History

By continuously creating original content,
CAPCOM of Japan has transformed itself
into CAPCOM of the world.

Since its inception, Capcom has been creating a series of industry-leading game titles with remarkable commercial success around the globe, including the classic “Street Fighter,” which was the rage of the times, and the worldwide blockbuster survival horror game “Resident Evil” to name two. All of these original and innovative games have helped make the Capcom brand a household name. We continue to aspire to be a company that entertains people around the world and touches their heart.

  • 1979~

    Corporate History

    Accomplishments

    1979

    May

    Established I.R.M Corporation (capital of 10 million yen) with objectives of developing and selling electric applied game machines in Matsubara, Osaka.

    1979
    1981

    May

    Established the subsidiary JAPAN CAPSULE COMPUTER CO., LTD.

    Sep.

    Corporate name was changed to SANBI CO., LTD., and the head office was moved to Habikino, Osaka.

    1981
    1983

    Jun.

    Established old CAPCOM CO., LTD., (capital of 10 million yen) in Hirano, Osaka for the purpose of selling software.

    Oct.

    Established Tokyo Branch in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

    1983

    Jul.

    Released our first originally developed coin-op “Little League”.

    Oct.

    Released the coin-op “Fever Chance”.

    Dec.

    Opened “Acty 24”, a video arcade under the direct management of Capcom.

    1984
    1984

    May

    Released our first arcade video game “Vulgus”.

    Dec.

    Released the arcade video game “1942”.

    1985

    Aug.

    Established CAPCOM U.S.A., INC., in California for distribution of Capcom’s products in the U.S.A.

    1985

    May

    Released the arcade video game “Commando”.

    Sep.

    Released the arcade video game “Ghosts’n Goblins”.

    Dec.

    Released our first home video game “1942” for Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

    1942

    1986
    1986

    Jun.

    Released “Ghosts’n Goblins” for NES.

    Sep.

    Released “Commando” for NES.

    1987
    1987

    Aug.

    Released the arcade video game “Street Fighter”.

    Dec.

    Released “Mega Man” for NES.

    1989

    Jan.

    Old CAPCOM CO., LTD., was merged with SANBI. Corporate name was changed to CAPCOM CO., LTD., and the head office was moved to Higashi-ku, Osaka.

    Aug.

    Established a resident office in the U.K.

    1989

    Dec.

    Released the arcade video game “Final Fight”.

  • 1990~

    Corporate History

    Accomplishments

    1990

    Oct.

    Stocks registered as OTC securities with the Japan Securities Dealers Association.

    1990

    Dec.

    Released “Final Fight” for Super NES.

    1991

    Feb.

    Purchased YUNIKA CO., LTD. and turned it into a 100% subsidiary.

    Dec.

    Changed the name of YUNIKA CO., LTD. to CAPTRON CO., LTD.

    1991

    Mar.

    Released the arcade video game “Street Fighter II” and it triggered the “Street Fighter II” boom.

    1992
    1992

    Jun.

    Released “Street Fighter II” for Super NES, and it was a mega-hit.

    1993

    Jul.

    Established CAPCOM ASIA CO., LTD. in Hong Kong for distribution of Capcom’s products in China and Southeast Asia.

    Oct.

    Stock was listed on the second section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.

    1993

    Apr.

    Released “Breath of Fire” for Super NES.

    Jul.

    Opened “CapcoCircus Nigata East”, the largest arcade in Nigata.

    1994

    May

    Constructed Ueno facility in Mie.

    Jul.

    Constructed head office, which was relocated to Uchihirano-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka.

    1994

    Aug.

    Premiere of the animated movie “Street Fighter II”.

    Dec.

    Premiere of the Hollywood movie “Street Fighter”.

    1995

    Jun.

    Established CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. and CAPCOM DIGITAL STUDIOS, INC. (currently CAPCOM STUDIO 8, INC.), which CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. holds for the purposes of enhancing and maximizing functions such as management, distribution, and R&D in U.S.A.

    1995

    Apr.

    Began broadcasting the TV animation “Street Fighter II V”.

    1996
    1996

    Mar.

    Released “Resident Evil” for PlayStation, a long selling title which had record breaking sales, and established the genre of survival horror.

    1997

    Apr.

    Established FLAGSHIP CO., LTD. with a view of game scenario creation.

    1997
    1999

    Sep.

    Stock changed listing to the First Section of the Osaka Securities Exchange.

    1999

    Jul.

    Released “Dino Crisis” for PlayStation, and it was a mega-hit.

  • 2000~

    Corporate History

    Accomplishments

    2000

    Oct.

    Stock was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

    2000
    2001
    2001

    Jan.

    Released “Onimusha” for PlayStation 2, and it sold over a million copies, a first for a PlayStation 2 title.

    Aug.

    Released “Devil May Cry” for PlayStation 2, and it was a mega-hit.

    Oct.

    Released “Phoenix Wright” for Game Boy Advance, and it drew public attention as a courtroom battle title.

    2002

    Nov.

    Established CE EUROPE LTD. in U.K.

    2002

    Mar.

    Began broadcasting the TV animation based on the hit title “Mega Man Battle Network”.

    Mar.

    Premiere of the Hollywood movie “Resident Evil” which recorded sales of 102 million dollars worldwide.

    ©2002 CONSTANTIN FILM PRODUKTION GMBH/NEW LEGACY FILM LTD

    2003

    Feb.

    Established CEG INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT GmbH in Germany.

