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Bandai

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Bandai logo

Bandai's current logo.

Bandai is a world-renowned Japanese toy manufacturer that was founded in 1950. They are known for creating a wide variety of toys, model kits, and video games. They have even produced a few yo-yos in the 1970's, although they weren't known in the yo-yoing scene until the 1990's when they launched a series of yo-yos called Hyper Yo-Yo.

Hyper Yo-Yo (1st Gen: 1997-2000)[]

Hyperyoyo1

Logos for the 1st line-up. Above: 1997 logo; Below: 1998 logo.

Bandai first launched their Hyper Yo-Yo range in Japan on March 1997, in time for the worldwide yo-yo boom. The company didn't develop and produce their own yo-yos initially but rather licensed products from other manufacturers such as Yomega, Duncan, Playmaxx, Henrys, and Russell, but eventually Bandai would release their own developed yo-yos such as the Hyper Millennium and the Hyper Dragon and Hyper Dragoon series. During the first year, the Hyper Yo-Yo line was so popular, that there were shortages in supply of yo-yos in stores, and Bandai even resorted to importing yo-yos that were not rebranded and repackaged as Hyper Yo-Yo products (only placing a Bandai sticker on the packaging to differentiate them from their local releases) in order to meet demand.

Bandai was very active in the yo-yo community, sponsoring teams such as Team High Performance Japan and Team Hyper Viper. Hyper Yo-Yo Trick certification programs were held in official stores, where yo-yo owners could win a prize if they perform a list of yo-yo tricks correctly. They even serialized comics, which also spawned an animated TV show.

Outside of Japan, Hyper Yo-Yo products were also sold in a number of countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, United States, United Kingdom, France, Taiwan and Spain. For each of these countries, a different line of yo-yos was sold (i.e. the yo-yos sold were not the same in all countries), and was much limited than the line-up sold in Japan. The line that was released in the United States in particular featured all-new models produced by Yomega, understandably because the other yo-yos in the Japanese line-up were already being sold there by their original manufacturers. Some of the yo-yos in the US line-up were also imported to Japan.

Hypergames

Logo for Hyper Games (1999).

In 1999, following the success of Hyper Yo-Yo, Bandai launched a collection of skill games in 1999 called Hyper Games, which consisted of the Hyper Yo-Yo line which focused on yo-yos, the Jitter Ring, the Hyper Diabolo line which focused on diabolos, the J-ROPE line which focused on jumping ropes, and the Palm Board line which focused on fingerboards (similar to Tech Deck). However, most of these Hyper Games side-series lasted less than a year, with only Hyper Yo-Yo having released products until 2000.

Hyperyoyo2

Logo for the 2nd line-up (2004).

Hyper Yo-Yo (2nd Gen: 2004 Japan)[]

In January 2004, Hyper Yo-Yo was revived in Japan, distributing Duncan and Yomega yo-yos, as well as new yo-yo models such as the Duncan Hyper Freehand. However, the lack of promotional activities, as well as the absence of a yo-yo boom, made this second line-up short-lived as well, and it ended in less than a year.

Hyperyoyo3

Logo for the 3rd line-up (2010).

Hyper Yo-Yo (3rd Gen: 2010-2014 Japan)[]

In 2010, Bandai revived the Hyper Yo-Yo line in Japan for the third time. At this time, the international yo-yoing scene has evolved significantly since the launch of the first Hyper Yo-Yo line, but Bandai marketed the third Hyper Yo-Yo line toward an audience of elementary-school children, bringing awareness to yo-yoing as something even young children could do instead of focusing on yo-yos meant for performing world-class competition tricks. Just like the previous line-ups, Bandai distributed Duncan and Yomega yo-yos, but this time they also featured YoYoFactory products, along with the introduction of Bandai's newly developed yo-yos such as the customizable HyperCluster series and the motorized Hyper Infinity yo-yo. Hyper Yo-Yo Trick certification programs were held in official stores, though they were limited to only Elementary and High School students. They once again serialized comics, as well as a live-action TV show. In addition, In 2011 following a power outage in the Tohoku Region caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, Hyper Yo-Yo attracted attention as a toy that needed no electricity, and a yo-yo boom occurred in Japan, which sold many Hyper Yo-Yo products.

