Marvelous (company)

Marvelous Inc. (株式会社マーベラス, Kabushiki-gaisha Māberasu, previously known as Marvelous AQL) 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 by the merger of the original Marvelous Entertainment with AQ Interactive, and Liveware.^[1][5]

Marvelous Inc.

Current logo since 2014
Native name	株式会社マーベラス
Company type	Public (K.K.)
Traded as	TYO: 7844
Industry	Video games Anime industry
Predecessor	Marvelous Entertainment AQ Interactive Liveware
Founded	June 25, 1997 (1997-06-25)[1]
Headquarters	Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan[1]
Key people	Haruki Nakayama (Chairman/President/CEO) Shuichi Motoda (Vice Chairman) Toshinori Aoki (Executive Vice President/Co-COO) Takashi Sensui (Executive Vice President/Co-COO) [1]
Products	Anime Video games
Revenue	¥20,330,000,000 (2014)[2]
Net income	¥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.marv.jp

History

Previous logo prior to the company's name change in 2014

The announcement of merging Marvelous Entertainment Inc., AQ Interactive, Inc., Liveware Inc. in to Marvelous AQL Inc. on October 1, 2011 was originally proposed by Marvelous Entertainment Inc., and went effective on May 10, 2011.^[6] 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.^[7][8]

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.^[9]

On October 25, 2012, MarvelousAQL Inc. announced its stock listing on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, effective on November 1, 2012.^[10]

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.^[11]

On February 1, 2013, MarvelousAQL Inc. established the digital contents business division.^[12]

On July 1, 2014, MarvelousAQL Inc. was renamed as Marvelous Inc.^[13]

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.^[14]

Tencent acquired a 20% stake of Marvelous via new shares, approximately US$65 million on May 26, 2020.^[15]

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.^[16]

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.[17] 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[18]	May 2008	December 2012	May 2015	Marvelous AQL Inc. announced the acquisition of the studio on December 21, 2012[19] with the purchase being completed on January 11, 2013.[20] 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.[21]

Publication and Distribution

Current

Name	Location	Founded	Acquired	Information
Marvelous Europe Limited	London, United Kingdom[22] (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[23] and were renamed in June 2014.[24]
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.[25] after purchasing the Index Digital Media, Inc.'s online business unit, which had transferred to Xseed JKS, Inc. on March 31.[26]

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, 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.[27]
LINKTHINK Inc.	Japan	July 2006[28]	October 2011	April 2017	The company was previously acquired by AQ Interactive in April 2009. Marvelous absorbed the company in April 2017.

Video games

Developed

Nintendo 3DS

• Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven
• Kaio: King of Pirates (developed by Comcept) (cancelled)
• Harvest Moon: A New Beginning
• Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (co-developed with and published by Sega)
• Return to PopoloCrois (co-developed with epics)
• Rune Factory 4 (developed by Neverland)
• Senran Kagura
• Senran Kagura Burst
• Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson
• Story of Seasons
• Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns
• Monster Hunter Stories (co-developed with and published by Capcom)

Wii

• Fortune Street (co-developed with Square Enix, published by Nintendo)
• Harvest Moon: Animal Parade
• Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility
• Rune Factory Frontier (developed by Neverland)
• Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny (developed by Neverland)
• Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga

Wii U

• Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (co-developed with Sega, published by Nintendo)

Nintendo Switch

• Daemon X Machina (Switch version published by Nintendo outside Japan)
• Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star
• Peach Ball: Senran Kagura
• Senran Kagura Reflexions
• Fate/Extella Link
• God Eater 3
• Doraemon Story of Seasons (developed by Marvelous in collaboration with Brownies; Published by Bandai Namco in all regions)
• Rune Factory 4 Special (developed by Hakama with former Neverland employees)
• No More Heroes (Engine Software; originally developed by Grasshopper Manufacture)
• No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle (Engine Software; originally developed by Grasshopper Manufacture)
• No More Heroes III (developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, only published in Japan)
• Rune Factory 5 (developed by Hakama)
• Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
• Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town
• Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (co-developed with and published by Capcom)
• Fashion Dreamer (developed by Syn Sophia)
• Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life
• Farmagia

PlayStation 3

• Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny (developed by Neverland)
• Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel (developed by Examu and co-publish with Nitroplus)

PlayStation Portable

• English Detective Mysteria
• Fate/Extra
• Fate/Extra CCC
• Valhalla Knights
• Valhalla Knights 2

