present in their upcoming works.

What do you guys think? Should Bandai Namco keep the Sunrise name? What do you think of the logo change? Does it matter? Let us know in the comments!

MrObvious 3 years ago

They probably should to keep the name legacy going.

Reply 8

Hectotane 3 years ago

New logo is too pink.

I like the bouncing Haro better.

Reply 6

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Anon - Bud Dink 3 years ago

Maybe after the merger they'll call it "Sunset"?

Reply 5

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Anon - ThatGuy 3 years ago

Aw man. I just hope they do right by the existing franchises.

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Gennos 3 years ago

Looks like leadership is staying intact. Sunrise's Makoto Asanuma will still be president. Bandai Namco Arts president, Satoshi Kono, will become vice president and Bandai Namco's Rights Marketing president, Yoshitaka Tao, will be the Managing Director of the company. Everyone is being moved into a new building named White Base which is located within a short walking distance from Ogikubo Station

Reply 1

Nk17 3 years ago

Tragic. I don't trust the merger either. These things tend not to work out for animation studios, but here's to hoping it turns out for the best.

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7thManiac 3 years ago

I like the use of pink in the new logo, but I do have to say I'm disappointed they're ditching the Sunrise name. As a Gundam fan, imo, it's an iconic name. Thought they'd at least keep the brand going. Double disappointed for the boring and unimaginative new name for them all too.

Reply 0