What Spicysoft does

Spicysoft Corporation (スパイシーソフト株式会社) is a Tokyo-based, privately held Japanese IT company founded on November 30, 1999, by Representative Director Motoyasu Yamada, who retains 100% ownership. The company operates two distinct business lines. The first is Chariso Studio (チャリ走スタジオ), a casual game development studio responsible for the チャリ走 (Chariso) franchise launched in 2006 and the 糸通し (Itotooshi) franchise launched in 2005, both originating in the Japanese feature phone (ガラケー) era. The Chariso series has accumulated over 30 million downloads across smartphones, Nintendo 3DS, WiiU, PlayStation VR, TikTok, and Nintendo Switch, reaching #1 in racing game rankings in 44 countries' app stores. The studio has historically monetized via freemium in-app purchases, IP licensing to merchandise partners (Crown Creative), and paid brand collaboration projects with major Japanese IPs including Kamen Rider (Toei), Umi Monogatari (Sanyo Bussan), McDonald's, and Shimamura, as well as YouTuber HIKAKIN for content collaborations.

The second business line is Tech4U, an SES (System Engineering Services) staffing business launched in September 2023 that matches experienced IT engineers with enterprise clients. Tech4U differentiates through four structural pillars: veteran-only hiring, unit-price-linked salaries, a project selection/change system, and regular (non-dispatch) employment only. Spicysoft supports Tech4U with an active technical blog (Qiita), CEO-authored note.com content, engineer meetups (BBQ, izakaya gatherings via Connpass), and direct participation in recruitment fairs such as the October 2024 type engineers job fair at Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall.

The company has 11-50 employees, registered capital of JPY 10 million, no institutional shareholders, and no disclosed revenue. Supporting technology spans Ruby on Rails, PHP, Python, JavaScript for web services, plus mobile game development for Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS/2DS, WiiU, PlayStation VR, and TikTok platforms. A dormant subsidiary (株式会社アプリゲット, formerly スパイシーベクター) previously operated the AppGet smartphone game media platform. Recent corporate actions include the 2018 spin-off of AppGet, the 2023 SES market entry, and 2024 corporate identity realignment toward the SES business.

Name

Spicysoft

Legal name

スパイシーソフト株式会社

Website

https://spicysoft.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Spicysoft is a Tokyo-based, founder-owned Japanese IT company operating two lines: the Chariso Studio casual mobile game franchise (30M+ downloads since 2006) and Tech4U, an SES engineering staffing business for veteran IT engineers launched in September 2023.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Engineering Services

NAICS

Software Publishers (51321), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Full-Service Game Publishers (1st/2nd/3rd-Party Publishing) (MPAFABAA)

Keywords

• IT engineering services
• Mobile game development
• Casual mobile gaming
• Engineer staffing
• Cross-platform gaming

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. SES (System Engineering Services) - Tech4U: Engineering staffing services placing veteran engineers at client companies. Revenue generated from mark-up on engineer billing rates. Four pillars: veteran-only hiring, unit-price-linked salaries, project selection system, regular employee-only hiring. Company entered SES market in September 2023.
2. Mobile Game Sales & Licensing: Free-to-play casual games with in-app purchase revenue. Also licenses チャリ走 IP for merchandise (T-shirts, goods via Crown Creative). Game revenues from App Store, Google Play, Nintendo eShop sales.
3. Game Collaboration Services: Paid collaboration projects with brands and IPs (e.g., Kamen Rider, 海物語, McDonald's, Shimamura). Includes game development, promotion, and branded content.
4. Demo Testing Service (DemoA): Game demo testing service connecting developers with professional reviewers, writers, and influencers via appget platform. Spot plans and monthly subscription plans available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Spicysoft operates two distinct business lines. The first is Chariso Studio, a casual game development brand responsible for the Chariso (チャリ走) and Itotooshi (糸通し) mobile game franchises, which have together generated over 30 million cumulative downloads across feature phones, smartphones, Nintendo 3DS, WiiU, PlayStation VR, Nintendo Switch, and TikTok. The second is Tech4U, a System Engineering Services (SES) business launched in September 2023 that matches experienced IT engineers with enterprise clients through veteran-only hiring, rate-linked compensation, project selection rights, and regular employee-only employment.

