Marvelous (company)
 Current logo used since 2014 | |
 Headquarters in Shinagawa, Tokyo | |
Native name | 株式会社マーベラス |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Kabushiki-gaisha Māberasu |
| Formerly | Marvelous Entertainment, Inc. (1997–2011) Marvelous AQL Inc. (2011–2014) |
| Company type | Public (K.K.) |
| TYO: 7844 | |
| Industry | Video games Anime industry |
| Predecessor |
|
| Founded | June 25, 1997[1] |
| Headquarters | Higashishinagawa, , |
Key people |
|
| Products | Anime Video games |
| Revenue | ¥20,330,000,000 (2014)[2] |
| ¥1,882,000,000 (2014)[2] | |
Number of employees | 605 As of September 30, 2021 (consolidated basis)[1] |
| Subsidiaries | Artland Marvelous USA Link Think Delfisound Marvelous First Studio Marvelous Europe G-Mode Honey∞Parade Games[3] Hakama[4] |
| Website | www |
Marvelous Inc. (株式会社マーベラス, Kabushiki-gaisha Māberasu; previously known as Marvelous Entertainment and Marvelous AQL, stylized as MARVELOUS!) is a Japanese video game developer and publisher, and anime producer. The company was founded in 1997 but formed in its current state in October 2011 after MMV acquired AQ Interactive and Liveware.[1][5]
History
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MMV
Locally, MMV was involved in a number of forms of entertainment, including the production of anime and music by their two subsidiaries Artland and Delfi Sound respectively. Artland is an animation studio that produced a number of popular manga and anime including the award-winning Mushishi and the hit shōnen Katekyō Hitman Reborn!, and Delfi Sound is a recording studio that was involved in the production of a number of albums, radio dramas, and soundtracks since its establishment in 2005. MMV also produced a number of live television series, movies, and musical theatre productions, like the highly popular Prince of Tennis musical, Tenimyu.
Merge with AQ Interactive
In 2011, AQ Interactive merged with Marvelous Entertainment (along with mobile gaming company Liveware). The combined company became Marvelous AQL Inc., and AQ was absorbed into the Marvelous business operations.[6] The merge was effective on May 10, 2011.[7] The plan would make Marvelous Entertainment Inc. the sole surviving entity after the merger, with Marvelous Entertainment Inc. renamed to Marvelous AQL Inc. on merger day.[8][9]
On December 22, 2011, MarvelousAQL Inc. announced the establishment of the overseas business department, with investment from Checkpoint Studios Inc., replacing the global strategy room, which dissolved on January 1, 2012.[10]
On October 25, 2012, MarvelousAQL Inc. announced its stock listing on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, effective on November 1, 2012.[11]
On January 1, 2013, MarvelousAQL Inc. established the amusement business division. The company's digital contents business division and amusement contents development division were moved into amusement business division, and was renamed as amusement development division.[12]
On February 1, 2013, MarvelousAQL Inc. established the digital contents business division.[13]
On July 1, 2014, MarvelousAQL Inc. was renamed as Marvelous Inc.[14]
On March 13, 2015, it was announced that Marvelous would acquire mobile gaming company G-Mode. This includes Data East IPs that G-Mode bought in 2004.[15]
Tencent acquired a 20% stake of Marvelous via new shares, approximately US$65 million on May 26, 2020.[16]
On May 25, 2023, the company livestreamed its first ever digital showcase which featured the syn Sophia-developed Fashion Dreamer and several newly announced upcoming games including a couple of new IPs tentatively titled PROJECT MAGIA and PROJECT LIFE is RPG, several new entries in the flagship Story of Seasons and Rune Factory series, and Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, a sequel to the original Daemon X Machina.[17]
On August 22, 2024, Established Marvelous APAC Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.[18]
Subsidiaries
Development
Current
