Bushiroad

Basic Information

Stock Code
7803
Industry
Other Products
Category Detail
Hobby & Leisure Products
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
May 2007
Listing Year
July 2019
Official Website
https://bushiroad.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
CRI, HENNGE, ANYCOLOR, Kotobukiya, People, Takara Tomy, Sanrio

Overview

Bushiroad is a growing company founded in 2007 that engages in hobby and entertainment products as well as IP development business, and also holds sports content such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Current Situation

Bushiroad achieved consolidated sales of approximately 48.8 billion yen and operating profit of approximately 3.4 billion yen in fiscal 2023, and is advancing diversified operations centered on IP content business both domestically and internationally. Its mainstay trading card game (TCG) has a fan base domestically and overseas, and it holds a diverse range of titles such as Vanguard and Weiß Schwarz. In the digital games division, it handles a wide range from smartphone apps to console games, and has launched the new brand Bushiroad Games to accelerate growth. In the professional wrestling business, it operates New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Stardom, establishing its position in the sports business. While organizing a holding company structure, it strengthens the value chain from content creation to sales and event planning through subsidiaries and affiliates. In the future, expansion of the revenue base is expected through strengthening domestic IPs, global expansion, and deepening of media mix strategies. It is also promoting diversified management and introduction of new technologies toward sustainable business operations.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Company name derives from the founder's late relative's work title
  • Sponsor of all 12 professional baseball teams
  • Acquisition of New Japan Pro-Wrestling is a successful cross-industry entry example
  • Rare company owning IPs in both games and real sports
  • Many of its own IPs are deployed in media mixes
  • Refreshed company logo for 10th anniversary
  • Implements vertically integrated management using subsidiaries
  • Integrated brands from Bushimo to Bushiroad Games
  • Voice actor production also under group umbrella
  • Strengthened production system through capital alliances with anime companies

Hidden Connections

  • Founder Takaki Kitani is also founder of Broccoli with deep ties
  • Capital alliances with Kinema Citrus and Sanzigen to strengthen anime production
  • Started smartphone game collaboration through capital and business alliance with Gree
  • Comprehensive sponsorship contracts with multiple professional baseball teams
  • Bushiroad Group has numerous affiliates domestically and internationally
  • Spans multiple industries in Nikkei industry classification: toys, advertising, content production
  • Representative Director Takaki Kitani has returned to president role multiple times
  • Subsidiary of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, entering sports and entertainment

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of domestic and international trading card game markets
  • Ongoing investment and new entries in digital games
  • Brand strengthening and expansion of pro wrestling business
  • Deepening of media mix strategies using IPs
  • Enhanced collaboration with sports content
  • Fan base strengthening through diverse event planning
  • Acceleration of localized expansions in overseas markets
  • Expansion of digital streaming services through new technologies
  • Improved sustainability through green management and CSR activities
  • Optimal utilization and integrated management of group resources

Strategic Goals

  • Establish market position as global IP developer
  • Achieve annual sales over 100 billion yen
  • Expand digital game sales ratio to over 50%
  • Establish competitive edge in sports and entertainment fields
  • Actively deploy sustainable social contribution activities
  • Strengthen multilingual support and international marketing
  • Build fan engagement platforms
  • Promote creative investments for new IP creation
  • Maximize synergies with advertising agency business
  • Strengthen corporate governance and improve transparency

Business Segments

Trading Card Game Planning and Sales

Overview
Provides numerous TCG products through card shops domestically and internationally, and plans and operates events.
Competitiveness
Diverse product lineup leveraging strong IPs and fan base
Customers
  • Card shops
  • Hobby specialty stores
  • Event organizers
  • Online retailers
  • Overseas distributors
Products
  • Card packs
  • Limited edition card sets
  • Event promotional cards
  • Playmats
  • Deck cases

Digital Game Development and Operation Support

Overview
Total support from planning and development to operation of own and third-party titles.
Competitiveness
High profitability from fusion of IP assets and development expertise
Customers
  • Smartphone game developers
  • Console game manufacturers
  • Advertisers
  • Distribution platforms
Products
  • Game title development
  • Marketing support
  • User analysis and operation management
  • Live event planning

Sports Content Operations

Overview
Operates New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Stardom, aiming to maximize event revenue.
Competitiveness
Ownership of Japan's largest pro wrestling IP and operational expertise
Customers
  • Sports fans
  • Media companies
  • Advertising agencies
  • Merchandise retailers
Products
  • Pro wrestling events
  • Athlete management
  • Merchandise sales
  • Broadcast rights management

Media and Advertising Agency Services

Overview
Provides advertising agency and media-related services specialized for the anime and game industries.
Competitiveness
Industry network and content collaboration capabilities
Customers
  • Anime production companies
  • Game development companies
  • Advertiser companies
  • Event organizers
Products
  • Advertising planning and operations
  • Voice actor production
  • Event planning and operations
  • Media content sales

Merchandising Business

Overview
Key division responsible for merchandise manufacturing, sales, and related product planning.
Competitiveness
Strengths in broad IP expansion and sales channels
Customers
  • Retail stores
  • EC operators
  • Event venue operators
  • Fan communities
Products
  • Official merchandise
  • Supply goods
  • Health foods
  • Limited edition products