Kdx

Logo for Kendama Xross (2014).

The third Hyper Yo-Yo line was discontinued in 2014, making it the longest-running Hyper Yo-Yo line. At this time, Bandai again tried to popularize another skill toy. Bandai launched the Kendama Cross (spelled as "Kendama Xross" or "KDX"), a series of plastic Kendamas with interchangeable cups that allow players to customize their play or make it easier to catch the ball. It saw moderate success, and the line continued until 2016.

HyperclusterUSA

Logo for HyperCluster's international release (2018).

In 2018, Bandai gave their previously Japan-only HyperCluster line an international release, especially in Western nations. However, since much higher-spec yo-yos were already available in those countries already, the international release of HyperCluster didn't see much success.

Hyperyoyo4

Logo for Hyper Yo-Yo Accel (2024)

Hyper Yo-Yo Accel (4th Gen: 2024-Present Japan)[]

In July 2024, Bandai revived the Hyper Yo-Yo line yet again with a new series called Hyper Yo-Yo Accel, which focused on yo-yos with very large spinning side-caps which made it very easy to perform the famous DNA trick. There was also a list of new tricks using the spinning side-caps called "accel tricks" on the Hyper Yo-Yo website. Just like with the third Hyper Yo-Yo line, Bandai marketed the Hyper Yo-Yo Accel line to elementary-school children, as they once again serialized a new comic series. Unlike the previous line, however, all of the yo-yos were developed and produced by Bandai. The Hyper Yo-Yo Trick certification program was also revived, but this time it was not held in stores, but instead online, on the WONDER! SCHOOL website. A Hyper Yo-Yo Accel owner must submit a video of them performing a yo-yo trick on the website, and within two weeks, a yo-yo master will have graded the video. Those who have successfully performed all the yo-yo tricks listed on the certification webpage will receive an official certification badge.

Yo-Yos Released[]

Note that the countries mentioned below refer to the countries where the products are released or mainly released.

Before Hyper Yo-Yo[]

  • Paul's Miraculous Adventure Yo-Yo (1977 Japan) - the earliest known yo-yo to be produced by Bandai, this was meant as a tie in to the animated show, Paul's Miraculous Adventure, and released after the first Coca-Cola yo-yo boom in Japan has already cooled down. Has two variations: One is meant to resemble Paul's "Mecha Yo-Yo" in the anime, and the other features characters from the anime. It is shaped just like a slimline Russell Professional yo-yo.

Hyper Yo-Yo (1st Gen: 1997-2000 Japan)[]

Bandai Hyper Millennium (and variants)[]

Bandai Hyper Dragon Series[]

Bandai Hyper Dragoon Series[]

Duncan[]

Henrys[]

ProYo II[]

Russell[]

Yomega[]

Yomega Mini Series (Keychains)[]

  • Yomega Hyper Brain
  • Yomega Hyper Brain Glow Corocoro Comic Special
  • Yomega Stealth Brain
  • Yomega Fireball
  • Yomega Fireball Gold Congratulations 1997
  • Yomega Stealth Fire
  • Yomega Hyper Raider
  • Yomega Stealth Raider

Hyper Yo-Yo (1st Gen: 1998-1999 USA)[]

RussellThese Hyper Russells were available at High Performance Kites in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Yomega[]

Yo-yos marked with "*" were also released in Japan.

