Cygames

What Cygames does

Cygames is a privately-held Japanese game developer and entertainment company founded in May 2011 in Tokyo, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CyberAgent. The company develops and operates a portfolio of mobile games (Granblue Fantasy, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, Shadowverse, Princess Connect! Re:Dive), console/PC titles (GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising), anime productions through CygamesPictures, manga on the CyComi platform, and physical merchandise via the newly-opened CyConveni retail store. Its core business operates across eight service lines: mobile games, console/PC games, anime, manga, global operations, esports, rights/licensing, and Cygames Research.

The company's technology infrastructure includes proprietary motion capture studios in Tokyo and Osaka, a 224-camera body scanning system and LightCage facial capture rigs, sound studios, and an R&D division (Cygames Research) developing AI for typo detection, voice emotion analysis, image recognition, and automated debugging. A new AI-focused subsidiary (Cygames AI Studio) was established in January 2026, and the company collaborates with Tokyo University of the Arts on LLM-based NPC control systems. Cygames ID serves as a unified account platform launched in December 2024 across all services. Distribution reaches 180+ countries via app stores, console digital storefronts, regional subsidiaries in Korea, Taiwan, UK, US, and Singapore, and localized publishing partners.

Revenue is generated primarily through freemium mobile games with gacha mechanics and premium currency sales, one-time console/PC game purchases (e.g., GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink Endless Ragnarok at ¥6,930–¥9,900 / $29.99–$59.99), anime licensing and streaming royalties, manga subscriptions, merchandise and rights licensing, and esports tournament operations. The company is vertically integrated from R&D through production to retail, with over 18 wholly-owned subsidiaries covering animation, CG/VFX (Griot Groove, acquired May 2026), food services, music, capital investment, and regional market operations.

Name

Cygames

Legal name

株式会社Cygames

Website

https://cygames.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cygames is a privately-held Japanese game developer and multi-format entertainment company (subsidiary of CyberAgent) that develops and operates mobile games, console/PC titles, anime, manga, and merchandise based on proprietary IP franchises like Granblue Fantasy, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, and Shadowverse, serving global consumers across 180+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile and Console Video Games

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (51321), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile & F2P Game Studios (MPAFAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mobile Game Publishing & App Game Stores (BPAMAKAB), Web3/Blockchain Game Studios (MPAFAAAO)

Keywords

• Mobile game development
• Console game publishing
• Anime production services
• Manga publishing platform
• Esports tournament operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Shibuya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Mobile Game Operations: Free-to-play mobile games (Granblue Fantasy, Princess Connect! Re:Dive, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, Shadowverse, World Flipper) generating revenue through in-app purchases, gacha mechanics, and premium currency sales. Revenue model combines subscription elements (monthly passes) with transaction-based purchases.
2. Console/PC Game Sales: Standalone game purchases for console and PC platforms including GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Little Noah: Successor of Paradise, and the upcoming Endless Ragnarok expansion. Sold as one-time purchases with potential expansion content.
3. Anime Production and Distribution: Original and game-adapted anime productions including Zombie Land Saga, Uma Musume, Shadowverse, Princess Connect! Re:Dive, and BanG Dream! franchises. Revenue from licensing, streaming rights, and theatrical releases.
4. Rights and Merchandise: Licensing of IP for figures, goods, collaborations, and media adaptations. CyConveni physical goods store opened February 2026. Collaboration products across food, merchandise, and cross-brand partnerships.
5. Manga Platform (Sakkomi): Web manga service publishing both game adaptations and original works, generating revenue through readership and content licensing.
6. eSports and Tournament Operations: Competitive gaming through Shadowverse World Grand Prix and related tournaments, generating engagement and promoting game ecosystem.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cygames develops, publishes, and operates mobile, browser, console, and PC video games built around proprietary franchises such as Granblue Fantasy, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, Shadowverse, and Princess Connect! Re:Dive, monetised through free-to-play with in-app purchases and one-time paid console/PC releases. Beyond games, Cygames extends its IP into anime production (via Cygames Pictures), manga publishing (via the CyComi platform), physical merchandise retail (via CyConveni), and licensed media and collaborations.