| Name | Location | Founded | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hakama Inc. | Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan | 2018 | A studio led by Story of Seasons and Rune Factory producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto. |
| Honey Parade Games | Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan | 2017 | Styled as "Honey∞Parade Games", they were formed by Marvelous as an internal studio for the Senran Kagura franchise.[19] Kenichiro Takaki leads the studio. |
| Marvelous First Studio | Japan | 2017 | An internal development studio that has worked on titles such as Fate/Extella Link, God Eater 3, and Daemon X Machina. It is made up of former employees of Cavia, Artoon, and Feelplus which were all folded by AQ Interactive in 2010. |
Former
| Name | Location | Founded | Acquired | Sold/Closed | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entersphere Inc. | Shinagawa, Tokyo[20] | May 2008 | December 2012 | May 2015 | Marvelous AQL Inc. announced the acquisition of the studio on December 21, 2012[21] with the purchase being completed on January 11, 2013.[22] Marvelous sold off all their shares in the studio in 2015. They were renamed Techno Maria in October 2017 and filed for bankruptcy on January 9, 2018.[23] |
Publication and Distribution
Current
| Name | Location | Founded | Acquired | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvelous Europe Limited | London, United Kingdom[24] (previously Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom) | April 2012 | N/A | Publishing and distribution arm for Marvelous' titles in Europe. They were originally formed as MAQL Europe Limited[25] and were renamed in June 2014.[26] |
| Marvelous USA Inc. | Torrance, California, United States | 2004 | October 2011 | Publishing and distribution arm for Marvelous' titles in North America who as of August 2024 publish under the Marvelous (in-house titles) and Xseed Games (third-party titles) banners. They were a carryover from AQ Interactive during the merger. Initially known as Xseed JKS, Inc., the company was renamed Marvelous USA Inc. on May 7, 2013.[27] after purchasing the Index Digital Media, Inc.'s online business unit, which had transferred to Xseed JKS, Inc. on March 31.[28] |
Former
| Name | Location | Founded | Acquired | Sold/Closed | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artland Co, Ltd. | Musashino, Tokyo, Japan | September 1978 | April 2006 | April 2015 | A Japanese animation studio that was acquired by Marvelous Entertainment Inc. in April 2006 as Artland LLC,[29] and renamed shortly after the purchase. The animation studio portion of the company was split off independently in December 2010 and the rest of the company was absorbed by Marvelous in April 2015.[30] |
| LINKTHINK Inc. | Japan | July 2006[31] | October 2011 | April 2017 | The company was previously acquired by AQ Interactive in April 2009. Marvelous absorbed the company in April 2017. |
Animation Studio Artland (株式会社アニメーションスタジオ・アートランド) is an animation studio established via dividing Artland, Inc. On 15 November 2010, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced the separating Artland, Inc.'s animation production into Animation Studio Artland, Inc. as a fully owned subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment Inc., effective on December 1, 2010.[29]
Marvelous Online (マーベラス・オンライン) is an online store for Marvelous Entertainment Inc. products. Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced the establishment of Marvelous Online on May 2, 2009.[29]
Runtime, Inc. (有限会社ランタイム) was a software development, video game production, CG production company, established on July 18, 2001. On March 17, 2006, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced Runtime, Inc. would become a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment Inc., effective on April 3, 2006.[29] On January 28, 2008, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced Runtime, Inc. would be merged into its parent company, Marvelous Entertainment Inc., effective on April 1, 2008.
