In a significant reshuffling of intellectual-property power in Japan’s entertainment sector, Bandai Namco has claimed the top spot in the latest patent-strength rankings dethroning Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), which long held the crown.
According to a report by Patent Result, a Japanese analytics agency that evaluates both the number and relevance of patents, Bandai Namco secured a patent score of 8,565.2 with 245 active patents from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
By contrast, SIE came in second with a score of 6,631.0 on 208 patents.
Patent Result’s methodology goes beyond simple patent-counting. The “Patent Score” reflects how often a company’s patents are cited in other companies’ patent rejections, which suggests how foundational or “blocking” those patents are in driving innovation.
Simply put: Bandai’s patents aren’t just numerous they carry weight.
Bandai Namco’s strongest patents lie not just in video games but in its diversified toy business. Some of its standout innovations include:
● Temperature-reactive toys that change based on heat.
● Service-oriented equipment tools and systems that improve convenience for entertainment service providers.
On the other hand, SIE’s high-impact patents are more digitally focused. Among its notable ones:
● A display system that can generate virtual objects in real time.
● A sound-effect recommendation device, which suggests audio based on characteristics of videos or simulations.
While the top two grab the headlines, the broader ranking includes several familiar names:
● Gree (mobile games) sits at #3 with a score of 5,121.9.
● Others in the top ten include COLOPL, MIXI, Nintendo, Sega, and The Pokémon Company.
● Strategic Innovation: Bandai Namco’s lead underscores how its innovation strategy spans both toys and games giving it a broader patent playbook than a pure-play gaming company.
● Defensive Play: Strong, frequently cited patents can serve as defensive bulwarks, making it harder for competitors to encroach on critical technologies.
● R&D Focus: This shows where Bandai is investing not just in new games or characters, but in underlying tech and hardware innovation.
● In the fiscal year 2023, SIE was the patent leader, with a score of 9,391.0 and 272 patents.
● Bandai Namco was already in the top tier but has now made a leap to the very top.
● For investors, this shift reflects Bandai Namco’s evolving innovation strength and future R&D potential.
● For competitors, it’s a signal that Bandai is not just playing in classic entertainment it’s building a patent moat.
● For the industry, it demonstrates how the lines between “toy maker” and “game company” continue to blur in the race for IP dominance.
Originally written by:By Emma Withingto
