Bandai Namco Filmworks and Bandai Namco Pictures issued a formal apology Thursday for including unauthorized references to multiple intellectual properties in the new Sgt. Frog film, Shin Gekijōban ☆ Keroro Gunsō Fukkatsu Shite Sokkō Chikyū Metsubō no Kiki de Arimasu! (New Sgt. Frog the Movie: The Earth Is in Mortal Peril as Soon as We Come Back!).

The most significant issue involved Attack on Titan. The rights holders for Hajime Isayama's manga had explicitly told Bandai Namco not to include such a reference, but what the companies described as a "serious communications breakdown" led the film to proceed with it anyway.

In their statement, both studios acknowledged the severity of the mistake: "We deeply apologize to all rights holders involved and to all fans of these works for the immense trouble and concern we have caused. As companies that create and protect works, our failure to give sincere and sufficient consideration to the responsibilities incumbent upon us is a matter we take seriously."

Bandai Namco outlined concrete steps to prevent future incidents. The companies plan to "thoroughly review and tighten our internal verification systems" and strengthen "our management process even further to ensure confirmation from all relevant parties, including rights holders, is properly reflected in our work."

Bandai Namco Filmworks also extended separate apologies to the film's production staff, Sgt. Frog creator Mine Yoshizaki, and the editors of Monthly Shōnen Ace magazine—while emphasizing that these parties were not responsible for the breach. "We also deeply apologize for any trouble and concerns caused to everyone involved in the production of the work," the statement read.

The film opened in Japan on the day of the apology, Friday, June 27. The incident highlights the complexity of IP licensing in anime productions, where multiple rights holders and production teams must align on creative decisions. For fans, it's a reminder of how careful studios must be when crossing over beloved franchises, even in comedic contexts.