Marvelous Music Publishing, Inc. (株式会社マーベラス音楽出版) was a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment Inc., established from its parent's former copyright and publishing businesses. On July 1, 2001, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced the establishment of Marvelous Music Publishing, Inc.[29] On January 23, 2007, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced Marvelous Music Publishing, Inc. would be merged into its parent company, Marvelous Entertainment Inc., effective on April 1, 2007.[29]
Marvelous Liveware Inc. (株式会社マーベラスライブウェア) was a mobile phone Internet contents development subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment Inc. On April 27, 2004, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced the establishment of the subsidiary Marvelous Liveware Inc., effective on June 1, 2004.[29] On March 31, 2005, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced the sales of Marvelous Liveware to Interspire, inc.[29]
Marvelous Interactive Inc. (株式会社マーベラスインタラクティブ) was a developer and publisher of video games, established on August 3, 1970 as Pack-In-Video and later renamed Victor Interactive Software after Victor Entertainment merged with Pack-In-Video on October 1, 1996. On March 24, 2003, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced had acquired 55% stake of Victor Interactive Software, and would rename Victor Interactive Software to Marvelous Interactive Inc., effective on March 31, 2003. In the press release, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. listed the then upcoming Marvelous Interactive Inc. was established on October 1, 1996.[29][32] On September 10, 2003, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced Marvelous Interactive Inc. would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment Inc.[29] When Marvelous Entertainment Inc. completed its acquisition of Victor Interactive Software on March 31, 2003, it was renamed Marvelous Interactive. With this acquisition MMV obtained all the rights to the popular Story of Seasons series and other Victor Interactive Software series. On March 20, 2007, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced Marvelous Interactive Inc. would be merged into its parent company, Marvelous Entertainment Inc., effective on June 30, 2007.[29]
Mad (株式会社マッド) was an amusement facility operator. On March 20, 2007, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced a restructuring plan that would transfer amusement business to Atlus, by moving it to Mad (株式会社マッド) as a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment Inc., which would be established on June 1, 2007; the remaining businesses would be operated under Marvelous Entertainment Inc.[29] The transfer also included sale of The Third Planet (株式会社ザ・サードプラネット) amusement operations, effective on July 1, 2007.[29] At Atlus, the company announced merging Mad into Atlus effective on September 1, 2007, with merger registered on September 3, 2007.[33]
Delfi Sound Inc. (株式会社デルファイサウンド) It is a recording studio, album production, and music label company. The company was established on April 1, 2005 as Marvelous Studio Inc. (株式会社マーベラススタジオ). On March 22, 2005, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced the establishment of the subsidiary Marvelous Studio Inc., effective on April 1, 2005.[29] On January 22, 2010, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced transferring 100% of its Delfi Sound Inc. shares to Amuse Capital Inc. (株式会社アミューズキャピタル), effective on January 29, 2010.[29]
Rising Star Games was a video game publisher and distributor within Europe and all other PAL territories. On December 24, 2004, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced the establishment of a London-based joint venture company called Rising Star Games Limited with Bergsala AB. Marvelous Entertainment Inc. would own 51% shares of the company, while Bergsala AB own the remaining 49%. The company would begin operation in 2004–12.[29] MMV decided to gain a foothold on the European market first because most Japanese publishers have not really focused on it. About a year later, Rising Star Games and Atari teamed up to start releasing games for the Nintendo DS and PSP[34] and has since experienced great success in Europe. As of March 31, 2008, Harvest Moon DS managed to sell over 300,000 copies and ship over 500,000 copies across the continent.[29][35] Rising Star Games has also released over 30 games in Europe, including No More Heroes and a ported version of Harvest Moon: Magical Melody for the Wii. On January 22, 2010, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced transferring all of its remaining 51% of Rising Star Games Limited stakes to Intergrow Inc. (株式会社インターグロー), effective on January 29, 2010.[29]
Marvelous Entertainment USA, Inc. (MMV USA): on May 9, 2008, MMV announced that it would be partnering up with Xseed Games to co-publish games in North America.[36] On May 16, 2005, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced it had acquired the shares of an American company AQ Interactive and it would be renamed as Marvelous Entertainment USA as 100% subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment effective in May 2005.[29][37] On May 9, 2008, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. and Xseed Games announced they had entered a co-publishing partnership.[36] The North American video game sales would begin in November 2008.[29][38] On May 31, 2011, Marvelous Entertainment Inc. announced transferring 100% of its Marvelous Entertainment USA, Inc. shares to Rising Star Games Limited, effective on June 30, 2011.[29]
Video games
Developed
Note: The below tables are limited to games developed or published by Marvelous in Japan after the merger with AQ Interactive to form Marvelous (AQL); May 2011; see here for games released prior to this date.