Product overview

Cygames operates a diverse multi-platform entertainment portfolio spanning mobile games, console/PC games, browser games, manga publishing, anime production, and merchandise. The core mobile game portfolio includes flagship titles Granblue Fantasy, Shadowverse, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, and Princess Connect! Re:Dive. Console extensions include GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink and its upcoming expansion Endless Ragnarok, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond (next-gen card game), and various spin-offs. The company extends IPs through anime adaptations via Cygames Pictures, manga through the Cycomes platform, and physical merchandise via retail stores like CyConveni. Technology infrastructure includes Cygames ID unified account system, Cygames Research for AI and automation, and Cygames AI Studio (established 2026) for generative AI tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Granblue Fantasy Core mobile/browser RPG with gacha mechanics, story-driven gameplay, and the foundation for multiple spin-offs including Relink and Versus, targeting mobile gamers seeking long-running anime-style RPG entertainment.
• Princess Connect! Re:Dive Mobile RPG featuring anime-style gacha collecting, story-driven gameplay, and full voice acting with original story content, targeting mobile gamers who enjoy anime-style RPGs.
• Umamusume: Pretty Derby Mobile game combining horse racing simulation with character collecting and rhythm gameplay, featuring anthropomorphic horse girl characters inspired by real Japanese racehorses. Won Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2025.
• Shadowverse Digital trading card game with strategic card battles, multiple game modes, and esports tournaments, targeting mobile card game and competitive players.
• Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond Next-generation digital card game featuring 'super evolution' and 'Shadowverse Park' online multiplayer with avatar customization, targeting digital card game fans and competitive players.
• Shadowverse EVOLVE Physical trading card game developed in collaboration with Bushiroad, extending the Shadowverse franchise to tabletop gaming, targeting physical card game collectors and Shadowverse fans.
• GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink Multi-platform action RPG letting players experience the Granblue Fantasy world with cooperative multiplayer gameplay, targeting console and PC gamers who want premium single-purchase experiences.
• GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink - Endless Ragnarok Paid expansion for GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink adding new Summon system with over 100 creatures, roguelike Conflux mode, Master Traits, and crossplay support, targeting existing owners and new buyers of the base game.
• Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Fighting game adaptation of the Granblue Fantasy franchise featuring characters and lore from the mobile game, targeting console/PC fighting game fans.
• Shadowverse: Champions Battle Console adaptation of the Shadowverse card game for Nintendo Switch, extending the digital card game to handheld gaming, targeting Shadowverse fans and Nintendo Switch owners.
• Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Nekketsu Hachamecha Daikanshasai! Causal action game featuring Umamusume characters released August 2024, targeting console players who enjoy Umamusume characters.
• Little Noah: Successor of Paradise Roguelite action game revived from the mobile version as a console title featuring action gameplay and item crafting, targeting console action-RPG players.
• Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Beginning of a New Era Theatrical feature film based on the Umamusume franchise following Jungle Pocket's pursuit of the Triple Crown, with North American theatrical release in February 2026 via GAGA distribution, targeting anime and franchise fans.
• Cycomi Mobile and web manga delivery service publishing original manga IPs and game adaptations, targeting manga readers in Japan.
• CyConveni Convenience store-concept merchandise shop selling Cygames goods including acrylic stands, umbrella products, and other character merchandise, opened February 2026 in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, targeting anime and game fans.
• Cygames ID Common account system enabling single login and cross-service access across Cygames games and services, free for any user to register, launched December 2024.
• World Flipper

Quantifiable outcome

• Umamusume: Pretty Derby won Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Griot GroovecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026CG/VFX production company acquired as wholly-owned subsidiary May 2026. 31-year-old studio specializing in realistic modeling, animation, and motion capture for films, games, CM, and anime.
• Churchill Downs Racetrack (Kentucky Derby)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 April 2026Sponsorship of 152nd Kentucky Derby. Cygames branded race 'Pleasant Colony Presented by Cygames' on Derby day May 2, 2026. Logo on starting gates, saddle towels, and track signage.
• GAGAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 January 2026Japanese film distributor accelerating global distribution. Handling North American theatrical release of Uma Musume movie 'Beginning of a New Era' on February 27, 2026.
• Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo Geidai)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025Joint research on game production and game AI development tools. Cygames Research collaborating with university on LLM-powered live programming environment for NPC control. Focus on artistic game creation and AI tools supporting creators.
• Breeders' Cup Ltd.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 October 2025Partnership with Breeders' Cup World Championships organizing body. Second consecutive year sponsoring 'Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint' race worth $2 million, 1200m dirt race at Del Mar racetrack November 2025.
• France GalopcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 May 2025Partnership with French horse racing governing body for sponsorship of Prix de Paris (Grand Prix de Paris) as main sponsor. Second consecutive year branding race as 'CYGAMES GRAND PRIX DE PARIS' July 14, 2026.
• Juventus F.C.flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 July 2020Italian Serie A football club sponsorship. Cygames logo appears on official uniforms (back position), stadium billboards at Allianz Stadium during Serie A, Coppa Italia, and international matches. Contract renewed 2024-2026.
• CoderDojo JapanminorOthers · 28 November 2018Partnership for PC donations to 160 coding dojos nationwide for programming education support.
• CysharpcoreTechnology or Integration · 30 October 2018Technology development subsidiary providing game-related planning, development, and technical consulting services.
• Sagan TosuflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2017J-League soccer team sponsorship. Cygames sponsors Sagan Tosu U-18 academy teams and supports stadium renovation. Multiple corporate CM campaigns featuring Sagan Tosu youth players.
• Bandai Namco EntertainmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2011Long-standing co-development partner for Idolmaster Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage and other projects. Joint development and operation of mobile games.
• NintendoflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2011Strategic partnership for smart device game apps. Co-development on Dragalia Lost (ended) and other titles. Support for GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink on Nintendo platforms.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cygames_goods
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CygamesJA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Cygames
• Instagraminstagram.com/cygames_inc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cygames

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments7 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cygames