Digimon IP Reaches Record Profit, Surpassing Peak of Original Anime Era

The Digimon franchise has reached its highest profit level ever, surpassing the IP’s previous peak during the original anime boom in 2000.

The update comes from an interview with Bandai Namco Entertainment President Nao Udagawa published in the August 20-27, 2026 issue of Weekly Famitsu. According to Udagawa, the franchise achieved record profitability thanks to the combined success of its video game and trading card game businesses, led by Digimon Story: Time Stranger. Specific revenue figures and the reporting period were not disclosed.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger is the major factor behind the growth. The RPG surpassed 1 million copies shipped worldwide, including digital sales, within roughly two months of its October 2025 launch, making it the fastest-selling title in the Digimon Story series. Udagawa also pointed to the game’s Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch release in July 2026, as well as a major expansion planned for 2027, saying he believes the title still has room to grow.

Digimon Adventure is a 1999 Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation in cooperation with WiZ, Bandai and Fuji Television. It was the first anime series in the Digimon media franchise, based on the Digital Monster virtual pet released in 1997. It received numerous other adaptations and spin-offs and will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027.

Bandai Namco is already expanding the franchise ahead of the 30th anniversary. Recent announcements include a brand-new TV anime set to premiere in 2027, alongside Digimon: Our Best Adventure, a fan-voted selection of episodes from the first four Digimon anime series that begins airing in Japan this October.

Source: Gamestalk
©Akiyoshi Hongo, Toei Animation