Product overview

Spicysoft operates two main business lines: (1) チャリ走スタジオ (Chariso Studio), a casual game studio responsible for the チャリ走 (Chariso) and 糸通し (Itotooshi) mobile game franchises, both originating from the feature phone era — チャリ走 was first released in 2006 and has accumulated over 30 million downloads across smartphones, Nintendo 3DS, WiiU, PlayStation VR, TikTok, and Nintendo Switch; 糸通し was first released in 2005; and (2) Tech4U, an SES (System Engineering Services) business launched in 2023 to support engineers through veteran-only hiring, rate-linked salaries, project selection rights, and regular employment. The company also previously operated the app media アプリ★ゲット and the демо testing service デモオア.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tech4U: SES (System Engineering Service) business brand focused on supporting engineers with veteran-only hiring, commission-linked salary system, project selection/change system, and regular employee-only employment.
• チャリ走スタジオ (Chariso Studio)

Products and services

• Tech4U A System Engineering Services (SES) business that matches experienced IT engineers with Japanese enterprise clients. Differentiated by four pillars: veteran-only hiring, unit-price-linked salary, project selection/change system, and regular employee-only employment. Targets CTOs, engineering managers, and project managers needing experienced engineering capacity.
• Chariso 3rd / Chariso 3rd Race (チャリ走3rd) The third main installment of the Chariso infinite-runner bicycle game franchise, featuring Hikakin beatbox BGM/SE collaboration and IP-based collaboration stages. Free-to-play with in-app purchases, available on Android and iOS.
• Chariso TikTok Version (チャリ走 TikTok版) TikTok mini-game version of the Chariso franchise, making the one-tap bicycle infinite runner accessible through the TikTok social platform. Targets younger demographics and TikTok-native users.
• Original Chariso (元祖チャリ走) A faithful smartphone recreation of the 2007 first installment of the Chariso feature phone game, preserving original playfeel and sound while adding high-resolution and 60fps support. Includes Lobi leaderboard for score ranking. Free-to-play with in-app purchases.
• Chariso 3D 2nd (跳びだせ!チャリ走3D 2nd) A 3D-ported sequel recreating the second installment of the original feature phone Chariso series, with new items including poison mushrooms and leaves enabling 3-layer jumps, plus unlockable ride characters. Free-to-play.
• Super Chariso Atsumete! Super Doh Hunter (超チャリ走 あつめて！超獰ハンター) A Nintendo 3DS stage-clear action game combining traditional Chariso gameplay with monster-raising and synthesis mechanics, featuring Monster Hunter collaboration stages and local multiplayer for 2-4 players. Distributed via Nintendo eShop.
• Chariso Death - Downhill de Sokushi Race (チャリ走デス ダウンヒルで即死レース) A smartphone action game with tilt-based lateral dodge controls where speed ramps from 50km/h to 500km/h. Free-to-play with ad-free paid version.
• The Man Who Sold 100 Million Bicycles (チャリ走 秒速で1億台売る男) A business simulation game where the protagonist Suzuki opens a bicycle shop and progresses through acquisitions and investments, aiming to sell 100 million bikes. Genre departure from the core Chariso action series.
• Original Itotooshi (元祖糸通し) A smartphone reimagining of the 2005 feature phone casual game where players thread a silkworm character through needle holes using tap controls. Includes Lobi leaderboard integration and a revival feature. Free-to-play.
• Itotooshi de Gesu (糸通しでげす) A 10th-anniversary mobile game spin-off of the Itotooshi series featuring YouTuber HIKAKIN, mascot character Nebaru-kun, Fukkachan (Saitama Fukaya mascot), and Famitsu App's Umabaen as in-game characters. Gameplay focused on threading silkworm characters through needles to produce goods.
• DemoA (デモオア) A mobile game demo testing service that connects developers with professional editors, writers, and influencers from the Appget platform to conduct evaluations at planning and development stages. Available as spot plans and monthly subscription plans with a free tier.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 million+ cumulative downloads across チャリ走 series
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TikTokcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 January 2024Platform partnership for TikTok mini-game distribution of チャリ走 and 糸通し games. Enables casual gaming access through TikTok social platform. Spicysoft also provides TikTok casual game publishing consultation services.
• Toei Company (東映株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2016Multiple collaboration titles releasing チャリ走 games featuring Kamen Rider characters. First time Toei served as publisher for チャリ走 collab series (6th collaboration: Kamen Rider Ex-Aid × チャリ走). Toei provides IP and publishing, Spicysoft handles game development.
