IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is celebrating the 45th anniversary of PAC-MAN with a monthlong campaign featuring a new animated series, live events and a crossover with the mobile game Fruit Ninja.
The celebration, called “PAC-MAY,” is built around the theme “Connect the Dots,” highlighting the character’s legacy since his debut in 1980 while introducing new content for modern audiences.
A centerpiece of the campaign is “PAC-MAN: Snack Breaks,” an animated short-form series set to debut May 22 on PAC-MAN Day. The series follows PAC-MAN as he leaves PAC-Village for a new setting, NEW PAC-CITY, where he navigates fast-paced adventures while being pursued by familiar ghost characters.
The series is produced in partnership with New York-based animation studio Cartuna and features a voice cast that includes Mike Cefalo as PAC-MAN, along with Mike Bodie, Rebecca Wang and Lukas Arnold as the ghost characters. New episodes will be released monthly on the official PAC-MAN YouTube channel.
Bandai Namco will also host several live events in the United States throughout May. In New York City, a PAC-MAN-themed event will take place May 16 at The Paley Museum, coinciding with its “45 Years of PAC-MAN” exhibition. The event will include a panel discussion, early screenings of the animated series, playable classic games and a PAC-MAN Championship tournament in which participants compete for the highest score in the original arcade game.
Additional events are planned for Los Angeles, with more details expected to be announced.
In gaming, the company announced a crossover between PAC-MAN and Fruit Ninja, beginning May 6. The collaboration will feature themed in-game events, along with unlockable items such as blades and dojos.
Bandai Namco also said players of PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC will receive a free in-game costume as part of the anniversary celebration.
PAC-MAN remains one of the most recognizable characters in video game history, with Bandai Namco continuing to expand the franchise through new media and collaborations.