Kadokawa Corporation
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Fueki Ryuko
「不易流行」
Continuity and Change
“Continuity and Change” is the philosophy that Matsuo Basho, internationally renowned haiku poet of the 17th century, had ultimately arrived at. Such a philosophy is what Genyoshi Kadokawa, founder of KADOKAWA SHOTEN, had considered to be the cornerstone of the publishing business he founded and had put into practice in his business.
The constant pursuit of novelty brings visibility to what essentially remains eternally unchanged. The will to continue taking on new challenges without fear of change is what comprises the “KADOKAWA Spirit.”
“Continuity and Change” is the Management Philosophy of KADOKAWA and what we will continue to aspire towards, to connect ourselves with the future.
'...maintaining a resolute stance against anti-social forces & groups that threaten the order & safety of society...' (Internal Controls, 7.3)
'...excessive consideration towards the will of superiors (especially the Chairman)...' (Corporate Governance Inspection Report, page 4).
Corrupt Conglomerate ContentOP1 - Kadokawa Company Overview (sales data FY2023)
OP2 - FROM SOFTWARE
OP3 - Spike Chunsoft
OP4 - Delicious Sales Data (Kadokawa sales data post-divestment, FROM SOFTWARE post-acquisition, 2014 & Spike Chunsoft post-merger, 2012).
Yet to see a post-mortem on Kadokawa Games from either Kadokawa or Dragami Games but cannot help but feel the succession of underwhelming sales, particularly for Relayer coupled with the huge success of Elden Ring informed the decision to move on. Relayer is an interesting case, discarding much of the original work by an external developer with three years of development after being taken in-house & rebuilt by the God Wars team for release on PlayStation consoles. Relevant sales data for added context (some now held by Dragami Games) below:'The Former Chairman of Kadokawa is innocent untilproven guiltythrown under a bus for political expediency, any callow insolence will be met with the business end of a powered up heavy attack from a Moonlight Sword. From behind. While stun locked. Levelled up like no man’s business could ever survive a blow like that to his weakest of points, the most vulnerable spot. A most frightful prospect. Indeed.
Kadokawa Games is dead, long live Kadokawa Corporation! Except the Old One Chairman who’s in the slammer having been accused by the filth of being a very naughty Olympic boy. Out with the old in with the new. Could've been worse, least he didn't get caught doing cocaine like his party loving former Chairman brother. Bribery allegations are all super fine & space dandy, but recreational drug use, now that's a big no-no in Nintendoland. Straight Edge for life or its straight to the slammer. I’m in good company it seems.
Who am I you say? Heh heh heh…didn’t you guess, why its Patches the New, True Chairman here, I'll be your guide for all things Kadokawa, FROM SOFTWARE, Spike Chunsoft, maybe even a little Gotcha Gotcha Games if you play your cards right. The studio, not the Olympic Committee. We already gotcha gotcha them. Tee Hee Hee. We own all sorts of things as well, but enough about my pilfered wares, why did the gaming division receive a spring clean in 2022, the year of your lord but certainly not mine. No siree, none of that worshipping malarky for me, not even Miyazaki The Great One. Sssh. I might not believe in him but I sure do fear his wraith.
Disturb the slumber of His Miyazaki Majesty at your peril & its off to the B-Team for you!
FY2022 Pre-Divestment:
Famitsu Sales: Week 13, 2022 (Mar 21 - Mar 27)
17./00. [PS4] Relayer # <SLG> (Kadokawa Games) {2022.03.24} (¥7.255) - 4.608 / NEW <40-60%>
27./00. [PS5] Relayer # <SLG> (Kadokawa Games) {2022.03.24} (¥7.255) - 2.684 / NEW <40-60%>
FY2023 Pre-Divestment:
Famitsu Sales: Week 15, 2022 (Apr 04 - Apr 10)
13./00. [NSW] Metal Dogs # <RPG> (Kadokawa Games) {2022.04.08} (¥3.545) - 3.142 / NEW <60-80%>
25./00. [PS4] Metal Dogs # <RPG> (Kadokawa Games) {2022.04.08} (¥3.545) - 1.682 / NEW <40-60%>
*now published by 24Frame with copyright owned by CyGames (new Metal Max IP holders - Japanese press release).
