StudioZ
StudioZ is a Tokyo-based Japanese mobile game developer and CROOZ Group subsidiary that builds and operates free-to-play smartphone games, anchored by the 10+ year-old puzzle RPG Elemental Story, the award-winning Web3 title PROJECT XENO, and the newly launched multi-region Ultraman Puzzle Shuwatch!!.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What StudioZ does
StudioZ Inc. (StudioZ株式会社) is a Japanese mobile game developer and publisher headquartered in Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Founded in 2012 as part of the CROOZ Group conglomerate, the studio specializes in free-to-play smartphone games with gacha-based character collection mechanics and frequent anime and game-franchise collaboration events. Its flagship title, Elemental Story (エレメンタルストーリー), is a co-op battle puzzle RPG that has been in continuous service for over ten years, with the Android version celebrating its 10th anniversary in January 2025. The company also operates PROJECT XENO, a Web3-enabled real-time competitive PvP game that won the Grand Prize (最優秀賞) at the WEB3 GAME AWARD 2024, and in October 2025 launched Ultraman Puzzle Shuwatch!! in partnership with Tsuburaya Productions and MetaField across Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and North America. Earlier titles include HUNTER×HUNTER Battle Collection and Triple Star Collection (operated jointly with ForGroove and Nippon Television on Mobage, Ameba, d-game, and GREE), and Hop Step Jumpers (ホップステップジャンプーズ).
The studio's core technology stack is built on the Unity game engine, supplemented by proprietary Web3 integrations for PROJECT XENO and a custom co-development framework for IP-licensed titles. Distribution occurs through major mobile storefronts (Apple App Store, Google Play, AndApp for PC) and legacy Japanese social-game platforms (Mobage, Ameba, d-game, GREE). The studio monetizes via in-app purchases of virtual currency (crystals) used for gacha draws, character enhancements, and limited-time collaboration event packs; ad-based monetization is implied but not the primary stream.
StudioZ operates primarily as a B2C publisher targeting mobile gamers (teens through adults) with interest in anime-themed games, gacha progression, and competitive multiplayer. The company maintains an active community infrastructure including regular live broadcasts (公式生放送, volumes 66 through 140+), official accounts on Twitter/X, YouTube, and LINE@, and physical presence at anime and game conventions such as Comic Market and かたふぇいず. Its customer base is the long tail of mobile players globally, with a secondary dependency on a curated roster of IP licensors and co-development partners, including Tsuburaya Productions, Nippon Television, and ForGroove Corporation. The company also operates a contract development (受託開発) service offering.
StudioZ firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StudioZ
- Legal name
- StudioZ株式会社
- Website
- https://studioz.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- StudioZ is a Tokyo-based Japanese mobile game developer and CROOZ Group subsidiary that builds and operates free-to-play smartphone games, anchored by the 10+ year-old puzzle RPG Elemental Story, the award-winning Web3 title PROJECT XENO, and the newly launched multi-region Ultraman Puzzle Shuwatch!!.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StudioZ industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Gaming
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Indie Game Studios (MPAFAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Web3/Blockchain Game Studios (MPAFAAAO)
Keywords
Where StudioZ is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
StudioZ business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- In-app purchases (freemium): Core revenue stream from free-to-play mobile games. Users download and play at no cost; revenue is generated through in-app purchases of virtual currency (crystals/ジェム) used for gacha/summon mechanics, character enhancements, and limited-time event items. Collaboration campaigns drive significant purchase events.
- In-app advertising (implied): While not explicitly described as a revenue stream, the game's free-to-play model suggests some level of advertising or promotional partnership integration within the apps.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-play base with optional in-app purchases |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
StudioZ product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StudioZ develops and publishes smartphone games, primarily free-to-play titles with in-app purchases. The company specializes in puzzle RPGs and casual games, leveraging well-known anime and entertainment IP (e.g., Ultraman, HUNTER×HUNTER) while also pioneering Web3-enabled gameplay through blockchain-based titles such as PROJECT XENO. Games are built on the Unity engine and distributed globally through the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Product overview
StudioZ is a Japanese mobile game development company offering a portfolio of smartphone games. Their main products include PROJECT XENO (a Web3-enabled competitive battle game), エレメンタルストーリー (a co-op puzzle RPG with extensive anime/game collaborations), and ウルトラマン パズルシュワッチ!! (a puzzle game featuring Ultraman characters). They also operate HUNTER×HUNTER branded mobile games and previously operated ホップステップジャンパーズ. The company specializes in free-to-play mobile games with gacha mechanics, live streaming events, and frequent collaboration campaigns with popular anime and game franchises.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- エレメンタルストーリー (Elemental Story): 共闘対戦爽快パズル消しゲー - A real-time battle puzzle game where players match pieces within 7 seconds to activate skills.
- PROJECT XENO（ゼノ）
- ウルトラマン パズルシュワッチ!!
Products and services
- PROJECT XENO A blockchain-based battle RPG (Web3 game) featuring NFT characters and play-to-earn mechanics, distributed globally on mobile platforms.
- エレメンタルストーリー (Elemental Story) A puzzle RPG for smartphones featuring elemental-themed characters and gacha-style character collection.
