Japan's Bandai Namco looks for life after Gundam anime

Entertainment giant continues to pump out hits but frets over future

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Bandai Namco is banking on smartphone games like "The Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls: Starlight Stage" to help wean itself from its Gundam dependency. © BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

YOSHINO SAKURAI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- For decades, the sprawling entertainment universe of Japan's Bandai Namco Holdings has relied on Gundam sci-fi anime and toy models as its main moneymaker.

But after 40 years, Gundam's star has dimmed and the group is trying to reinvent itself even as it releases new hits that continue to drive earnings to record levels.

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