Pokelabo

What Pokelabo does

Pokelabo (株式会社ポケラボ) is a Japanese mobile game developer and live-service operator founded in 2007 and headquartered in Tokyo (Roppongi). The company specializes in anime-themed free-to-play mobile RPGs, building and operating games distributed globally through Apple's iOS App Store, Google Play, and, more recently, Steam. Its current product portfolio is anchored by 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ Magia Exedra, a licensed Madoka Magica RPG developed and operated by Pokelabo with Aniplex as publisher; the title launched on iOS and Android on March 27, 2025, followed by a Steam PC release on July 17, 2025. A prior flagship, SINoALICE, ceased service on January 15, 2024, with a successor app ('シノアリスだったナニカ') remaining available on app stores.

The business model is freemium: games are free to download and monetize through in-app purchases, gacha mechanics, and live-ops event cycles targeting anime and JRPG audiences. Pokelabo's go-to-market is product-led, relying on app store discovery, official branded game service websites, and social media rather than direct sales. The studio maintains 251-500 employees and operates a marketing footprint of individual game-service sites such as madoka-exedra.com. On January 1, 2025, Pokelabo was integrated into its parent company WFS Co., Ltd. (株式会社WFS), effectively ending its status as a freestanding corporate entity; the brand and development operations continue, but legal, structural, and operational control now sit within the WFS group. The only disclosed capital event is a 2010 Series 2 round of approximately $11.86M led by DCM Ventures with Incubate Fund; no subsequent funding, revenue, or valuation disclosures are available.

Name

Pokelabo

Legal name

株式会社WFS

Website

https://pokelabo.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Pokelabo is a Japanese mobile game developer founded in 2007 that builds and operates free-to-play anime-themed RPGs, including Magia Exedra (licensed from Aniplex), for iOS, Android, and Steam. The studio was integrated into parent WFS Co., Ltd. on January 1, 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Gaming

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAFAAAB

Mobile & F2P Game Studios

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Gaming & Interactive Entertainment (Video Games, Esports)/Game Development Studios (PC/Console/Mobile)

SECONDARYBPAMAKAB

Mobile Game Publishing & App Game Stores

Business & Public Services/Web, Mobile & Digital Platforms/Gaming Platforms & Digital Worlds

Keywords

• Mobile game development
• Free-to-play games
• Anime RPG games
• Mobile game publishing
• Social mobile games

Headquarters

HQ city

Roppongi

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Free-to-play mobile games with in-app purchases: Pokelabo develops and operates free-to-play mobile games that generate revenue through in-app purchases and monetization mechanics. Games are available on App Store, Google Play, and Steam platforms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Pokelabo develops and operates free-to-play mobile games, primarily anime-themed RPGs, distributed on iOS, Android, and Steam. The company generates revenue through in-app purchases and in-game monetization mechanics, with flagship titles such as Magia Exedra developed under license from IP holders like Aniplex.

Product overview

Pokelabo (株式会社ポケラボ) was a mobile game developer and operator that merged into 株式会社WFS (WFS) on January 1, 2025. The company portfolio included 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ Magia Exedra (a licensed Aniplex RPG released March 2025, with Steam port in July 2025) and SINoALICE (which ended service January 2024). Pokelabo operated games across iOS, Android, and Steam platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ Magia Exedra (Magia Exedra) Free-to-play anime-themed mobile RPG based on the Puella Magi Madoka Magica franchise, developed and operated by Pokelabo and published by Aniplex. Available on iOS, Android, and Steam. Targeted at fans of the anime IP and mobile RPG players.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AniplexcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2025Aniplex serves as the publisher for 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ Magia Exedra, developed and operated by Pokelabo. The game was officially released on March 27, 2025 with Aniplex handling publishing duties, representing a key publishing partnership for the title.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pokelabo_news

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Pokelabo