Konami

Corporate brand

Japanese entertainment group known for video games, trading cards, amusement machines, pachinko, casinos, and fitness services.

Last updated November 1, 2026

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Overview

Konami is a Japanese multinational entertainment group headquartered in Tokyo. Its businesses span video-game development and publishing, trading cards, arcade and amusement equipment, pachinko and pachislot machines, casino gaming, anime and other media, and health and fitness clubs in Japan. The company is best known internationally for long-running video-game properties including Metal Gear, Silent Hill, Castlevania, Contra, Gradius, Frogger, Dance Dance Revolution, Bomberman, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Power Pros, and eFootball, the successor to the Pro Evolution Soccer series. The company began on 21 March 1969 in Toyonaka, Osaka, as a jukebox rental and repair business founded by Kagemasa Kōzuki, Yoshinobu Nakama, and Tatsuo Miyasako. The name Konami was formed from parts of the founders' names. As the Japanese jukebox market weakened, the business moved into the manufacture of electromechanical arcade equipment and then into electronic video games. Konami's early arcade successes included Scramble, Frogger, Super Cobra, Time Pilot, Track & Field, and Yie Ar Kung-Fu. It began exporting products to the United States in 1979 and established a U.S. subsidiary in 1982. During the 1980s, Konami expanded from arcades into home systems, including the MSX, Nintendo Entertainment System, and later the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PC Engine, and Sega Genesis. This period established several of its most influential franchises, such as Gradius, Castlevania, Contra, TwinBee, Ganbare Goemon, and Metal Gear. Licensed properties, particularly Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, also became important commercial products. Konami's growth during the arcade and NES era helped it evolve from a specialist coin-operated-game manufacturer into a global software publisher. The company diversified substantially in the 1990s and 2000s. It created development subsidiaries for different console platforms, entered the rhythm-game market through the Bemani brand, launched the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, and expanded into pachinko, pachislot, casino equipment, and health clubs. Its acquisition and eventual consolidation of Hudson Soft brought additional properties such as Bomberman, Adventure Island, Bonk, Bloody Roar, Far East of Eden, and Star Soldier into the wider group. Konami also reorganized its corporate structure, moving its principal game-development operations into Konami Digital Entertainment in 2006 and operating as a holding company. In the 2010s, Konami adjusted its portfolio and corporate identity. It changed its trade name to Konami Holdings Corporation in 2015, delisted from the New York Stock Exchange the same year, and publicly emphasized mobile games as one part of its digital strategy. The company later renewed attention to established console and PC properties, including the Super Bomberman R revival and new projects connected with Metal Gear and Silent Hill. In 2022, the holding company adopted the name Konami Group Corporation. More recent initiatives have included a new Osaka development studio, the Konami Animation anime studio, and continued investment in digital entertainment, esports, amusement, casino gaming, and sports-related services. Konami's present identity is therefore broader than that of a conventional game publisher. Video games remain its most visible international business, but the group also operates through specialized subsidiaries serving cards, arcades, casino gaming, pachinko, fitness, animation, and regional distribution. Its brand combines globally recognized intellectual property with a diversified Japanese entertainment and leisure infrastructure.