• KAYAC (株式会社カヤック)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2016Partnership through RANKERS mobile e-sports platform. チャリ走 supported on RANKERS platform enabling nationwide net cafe e-sports tournaments with prizes. First RANKERS integration with real-store gaming events.
• KDDI (auスマートパス)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 October 2016Distribution of チャリ走3rd Race -全国への挑戦-完全版 through KDDI's au Smart Pass subscription service (monthly JPY 390). Exclusive content and features for au subscribers.
• HIKAKIN / ねば～る君 / ふっかちゃん / ファミ通AppcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 July 2016YouTuber and character collaboration for 糸通しでげす (10th anniversary). HIKAKIN appears as 'Hikakin-san' silkworm character, with influencer-driven marketing. ねば～る君, ふっかちゃん (Saitama Fukaya mascot), and Famitsu App's 马场园 also featured as characters.
• Sanyo Bussan (株式会社三洋物産)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2016Collaboration between チャリ走3D and 海物語 (Umi Monogatari) franchise featuring Marin-chan character. Included in-game 海 mode gameplay bonus and JPY 300,000 travel voucher campaign. 海物語 has 7.15 million pachinko unit sales since 1999.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Capcom: Capcom is a major Japanese video game publisher and developer (Street Fighter, Monster Hunter, Resident Evil). Capcom is already a Spicysoft partner (Monster Hunter collaboration stage in 3DS title) and represents the broader incumbent publisher side of the relationship — large, IP-driven, multi-platform game publisher comparable to Spicysoft's IP-and-collaboration model.
• DeNA: DeNA is one of Japan's leading mobile internet and gaming companies, operating the Mobage platform and publishing multiple casual mobile games. As a broad incumbent with platform and publishing capabilities, it overlaps significantly with Spicysoft's mobile casual game publishing activities, though at much larger scale and with broader internet services exposure.
• Gree: Gree is a Japanese mobile and social game publisher historically known for its social gaming platform. It is a broad incumbent peer operating in the same casual / social mobile gaming category Spicysoft targets, though at substantially larger scale and with a wider platform portfolio.
• mixi: mixi is the Japanese mobile gaming publisher behind Monster Strike, one of Japan's longest-running and highest-grossing casual mobile games. mixi's franchise model (one evergreen casual IP, multi-decade horizon) closely parallels Spicysoft's Chariso strategy, though at vastly larger scale.
• GungHo Online Entertainment: GungHo is the Japanese casual mobile game publisher behind Puzzle & Dragons and a range of casual / mid-core mobile titles. It is much larger than Spicysoft but the most directly comparable Japanese mobile casual game publisher, with similar reliance on evergreen IP and multi-platform reach.
• Akatsuki: Akatsuki is a Japanese mobile and social game publisher focused on mid-core and casual titles, with a similar IP-driven, mobile-first publishing approach to Spicysoft. It is a larger broad incumbent in the same product category and target customer demographic.
• Colopl: Colopl is a Japanese mobile game developer and publisher (known for titles like White Cat Project / Shironeko Project) that operates in the same casual-to-midcore mobile gaming space. It is a broad incumbent peer with substantially greater scale than Spicysoft.

Direct peers

• Akkodis Japan (formerly Modis): Akkodis (formerly Modis) is a global IT and engineering staffing and services firm with a major Japanese operation providing SES and engineer dispatch services to enterprise clients. It is a direct peer to Spicysoft's Tech4U division in terms of service offering (IT engineer placement) and target customer base (enterprise clients seeking engineering capacity).
• KAYAC: KAYAC is a Japanese digital entertainment and web development company of comparable small-to-mid size that develops casual mobile games and operates community/web platforms. It is already a Spicysoft partner (RANKERS mobile e-sports platform integration), making it a direct functional peer in casual mobile gaming and small-team Japanese game development.
• TechnoPro: TechnoPro is one of Japan's largest IT staffing / SES (System Engineering Services) companies, placing engineers at enterprise clients — directly comparable to Spicysoft's Tech4U SES business. As a market-leading incumbent in Japanese SES, it represents both the competitive benchmark and a comp set for Tech4U's engineering staffing model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/spicysoft
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/charisodx
• Facebookfacebook.com/charisodx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spicysoft-corporation.

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Spicysoft