Celsys Inc., the Japanese maker of CLIP STUDIO PAINT digital art software, reported a 38.8% surge in second-quarter operating profit as the company benefited from price adjustments and growing subscription revenue.
Operating profit rose to ¥1.53 billion ($10.4 million) for the quarter ended June, while sales climbed 16.7% to ¥4.74 billion ($32.0 million), the Tokyo-based company said Friday. Net income increased 7.6% to ¥870 million ($5.9 million).
The results reflect Celsys’s strategy to transition users toward recurring payments for its flagship illustration software, which is popular among manga artists and digital creators. The company raised prices for its one-time purchase version while pushing customers toward subscription plans that generate steadier cash flow.
For the full year ending December, Celsys forecasts revenue of ¥9.08 billion ($61.3 million), representing 10.7% growth, with operating profit expected to climb 19% to ¥2.56 billion ($17.3 million). The company has already achieved 60% of its annual operating profit target halfway through the fiscal year.
The digital art software market has experienced rapid expansion, with industry reports projecting compound annual growth rates exceeding 12% through 2030. However, Celsys faces intensifying competition from Adobe and emerging AI-powered tools that could challenge traditional creative software providers.
Celsys shares have gained approximately 15% this year, outpacing the broader Tokyo market.
