Celsys Inc., the Tokyo-based developer of popular digital illustration software, reported record first-quarter results Friday with operating profit surging 34.2% as its subscription strategy for flagship product CLIP STUDIO PAINT gained traction.
The company posted sales of ¥2.4 billion ($16 million) for the January-March quarter, up 19.4% from a year earlier. Operating profit jumped to ¥759 million ($5.1 million), while net income rose 23.8% to ¥684 million ($4.6 million).
Celsys attributed the strong performance to growing subscription contracts for CLIP STUDIO PAINT, especially following the well-received Version 4.0 released in March. The major update introduced new features including puppet warp tools, enhanced filters, and improved 3D capabilities that have resonated with its user base of digital artists, comic creators and animators.
“The subscription contract increase initiatives for CLIP STUDIO PAINT have been successful in driving sales growth,” the company stated.
For the full fiscal year ending December 2025, Celsys maintained its forecast for sales of ¥9.08 billion ($60.5 million), up 10.7% year-on-year, with operating profit projected to increase 19% to ¥2.56 billion ($17.1 million).
