KADOKAWA Game Linkage

What KADOKAWA Game Linkage does

KADOKAWA Game Linkage (KGL) is a Tokyo-based gaming information and media company, wholly owned by KADOKAWA Corporation. Founded on July 3, 2017 as Gz Brave Inc. and renamed in October 2019 following the KADOKAWA Group reorganization, the company operates Japan's most recognized game media portfolio, anchored by Weekly Famitsu (established 1986, 40th anniversary celebrated June 6, 2026), Dengeki Online, B's-LOG.com, and children's publications Terebi Game Magazine and Pikopuri. The company also runs an owned e-commerce platform (ebten, rebuilt October 2025), the FAV gaming professional eSports team, and the りーさるぷらん (Le Saloon Plan) fighting game VTuber group.

KGL generates revenue across seven distinct streams: print and digital magazine publishing (subscriptions and single-issue sales), web media advertising (Famitsu.com, Dengeki Online, B's-LOG.com), e-commerce merchandise sales via ebten, event planning and management (including the Famitsu-Dengeki Game Awards and FAVCUP tournaments), eSports team sponsorship and tournament operations, B2B promotional services for game publishers (community management, Asia marketing, guidebook and art book production, bonus content manufacturing), and original game publishing on Nintendo Switch and Steam. Pricing varies by stream: magazines are subscription-based, guidebooks retail at approximately ¥1,500-3,000, and merchandise is sold at varying price points through ebten. The company also has a B2C component via BOOK☆WALKER digital distribution and seasonal 50% digital sales.

KGL serves two primary customer segments: B2C gaming enthusiasts ranging from children (Minecraft, Pokemon) to hardcore gamers (Elden Ring, Persona), and B2B game publishers and developers including Square Enix, Atlus, Level-5, Aniplex, Nihon Falcom, NEXON, DMM GAMES, and Bokeh Game Studio. With 157 employees, ¥100 million in registered capital, and headquarters in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, the company functions as a self-contained media-to-commerce ecosystem within the broader KADOKAWA Group, connecting game publishers to Japanese gaming audiences through integrated print, web, video, live events, e-commerce, and community channels.

Name

KADOKAWA Game Linkage

Legal name

株式会社KADOKAWA Game Linkage

Website

https://kadokawagamelinkage.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

KADOKAWA Game Linkage is a Tokyo-based gaming media company operating Japan's leading brands including Weekly Famitsu and Dengeki Online. A wholly-owned KADOKAWA Corporation subsidiary, it serves game publishers and consumers through publishing, e-commerce, eSports, events, and community services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gaming Media and Publishing

NAICS

Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912), Book Retailers and News Dealers (4592)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Gaming Collectibles, Merchandise & Toys Retail (CRACAFAI), Toy & Game E-commerce Specialists (CRALAFAL), Physical Game Distribution & Retail (Boxed Games, Wholesale, Merchandising) (MPAFABAC), Gaming & Interactive Entertainment (Digital Goods, Subscriptions) (CRAFAIAC)

Keywords

• Game media publishing
• Gaming magazines
• Game merchandise retail
• Esports team management
• Game marketing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Publishing (Magazines & Guidebooks): Revenue from publishing weekly/monthly gaming magazines (Weekly Famitsu, Dengeki Nintendo, B's-LOG), and game guidebooks/art books for major game titles. Includes both print and digital/ebook editions.
2. Web Media & Digital Content: Revenue from digital media operations including Famitsu.com, Dengeki Online, and other web properties through advertising and content licensing.
3. eCommerce (ebten): EC site revenue from sale of game merchandise, limited editions, collector's items, and official game-related goods.
4. Event Planning & Management: Revenue from planning, organizing, and operating gaming events, game shows, exhibitions, and eSports tournaments including FAVCUP and Famitsu-Dengeki Game Awards.
5. eSports Management (FAV gaming): Revenue from operating the FAV gaming professional eSports team through sponsorship deals, tournament participation, and brand partnerships.
6. Goods & Merchandise: Production and sale of game-related merchandise, promotional goods, and fan items including limited edition bundles.
7. Game Development & Publishing: Original game production and publishing, such as the Ninja Slayer Neo Saitama game, developed and published on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

KADOKAWA Game Linkage operates a diversified game media and entertainment business built on flagship brands including Weekly Famitsu, Dengeki Online, and B's-LOG, publishing gaming magazines, guidebooks, and art books in print and digital formats. The company sells game merchandise and limited editions through its ebten e-commerce platform, manages the FAV gaming professional eSports team and the りーさるぷらん VTuber group, and provides B2B marketing, community management, event planning, and content production services to game publishers in Japan and Asia.

