Report
Japan’s consumer spend set to surpass $12.6 billion in 2023
RPG continues to dominate, but hypercasual is on the rise
Monster Hunter
Monster Hunter Now opens for pre-registration ahead of September 14 release
The game will bring the hit franchise to mobile for the first time
Financials
CyberAgent sees lean financials with game sales down 27.7%
The company operates major hits in Japan such as Uma Musume Pretty Derby
Ranking
Japan's top earning mobile games continue to dominate in the first half of 2023
Pole position and number two swap places while third place holds its own
Here Be Dragons
Dragon Quest Champions surpassed $10 million two weeks after release
The game is closing in on Dragon Quest Walk in Square Enix’s mobile revenue share
Joining In Japan
New studio Denkiworks aims to bring "East meets West" perspective with Project Tanuki
A trio of former Q-Games designers and programmers have formed a new Kyoto-based studio
Making Magic
Harry Potter: Magic Awakened generated $2.3 million in first week of global release
NetEase’s version generated $1.3 million; Warner Bros. Games’ made $1 million
Payments
Japan to stop Apple and Google charging through proprietary payment systems
Alternative payment systems will need to be offered
Partnership
Animoca Brands partners with Japanese Web3 company Matsui
Animoca has been trying to expand its global reach after divesting from the US
Gaming In Japan
Why we want more Square Enix mobile games in the West
Bravely Default: Brilliant Lights deserves a chance to shine outside of Japan. And that's not all…
Milestones
Bleach: Brave Souls surpasses 75 million downloads
The title is based on the popular manga and anime series
New Studio
NetEase unveils Japanese studio PinCool Inc.
The studio will be led by Dragon Quest veteran Ryutaro Ichimura
Gamerefinery Report
Updates and record breakers: How did mobile gaming do in April?
GameRefinery analyses the mobile gaming market last month
Shuttering
Rising of the Shield Hero mobile title to be shut down
One of a number of anime-inspired games to go under
Releases
Bandai Namco and DeNA to release Takt Op Symphony for Western audiences
The title will be available in English officially for the first time
Gamerefinery Report
Betas, events, and releases: How did mobile gaming do in March?
GameRefinery examines the performance of the market over the month
Data.ai Report
Japan and South Korea lead consumer spend by device in 2022
Data.ai’s State of Mobile Gaming 2023 report analyses the sector’s performance across markets and demographics
Nintendo Announces
Nintendo and DeNA officially establish joint venture Nintendo Systems
The latest step in a seven-year partnership
Netease Anime
NetEase Games enters the world of animation with Anici Anime
The new brand will further the company's interests outside of games
It’s Showtime
Persona: The Phantom X available for pre-order in China
The game is the first in the franchise released on mobile
A New Fantasy
Square Enix to relocate main offices from Shinjuku to Shibuya
The move to the iconic location is due to be completed after the construction of a new building is complete
Esports
Top five Japanese esports teams all compete on mobile
Mobile has become an increasingly popular presence in the esports scene, and the same is true for Japan
Generated In Japan
Japan Fair Trade Commission reveals Apple and Android revenue and distribution
Their new report shows ¥1.59 trillion generated on Apple in 2021, ¥1.04 trillion on Android
Anniversaries
Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links celebrates sixth anniversary
The mobile card game version of the popular Yu-Gi-Oh franchise celebrates it’s sixth anniversary this January
Esports
Snapdragon Pro Series goes to Japan for Brawl Stars final in Tokyo
The Snapdragon Pro Series, hot off their announced partnership with Samsung, continues to feature heavily in DreamHack events, now at the Brawl Stars final in Tokyo
Gamerefinery Report
GameRefinery’s November 2022 report delves into the state of the mobile market
The World Cup proved to be a popular subject for events, while a Square Enix collaboration with a TikTok star failed to engage audiences
Hypercasual
Why can’t hypercasual hang onto players in Japan?
Although hypercasual sees the most installs in Japan, players are switching off in favour of role-playing, action and puzzle games
Studio Collabs
Capcom to collaborate with Tencent’s TiMi studios for Monster Hunter mobile game
Capcom will work alongside TiMi to produce a game based off the popular Monster Hunter franchise for mobile
Views Week
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
This week we consider football, Japan, and whether we are living in (Back to) the Future
Presenting Plans
Square Enix’s latest financial report reinforces company focus on blockchain gaming
President and representative director Yosuke Matsuda outlines plans for blockchain, HD games, and international growth
New Studio
Netease announces new studio led by former Resident Evil & Devil May Cry producer
Called GPTRACK50, the new studio represents a massive step from mobile into the console & PC markets for Netease
Japanese Market
Hypercasual games dominate Japan’s charts by installs, but struggle to engage players
Mobile gaming is on the rise in the home of video gaming
Financials
CyberAgent’s 2022 financials reveal 33.8 percent operating loss despite surge in advertising revenue
CyberAgent game sales are down, but that advertising growth holds steady as digital media investment is on the horizon.
Big In Japan
How did Apex Legends top the charts in Japan?
Apex Legends was in Japan's top 10 for 54 consecutive days! What did EA do to ensure they cracked such a valuable - and challenging - market?
Made Its Way
Zynga launches FarmVille 3 in Japan
Comes six months after global release
Expanding Overseas
WonderPlanet opening Singapore subsidiary to explore blockchain
Following discussions on NFTs and the metaverse
Manga To Mobile
Naruto manga publisher Shueisha launches new games division
Shueisha Games to focus on all platforms, including mobile
Anime Collab
PUBG Mobile Japan to collaborate with Black Lagoon
Bringing exclusive skins to match the anime's noir action theme
Building Blockchain
Animoca Brands opens new subsidiary in Tokyo, Japan
Expanding business
4 Million In 11 Days
Bravely Default Brilliant Lights reaches four million players in first 11 days
Featuring new and returning characters
To Be Expected
Nintendo’s mobile revenue falls 5.2% to $347 million
Nintendo Switch sells over 100 million units, overtakes Nintendo Wii
Na Release
Disney Twisted-Wonderland gets English release in US and Canada
Aniplex of America publishes the previously Japan-exclusive title
Total Divestment
Update: Stillfront acquires 6Waves for $201 million, buys out Nexon's 34.8% stake for $93 million
Purchasing 26.5 million shares from Nexon
Jotaro...
KLab to distribute upcoming JoJo's Bizarre Adventure mobile game worldwide
Will be the first globally available mobile title from the franchise
Itchy Twitter Fingers
Japan’s mobile games community dominated Twitter in 2021
Genshin Impact leads the conversations
Diversification
Nexon branches out with $400 million investment into Russo Brother’s AGBO
A further $100 million set aside
A Fated Acquisition
Aniplex to acquire Fate/Grand Order developer Delightworks games division
Includes the entire game development team behind Fate/Grand Order
Fantasy Is Final
Japanese game sector to hit $22 billion in 2021
Players prefer single player RPGs within a fantasy setting
Shining Brilliantly
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are Japan’s second-best physical Switch launch
Switch sales almost doubled
Most Wanted List
Top 5 Japan-only mobile games we wanna play
From rhythm to RPG to WTF?