Bandai vs Trumpeter:Which is more popular?
In October 2026, Trumpeter had more branded searches than Bandai among model kit manufacturers worldwide. Trumpeter had about 4,530 branded searches, while Bandai had 3,600. Trumpeter made up 1.3% of all model kit manufacturer searches we track, and Bandai accounted for 1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about model kit manufacturers, Bandai appeared in three of the four answers and Trumpeter in one. Bandai was mentioned before Trumpeter in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Trumpeter, about 26% more searches than Bandai
Who does AI mention more?
Bandai, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Trumpeter in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Bandai, named ahead of Trumpeter in 3 of 3 answers
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Top model kit manufacturers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Bandai was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Trumpeter was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Bandai was listed before Trumpeter in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Tamiya4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Revell4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Airfix3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Eduard3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Bandai3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Hasegawa1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Italeri1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Trumpeter1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about model kit manufacturers
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which model kit manufacturer should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best model kit manufacturer brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best model kit manufacturer for a hobbyist?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“scale model kits”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hobby model kits”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Share of searches by month for Trumpeter, Bandai. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tamiya | Revell | Hasegawa | Airfix | Italeri | Eduard | Trumpeter | Bandai |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 44.9% | 20.2% | 9.1% | 16.5% | 6.1% | 1.4% | 0.82% | 0.98% |
| Dec 2025 | 45.5% | 20.5% | 9.2% | 13.7% | 7.5% | 1.4% | 1% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 45.7% | 16.8% | 9.2% | 16.8% | 7.5% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.4% | 17.4% | 9.5% | 14.2% | 7.8% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.1% | 17.3% | 9.5% | 14.1% | 7.7% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 49.5% | 14.9% | 9.9% | 14.9% | 6.7% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 50% | 15% | 10% | 12.3% | 8.2% | 1.9% | 1.4% | 1.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 53.3% | 13.1% | 8.8% | 13.1% | 7.2% | 2% | 1.4% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 52.1% | 15.6% | 8.6% | 12.8% | 7% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.7% | 15.2% | 10.2% | 12.4% | 6.8% | 1.9% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 50.8% | 15.3% | 10.2% | 12.5% | 6.8% | 1.9% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Oct 2026 | 46.4% | 17% | 13.9% | 11.4% | 7.6% | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1% |
Bandai sells other things too, so only its searches that name this product count here, like “bandai model kit”.
How has branded search for Bandai and Trumpeter changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Trumpeter took it in February 2026, Bandai took it in April 2026, Trumpeter took it in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Bandai’s share of searches among model kit manufacturers worldwide moved from 0.98% to 1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.4K to 3.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Trumpeter’s share of searches among model kit manufacturers worldwide moved from 0.82% to 1.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.7K to 4.5K.
How did search popularity change for model kit manufacturers worldwide in October 2026?
2 changes
How are Bandai’s and Trumpeter’s branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bandai’s and Trumpeter’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among model kit manufacturers
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