- ウルトラマン パズルシュワッチ!! (Ultraman Puzzle Shuwatch) A puzzle game for smartphones featuring the Ultraman anime IP, allowing players to collect and battle with Ultraman characters.
- HUNTER×HUNTER mobile games Mobile games developed under license from the HUNTER×HUNTER anime/manga franchise, distributed in Japan.
- Hop Step Jumpers A casual action game for smartphones targeting a broad mobile gaming audience.
Quantifiable outcome
- Won WEB3 GAME AWARD 2024 最優秀賞 (Grand Prize) for PROJECT XENO
Companies that use StudioZ
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
StudioZ technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
StudioZ partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- メタフィールド株式会社 (MetaField Inc.)coreMetaField is the digital business strategy subsidiary of Tsurubaya Fields Holdings. StudioZ entered into a joint business (共同事業) with MetaField to develop the UltraMan Puzzle Shuwach!! smartphone game, with MetaField serving as the digital strategy arm of the parent company.
- 株式会社円谷プロダクション (Tsuburaya Productions)coreTsuburaya Productions is the IP licensor and supervisor (監修) for the UltraMan Puzzle Shuwach!! game. StudioZ and MetaField developed the game under official Tsuburaya license for the UltraMan series.
- ForGroove株式会社 (ForGroove Inc.)minorStudioZ co-provides HUNTER×HUNTER Battle Collection and HUNTER×HUNTER Triple Star Collection with ForGroove and Nippon Television Network Corporation on Mobage, Ameba, d-game, and GREE platforms.
- 日本テレビ放送網株式会社 (Nippon Television Network Corporation)minorStudioZ co-provides HUNTER×HUNTER mobile games with ForGroove and Nippon TV on Mobage, Ameba, and d-game platforms.
- CROOZグループ (CROOZ Group)coreStudioZ is a group company of CROOZ. CROOZ Group announced the new management structure of StudioZ in 2019, appointing Ikehata Suguru as the new CEO.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
StudioZ competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GREE: Japanese mobile social gaming platform and publisher with Mobage distribution; comparable as a Japan-headquartered mobile game publisher with anime IP collaborations.
- DeNA: Long-standing Japanese mobile game developer and publisher (Final Fantasy Record Keeper, Super Mario Run co-development); comparable as a Japan-based mobile game publisher with anime/IP partnerships.
- KLab: Japanese mobile game developer (Love Live! School Idol Festival, Bleach: Brave Souls); directly comparable as a Japan-based mobile publisher focused on anime IP licensed titles.
- Colopl: Japanese mobile game developer (White Cat Project, DRAGON QUEST WALK); comparable as a Japan-based mobile game studio with freemium gacha titles and live-ops operations.
- CyberAgent (Cygames): Parent of Cygames (Uma Musume, Granblue Fantasy); directly comparable as a Japanese mobile game publisher combining strong IP collaboration with gacha monetization and live-ops.
- Akatsuki: Japanese mobile game developer (Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle, Yowamushi Pedal); directly comparable as a Japan-headquartered mobile game studio specializing in anime IP collaborations.
- mixi: Major Japanese mobile game developer behind Monster Strike; comparable as a Japan-headquartered mobile game publisher with hit gacha-driven titles and live-ops at scale.
Broad incumbents
- Square Enix: Major Japanese game publisher with mobile titles (Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest); comparable as a broad incumbent in mobile RPG/puzzle gaming with strong IP collaboration track record.
- Konami Digital Entertainment: Major Japanese game publisher with mobile titles (Yu-Gi-Oh!, eFootball); comparable as a broad incumbent in mobile gaming with both original and licensed anime IP content.
- Bandai Namco Entertainment: Major Japanese game publisher and IP holder with mobile titles (Dragon Ball, One Piece); comparable as a broader incumbent with overlapping mobile anime-IP strategy, though with owned IP rather than licensed-only.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
StudioZ social profiles
Digital presenceStudioZ financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StudioZ leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
StudioZ funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StudioZ M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StudioZ
What does StudioZ do?
StudioZ develops and publishes smartphone games, primarily free-to-play titles with in-app purchases. The company specializes in puzzle RPGs and casual games, leveraging well-known anime and entertainment IP (e.g., Ultraman, HUNTER×HUNTER) while also pioneering Web3-enabled gameplay through blockchain-based titles such as PROJECT XENO. Games are built on the Unity engine and distributed globally through the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Is StudioZ a public or private company?
StudioZ is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was StudioZ founded?
StudioZ was founded in 2012.
Where is StudioZ based?
StudioZ is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does StudioZ make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. In-app purchases (freemium) is the primary driver. The others are in-app advertising (implied).
Who are StudioZ's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GREE, DeNA, KLab, Colopl, CyberAgent (Cygames), Akatsuki and mixi. Broad incumbents are Square Enix, Konami Digital Entertainment and Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Does StudioZ have an API?
No public API is recorded for StudioZ.
What industry is StudioZ in?
StudioZ's product category is Mobile Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAC, Indie Game Studios, with a secondary code of MPAFAAAO, Web3/Blockchain Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 5132.