Takara-Tomy Merger Update: Takara Brand Name to be "Dissolved" in 2006

Monday, August 8th, 2005 9:44PM CDT

Category: Site News
Posted by: Solidus Views: 14,551

Several weeks ago, it was announced that the Japanese toymakers Tomy and Takara would be merging to form a single company this year. Little has been said until now, with an official announcement of the merger.

This press release reveals that of the two brand names, only Tomy will survive. The Takara name is to be "dissolved."

The deal will finally be completed as of March 1, 2006.

How this will or will not impact Takara's current long running and popular toy brands, such as Transformers and Microman, is unknown at this time. It is not known which lines from the respective companies will be continued in the same fashion we are familiar with today.

Currently, out of Japanese toymakers, the top three in sales are ranked:

1. Bandai
2. Takara
3. Tomy

However, between Tomy and Takara, Tomy apparently has more employees, a larger operation, and possibly greater financial and manufacturing holdings. Hence the preference in the name selection.

It is speculated that the purpose of the merger is to combat the #1 Japanese toymaker Bandai, who is currently in talks for a partnership with video game giant Namco.