- Nippon Ichi Software
-
Nippon Ichi Software Inc. Type Private company Traded as JASDAQ: 3851 Industry Computer and video game industry Founded September 1991 (initial founding)
July 12, 1993 (reincorporation)Headquarters Gifu Prefecture, Japan
NIS, America:
Santa Ana, California, United States[1]Key people Souhei Niikawa Products Disgaea series, etc Revenue N/A Website http://www.nippon1.co.jp/index.html
http://www.nisamerica.com/Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. (日本一ソフトウェア Nippon Ichi Sofutowea ) (known as Prism Kikaku Ltd. from July 1993 to July 1995) is a Japanese video game developer and publisher. They are responsible for such titles as Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Phantom Brave, La Pucelle: Tactics and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure.
Contents
History
Nippon Ichi Software was founded in September 1991 in Gifu Prefecture, Japan,[2] as an entertainment software company. It was relocated and reincorporated[2] on July 12, 1993.[3] Since then Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. has grown into an international company focused on creating video game products across modern console platforms. NIS America, Inc. subsidiary of Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. of Japan, established its North American operations on December 24, 2003. Based in Santa Ana, California, NIS America, Inc. handles operations including localization, marketing, and publishing of Nippon Ichi titles.
NIS America was the result of the company's wish to focus on international publication of their works in the U.S., given the increased popularity of their titles. Prior to the creation of this subsidiary, NIS software titles that appeared in the U.S. were localized and distributed by outside publishers. Notable examples would be Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, published in North America by Atlus and in Europe by Koei, La Pucelle, published in North America by Mastiff Inc, and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure which was also published in North America by Atlus. The publisher has become a somewhat of a well-known presence in the North American market, having won RPGLand's "Stateside Publisher of the Year Award" in 2009.[4]
Nippon Ichi, meaning "Japan's Best" or "#1 in Japan," is often abbreviated as "N1".[5]
During years 2008 and 2009 the financial results for Nippon Ichi saw a huge drop. The January 2009 financial report for the company recorded a drop of more than 97% in income in comparison to the previous year.[6] Kotaku editor Brian Ashcraft reported that after the release of the financial figures "The company's closing price on the JASDAQ (Japanese NASDAQ) was ¥36,200 on Friday. When the market opened this morning, and investors began reacting to Nippon Ichi's financial statement, the stock price ultimately dropped ¥7,000 (US$78) as the stock was unloaded.".
Games
Though the company has developed a number of traditional role-playing games (RPGs), Nippon Ichi's latest releases have primarily been a series of tactical RPG games. Many characters from previous titles make their way into later games as secret characters, even though their respective titles may not be directly connected. The Rhapsody series, Disgaea series, Phantom Brave, Makai Kingdom, and Soul Nomad are the games that are usually connected with each other through secret characters.
Other games of separate genres, such as Cooking Fighter Hao, have been published by the company though they have never been released outside Japan. The most popular games are the Disgaea games. All of these games have connections to each other, whether it be the same world, dimensional travel, same creatures, or the same über-hard tyrant, Baal.
Games developed
- Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
- Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
- Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice
- Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten
- Disgaea Infinite
- Doki Doki Shutter Chance
- Jigsaw Party
- Jigsaw Land: Japan Graffiti
- Jigsaw Madness
- Jigsaw World
- La Pucelle: Tactics
- Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome
- Phantom Brave
- Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?
- Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!
- Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure
- Soul Nomad & the World Eaters
- Souryu: Logical Mahjong
- The Oni Taiji: Mezase! Nidaime Momotarou
- Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman
Game releases in Europe
- Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (Developer) (Published by Koei) - PS2 (05/28/04)
- La Pucelle: Tactics (Developer) (Published by Koei) - PS2 (04/01/05)
- Phantom Brave (Developer) (Published by Koei) - PS2 (02/04/05)
- Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (10/25/05)
- Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana (Developer) (Published by Koei) - PS2 (03/17/06)
- Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny (Developer) (Published by Koei) - PS2 (09/26/06)
- Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (11/03/06)
- Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light (Developed by Hit Maker (not Sega's Hit Maker)) (Publisher) - PSP (02/09/07)
- Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm (Developed by Gust Corporation) - PS2 (07/27/07)
- Generation of Chaos (Developer) (Publisher) - PSP (09/14/07)
- GrimGrimoire (Developed by Vanillaware) - PS2 (09/28/07)
- Soul Nomad & the World Eaters (Developer) - PS2 (06/20/08)
- Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice (Developed by Nippon Ichi) (Published by Atlus) - PS3 (02/30/09)
- Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure (Developer/Publisher) - DS (03/27/09)
- Disgaea DS (Developer/Publisher) - DS (3/04/09)
- Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica (Developed by Gust Corporation) (Publisher)
- Last Rebellion - (Developed by Hit Maker) (Developer/Publisher) - PS3 (3/26/2010)
- Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love - (Developed by Sega) (Publisher) (Distributed by TECMO KOEI) - Wii (April, 2010)
- Hyperdimension Neptunia (Publisher) - PS3 (March 4, 2011)
- Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel (Developed by Gust) (1 April 2011)
- Disgaea 4 - PS3 (Summer 2011)
Game releases in North America
- Pieces (Developer) (Published by Atlus) - Super NES (1994)
- Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure (Developer) (Published by Atlus) - PS1 (03/30/00)
- Jigsaw Madness (Developer) (Published by XS Games) - PS1 (12/01/02)
- Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (Developer) (Published by Atlus) - PS2 (08/27/03)
- La Pucelle: Tactics (Developer) (Published by Mastiff) - PS2 (05/04/04)
- Phantom Brave (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (08/31/04)
- Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana (Developed by Gust Corporation) (Publisher) - PS2 (06/28/05)
- Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (07/26/05)
- Generation of Chaos (Developed by Idea Factory) (Publisher) - PSP (02/28/06)
- Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny (Developed by Gust Corporation) (Publisher) - PS2 (04/25/06)
- Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light (Developed by Hit Maker) (Publisher) - PSP (07/18/06)
- Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (08/29/06)
- Spectral Souls (Developed by Idea Factory) (Publisher) - PSP (09/26/06)
- Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia (Developed by Gust Corporation) (Publisher) - PS2 (2/7/2007)
- Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos (Developed by Idea Factory) - PSP (05/24/07)
- Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm (Developed by Gust Corporation) - PS2 (05/29/07)
- GrimGrimoire (Developed by Vanillaware) - PS2 (06/26/07)
- Dragoneer's Aria (Developed by Hit Maker) - PSP (08/21/07)
- Soul Nomad and the World Eaters (Developer) - PS2 (9/25/07)
- Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (Developer) - PSP (10/30/07)
- Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis (Developed by Gust Corporation) - PS2 (03/31/08)
- Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice (Developer) - PS3 (08/26/08)
- Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure - DS (09/23/08)
- Disgaea DS (Developer/Publisher) - DS (09/25/08)
- Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica (Developed by Gust Corporation) (Publisher) - PS2 (01/20/09)
- Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? (Developer/Publisher) - PSP (02/17/09)
- Mana Khemia: Student Alliance - (Developed by Gust Corporation) (Publisher) - PSP (03/10/09)
- Puchi Puchi Virus - (Developed by KeysFactory) (Publisher) - DS (5/19/09)
- Cross Edge - (Developed by Idea Factory) (Publisher) - PS3 (05/26/09)
- Holy Invasion Of Privacy, Badman! What Did I Do To Deserve This? - (Developed by ACQUIRE) (Publisher) - PSP (07/16/09)
- Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days - (Developer) (Published by NIS America) - PSP (09/08/09)
- Phantom Brave: We Meet Again - (Developer/Publisher) - Wii (June 2009)
- Last Rebellion - (Developed by Hit Maker) (Developer/Publisher) - PS3 (2/23/2010)
- Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love - (Developed by Sega) (Publisher) - PS2, Wii (3/30/2010)
- Disgaea Infinite - (Developer/Publisher) - PSP (6/8/2010)
- Cladun: This is an RPG - PSP (9/7/2010)
- Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman - PSP (10/26/10)
- Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! - (Developer/Publisher) PSP (January 2011)
- Hyperdimension Neptunia (Publisher) - PS3 (February 15, 2011)
- Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle - PSP (March 8, 2011)
- Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel (Developed by Gust) (March 15, 2011)
- Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten - PS3 (Sep 6, 2011)
- Atelier Totori: Alchemist of Arland 2 (Developed by Gust) - PS3 (Sep 27, 2011)
- Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice - PlayStation Vita (Spring, 2012)
- Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 - PlayStation 3 (Spring, 2012)
Game releases in Japan
- Jigsaw World (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (02/03/95)
- The Oni Taiji: Mezase! Nidaime Momotarou (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (10/13/95)
- Jigsaw Land: Japan Graffiti (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (09/13/96)
- Souryu: Logical Mahjong (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (12/20/96)
- Doki Doki Shutter Chance (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (10/23/97)
- SatelliTV (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (01/08/98)
- Cooking Fighter (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (05/21/98)
- The Adventure of Puppet Princess (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (12/17/98) localized as Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure
- Logic Mahjong Souryu (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (05/04/99)
- Little Princess: Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime 2 (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (11/25/99)
- Tenshi no Present: Marle Oukoku Monogatari (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (12/21/00)
- Marl de Jigsaw (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (11/15/01)
- La Pucelle (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (01/31/02) localized as La Pucelle: Tactics
- Marl Jong!! (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (04/24/02)
- Makai Senki Disgaea (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (01/30/03) localized as Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
- Marujan!! (Developer/Publisher) - PS1 (04/24/03)
- Phantom Brave (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (01/22/04) localized as Phantom Brave
- Iris no Atelier: Eternal Mana - Limited Edition (Developed by Gust) (Publisher) - PS2 (05/27/04) localized as Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
- Hayari Gami (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (08/05/04)
- La Pucelle: Hikari no Seijo Densetsu Nishuu (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (10/21/04)
- Phantom Kingdom (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (03/18/05) localized as Makai Kingdom: Chronicles Of The Sacred Tome
- Eien no Aseria: The Spirit of the Eternity Sword (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (05/12/05)
- Hayarigami Revenge (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (07/14/05)
- Tristia of the Deep-Blue Sea (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (08/11/05)
- Rasetsu Alternative (Developer) (Published by Kogado Studio) - PS2 (10/13/05)
- Hayarigami Portable (Developer/Publisher) - PSP (12/15/05)
- Makai Senki Disgaea 2 (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (02/23/06) localized as Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
- Makai Senki Disgaea Portable (Developer) - PSP (11/30/06) localized as Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
- Soul Cradle (Developer) - PS2 (01/25/07) - localized as Soul Nomad & the World Eaters
- GrimGrimoire (Developed by Vanillaware) (Publisher) - PS2 (04/12/07)
- Hayarigami 2 (Developer/Publisher) - PS2 (11/15/07)
- Makai Senki Disgaea 3 (Developer/Publisher) - PS3 (01/31/08) localized as Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice
- Cross Edge - (Developed by Idea Factory in collaboration with NIS, Capcom, Gust, and Namco Bandai) (Published by Compile Heart) - PS3 (09/25/08)