Content Production and Distribution

Overview
Plans and provides diverse media content to maximize IP value.
Competitiveness
Rich production infrastructure and synergies with IPs
Customers
  • Broadcasters
  • Video streaming platforms
  • Music streaming services
  • Event organizers
Products
  • TV anime production committee participation
  • Video streaming services
  • Music content production
  • Internet radio operations

Live and Event Planning Operations

Overview
Plans regular fan-oriented events as a revenue-generating business.
Competitiveness
Ability to reach broad fan segments
Customers
  • Fan participation event organizers
  • Corporate sponsors
  • Venue operators
  • Concert promoters
Products
  • Card game tournaments
  • Fan meetings
  • Live concerts
  • Sports event productions

IP License Management

Overview
Manages commercial use of own IPs for multifaceted monetization.
Competitiveness
Strong brand value and rights management system
Customers
  • Manufacturers
  • Publishing companies
  • Anime production companies
  • Merchandise sales companies
Products
  • IP usage licensing
  • Trademark management
  • Related product expansions
  • Media expansion support

Overseas Expansion Support

Overview
Supports global expansion and promotes overseas market development.
Competitiveness
International network and cultural adaptation capabilities
Customers
  • Overseas sales agents
  • Local publishers
  • Overseas game companies
  • International event organizers
Products
  • Translation and localization
  • Overseas promotion
  • International tournament operations
  • Local partner collaboration

IT Systems and Platforms

Overview
Provides IT infrastructure and services supporting content operations.
Competitiveness
Specialized IT expertise and integrated platforms
Customers
  • Group companies
  • Game developers
  • Marketing teams
  • Customer support
Products
  • Customer management systems
  • Game operation infrastructure
  • Analytics tools
  • Chat and SNS services

Health and Fitness Related Products

Overview
Planning and sales of products considering health trends.
Competitiveness
Synergies with sports-related businesses
Customers
  • Sports gyms
  • Health food retailers
  • Online sales
  • Athletes
Products
  • Protein bars
  • Supplements
  • Health beverages
  • Fitness accessories

Voice Actor and Talent Management

Overview
Develops and manages voice actors and related content.
Competitiveness
Strong brand power of affiliated voice actors
Customers
  • Voice actor fans
  • Media production companies
  • Event organizers
Products
  • Voice actor contract management
  • Live event planning and execution
  • Media appearance arrangements

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Diverse IP lineup and strong fan base
  • Ownership of sports IPs such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling
  • Development capabilities in both digital and analog games
  • Integration of multimedia expansion and advertising agency business
  • Funding capabilities from Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth listing
  • Improved management efficiency through group oversight
  • Top-class domestic market share in card games
  • Robust domestic and international event operation expertise
  • Diverse sales channels and distribution networks
  • Synergies between voice actor management and music business

Competitive Advantages

  • Vertically integrated system from IP creation to commercialization
  • Revenue diversification through multifaceted business including sports events
  • Brand power in trading card games domestically and internationally
  • Established specialized collaboration system for digital game development
  • IP value maximization through advanced media mix strategies
  • Rapid decision-making via integrated group company management
  • Japan's largest pro wrestling operation experience and market leadership
  • Enhanced customer touchpoints through extensive event planning and operations
  • Expanded collaborations via capital and business alliances with wide range of companies
  • Cross-media expansion capabilities linked with advertising agency business

Threats

  • IP acquisition by competitors and intensifying market competition
  • Rapid technological changes and trend shifts in digital game market
  • Risk of new entrants in pro wrestling market
  • Impact of event restrictions due to COVID-19 etc.
  • Unstable content demand due to changing consumer preferences
  • Strengthened regulations on copyrights and intellectual property rights
  • Challenges in cultural and linguistic adaptation for global expansion
  • Uncertainty in overseas revenue due to exchange rate fluctuations
  • Increased human resource and management risks from rapid market expansion
  • Sophistication of digital security threats

Innovations

2023: Established new game brand 'Bushiroad Games'

Overview
Launched a comprehensive brand for home consoles, mobile, and PC games to strengthen diverse title expansions.
Impact
Contributes to market share expansion and brand power enhancement.

2024: Launched professional baseball card game 'DREAM ORDER'

Overview
Entered sports TCG market through sponsorship contracts with major domestic sports teams.
Impact
Boosts recognition among sports fans and increases sales.

2022: Strengthened comprehensive business alliance with anime production companies

Overview
Expanded partnerships with KADOKAWA and Kinema Citrus to enhance anime production capabilities.
Impact
Accelerates media mix expansion of IPs.

2021: Game development collaboration with Frontwing Lab

Overview
Incorporated PC game development expertise to promote business diversification.
Impact
Acquires new customer segments and boosts sales.

2020: Launched credit card business in partnership with Orico

Overview
Expanded fan community services through issuance of 'Bushiroad Card'.
Impact
Contributes to improved brand loyalty.

Sustainability

  • Promoting regional cultural revitalization through IP utilization
  • Introducing measures to reduce environmental impact at events
  • Fostering corporate culture promoting diversity and inclusion
  • Efforts to reduce paper and plastic in production processes
  • Building sustainable relationships emphasizing dialogue with fans
  • Promoting resource reduction through digital distribution
  • Strengthening CSR activities through collaboration with local communities