History

Konami was established on 21 March 1969 in Toyonaka, Osaka, by Kagemasa Kōzuki, Yoshinobu Nakama, and Tatsuo Miyasako. The original business rented and repaired jukeboxes, with the company name derived from portions of the founders' names. The decline of Japan's jukebox industry encouraged a transition toward manufacturing electromechanical arcade equipment. Konami was formally incorporated as Konami Industry Co., Ltd. in 1973. The company entered electronic video games in the late 1970s. Its first game, Block Yard, was an arcade title released in 1977, and Konami began exporting products to the United States in 1979. The early 1980s brought a series of successful coin-operated games, including Scramble, Frogger, Super Cobra, Time Pilot, Track & Field, and Yie Ar Kung-Fu. Several titles were distributed in the United States through other arcade companies. Konami established its American subsidiary in 1982 and subsequently expanded its home-console business. Konami supported the MSX computer standard and released games for the Nintendo Entertainment System from the mid-1980s. The company created or developed major properties including Gradius, Castlevania, Contra, TwinBee, Ganbare Goemon, and Metal Gear, while licensed games such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles broadened its audience. It later supported the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PC Engine, Sega Genesis, and the emerging PlayStation and Sega Saturn markets. In the 1990s, Konami organized development around platform-oriented subsidiaries, including units that produced Silent Hill and Metal Gear Solid. The company broadened its entertainment portfolio during the 1990s and 2000s. Its Bemani business helped popularize arcade rhythm games such as Dance Dance Revolution and Beatmania. Konami also entered the collectible card market with the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game and expanded into pachinko, pachislot, casino equipment, and fitness services. It acquired an interest in Hudson Soft in 2001 and completed a merger in 2012, adding Hudson-associated properties such as Bomberman, Adventure Island, Bonk, Bloody Roar, Far East of Eden, and Star Soldier. A major restructuring in 2006 created Konami Digital Entertainment as the principal game-development and publishing subsidiary while the parent company adopted a holding-company structure. The group continued to operate separate businesses in digital entertainment, toys and hobbies, amusement, online services, multimedia, sports, and casino gaming. Its international structure included regional digital-entertainment and distribution subsidiaries in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Konami delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in 2015 and changed its trade name to Konami Holdings Corporation. During that period, company executives described mobile gaming as an important strategic area. The group subsequently returned renewed attention to established properties, including a revival of Bomberman and later projects associated with Metal Gear and Silent Hill. In early 2020, Konami moved its headquarters to Tokyo's Ginza district, where it also developed facilities for esports events and esports education. In 2021 it reorganized the product divisions of Konami Digital Entertainment, and in 2022 the parent company became Konami Group Corporation. The group continued expanding its development infrastructure with a new Osaka studio announced in 2023 and Konami Animation, an anime studio announced in 2024. Konami's business remains diversified: video games and trading cards provide its most visible international consumer brands, while amusement machines, pachinko, casino technology, fitness services, and related media support the broader corporate group.

2024
Konami Animation announced
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami Digital Entertainment establishes an anime studio intended to develop work based on Konami properties and other projects.
2023
Osaka studio opens
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami opens a new development facility in Osaka to support game-production capabilities and long-term recruitment.
2022
Name becomes Konami Group Corporation
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
The parent company changes its name from Konami Holdings Corporation to Konami Group Corporation.
2020
Headquarters move to Ginza
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami moves its Tokyo headquarters to the Ginza district and incorporates facilities for esports events and training.
2015
Corporate and market changes
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami delists from the New York Stock Exchange and changes its trade name to Konami Holdings Corporation.
2012
Hudson Soft merger
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
The merger brings Hudson-associated franchises, including Bomberman and Adventure Island, into the Konami group.
2006
Holding-company restructuring
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami moves its video-game development and publishing activities into Konami Digital Entertainment as part of a group-wide reorganization.
2001
Investment in Hudson Soft
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami takes a significant interest in Hudson Soft, which later becomes a consolidated subsidiary.
1997
Bemani and Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami expands its arcade rhythm-game activities under Bemani and enters the collectible card-game market with the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.
1982
U.S. subsidiary established
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami establishes its American subsidiary, later known through several corporate names as Konami of America and Konami Digital Entertainment.
1979
International exports begin
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami starts exporting products to the United States.
1977
First video game
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Konami releases Block Yard, an arcade game and an early example of its move into electronic games.
1973
Formal incorporation
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
The company is incorporated as Konami Industry Co., Ltd. and begins moving toward electromechanical arcade manufacturing.
1969
Konami begins as a jukebox business
[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Kagemasa Kōzuki, Yoshinobu Nakama, and Tatsuo Miyasako establish a jukebox rental and repair business in Toyonaka, Osaka.

Products and positioning

A diversified Japanese entertainment group whose global consumer identity is anchored in video-game franchises, while its wider portfolio covers trading cards, amusement, gambling technology, animation, and fitness.

