Creation of Dreams

Shin Matsunaga and PAOS' 1983 logo for Japanese toy and game-maker Bandai

By the 1980s Bandai Co., Ltd–a Japanese multinational toy and games manufacturer and distributor founded in 1950–had grown to become the industry leader, operating eight groups covering a variety of different product categories. In 1982 these groups were merged into one.

The restructuring was instrumental in getting Bandai listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and expressed its readiness and ambition to move beyond an area of business that was described as a ‘cottage industry running on inspiration’.

Recognising that the entertainment industry would expand far beyond toys and games (Bandai would later be responsible for launching the electronic pet craze with Tamagotchi) Bandai sought out a new corporate identity. This would outwardly convey the restructuring and renewed ambition of the company and prepare it for further expansion whilst also maintaining the ‘vitality inherent to a medium-sized business. In charge of this would be PAOS, fresh off working on iconic Japanese brands such as ASICS and Kenwood.

Continue scrolling to see the initial logo concepts and read about the ‘winning’ logo (and its variations) designed by Shin Matsunaga.