- Makai Senki Disgaea 2 Portable - (Developer/Publisher) - PSP (4/3/09)
- Cross Edge Dash - (Developed by Idea Factory in collaboration with NIS, Capcom, Gust, and Namco Bandai) (Published by Compile Heart) - 360 (08/01/09)
- A Witch's Tale - (Developed by Hit Maker) (Publisher) Nintendo DS (2009)
- Let's Hitchhike - (Developed by DropWave) (Publisher) - WiiWare (2009)
- Phantom Brave: We Meet Again - (Developer/Publisher) - Wii (June 2009)
- Makai Senki Disgaea: Infinite - (Developer/Publisher) - PSP (11/1/2009)
- La Pucelle: Ragnarok - (Developer/Publisher) - PSP (11/26/09)
- Last Rebellion - (Developed by Hit Maker) (Developer/Publisher) - PS3 (1/28/2010)
- Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? 2 - PSP (3/25/2010)
- Zettai Hero Kaizou Keikaku - PSP (3/11/2010)
- Classic Dungeon: Fuyoku no Masoujin - PSP (2/18/2010)
- Criminal Girls - PSP (11/18/2010)
- Blue Roses: Yousei to Aoi Hitomi no Senshitachi - PSP (9/16/2010)
- Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle - PSP (03/08/2011)
- Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten - PS3 (February 24, 2011)
Cancelled titles
- Makai Wars (Developer) - PS3, PSP
Future releases
- Makai Kingdom Portable - PSP (September 22, 2011)
Other media
Nippon Ichi have begun to branch out into different media recently. Their first project is an anime based loosely on the story from Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. The success of the Disgaea anime has influenced N1 to consider adapting some of their other properties to the small screen. Possible projects are La Pucelle, Phantom Brave and Makai Kingdom.
Anime
- Makai Senki Disgaea. 12 episodes total. Studio: Oriental Light and Magic.
- Eien no Aseria - The Spirit of the Eternity Sword. 2 episodes (OVA) total. Studio: Studio Matrix.
- Pandora Hearts 25 episodes Studio: XEBEC
Releases in North America[7][8]
- Arakawa Under the Bridge
- Dororon Enma-kun (2011 series)
- Katanagatari
- Kimi ni Todoke
- Persona: Trinity Soul
- Pandora Hearts
- Our Home's Fox Deity.
- Toradora!
Toys and figurines
- NIS America sells toys and figurines related to their games at their US branch's official site.
References
- ^ "NIS, America Inc. -- About NISA". NIS, America Inc.. http://www.nisamerica.com/company.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- ^ a b "NIS Company History". Nippon Ichi Software Inc.. http://www.nippon1.co.jp/company/history.html. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ "NIS Company Summary". Nippon Ichi Software Inc.. http://www.nippon1.co.jp/company/summary.html. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ "RPGLand.com Best of 2009 Awards". RPGLand.com. http://rpgland.com/nis-america/rpgs-of-the-year-2009/. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
- ^ Kurt Kalata (2006). "NIS games at Hardcore Gaming 101". Hardcore Gaming 101. http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/nipponichi/nipponichi.htm. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ^ Brian Ashcraft. "Nippon Ichi Software, This Can’t Be Good (Part II)". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5466549/nippon-ichi-software-this-cant-be-good-part-ii.
- ^ http://nisamerica.com/nart/press/Anime%20PressRelease100212.pdf
- ^ "NIS America to Release Anime Titles in North America". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2010-02-11/nis-america-to-release-anime-titles-in-north-america.
External links
- Nippon Ichi Software official site in Japanese.
- NIS America official site in English.
- Nippon Ichi Software at MobyGames
- Nippon Ichi Strategy games at Hardcore Gaming 101.
- Tokidoki Journal's Interview with Tenpei Sato
- Tokidoki Journal's Interview with Souhei Niikawa
- Tokidoki Journal's Interview with Takehito Harada
Disgaea series Main series games Disgaea: Hour of Darkness · Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories · Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice · Disgaea 4: A Promise UnforgottenSpin-off games Mugen Keitai Disgaea · Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome · Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? · Disgaea Infinite · Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!Anime adaptation Related articles List of video games · List of characters · Nippon Ichi Software · Takehito Harada · Tenpei Sato · PrinnyCategories:- Companies listed on the JASDAQ Securities Exchange
- Nippon Ichi Software
- Companies established in 1991
- Amusement companies of Japan
- Video game developers
- Video game publishers
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