Video-game franchise · 1987
Metal Gear
A stealth-action franchise originating on the MSX platform and later expanded through Metal Gear Solid and related entries. It became one of Konami's defining console properties and is associated with elaborate espionage narratives, stealth mechanics, cinematic presentation, and recurring characters such as Solid Snake.
Video-game franchise · 1999
Silent Hill
A psychological-horror series centered on unsettling environments, symbolic storytelling, and survival-horror gameplay. The franchise was developed within Konami's console-development structure and became one of the company's most recognizable horror properties.
Video-game franchise · 1986
Castlevania
A gothic action series featuring vampire-hunting heroes and the recurring Dracula mythology. Its games range from linear platform action to exploration-focused titles and helped establish Konami as a major developer during the 8-bit and 16-bit console eras.
Video-game franchise · 1987
Contra
A run-and-gun action franchise that began in arcades and became particularly prominent on home consoles. It is known for fast side-scrolling combat, cooperative play, heavy weapon use, and challenging level design.
Arcade and rhythm games · 1997
Bemani
Konami's rhythm-game brand encompasses arcade series such as Dance Dance Revolution and Beatmania. Bemani games use specialized input devices and music-centered scoring systems, making the brand a significant part of Konami's arcade identity.
Trading card game · 1999
Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game
A competitive collectible card game published by Konami and based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! entertainment property. It combines physical cards, organized play, licensed media, and related digital products, and became one of Konami's most important non-console global businesses.
Sports video game · 2021
eFootball
Konami's football-game brand and the successor to International Superstar Soccer and Pro Evolution Soccer. It is distributed across digital platforms and represents the company's continuing sports-simulation business.
Video game · 2017
Super Bomberman R
A revival of Hudson Soft's Bomberman property developed for the Nintendo Switch and subsequently associated with Konami's renewed use of established franchises. Its commercial performance encouraged the company to revisit additional legacy game properties.
Gaming and amusement equipment
Pachinko and pachislot machines
Konami develops and supplies pachinko and pachislot machines, often incorporating characters and themes from entertainment properties. This business is primarily connected with the Japanese amusement and regulated gaming market.

Controversies

2021
Konami apologizes for eFootball launch problems
Konami apologized for problems with eFootball at launch and said it would take concerns seriously and work to improve the game. The reported feedback included game balance, cutscenes, facial expressions and player movement.
Source
2020
Konami clarifies Silent Hill tweet and apologizes
Konami issued a clarification after a tweet led to speculation that Silent Hill rumors were true. The company stated that it had shared sound from Dead by Daylight streams and that the post was not an official announcement. Konami also apologized for getting people excited. The clarification followed the tweet that had prompted the speculation.
Source

2017Super Bomberman R revival
Worldwide
Konami revived the Bomberman franchise with Super Bomberman R, initially for Nintendo Switch. The title demonstrated renewed commercial interest in Konami's legacy properties and contributed to the company's decision to revisit additional established franchises.
Outcome. Supported renewed investment in selected legacy properties.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Establish Konami AnimationOther
Background
Konami identified opportunities to apply game-development computer-graphics expertise to animation and other media.
Action taken
Konami Digital Entertainment established Konami Animation as an in-house anime studio.
Aftermath
The studio's first announced work was a promotional video connected with the 25th anniversary of Yu-Gi-Oh! and the studio was intended to work on both Konami and external properties.
Source
2021
Reorganize game-development divisionsStrategy
Background
Konami Digital Entertainment reviewed the structure of its internal product divisions.
Action taken
The company dissolved Product Divisions 1, 2, and 3 and planned a replacement organizational structure.
Aftermath
Konami said the move was an internal restructuring and did not represent a reduction in its commitment to video games.
Source
2015
Emphasize mobile gamingStrategy
Background
Following corporate restructuring and changes in the console and mobile markets, Konami reviewed the balance of its digital-entertainment activities.
Action taken
Konami Digital Entertainment president Hideki Hayakawa stated that the company would focus on mobile gaming for a period and described mobile as an important future direction.
Aftermath
Konami continued operating across mobile, console, PC, cards, and amusement, while later projects returned increased attention to established console franchises.
Source
2006
Create Konami Digital EntertainmentStrategy
Background
Konami sought to reorganize its video-game development and publishing operations within a broader holding-company structure.
Action taken
The group transferred its principal digital-entertainment activities to Konami Digital Entertainment and separated several business areas into specialized operations.
Aftermath
Konami Digital Entertainment became the principal group subsidiary for game planning, development, publishing, and related digital products.
Source

Recent events

2024
Konami establishes Konami Animation[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Product launch
Konami Digital Entertainment announced an in-house anime studio intended to apply the group's computer-graphics and production expertise to its own properties and external projects.
2023
Konami opens a new Osaka development studio[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Other
Konami announced the opening of a development office in Osaka's Umeda district to strengthen its game-production capabilities and support long-term growth.
2022
Konami changes corporate name to Konami Group Corporation[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Other
The holding company changed its corporate name from Konami Holdings Corporation to Konami Group Corporation.
2021
Konami reorganizes its video-game development divisions[1]Konamien.wikipedia.org
Other
Konami Digital Entertainment announced the dissolution of three product divisions and their reorganization into a new internal structure. The company characterized the change as an organizational restructuring rather than a withdrawal from video games.

Sources14 sources

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