Evangelion Pachinko to Aid Japan

The following is a Japan excerpt from IRG’s TMT Weekly Market Review May 11 – 17. IRG is a financial advisory and investment firm focused on the core growth sectors in Asia with particular focus on the telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) sectors.

Sankyo announced results in line with market expectations and provide guidance for FY3/10. The Company’s fiscal year 2009 operating profit fell 43.8% to JPY 40.6 bn (US$422.2 mm), in line with guidance and market expectations. The drop in profit was a result of weak Sankyo brand pachinko machine sales as well as delays in launching the Bisty brand pachinko title Evangelion. Pachinko sales fell 37.7% YoY to 452,000 units. The company launched two major titles under the Sankyo brand and sales for both fell short of 100,000 units, indicating that the Sankyo brand needs improvement. For FY3/10 Sankyo is targeting operating profit of JPY 67.0 bn (US$696.8 mm) an increase of 64.9%, driven by higher pachinko sales volume due to the launch of Evangelion. Pachinko sales are expected to increase to 705,000 units from 452,000 units, with Sankyo brand sales rising to 395,000 units from 285,000 units and Bisty brand sales to 310,000 units from 167,000 units.

Hopefully the release of Evangelion-based Bisty brand pachinko would be a big help in Japan’s financial growth.

Here’s a video example of Evangelion Pachinko: