Bushiroad Financial Results Briefing Material: Fiscal Year Ended July 2019

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Bushiroad achieved record financial results for the fiscal year ended July 2019, reporting 32,175 million yen in net sales (an 11.4% increase) and 3,058 million yen in operating profit (a 4.4% increase).See it on page 1
02
The 'BanG Dream!' project was the primary revenue driver, generating nearly 10 billion yen in sales, while the total number of IPs generating over 1 billion yen reached seven.See it on page 15
03
Growth was heavily fueled by the Music and Merchandising departments, which experienced year-on-year increases of 59.8% and 58.8%, respectively.See it on page 10
04
New Japan Pro-Wrestling achieved record sales and 436,000 attendees, marking its sixth consecutive year of growth despite a segment profit decline caused by increased investment in video content and overseas expansion.See it on page 18
05
The company forecasts continued growth for the fiscal year ending July 2020, projecting net sales of 36,000 million yen.See it on page 20
06
Strategic priorities for 2020 include launching new mobile titles like 'LoveLive! School Idol Festival ALL STARS' and developing emerging IPs such as 'D4DJ' and 'ARGONAVIS' to drive international expansion.See it on page 20

Summary

Bushiroad Inc.’s financial results for the fiscal year ended July 2019 demonstrate a period of sustained growth, characterized by the successful execution of a multi-faceted intellectual property (IP) strategy. The company achieved record highs across all profit categories, reporting net sales of 32,175 million yen, an 11.4% increase year-on-year. Operating profit rose by 4.4% to 3,058 million yen, while profit attributable to owners of the parent grew by 9.9% to 1,799 million yen. This performance was driven primarily by the significant expansion of the Music and Merchandising departments, which saw year-on-year growth of 59.8% and 58.8%, respectively.

The company’s business model centers on the development and management of IP through a "media mix" approach, integrating trading card games (TCG), mobile online games (MOG), music, and live events. The "BanG Dream!" project served as a primary revenue driver, nearing 10 billion yen in sales, while the total number of IPs generating over 1 billion yen increased to seven. Within the Sports Business, New Japan Pro-Wrestling continued its upward trajectory, achieving record sales and drawing approximately 436,000 attendees, marking six consecutive years of growth. Despite a decline in segment profit due to increased investment in video content and overseas expansion, the sports division remains a core pillar of the company’s long-term strategy.

Looking ahead to the fiscal year ending July 2020, the company projects continued growth with forecasted net sales of 36,000 million yen. Strategic priorities include the release of new mobile titles, such as "LoveLive! School Idol Festival ALL STARS," and the development of emerging IPs like "D4DJ" and "ARGONAVIS." The company intends to leverage its position as an IP platform to further penetrate overseas markets, particularly in the United States, while continuing to invest in high-growth areas like video content distribution and large-scale live performances.