Tsuburaya Fields Holdings reported a 33% drop in nine-month profit as pachinko operators delayed purchases of new gaming machines ahead of Japan’s planned banknote redesign.
Net income fell to ¥6.42 billion ($43 million) in the April-December period, while revenue declined 21% to ¥97.76 billion. The Tokyo-based company, known for creating the Ultraman franchise, saw its main pachinko and pachislot machine business drop 24% to ¥84.11 billion.
The company’s content division provided a bright spot, with revenue rising 12% to ¥12.87 billion, driven by global streaming deals. The Netflix film “Ultraman: Rising” and TV series “Ultraman Ark” helped boost international recognition, with “Rising” receiving four Annie Award nominations in December.
Licensing revenue jumped 32% to ¥6.72 billion, with particularly strong growth in China across toys and lifestyle products. Block toys saw a 51% increase to ¥2.68 billion, while lifestyle goods rose 33% to ¥1.39 billion.
The company maintained its full-year forecast for net income of ¥11.6 billion on sales of ¥155 billion, betting on a recovery in gaming machine sales in the second half as operators complete their banknote-related equipment upgrades.