| Name | Platform | Release Date | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvest Moon: A New Beginning | Nintendo 3DS | Published by Natsume Inc. in North America; final Story of Seasons game to be localized and published in North America by Natsume. | |
| Story of Seasons | Published by Nintendo in Europe. | ||
| Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns | |||
| Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town | Nintendo Switch | Remake of Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town and Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town; first game in the main series playable on PC. | |
| Microsoft Windows | WW: July 10, 2020 | ||
| Xbox One & Playstation 4 | |||
| Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town | Nintendo Switch | ||
| Microsoft Windows | WW: September 15, 2021 | ||
| PlayStation 4 | |||
| Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life | WW: June 27, 2023 | Remake of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life and Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life. | |
| Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar | WW: August 27, 2025 | Remake of Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar. | |
| Doraemon Story of Seasons |
|
Co-developed by Brownies and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. | |
| PlayStation 4 |
| ||
| Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom | WW: November 2, 2022 |
| Name | Platform | Release Date | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rune Factory 4 | Nintendo 3DS | Developed by Neverland | |
| Rune Factory 4 Special | Nintendo Switch | Remaster of Rune Factory 4. | |
| WW: December 7, 2021 | |||
| Rune Factory 5 | Nintendo Switch | ||
| Microsoft Windows | WW: July 13, 2022 | ||
| Rune Factory 3 Special | Nintendo Switch |
|
Remaster of Rune Factory 3. |
| Microsoft Windows | WW: September 5, 2023 | ||
| Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma | WW: June 5, 2025 |
| Name | Platform | Release Date | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monster Hunter Stories | Nintendo 3DS | ||
|
|
||
| WW: June 14, 2024 | Remastered version. | ||
| Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin | WW: July 9, 2021 | ||
| PlayStation 4 | WW: June 14, 2024 | ||
| Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection | WW: 2026 | First game in the Stories spin-off series playable on Xbox Series X/S and first game in the spin-off series not playable on the originalNintendo Switch. |
Canceled
- Kaio: King of Pirates (developed by Comcept)
Arcade
- Pokémon Battario
- Pokémon Tretta
- Pokémon Ga-Olé
- Pokémon Mezastar
- Pokémon Frienda
- Tatakae! Dragon Quest Scan Battlers
- Wacca
Mobile
- RunBot (developed by Bravo Game Studios)[42]
- Puzzle Coaster (developed by Bravo Game Studios)[43]
- Eyes Attack (developed by Alexander Murzanaev)[44]
- Osomatsu-san NEET Island[45]
- Shinobi Master Senran Kagura: New Link (developed by Honey ∞ Parade Games)[46]
- Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star
- Fate/Extella Link
Browser game
- Logres of Swords and Sorcery
Published
- Freedom Planet 2
- Cuisineer (published under XSeed Games banner)
- Moonlight Peaks (published under XSeed Games banner)
Anime
- Aura: Maryūinkōga Saigo no Tatakai
- Cat God
- Gunslinger Girl
- Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino-
- Suite PreCure: Take it back! The Miraculous Melody that Connects Hearts!
- HHH Triple Ecchi
- Humanity Has Declined
- (The) Prince of Tennis II
- Princess Tutu
- Prism Ark
- Ring ni Kakero 1: Shadow
- Saint Beast: Kouin Jojishi Tenshi Tan
- Senran Kagura
- Senran Kagura: Shinovi Master -Tokyo Yōma-hen-
- Tokyo Majin
- Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho: Tou 2nd Act
- Tokyo Ghoul[47]
- We Without Wings: Under the Innocent Sky
- Sengoku Night Blood
- Seven Deadly Sins
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Company Profile". Marvelous AQL Inc. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ a b "Financial Highlights". Marvelous. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ "Senran Kagura producer Kenichiro Takaki opens new studio Honey ∞ Parade Games". 7 March 2017.
