Overview

Compass, formally titled Compass: Combat Providence Analysis System and commonly styled #Compass, is a Japanese mobile multiplayer online battle arena game created through a collaboration between NHN PlayArt and Dwango. Its Japanese title is #コンパス【戦闘摂理解析システム】, and the English rendering of the subtitle describes the game as a combat-oriented analytical system. The title was designed as a character-driven competitive game for mobile devices rather than as a conventional single-player adventure. Players compete in an arena-based format using a roster of distinctive characters, each with an individual identity, role, abilities, and associated voice performance. The documented character lineup includes figures such as the arena-managing robot Voidoll, the healer Jeanne d'Arc, the death-god character 13, the secret-society leader Reiya, and other heroes and villains including Luciano, Adam Yuriev, Meg Meg, Nikola Tesla, Violetta Noire, and Ruruka. The roster also incorporates fictional archetypes, historical references, science-fiction concepts, and characters connected to in-universe entertainment properties. The game was released for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire devices in Japan in December 2016. A later release in China took place in November 2019, giving the property a documented market presence outside its original Japanese launch territory. The available reference material does not establish the game's current user base, commercial performance, revenue, publisher structure, or availability in additional territories, so those details are not asserted here. Compass has developed beyond its original game format into a broader media property. Its characters and setting have supported animated and print adaptations, including a ten-episode original net animation streamed on YouTube between August 2018 and September 2019. The property also received a manga adaptation based on the song- and character-associated story "Alkali Rettōsei." Written by Kinosaki and illustrated by Mahiro Satou, the manga began serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Gene magazine in August 2023. A related light novel, also based on "Alkali Rettōsei," was written by Kinosaki, illustrated by Kurowa, and published under the MF Bunko J imprint in August 2023. The franchise later expanded into television animation through #Compass 2.0: Combat Providence Analysis System. Produced by Lay-duce and directed by Hitoshi Nanba, the series aired in Japan from April through June 2025 on TV Tokyo and its affiliated stations. Crunchyroll streamed the series internationally. Its opening theme, "Hakudō" ("Pulse"), was performed by Nana Mizuki, while the ending theme, "Heartache," was performed by Yuma Uchida. These adaptations position Compass as a cross-media character franchise anchored in mobile competitive play, with animation, music, manga, and light-novel formats extending its fictional world.

History

Compass is a Japanese mobile multiplayer online battle arena property created by NHN PlayArt and Dwango. Its full title, Compass: Combat Providence Analysis System, is reflected in the Japanese styling #コンパス【戦闘摂理解析システム】. The game was released in Japan in December 2016 for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire devices. The available reference material does not provide a precise founding date for the brand, identify an individual creator, or describe the corporate ownership arrangement beyond naming NHN PlayArt and Dwango as its creators. The game's central identity is built around competitive arena play and a large cast of stylized characters. The roster combines original fictional personalities with recognizable conceptual influences. Voidoll is depicted as the robot responsible for managing the Compass battle arena, while other characters include a healer modeled on Joan of Arc, the former angel and death god 13, the fugitive secret-society leader Reiya, and characters associated with magical-girl, science-fiction, military, and fantasy motifs. The cast is an important part of the property's presentation, with named voice actors attached to the documented characters. The reference material lists performers including Daisuke Ono, Soma Saito, Sora Amamiya, Sakura Tange, Ayumu Murase, Kana Hanazawa, and others. Compass expanded into China in November 2019. No reliable information in the supplied material establishes sales, revenue, player counts, or the extent of its current geographic availability. Accordingly, the brand is best described as a Japanese-origin game and entertainment property with at least documented releases in Japan and China. The property began developing a cross-media presence through animation. A ten-episode original net animation was produced by Echoes and TMS Entertainment and streamed on YouTube from August 2018 to September 2019. The animated project provided a format for presenting the game's characters and setting outside interactive play. Print adaptations followed in 2023. A manga based on "Alkali Rettōsei," written by Kinosaki and illustrated by Mahiro Satou, began serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Gene magazine on August 12, 2023. The supplied reference identifies one released volume as of March 2024. A spin-off light novel using the same source material was written by Kinosaki, illustrated by Kurowa, and issued by Media Factory through the MF Bunko J imprint on August 25, 2023. The next major expansion was television anime. #Compass 2.0: Combat Providence Analysis System was produced by Lay-duce and directed by Hitoshi Nanba. It aired from April 8 through June 24, 2025, on TV Tokyo and its affiliates. Crunchyroll streamed the series, giving the adaptation an international distribution channel. Nana Mizuki performed the opening theme "Hakudō" ("Pulse"), and Yuma Uchida performed the ending theme "Heartache." Taken together, the game's mobile release, regional expansion, web animation, manga, light novel, and television series show a franchise strategy centered on extending a competitive game world through character-focused media.