FY2023 Post Divestment:
Famitsu Sales: Week 25, 2022 (Jun 13 - Jun 19)
07./00. [NSW] Overlord: Escape From Nazarick # <ACT> (Kadokawa Games) {2022.06.16} (¥3.980) - 5.682 / NEW <60-80%>
‘When even our own sales tracker is coming up short, it's time to clear out the dead weight. Threw ‘em all overboard but kept the Overlord. My kinda guy. But he better shape up sharpish cause those meagre sales just won't do. Patches the True Chairman accepts nothing less than massive abundance of blood & treasure. Some might say they’re one & the same. Hmm? Well never mind that, come ‘ere, take a look down this Kadokawa shaped rabbit hole. I swear it'll be worth your while, honest mate…hehehehe. What - don’t you trust me?’
Kadokawa Cognitive Dystopia
「30年以内に電脳通信に脳を直結できる」
"Within 30 years, we will be able to directly connect the brain to telecommunications.” (Famitsu)
夏野剛
株式会社KADOKAWA 代表取締役社長.
Tsuyoshi Natsuno (President & Representative Director of KADOKAWA Co.)
"Within 30 years, we will be able to directly connect the brain to telecommunications.” (Famitsu)
夏野剛
株式会社KADOKAWA 代表取締役社長.
Tsuyoshi Natsuno (President & Representative Director of KADOKAWA Co.)
KADOKAWA 2023 & BEYOND
"FromSoftware is not the only one" Developing games that respect the original work without worrying about losses or risks. President Natsuno's strategy for rebooting Kadokawa's Games Business Division:
――つまり、コンソールではフロム·ソフトウェアがあり、スパイク·チュンソフトがあり、そしてモバイルゲームはKADOKAWA本体が出版やアニメの事業局と連携して進めていくわけですね。"FromSoftware is not the only one" Developing games that respect the original work without worrying about losses or risks. President Natsuno's strategy for rebooting Kadokawa's Games Business Division:
--In other words, FromSoftware and Spike Chunsoft are responsible for console games, and KADOKAWA itself is responsible for mobile games in cooperation with the publishing and animation business bureaus, is that right?
夏野そうです。コンスタントに年間5本くらい出せるようになったら、熊谷を社長にして別会社を作ってもいいとは思っています。ただ、そうなると熊谷が責任を負うことになります。僕の配下でやってる限り責任は僕が取るから、冒険もできるんですよね。
Natsuno: Yes. When we are able to consistently produce about five works a year, I would be willing to establish a separate company with Kumagai* as president. However, in that case, Kumagai would have to assume responsibility. As long as she is working under me, I will take responsibility, so she can be adventurous.
*熊谷美恵
株式会社KADOKAWA ゲーム事業推進室 室長
*Mie Kumagai
General Manager, Game Business Promotion Office, KADOKAWA Co.
Source: Famitsu interview with Tsuyoshi Natsuno & Mie Kumagai (ex-SEGA Overworks, separate interview here) .
Founded September 1, 2020, dedicated RPG Maker studio, multiple entries with post-launch support, DLC asset packs. Develops & publishes a wide variety of titles using RPG Maker XV or Pixel Game Maker MV.
GOTCHA GOTCHA GAMES, GOTCHA GET 'EM ALL.
Puzzling Pedestrians ^ 

Kenichi Nishi [planning and production] of Route 24, the creator of “moon”, “L.O.L. ~ LACK OF LOVE ~”, and “Chibi-Robo!”.
^ Remote Bomber
Wit One is part of NJ Holdings, see Output Strategy discussion thread for more details.
Wit One is part of NJ Holdings, see Output Strategy discussion thread for more details.
PIXEL GAME MAKER SERIES
2020: [NSW/Steam] DUNGEON OF NAZARICK (Gotcha Gotcha Games) // [NSW/Steam] STEOS -Sorrow song of Bounty hunter- (125 Inc.) // [NSW/Steam] The Witch & The 66 Mushrooms (Gotcha Gotcha Games) // [NSW/Steam] Werewolf Princess Kaguya (SERIALGAMES Inc.)