- ^ "Story of Seasons producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto opens new studio Hakama under Marvelous". 25 July 2018.
- ^ "History". Marvelous AQL Inc. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
- ^ "AQ Interactive - IGN". Archived from the original on 2012-01-14. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
- ^ 商号変更及び定款一部変更に関するお知らせ
- ^ 株式会社マーベラスエンターテイメント、株式会社AQインタラクティブ及び株式会社ライブウェアの合併契約締結に関するお知らせ
- ^ マーベラスエンターテイメントとAQインタラクティブ、ライブウェアが合併 新会社「マーベラスAQL」に
- ^ 海外事業部設立のお知らせ
- ^ 東京証券取引所市場第一部銘柄指定承認に関するお知らせ
- ^ アミューズメント事業部設立のお知らせ
- ^ 組織変更のお知らせ
- ^ Romano, Sal (20 March 2014). "Marvelous AQL changing company name to Marvelous". Gematsu. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ "Marvelous Acquires Joe & Mac and Data East Library Through G-Mode Acquisition - Siliconera". www.siliconera.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-15.
- ^ Kerr, Chris (May 26, 2020). "Tencent acquires 20 percent stake in Story of Seasons dev for $65 million". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Marvelous Game Showcase 2023". YouTube. May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ "Marvelous Inc. Company Information". corp.marv.jp. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ "Marvelous Establishes Company With Focus on Senran Kagura". Anime News Network. April 21, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ "本社移転のお知らせ". Archived from the original on 2014-08-10. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
- ^ 株式会社エンタースフィアの株式取得（子会社化）に関するお知らせ
- ^ "株式会社マーベラスAQLへの子会社化について". Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
- ^ "旧エンタースフィア(テクノマリア)が破産手続き開始…帝国データバンクが報道 | gamebiz". gamebiz.jp. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ^ "MARVELOUS EUROPE LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
- ^ 海外子会社設立に関するお知らせ
- ^ "MARVELOUS EUROPE LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ^ 米国子会社の社名変更のお知らせ
- ^ 当社子会社によるIndex Digital Media, Inc.（米国）のオンラインゲーム事業取得に関するお知らせ
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "マーベラス公式サイト". マーベラス公式ウェブサイト - MARVELOUS! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-09-27.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "株式会社リンクシンクはどんな会社？ わかりやすく解説 Weblio辞書". www.weblio.jp. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ^ Marvelous Interactive Company Outline Archived 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "当社１００％子会社との合併に関するお知らせ" (PDF). www.atlus.co.jp (in Japanese). June 28, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-22.
- ^ "Atari And Rising Star Games Announce PAL Territories Deal". GamesIndustry.biz. 2005-10-24. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
- ^ "IR May 2008 Presentation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
- ^ a b "mmvus.com" (PDF). ww38.mmvus.com. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
- ^ Gamasutra: Harvest Man Yasuhiro Wada
- ^ Gamasutra Q&A: Marvelous's Yasuhiro Wada
- ^ "Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson coming west this summer - Gematsu". gematsu.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-12. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ "Update On the PC Version of Skullgirls!". Marvelous AQL Inc. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
- ^ "Bullet Witch". Steam. Valve. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Marvelous Games RunBot". MAQL Europe Limited. Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ "Marvelous Games Puzzle Coaster". MAQL Europe Limited. Archived from the original on 2014-04-06. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
- ^ "Marvelous Games Eyes Attack". MAQL Europe Limited. Archived from the original on 2014-04-06. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
- ^ "おそ松さん よくばり！ニートアイランド(しま松)公式サイト". おそ松さん よくばり！ニートアイランド(しま松)公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-12-13.
- ^ "Official Website, Shinobi Master Senran Kagura: New Link".
- ^ "Marvelous Product Search".
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)
- Official website (in English)
- LINKTHINK Inc. page
- Marvelous at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- (in Japanese) Marvelous Entertainment Inc.
- Delfi Sound Inc.
- Marvelous Interactive Inc.
