Mages

What Mages does

MAGES. (株式会社MAGES., Kabushiki Kaisha MAGES.) is a Tokyo-based game software developer and publisher specializing in narrative-driven entertainment, particularly visual novels, adventure games, and rhythm/music titles, distributed primarily to Japanese consumers across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, and proprietary e-commerce channels. The company develops and publishes games using Unity (C#) and Unreal Engine (C++), with a portfolio anchored by two long-running original franchises — the Science Adventure series (STEINS;GATE, CHAOS;HEAD, CHAOS;CHILD, ROBOTICS;NOTES, OCCULTIC;NINE) and the Memories Off series — alongside a broad catalog of adaptations of popular anime and light novel properties such as The Quintessential Quintuplets, Rent-a-Girlfriend, KonoSuba, and Re:Zero.

MAGES. operates a cross-media model in which original game IP is extended into anime adaptations, music releases, live events, merchandise, and licensed collaborations. The business is organized around sub-brands including MAGES. GAME (game software), 5pb.Records and Stand-Up! Records (music labels), LOVE&ART (otome-oriented content), MAJI-GET (proprietary e-commerce for games and goods), and MAGIC KUJI ONLINE (lottery/gacha merchandise platform). Revenue is generated through one-time license sales of physical and digital game editions (standard, limited, digital deluxe tiers priced between ¥6,380 and ¥12,980), merchandise and collectibles sales, and IP licensing. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Colopl Inc. (TSE:3652), a publicly listed Japanese mobile gaming company that acquired 100% of MAGES. shares in April 2020. Operations are concentrated in the Japanese domestic market, with international distribution limited to digital storefronts.

Name

Mages

Legal name

株式会社MAGES. (Kabushiki Kaisha MAGES.)

Website

https://mages.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MAGES. is a Tokyo-based game software developer and publisher specializing in visual novels, adventure games, and music titles, distributed to Japanese consumers across major console and PC platforms, with a portfolio anchored by the Science Adventure and Memories Off franchises plus anime/light novel adaptations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

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

Revenue model

1. Game Software Sales: MAGES generates primary revenue through the sale of game software across multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox, and PC (Steam). Revenue comes from both physical package sales and digital download versions, with various edition tiers (standard, limited, digital deluxe) targeting different customer segments.
2. Merchandise and Goods: The company sells character merchandise, collectibles, and official goods through their MAGIC Kuji ONLINE platform and maji-get.jp e-commerce site, including items from franchises like Tohoku Zunko & Zundamon Project and various game titles.
3. Cross-media IP Licensing: MAGES creates and develops original intellectual properties that expand across multiple media formats including games, anime adaptations, music, and events, generating revenue through licensing and related commercial activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MAGES. is a Japanese game software developer and publisher focused on narrative-driven adventure games, visual novels, and music/rhythm titles. The company develops original IP such as the Science Adventure series (STEINS;GATE, CHAOS;HEAD, CHAOS;CHILD) and the Memories Off romance adventure series, alongside licensed anime/light-novel adaptations. Beyond game publishing, it extends franchises into anime, music labels (5pb.Records, Stand-Up! Records), merchandise (maji-get.jp), and online lotteries (MAGIC KUJI ONLINE).

Product overview

MAGES. is a multi-media entertainment company focused on game software development as its core business, with a portfolio spanning adventure games, music labels, merchandise platforms, and event organization. The game business centers on two flagship original series — the Science Adventure series (STEINS;GATE, CHAOS;HEAD, CHAOS;CHILD, ROBOTICS;NOTES, OCCULTIC;NINE) and the Memories Off series — alongside a large catalog of anime and light novel adaptations (五等分の花嫁, お隣の天使様, Re:ゼロ, この素晴らしい世界に祝福を!, etc.). The company also operates music sub-brands (5pb.Records, Stand-Up! Records), the LOVE&ART otome brand, the MAJI-GET online merchandise shop, and the MAGIC KUJI ONLINE lottery platform. Recent notable releases include STEINS;GATE RE:BOOT (2026, 6 platforms), My Merry May with be (2026), 激奏！BAND STAR (2025), and the CHAOS;HEAD/CHAOS;CHILD DOUBLE PACK (2025), with a major anniversary event for Memories Off in 2025. The company also publishes games for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam, and has historically operated anime streaming and live concert services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MAGES. GAME: Game software division focusing on adventure game development and publishing, including original titles and adaptations.

Products and services

• STEINS;GATE RE:BOOT A full HD remake of the flagship 2009 Science Adventure visual novel, featuring updated graphics, a new γ worldline route, and a simultaneous 6-platform release (Nintendo Switch 2, Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Steam). Targeted at existing franchise fans and new entrants.
• Science Adventure Series

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Tohoku Zunko & Zundamon ProjectminorOthers · 2 February 2026MAGES announced the launch of the Go!! Go!! Zunda Girls!! online lottery featuring merchandise from the Tohoku Zunko & Zundamon Project. The lottery runs from February 2 to March 16, 2026, offering character merchandise items. The Tohoku Zunko & Zundamon Project originated as a recovery support initiative following the Great East Japan Earthquake and has gained recognition through YouTube content and retail voice-over announcements.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aksys Games: Japanese game publisher specializing in otome games, visual novels, and niche localized titles (Code: Realize, Collar x Malice). Comparable to MAGES. in product mix and Japanese-developed content licensed into Western markets.
• Key (Visual Art's): Japanese visual novel developer behind CLANNAD, Kanon, Little Busters!, and Angel Beats. Closest direct peer to MAGES. in visual novel specialization, cross-media IP expansion (anime adaptations), and Steam/niche-console distribution model.
• Spike Chunsoft: Japanese game developer/publisher specializing in visual novels, mystery/adventure games (Danganronpa series, AI: The Somnium Files), and niche console titles. Directly comparable to MAGES. in product category, narrative-driven console focus, and Japanese domestic market emphasis.
• Compile Heart: Japanese game developer subsidiary of Idea Factory, producing niche JRPGs and character-driven adventure titles for PlayStation/Switch. Comparable to MAGES. in console-focused niche genre publishing and parent-subsidiary structure.
• Idea Factory: Japanese game publisher focused on otome games, visual novels, and JRPGs (Hakuoki, Code Realize, Otomate brand). Directly comparable to MAGES.' LOVE&ART otome brand and adventure-game portfolio, with similar cross-media ambitions.

Broad incumbents

• Marvelous Inc. Japanese game developer/publisher (Story of Seasons, Senran Kagura, Rune Factory) with multi-platform console and PC focus. Comparable to MAGES. as a mid-sized Japanese multi-platform game publisher, though with broader IP portfolio and global reach.
• NIS America: Subsidiary of Nippon Ichi Software handling Western localization and publishing of Japanese visual novels/strategy RPGs. Comparable to MAGES. in Japanese console/PC game publishing, but operates in a broader portfolio across multiple genres.
• Atlus: Japanese game publisher (Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, Catherine) and Sega subsidiary. Comparable to MAGES. in Japanese-developed narrative games with cross-media adaptations, though at significantly larger scale and broader genre coverage.
• Nippon Ichi Software: Japanese game publisher (Disgaea, The Liar Princess) operating in niche JRPG/strategy segments with console and PC distribution. Comparable to MAGES. in niche Japanese console publishing, though broader in genre scope.

Emerging players

• Type-Moon: Japanese visual novel developer (Fate/stay night, Tsukihime, Mahoutsukai no Yoru) with global franchise reach through anime/games. Comparable to MAGES. in visual novel origin and cross-media expansion, though more successful internationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MAGES_GAME
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MAGES_GAME

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Mages