Product overview

KADOKAWA Game Linkage operates a diversified portfolio of game media brands and services built around publishing excellence. The core offering centers on three major magazine/website brands—Famitsu (including Famitsu.com and Weekly Famitsu), Dengeki (including Dengeki Online and Dengeki PlayStation), and B's-LOG—complemented by two children's-focused publications (Terebi Game Magazine and Pikopuri). Strategy guides are produced under both the Famitsu and Dengeki brands, offering official game coverage, walkthroughs, and art books. The company also runs ebten, an e-commerce platform for game merchandise and limited editions, and FAV gaming, its professional e-sports brand. Content production services for game companies include planning, PR, publishing support, and international marketing. The portfolio connects game publishers with fans through print, web, video, events, and e-commerce channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Weekly Famitsu (週刊ファミ通): Weekly video game magazine published by KADOKAWA Game Linkage.
• Famitsu.com (ファミ通.com)
• Dengeki Online (電撃オンライン)
• B's-LOG.com
• Television Game Magazine (てれびげーむマガジン)
• Piko-puri (ぴこぷり)
• FAV gaming (ファブ gaming)
• ebten
• Famitsu Strategy Guides (ファミ通の攻略本)
• Dengeki Strategy Guides (電撃の攻略本)
• Dengeki Nintendo (電撃Nintendo)
• Dengeki PlayStation

Products and services

• Weekly Famitsu (週刊ファミ通) Japan's leading weekly video game magazine, publishing game reviews, industry news, Famitsu sales charts, and exclusive interviews. Available in print and digital/ebook formats via subscription and single-issue retail.
• Famitsu.com (ファミ通.com) Comprehensive game media website featuring daily gaming news, reviews, interviews, and industry coverage under Japan's most recognized game magazine brand.
• Dengeki Online (電撃オンライン)
• Dengeki PlayStation (電撃PlayStation)
• Famitsu Strategy Guides (ファミ通の攻略本)
• Dengeki Strategy Guides (電撃の攻略本)
• Terebi Game Magazine (てれびげーむマガジン)
• Pikopuri (ぴこぷり)
• B's-LOG.com
• ebten (エビテン) E-commerce platform specializing in game-related merchandise, limited editions, collector's items, and game media products, including exclusive publisher bundles and special editions.
• FAV gaming (ファブゲーミング) Professional eSports team and gaming brand competing in Street Fighter League, VALORANT, and other competitive gaming titles, with youth development programs and international tournament participation.
• りーさるぷらん (Rei-Saru Plan) Fighting game-focused VTuber group featuring competitive gamers who stream gameplay and eSports content, with official partner relationships for competitive gaming leagues.
• Ninja Slayer: Neo Saitama Enjo (ニンジャスレイヤー ネオサイタマ炎上) Indie game published by KADOKAWA Game Linkage on Nintendo Switch and Steam, based on the popular comic/novel series Ninjaslayer, developed in collaboration with ABC Animation.
• Deep: The Eye's Vision -Yin Yang Witch- (深 四のの目 -阴阳の巫女-) Roguelike horror action game developed and published by KADOKAWA Game Linkage as part of its indie game publishing initiative.
• Game Publishing Services (Content Planning and Production)

