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Bandai Namco to Open Australia’s First Gundam Base and Tamashii Nations in Sydney

By Maria SantosAustralia
1 min read
Bandai Namco
Bandai Namco
In this article (7)

Bandai Namco Asia will open Australia’s first The Gundam Base store at Broadway Sydney in November 2026. The location will also house one of only four Tamashii Nations flagships worldwide.

Both permanent shops will sit on level one of the retail complex. They follow a trial pop-up tour at the Mirvac-owned centre last year.

Expanding Japanese IP Across Asia-Pacific

The Gundam Base serves as Bandai’s dedicated retail brand for Mobile Suit Gundam ‘Gunpla’ model kits. The Sydney site will sell kits, apparel, and exclusive releases unavailable through standard wholesale channels.

Next door, Tamashii Nations will stock finished collector figurines. That store focuses on high-end robot models and licensed merchandise from anime franchises such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Demon Slayer.

Bandai Namco Asia president Hiroyuki Fujita said the Sydney destination will run prototype shows, immersive displays, and regional fan events alongside standard retail sales.

Building Out Physical Collector Hubs

Japanese entertainment companies are rolling out direct-to-consumer flagships across Asia-Pacific to secure higher margins and cultivate collector communities. Bandai opened a flagship in Hong Kong in December, testing regional appetite before committing capital to Australia.

Landlord Mirvac relies on fandom-driven concepts to pull foot traffic into Broadway Sydney. Fit-outs for both stores will finish ahead of the November 2026 launch.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What kind of products will be available at The Gundam Base store?

A.

The Gundam Base will sell 'Gunpla' model kits, apparel, and exclusive releases not found through regular wholesale channels. It focuses on items for Mobile Suit Gundam fans.

Q.

What is the strategic reason for Bandai Namco opening these flagship stores?

A.

Bandai Namco is opening these direct-to-consumer flagships to secure higher profit margins and to foster communities among collectors. This also allows them to cultivate fan engagement.

Q.

What types of items will Tamashii Nations offer, and what franchises will be featured?

A.

Tamashii Nations will stock finished collector figurines, focusing on high-end robot models. It will also offer licensed merchandise from anime franchises like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Demon Slayer.

Q.

How did Bandai Namco assess the market before committing to the Sydney location?

A.

They tested regional interest by opening a flagship store in Hong Kong in December. This allowed them to gauge appetite before investing capital in the Australian market.

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