2025
Television anime adaptation airs
[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
#Compass 2.0: Combat Providence Analysis System aired in Japan from April to June, with Crunchyroll streaming it.
2023
Manga serialization starts
[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
The manga adaptation based on "Alkali Rettōsei" began serialization in Monthly Comic Gene in August.
2023
Light novel adaptation published
[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
A related "Alkali Rettōsei" light novel was published through the MF Bunko J imprint in August.
2019
Chinese release
[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
The game was released in China in November.
2018
Original net animation begins
[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
The first episode of a ten-episode original net animation adaptation was streamed on YouTube in August.
2016
Japanese mobile release
[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
Compass was released in Japan for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire devices in December.

Products and positioning

A character-led Japanese mobile competitive game and cross-media entertainment franchise combining multiplayer arena battles with an expanding cast, animated storytelling, music, manga, and light novels.

Mobile multiplayer online battle arena game · 2016
Compass: Combat Providence Analysis System
The core Compass property is a mobile multiplayer online battle arena game created by NHN PlayArt and Dwango. It features competitive arena play and a large roster of individually characterized combatants, including Voidoll, Jeanne d'Arc, 13, Reiya, Luciano, Adam Yuriev, Meg Meg, and others. The game launched on iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire in Japan in December 2016 and later reached China in November 2019.
Original net animation · 2018
Compass original net animation
A ten-episode animated adaptation produced by Echoes and TMS Entertainment extended the game into online video. It was distributed through YouTube from August 2018 to September 2019 and presented the property's characters and setting in a non-interactive format.
Television anime · 2025
#Compass 2.0: Combat Providence Analysis System
The television anime adaptation was produced by Lay-duce and directed by Hitoshi Nanba. It aired on TV Tokyo and affiliated stations from April through June 2025. Crunchyroll streamed the series, while Nana Mizuki and Yuma Uchida performed its opening and ending themes respectively.
Manga · 2023
Alkali Rettōsei manga
Written by Kinosaki and illustrated by Mahiro Satou, this manga adaptation is based on "Alkali Rettōsei," a work associated with the Compass property. It began serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Gene magazine in August 2023; one volume had been released by March 2024 according to the supplied reference.
Light novel · 2023
Alkali Rettōsei light novel
This spin-off light novel uses the same "Alkali Rettōsei" basis as the manga adaptation. It was written by Kinosaki, illustrated by Kurowa, and published by Media Factory under the MF Bunko J imprint in August 2023.