Hyper Diabolo (1999 Japan)[]

  • Dia Big
  • Dia Spin
  • Dia Wave

Hyper Yo-Yo (2nd Gen: 2004 Japan)[]

Duncan[]

Yomega[]

Hyper Yo-Yo (3rd Gen: 2010-2014 Japan)[]

Bandai Hyper Cluster Series[]

Bandai Hyper Infinity[]

Duncan[]

Yomega[]

YoYoFactory[]

HyperCluster (2018 International)[]

Hyper Yo-Yo Accel (4th Gen: 2024)[]

  • Accel Origin - An entry-level model that focuses on its "Accel System" feature. It is shaped like a 1980's Russell bulge-faced yo-yo.
  • Accel Wing - A wing-shaped yo-yo equipped with "Accel System". Meant to aid in landing basic string tricks easily.
  • Accel Round - A rounded-modified-shaped yo-yo equipped with "Accel System". Its heavy weight is suitable for sleeping tricks.
  • Accel Loop - A thin, lightweight, flat-modified-shaped yo-yo with smaller "Accel Disks". Designed for looping tricks.
  • Accel Boost - A wing-shaped yo-yo like Accel Wing, with a wider body and thicker "Accel Disks", and also features a silicone response system.
  • Accel Grab - A wing-shaped yo-yo like Accel Wing, with larger "Accel Disks" that overlap the body of the yo-yo. Suitable for performing AND and sideways DNA.

Other Hyper Yo-Yos (4th Gen: 2024)[]

  • Hyper Yo-Yo Capsule - A wing-shaped yo-yo that can be assembled from parts of a capsule. To be sold in Gashapon machines.

Yo-Yos Distributed By Bandai Without the Hyper Yo-Yo Branding[]

Other Yo-Yos Produced By Bandai Outside the Hyper Yo-Yo line[]

  • Digimon Digi-Yo Series (2000 USA)
  • Sukeban Deka 1/1 Yo-Yo (2006 Japan)
  • Sukeban Deka 80's Yo-Yo Deluxe Set (2006 Japan)
  • Pokemon Sun & Moon Monster Ball Yo-Yo Collection (2007 Japan)
  • Pokemon Pokeball Yo-Yo Series (2010 France)

Media Released[]

Several media such as manga and anime were released in order to promote the Hyper Yo-Yo franchise.

Hyper Yo-Yo (1st Gen: 1997-2000 Japan)[]

  • Hyper Yo-Yo Story: Moero! Spinner - A manga illustrated by Takashi Hashiguchi. It serialized in "Corocoro Comic" in 1997, and also appeared in the first volume of the manga "Chousoku Spinner" as well as the magazine "Hyper Yo-Yo Technics".
  • Chousoku Spinner (known as Super Yo-Yo in Hongkong and Southeast Asia) - Another manga illustrated by Takashi Hashiguchi. It serialized in "Corocoro Comic" from 1997-2000, and was also published as a 7-volume tankobon. It was adapted into anime and aired in TV Tokyo in Japan from 1998-1999. The anime was translated and aired around 2002-2003 in Hongkong and Southeast Asia, where a unique line-up of yo-yos not directly sold by Bandai was released.

Hyper Yo-Yo (3rd Gen: 2010-2014 Japan)[]

  • Kimeru no YOYO! - A manga illustrated by Manabu Kashimoto. It serialized in "Corocoro Comic" from 2010-2012.
  • Buttobi Spinner Kimeru - A follow-up manga to Kimeru no YOYO!, also illustrated by Manabu Kashimoto. It serialized in "Corocoro Comic" from 2012-2013.
  • Hyper Yo-Yo Burning and Hyper Yo-Yo Kingdom - A live-action TV drama series that aired in TV Tokyo from 2011-2013.

Hyper Yo-Yo Accel (4th Gen: 2024)[]

  • Hyper Yo-Yo Accel - A manga illustrated by Toutou. It began serializing in "Corocoro Comic" on December 2024.

Trivia[]

  • Bandai is also well known for the popular Tamagotchi virtual pet toys, as well as the Digimon franchise and model kits based on the Gundam franchise.
  • Bandai designated April 4 as "Yo-Yo Day", after how the number 4 is pronounced in Japanese.

External Links[]

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