Kotobukiya posted its first quarterly profit in over a year as demand for VTuber-related products and spending by international tourists bolstered sales at the Japanese collectibles manufacturer’s retail stores.
The company reported operating income of ¥141 million ($912,000) for the July-September quarter, marking a turnaround from losses in the comparable single-entity period a year earlier. Revenue reached ¥3.79 billion ($24.5 million) as the firm transitioned to consolidated financial reporting.
The results come as the global anime merchandise market expands, with collectors increasingly seeking limited-edition figures and character goods. Kotobukiya manufactures plastic models and scale figures, outsourcing most production to facilities in China.
Sales of proprietary intellectual property lines including Megami Device plastic models and Frame Arms Girl scale figures contributed to revenue growth. The company’s Akihabara and other flagship locations benefited from steady foot traffic from overseas visitors.
In North America, subsidiary Kotobukiya America launched a direct e-commerce site in March and participated in Anime Expo in Los Angeles and San Diego Comic-Con to expand brand recognition. Chinese consumers drove purchases of the PUNI☆MOFU plastic model series.
The company maintained its full-year forecast of ¥18 billion ($116 million) in revenue and ¥1.7 billion ($11 million) in operating profit for the fiscal year ending June 2026.
