Nekonome Raises 110 Million Yen in Funding; New Shogi Game 'KIOU' to Launch in June 2026

Nekonome Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Sean Kudo; hereinafter 'Nekonome') is pleased to announce that it has raised a total of 110 million yen through a third-party allotment (Series A). With this round, cumulative funding has reached 200 million yen.

This round was underwritten by three companies: EX Innovation Fund (with TV Asahi HD as LP, managed by Simplex Capital Investment), Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd., and SMBC Venture Capital Co., Ltd.

The funds raised will be allocated to the development and deployment of new titles, including the new shogi game 'KIOU' scheduled for release in June 2026, global expansion of existing titles, and recruitment to support the development and operational framework.

[Background of Funding]

Nekonome is a game studio with the motto 'A company for game lovers, by game lovers, of game lovers,' and its strength lies in game development based on qualitative user interviews.

With its flagship title 'Methologia Series,' a simultaneous-turn card game featuring ultra-short 3-minute psychological battles, the company achieved 200,000 downloads with zero promotion. It exhibited at Tokyo Game Show 2024 and 2025, and reached No.1 in the App Store overall free and card game rankings, building a track record in both development and operations. To accelerate proprietary game and IP development, and to strengthen global expansion and hiring, the company conducted this Series A funding round.

[About 'KIOU' Scheduled for June 2026 Release]

In June 2026, Nekonome plans to launch a new shogi game 'KIOU' that can be enjoyed by players from beginners to advanced players.

'KIOU' is a new-sensation shogi game that combines interaction with charming characters and highly competitive shogi matches. It features voice acting by a luxurious cast, a likability system with characters, and a match system that allows everyone from beginners to advanced players to enjoy at their own pace. Set in a world of Japanese fantasy, it delivers the tactics of the shogi board and stories with characters.

Expectations are already high, especially among shogi fans, and the company is actively developing for the release.

[CEO Comment]

Sean Kudo, CEO of Nekonome Co., Ltd.

We are very pleased to have received investments from a wide range of investors. Since our founding, we have been diligently pursuing the most indefinable value of 'fun' based on data. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the users who enjoy our games, the existing shareholders who have supported us, and the new investors who have joined us. Going forward, we will work with various stakeholders to deliver the experiences born from games to people around the world.

[Investor Comments]

EX Innovation Fund: Principal Kazuki Fujimori

Nekonome is a team with both development attitude and technology to refine products through ongoing dialogue with users. We will support the realization of a world where the games and IP created by Nekonome are loved by users for a long time through collaboration with media and content. We are also very much looking forward to the new title scheduled for release this year.

Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd.: Deputy General Manager Kento Konishi

We have invested in Nekonome Co., Ltd. through Mitsubishi UFJ Capital. We feel that Nekonome is a team that embodies the essence of today's entertainment, where user enthusiasm and expectations are directly reflected in its products. We look forward to seeing the new experiences created by Nekonome reach more users and grow into works loved both domestically and internationally, and we will support their challenge.

SMBC Venture Capital Co., Ltd.: Deputy General Manager of Investment Sales Department 1, Takumi Iwabuchi

The game market is highly competitive within the entertainment industry, and we believe that not only technical ability but also deep understanding and love for games are essential for creating hit titles. Through repeated discussions with Mr. Kudo, we strongly felt his fundamental passion for games and his desire to 'create something truly good.' We look forward to the release of 'KIOU,' which delivers shogi, a culture that Japan is proud of to the world, as a new gaming experience, and we expect Nekonome's challenge to spread globally as a game IP originating from Japan.