Controversies

2026
Compass files antitrust lawsuit against CRMLS
Compass International Holdings filed an antitrust lawsuit against California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), alleging that CRMLS rules unlawfully restrict how homeowners and agents may publicly market properties outside the MLS. The complaint seeks to invalidate the rules and recover damages. The allegations are not presented as a court determination.
Source 1 Source 2
2026
Compass and ERA sue Alex Vidal over noncompete agreements
Compass and ERA filed a lawsuit against current REMAX President Alex Vidal in Delaware, claiming that his move to REMAX violated his noncompete agreement. They asked the court to enforce the agreements and block him from serving REMAX or another competing business in violation of the covenant.
Source
2026
OneKey MLS joins lawsuit against Compass over listings policy
OneKey MLS joined a lawsuit against Compass seeking a court judgment upholding its policy prohibiting public marketing of private listings. Compass has alleged that listing-service policies limiting how sellers market homes are anticompetitive; OneKey MLS says Compass's strategy is unfair to other brokerages.
Source
2021
Former agent sues Compass over alleged recruiting practices
In a California lawsuit, former Compass agent J. Gregory Maffei alleged that Compass used unfair, unlawful and fraudulent practices to recruit agents. The complaint seeks class-action status, $10 million in damages, and reimbursement for unpaid commission and expenses. These are allegations made in the filing and not findings of fact.
Source
2021
Christie’s affiliate sues Compass over agent recruitment
A Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate in Ridgewood, New Jersey, sued Compass, accusing it of soliciting a team of four agents and unlawfully encouraging them to breach existing contracts. The complaint also named the agents and alleged improper client solicitation and use of confidential information. Compass called the allegations opportunistic and without merit.
Source
2021
Howard Hanna amends lawsuit against Compass
Howard Hanna alleged in an amended complaint that Compass aided three former Howard Hanna agents in breaching contractual provisions and stealing trade secrets. Compass denied wrongdoing in a consent order and said it was disappointed by the amended complaint while maintaining that agents should be able to choose their brokerage affiliation.
Source
2021
Compass files antitrust suit against REBNY
Compass filed a federal lawsuit against the Real Estate Board of New York, alleging that REBNY conspired with Douglas Elliman and the Corcoran Group to hinder Compass's business in New York City. The article reports allegations, not a court determination.
Source 1 Source 2
2021
Compass responds to school meal parcel concerns
Compass apologized over food parcels whose quality and quantity it said fell short of its usual standards. It said it had investigated the meals and taken corrective measures, including improved supply-chain processes, additional worker guidance and resources, and stronger quality checks.
Source
2020
Landlord files lawsuit accusing Compass of using pandemic to exit lease
Landlord Stuart Venner filed a lawsuit accusing Compass of using the pandemic to seek rent relief and ultimately leave its office lease. These are allegations in the lawsuit.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Television anime adaptationProduct launch
Background
Following the game's mobile release and earlier web animation, the property continued its cross-media development.
Action taken
Lay-duce produced the television series #Compass 2.0: Combat Providence Analysis System, directed by Hitoshi Nanba, for broadcast on TV Tokyo and its affiliates.
Aftermath
The series aired from April to June 2025 and was made available to international audiences through Crunchyroll.
Source
2023
Expansion into manga and light novelsStrategy
Background
Compass had already used online animation to extend its game world beyond interactive play.
Action taken
The property received a manga and a light novel centered on "Alkali Rettōsei," with separate creative teams and Media Factory publication channels.
Aftermath
The print adaptations broadened the franchise's narrative formats and reinforced its character- and story-led positioning.
Source
2018
Expansion into original online animationProduct launch
Background
The game had been available in Japan since 2016, and its creators extended the property into an animated format.
Action taken
Echoes and TMS Entertainment produced a ten-episode original net animation that was distributed on YouTube.
Aftermath
The online animation streamed from August 2018 through September 2019 and became the first documented major screen adaptation of the game.
Source

Recent events

2025
Compass 2.0 television anime airs in Japan[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
Product launch
The Lay-duce-produced television adaptation #Compass 2.0: Combat Providence Analysis System aired from April through June 2025 on TV Tokyo and affiliated stations, with Crunchyroll streaming the series.
2024
Compass responds to changes in residential brokerage commission practices[14]Compass responds to changes in residential brokerage commission practicesinvestors.compass.com
Regulation
Compass updated its business and agent guidance in the context of industry-wide changes following the National Association of Realtors settlement and related changes to buyer-agent compensation practices.
2023
Compass manga begins serialization[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
Product launch
A manga adaptation based on "Alkali Rettōsei," written by Kinosaki and illustrated by Mahiro Satou, began publication in Monthly Comic Gene in August 2023.
2023
Compass light novel spin-off is published[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
Product launch
A related light novel based on "Alkali Rettōsei" was published under the MF Bunko J imprint in August 2023.
2023
Compass reports focus on profitability and free cash flow[14]Compass responds to changes in residential brokerage commission practicesinvestors.compass.com
Other
The company emphasized expense discipline, agent productivity, and progress toward sustainable profitability as residential transaction activity remained pressured.
2022
Compass announces workforce and cost-reduction measures[14]Compass responds to changes in residential brokerage commission practicesinvestors.compass.com
Other
Following a slowdown in the housing market, Compass announced measures intended to reduce operating expenses and improve efficiency.
2021
Compass completes initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange[15]Compass completes initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchangeinvestors.compass.com
Other
Compass became a publicly traded company on the NYSE under the symbol COMP, providing capital for its brokerage and technology strategy.
2019
Compass expands to China[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
Product launch
A Chinese release of the mobile game took place in November 2019, extending the property's documented distribution beyond Japan.
2018
Compass original net animation streams on YouTube[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
Product launch
A ten-episode original net animation based on the game began streaming on YouTube in August 2018 and concluded in September 2019.
2016
Compass launches in Japan for mobile devices[1]Compass (video game)en.wikipedia.org
Product launch
The NHN PlayArt and Dwango-created multiplayer online battle arena game was released for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire devices in Japan in December 2016.