PlayStation Vita

• Browser Sangokushi Next (PlayStation Network)
• IA/VT Colorful
• Muramasa: Rebirth
• New Little King's Story (developed / published by Konami)
• Senran Kagura Bon Appétit!
• Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus
• Soul Sacrifice (co-developed / published by Sony Computer Entertainment)
• Soul Sacrifice Delta (co-developed / published by Sony Computer Entertainment)
• Super Monkey Ball Banana Splitz (published by Sega)
• Uppers
• Valhalla Knights 3 (developed by K2 LLC)
• Valhalla Knights 3 Gold
• Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming (developed by Opus)
• Senran Kagura: Estival Versus
• Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star
• Net High

PlayStation 4

• Senran Kagura: Estival Versus
• Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash
• Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal
• Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel (developed by Examu and co-published with Nitroplus)
• Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star
• God Eater 3 (developed by Marvelous First Studio and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment)
• Fate/Extella Link
• Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
• Kandagawa Jet Girls (developed by Honey∞Parade Games, a subsidiary of Marvelous)
• Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
• Rune Factory 4 Special (developed by Hakama)

Playstation 5

• Farmagia

Xbox One

• Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
• Rune Factory 4 Special (developed by Hakama)

Microsoft Windows

• Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax Ultimate Boy
• Skullgirls^[29] (formerly)
• Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming (developed by Opus)
• Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star
• Bullet Witch^[30]
• God Eater 3
• Doraemon Story of Seasons (Developed by Marvelous in collaboration with Brownies; Published by Bandai Namco in all regions)
• Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
• Daemon X Machina
• Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
• No More Heroes (Engine Software; originally developed by Grasshopper Manufacture)
• No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle (Engine Software; originally developed by Grasshopper Manufacture)
• Rune Factory 5 (developed by Hakama)
• Farmagia

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)^[31]
• Puzzle Coaster (developed by Bravo Game Studios)^[32]
• Eyes Attack (developed by Alexander Murzanaev)^[33]
• Osomatsu-san NEET Island^[34]
• Shinobi Master Senran Kagura: New Link (developed by Honey ∞ Parade Games)^[35]
• Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star
• Fate/Extella Link

Browser game

• Logres of Swords and Sorcery

Published

• Freedom Planet 2

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^[36]
• We Without Wings: Under the Innocent Sky
• Sengoku Night Blood
• Seven Deadly Sins

References

1. "Company Profile". Marvelous AQL Inc. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
2. "Financial Highlights". Marvelous. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
3. "Senran Kagura producer Kenichiro Takaki opens new studio Honey ∞ Parade Games". 7 March 2017.
4. "Story of Seasons producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto opens new studio Hakama under Marvelous". 25 July 2018.
5. "History". Marvelous AQL Inc. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
6. 商号変更及び定款一部変更に関するお知らせ
7. 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
8. 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
9. 海外事業部設立のお知らせ
10. 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
11. アミューズメント事業部設立のお知らせ
12. 組織変更のお知らせ
13. Romano, Sal (20 March 2014). "Marvelous AQL changing company name to Marvelous". Gematsu. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
14. "Marvelous Acquires Joe & Mac and Data East Library Through G-Mode Acquisition - Siliconera". www.siliconera.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-15.
15. Kerr, Chris (May 26, 2020). "Tencent acquires 20 percent stake in Story of Seasons dev for $65 million". Gamasutra. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
16. "Marvelous Game Showcase 2023". YouTube. May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
17. "Marvelous Establishes Company With Focus on Senran Kagura". Anime News Network. April 21, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
18. "本社移転のお知らせ". Archived from the original on 2014-08-10. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
19. 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
20. "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.
21. https://gamebiz.jp/news/201514
22. "MARVELOUS EUROPE LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
23. 海外子会社設立に関するお知らせ
24. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08013642
25. 米国子会社の社名変更のお知らせ
26. 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
27. https://pdf.irpocket.com/C7844/nKx5/rh45/XL9T.pdf
28. https://www.weblio.jp/content/%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE%E3%83%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AF
29. "Update On the PC Version of Skullgirls!". Marvelous AQL Inc. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
30. "Bullet Witch". Steam. Valve. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
31. "Marvelous Games RunBot". MAQL Europe Limited. Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
32. "Marvelous Games Puzzle Coaster". MAQL Europe Limited. Archived from the original on 2014-04-06. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
33. "Marvelous Games Eyes Attack". MAQL Europe Limited. Archived from the original on 2014-04-06. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
34. "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.
35. "Official Website, Shinobi Master Senran Kagura: New Link".
36. "Marvelous Product Search".

External links

• Official website (in Japanese)
• Official website (in English)
• LINKTHINK Inc. page
• Marvelous at Anime News Network's encyclopedia