2021: [NSW/Steam] Remote Bomber (Wit One/Gotcha Gotcha Games) // [NSW/Steam] Puzzling Pedestrians (Route24 Inc.) // [NSW/Steam] DRAGON PEAK (CYBIRD/orange inc.) // [NSW/Steam] Osyaberi! Horijo! Horislash (CLOUDs Inc.) // [Steam] Soaring Machinariae (Kensei) // [NSW/Steam] ISEKAI QUARTET Adventure Action Game (Adglobe Inc.) // [NSW] BURAIGUN GALAXY STORM <STG> (Shin_Games) // [NSW] BLOCK SLIME CAVE <ACT> (WINGLAY)*1 // [Steam] Reality Minds (Yutaro Tsuyuki) // [Steam] [International] Absented Age: Squarebound (terunon’s Lab) // [NSW] Shiba Mekuri (KoheiGallery)*1 // [Steam] Palphone-sama : Curse call <ADV> (HIJIKI) // [NSW/Steam] Biggerman.io (Gotcha Gotcha Games) // [NSW/Steam] MEDIUM-NAUT (Blue Boss)
2022: [Steam] Re:Kuroi (ecoddr) // [Steam] MAGICAL DEATHPAIR <ADV> (yatsunagi) // [NSW] GAME BATTLE TYCOON (RETSUZAN) // [NSW] Arcanion: Tale of Magi (MoniusProductions)*1 // [NSW] Steel Sword Story S <ACT> (8bits fanatics)*2 // [NSW/Steam] OMA2RI ADVENTURE (Gotcha Gotcha Games) // [NSW] MessiahEnd Refrain (hiyoriosin)*1 // [NSW/Steam] Fish Tornado (Gotcha Gotcha Games) // [NSW] LAB (orange inc.)*1 // [NSW] KINGDOM FIGHTER (Deep Planner) // [NSW] JETMAN (Montblanc Hatch)*1 // [NSW] KOKORO CLOVER Season1 (hikotel)*3 // [NSW] ClaM KNight (Hector Toro) // [NSW] Ninja Sneaking R (WINGLAY)*1 // [Steam] Cthulhu Mythos ADV Lunatic Whispers <ADV> (Gotcha Gotcha Games) // [NSW] BYTE CATS (Bite Through)* // [NSW] ANGEL’S BLOOD <ACT> (Nagasaki Hikaru)

Cthulhu Mythos ADV Lunatic Whispers ^
Enjoy this engaging cosmic horror story through dice rolls that determine your fate!
^ BYTE CATS
Hell Jump Action
Hell Jump Action
2023: [NSW] Pearl Vs Grey (MoniusProductions) // [NSW] BombMachine Gunzohg (Anti-Belphetan) // [NSW] Pentacore (Jonathan Collier)* // [NSW] CAT AND TOWER (AM0500) // [NSW] Loplight (Scumhead)* // [NSW] Tentacled Terrors Tyrannize Terra! (ShiN_Game) // [NSW] Ninja Otedama R (WINGLAY)*1
Switch eShop Forthcoming Release 2023
[NSW] Pixel Game Maker Series SnowFighters (teamTMT)
Steam version self-published, listed on RPG Maker Official Website, Gotcha Gotcha Games to publish on Switch eShop in 2023 with new features:
‘New stages, new characters, and story modes will be added to the Nintendo Switch ™ version!’
GAME BUDDY portable game series (within a series)
2022: [NSW] THUNDER STRIKER (RETSUZAN) // [NSW] RUMBLE DRAGON (RETSUZAN) // [NSW] DANDAN Z (RETSUZAN) // [NSW] VERZEUS (RETSUZAN)
1* - self published on Steam - BLOCK SLIME CAVE // Shiba Mekuri // Arcanion: Tale of Magi // MessiahEnd Refrain // LAB // JETMAN // Ninja Sneaking R // BYTE CATS // Pentacore // Loplight // Ninja Otedama R
2* - published on Steam by Playism as Steel Sword Story
3* published by Phoenixx Inc. on steam - Kokoro Clover Season1 however note planned version 3.0 to make changes to Switch version, enabling 60FPS but smaller stages than on steam.
GOTCHA MULTI-UNITE 2023 SERIES
[Unity Asset Store] RPG Maker Unite (Gotcha Gotcha Games) {2023.04.27}
Once delayed untilspring 2023 forevermore for quality reasons on the Unity Asset store, now out April 27th lol nope*, but still due 'slightly later than never' on Steam (via Gematsu).

[Unity Asset Store] RPG Maker Unite (Gotcha Gotcha Games) {2023.04.27}
Once delayed until
*'Due to issues in the product registration functionality of the Unity Asset Store, we regret to announce that RPG Maker Unite will have to be postponed again until further notice. We are awaiting Unity to implement a fix to the problem before we can announce a new launch time'.
RPG Maker Unite Official (twitter, 27.04.23)
Announcing ISEKAI CREATORS Project!
A Shared World and Lore that Welcomes Fanfiction and Expansion from Everyone!
A Shared World and Lore that Welcomes Fanfiction and Expansion from Everyone!
Creating RPGs are difficult, due to writing a compelling backstory or worldbuilding being quite a time-consuming task. Through ISEKAI CREATORS, we seek to help creators kickstart this process by providing a free back world setting that anyone can borrow and expand on!