Quantifiable outcome

• Weekly Famitsu celebrated its 40th anniversary on June 6, 2026, marking four decades as Japan's premier gaming publication.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sofmap (ソフマップ)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026Sofmap became the 2026 official partner for 'りーさるぷらん', the fighting game VTuber group operated by KADOKAWA Game Linkage. This partnership involves promotional collaboration for the VTuber group's activities.
• KADOKAWA FAV gamingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026KADOKAWA FAV gaming (formerly FAV gaming), the company's owned professional gaming team, entered Street Fighter League: Pro-JP 2026 under new management. FAV gaming competes in multiple eSports titles including Street Fighter 6, VALORANT, and participates in the FAVCUP tournament series organized by the company.
• KADOKAWA FAV gaming - Street Fighter League: Pro-JP 2025coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 July 2025FAV gaming entered Street Fighter League: Pro-JP 2025 with new team members and new sponsors. The team has a history of winning the league in multiple years with champion players including sako, りゅうせい, ときど, and ボンちゃん.
• G-Fusion Game Fest Beijing (中国最大級のゲームイベント)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 June 2025KADOKAWA Game Linkage exhibited a Famitsu booth at G-Fusion Game Fest Beijing, China's large-scale game event, expanding its international presence and promoting Japanese game media in the Chinese market.
• りーさるぷらん - 2025 Official PartnershipcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 May 2025りーさるぷらん, the fighting game VTuber group operated by KADOKAWA Game Linkage, entered into official partnership for 2025, with new generation 2 members joining in March 2025 and official partner status with fighting game leagues.
• りーさるぷらん - 2026 Official PartnershipcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2025りーさるぷらん fighting game VTuber group was selected as official partner for 2026, continuing the partnership from 2025.
• FAV gaming - EVO Japan 2024 Street Fighter 6 4th PlacecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 May 2024FAV gaming fighter 'りゅうきち' achieved 4th place at EVO Japan 2024 Street Fighter 6 category, earning a spot at the Esports World Cup.
• FAV gaming - Street Fighter 6 Capcom League 2nd PlacecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 March 2024FAV gaming team members competed in the Capcom Pro Tour Street Fighter 6 official world finals, achieving 2nd place against top international competitors, demonstrating the team's elite competitive level.
• FAV ZONE (eSports Facility in Tokorozawa Sakura Town)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2022FAV gaming opened 'FAV ZONE', an eSports dedicated facility inside Tokorozawa Sakura Town, as a physical venue for eSports events and community activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Polygon: Vox Media-owned gaming and entertainment publication with deep editorial and video coverage. Comparable to Dengeki Online and Famitsu.com as a digital-first gaming media competitor for publisher marketing budgets and reader attention, without KGL's print or merchandise extensions.
• GameSpot: Long-established gaming media outlet covering reviews, news, and video. Comparable to KGL's flagship brands as a global legacy gaming media destination, though without the print magazine, e-commerce, eSports, and VTuber verticals that round out KGL's offering.
• Kotaku: Global gaming and pop culture media outlet under G/O Media, covering games, anime, and fandom. Comparable to KGL's mix of gaming media plus lifestyle/anime crossover content (B's-LOG) as an enthusiast-facing gaming publication competing for the same advertiser pool in adjacent markets.
• IGN Entertainment: Global gaming media brand under Ziff Davis covering reviews, news, and video content worldwide. Comparable to Famitsu/Dengeki as the dominant English-language equivalent; broadly overlaps in B2B services (publisher coverage) and B2C content, though KGL's Japanese market focus and owned e-commerce and eSports assets are differentiators.
• T1 Entertainment & Sports: Major Korean-owned global eSports organization competing in League of Legends, Valorant, Street Fighter, and other titles. Comparable to FAV gaming as a multi-title professional eSports organization with sponsorship and merchandise monetization, though at significantly larger scale and with global reach.

Emerging players

• AUTOMATON: Japanese gaming and tech media outlet covering PC, console, and mobile games with editorial depth. Comparable to KGL's Dengeki Online as a digital-native Japanese gaming news property competing for the same enthusiast audience, though smaller in scale and without the legacy magazine or e-commerce assets.

Others

• Devolver Digital: Independent game publisher known for indie and mid-tier game publishing with strong marketing and PR capabilities. Comparable to KGL's emerging indie publishing arm (Ninja Slayer Neo Saitama, Deep) as a publisher that leverages owned media-style marketing muscle to launch and sustain smaller titles, though globally focused.
• Hobby Japan / Hobby Link Japan: Japanese hobby and game merchandise retailer specializing in collectibles, model kits, and imported gaming goods. Comparable to KGL's ebten business as a Japanese e-commerce retailer focused on game merchandise, limited editions, and collector items, though with a broader hobby scope.

Direct peers

• 4Gamer.net: Japan's other major daily online gaming news outlet, covering PC and console game releases, hardware, and industry news. Directly comparable to Famitsu.com and Dengeki Online as a Japanese-language gaming media destination competing for the same reader and publisher advertising dollars.
• GameWith: Japanese gaming media and strategy wiki platform with strong mobile game coverage and walkthrough content, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Comparable to KGL as a Japanese gaming media destination that monetizes both consumer traffic (via ads) and publisher relationships, particularly around mobile titles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kgl_official

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 KADOKAWA Game Linkage