NextNinja

About NextNinja

NextNinja Co., Ltd. operates as a game development studio headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with a strategic focus on the entire lifecycle of its products, from initial planning to global marketing. The company was officially established on July 27, 2009, by Masayuki Yamagishi, who serves as the President and CEO. Yamagishi's entrepreneurial journey began earlier, in 2003, while he was a graduate student at Waseda University's School of Science and Engineering. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, he initially developed mobile content before transitioning into the burgeoning social and mobile game industry.

The firm's business model is centered on creating and delivering its own mobile games to a worldwide audience, managing all aspects of planning, development, operation, and marketing in-house. This integrated approach allows for the accumulation of practical expertise, with the CEO himself actively involved in production and marketing. NextNinja generates revenue through its portfolio of smartphone games, which primarily consists of role-playing games (RPGs). The company's philosophy emphasizes not just game creation but also engaging in promotions that provide a lasting, positive experience for users, viewing this as a long-term asset.

NextNinja's key products include titles like "Grand Summoners" and "Touhou LostWord," which have achieved significant download numbers both in Japan and internationally. "Grand Summoners," a flagship RPG, is available in over 35 countries, while "Touhou LostWord," a derivative work of the "Touhou Project" series, is distributed in approximately 80 countries. The company handles both original IP games and titles based on existing intellectual property. A distinguishing feature of their operational strategy is managing global distribution from their Japanese headquarters without establishing overseas branches, leveraging a diverse, borderless team to overcome language and cultural barriers. The company has also expanded its capabilities by acquiring R-FORCE ENTERTAINMENT Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary to strengthen its development and operational structure.