The lore of ISEKAI CREATORS was created by Takuji Endo from the FarEast Amusement Research Co.,Ltd. (aka F.E.A.R.). Endo is known as the mastermind of many TRPG lore and unique worlds for JRPGs. ISEKAI CREATORS’s lore is based on the genre of isekai (lit. otherworld – often about someone from the real-world drifting into a completely different world), currently popular in many Japanese manga and anime. The lore is designed in such a way with exciting, but just enough information to not deter the creativity and freedom of expansion for creators who wish to take part!

Guangzhou Tianwen Kadokawa Animation and Comics
[PC] Ruina: Fairy Tale of the Forgotten Ruins <RPG> (Kadokawa) {xxxx.xx.xx}
Remake in development, based on a 2008 free critically acclaimed RPG Maker 2000 developed by Shoukichi Karekusa, playable in English here.
Contracted Studios
The Old Ones
Chara-Ani - 'Chara-ani Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary, is merged into KADOKAWA CORPORATION,' (source) latest on studio unknown since being absorbed by Kadokawa 01/01/22.
Kadokawa Games (2009-2022) - some IP divested to DragamiGames, no update yet on the remaining IP rights still owned by Kadokawa Corporation.
Metal Max - CyGames are now the IP rights holders - Japanese press release. Kadokawa announced development of Metal Max: Wild West was cancelled.
Official Links:
Company Officers (Where's Waldo find Director Miyazaki Edition)
Group Companies (Main Consolidated Subsidiaries & Main Equity-Method Affiliated Companies...whatever that means)
Corporate History 1945 - present
English language overview of Kadokawa Company (download)
Investor Relations:
Publication of the Report of the Corporate Governance Inspection Committee Concerning Suspicion on Bribery by the Company’s Officers and Employees at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Future Initiatives in Response to the Recommendations for Improvement from the Corporate Governance Inspection Committee.
2020 Tokyo Olympics Bribery Trial:
Tokyo Olympic bribery scandal rolls on; company apologizes (Kadokawa Corporation CEO, Takeshi Natsuno at news conference).
30-month sentence sought for ex-chairman in Tokyo Olympic bribery trial (Prosecutors request sentence for ex-Aoki Holdings Chairman, Hironori Aoki at the Tokyo District Court, set to make ruling, April 21st).
Useful Links:
The End of Japanese Cinema - Alexander Zahlten - two chapters on Kadokawa, read preview here.
Third Window Films podcast - episode 13 contains discussion of the Nobuhiko Obayashi's 80s Kadokawa Years film boxset. Hosts & guest briefly touch on the influence of Kadokawa Films on Japanese cinema, the emergence of 80s idol culture & its ongoing influence on the entertainment business today.
Global Publishing Leaders 2014: Kadokawa - Publishers Weekly article about expansion & integration of various departments, including Kadokawa Games.
Kadokawa Corporation acquires majority stake in Anime News Network's Media Business // ANN Editor on Kadokawa World Entertainment (KWE) investment (note: Bandai Namco holds a minority stake).

Installbase Threads (Kadokawa Corporation):
Kadokawa FY3/23 Q1 Earnings release - Game Segment Net Sales ¥12,582M (+570.9% YoY) Operating Profit ¥6,569M (+Infinity% YoY) driven by Elden Ring
Kadokawa FY3/23 Q2 Earnings release - Game Segment Cumulative Net Sales ¥17,137M (+255.1% YoY), Operating Profit ¥7,592M (+1118.6% YoY): Elden Ring
Kadokawa FY3/2023 Q3 Earnings release - Game Segment Cumulative Net Sales ¥23,416M (+206.4% YoY), Operating Profit ¥9,071M (+2134.2% YoY): Elden Ring
Kadokawa FY3/2023 Q4 Earnings release - Game Segment Cumulative Net Sales ¥30,351M (+55.72% YoY), Operating Profit ¥14,218M (+173.42% YoY): Elden Ring
To do listInstallbase Threads (Kadokawa/Famitsu):
Kadokawa / Famitsu - Games Industry Analysis, Autumn 2021 // Kadokawa / Famitsu - Games Industry Analysis, Autumn 2022
Kadokawa IP ownership - rights status post-divestment of (some) games to DragamiGames & selling Metal Max to CyGames (such as 3DS/Wii/WiiU versions of Rodea the Sky Soldier).
Kadokawa divisions & IP from various departments that are relevant to video games industry discussion. Manga sales Install Basers assemble...or not. Hello! Anyone out there!?
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