    2003
    2004
    2004

    Feb.

    Entered the publishing business and released the first strategy guidebook for “Onimusha 3”.

    Sep.

    Premiere of the Hollywood movie “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” and it grossed 100 million dollars worldwide.

    Oct.

    “Monster Hunter” won the grand award at the 8th annual CESA GAME AWARDS.

    2005
    2005

    Jan.

    Began accepting visits to the company from elementary and middle schools as an educational support activity.

    Mar.

    Premiere of the animated movie “Mega Man”.

    Jul.

    Released “Sengoku BASARA” for PlayStation 2, which enjoyed popularity especially among young gamers for its innovative worldview.

    2006

    Jun.

    CAPCOM INTERACTIVE, INC., tasked with developing and distributing mobile games in the overseas market, is established in the United States and makes CAPCOM INTERACTIVE CANADA, INC. (the former COSMIC INFINITY, INC.) a wholly-owned subsidiary by buying all its shares.

    Oct.

    CAPCOM CO., LTD. and the DWANGO group co-found DALETTO CO., LTD., responsible for managing a portal site.

    2006

    Jul.

    Capcom and TOMY COMPANY, LTD. co-launch “Wantame Music Channel”, a card game machine geared towards girls under 10.

    Aug.

    Released “Dead Rising” for Xbox 360. More than 1 million units were sold, an extraordinary feat for a new title for a new game console.

    Dec.

    Released software “Lost Planet” for Xbox 360. Over 1 million units were sold following the trails of “Dead Rising”, another exceptional accomplishment for a new title.

    2007

    Mar.

    CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT KOREA CO., LTD., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capcom, is established to oversee marketing operations for the Asian market.

    CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. acquires CAPCOM STUDIO8, INC.

    Jun.

    CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires FLAGSHIP CO., LTD.

    2007

    Mar.

    “Monster Hunter Freedom 2” becomes the first Japanese PSP software to exceed 1 million units shipped.

    Jun.

    Began performing guest lectures at elementary and middle schools as an educational support activity.

    Nov.

    The Hollywood movie “Resident Evil: Extinction” was released. Its box-office revenue exceeded 147 million dollars.

    ©2007 Sony Pictures Entertainment(J) Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    2008

    May

    K2 CO., LTD. becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary through a simple exchange of stocks.

    Jul.

    CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT FRANCE, SAS is established through the acquisition of all of its shares by CE EUROPE LTD.

    Nov.

    Acquired 90% of shares of ENTERRISE CO., LTD. for the purpose of developing, designing, producing and selling gaming machines.

    2008

    Oct.

    Premier of the first full-CG movie in the series “Resident Evil: Degeneration”. Sales of DVDs and other product versions reached 1.5 million units.

    ©CAPCOM CO., LTD. / Resident Evil CG Film Partners

    2009
    2009

    Feb.

    Hollywood movie “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” was released worldwide.

    Feb.

    Takarazuka Revue Company launches theatrical performance of “Ace Attorney: Truth Reborn”.

    ©TAKARAZUKA REVUE COMPANY / ©CAPCOM

    Mar.

    “Plaza Capcom Inazawa” opens in Aichi Prefecture.

    Apr.

    Began broadcasting the TV animation program “Sengoku BASARA”.

    ©CAPCOM / TEAM BASARA

    May

    Released “Resident Evil: Degeneration”, Capcom’s first title for the iPhone.

    Jul.

    “Sengoku BASARA” stage performance commences.

    Jul.

    Initial shipments of “Monster Hunter Tri”, a third-party title for the Wii, surpass one million units.

    Oct.

    “Sengoku BASARA” character Date Masamune used for PR activities in support of the Miyagi Prefecture gubernatorial elections.

  • 2010~

    Corporate History

    Accomplishments

    2010

    Aug.

    CAPCOM GAME STUDIO VANCOUVER, INC. is established in Canada through the acquisition of all of its shares by CAPCOM U.S.A., INC.

    Oct.

    CAPCOM GAME STUDIO VANCOUVER, INC. acquires BLUE CASTLE GAMES INC. by buying all its shares.

    2010

    Apr.

    Launched distribution of “Resident Evil 4: iPad Edition”, Capcom’s first title for the iPad.

    Aug.

    Distribution of Capcom’s first social game “MONHAN NIKKI MOBILE AIRU MURA” on DeNA’s “Mobage-town” platform.

    Sep.

    The Hollywood movie “Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D” was released and earned 300 million dollars at the box office.

    ©2010 Sony Pictures Entertainment(J) Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Nov.

    Distribution of social game “Smurfs’ Village” for iPhone began. It became the top download in 62 countries aroud the world.

    ©Peyo – 2010 – Licensed through Lafig Belgium- www.smurf.com. All game code ©2011 Beeline Interactive, Inc.

    Dec.

    Released “Monster Hunter Freedom 3” for the PSP. It sold 4 million units faster than any other PSP game in history.

    Dec.

    “Monster Hunter X Shinshu Hot Springs” was held at the hot spring resort Shibu in Nagano Prefecture.

    2011

    Mar.

    CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires DALETTO CO., LTD.

    Apr.

    CAPCOM INTERACTIVE, INC. was renamed BEELINE INTERACTIVE, INC. as well as Capcom established BEELINE INTERACTIVE JAPAN, INC. for development and distribution of mobile phone content.

    Nov.

    CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. acquires CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT, INC..

    2011

    Apr.

    “Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition” ships 1 million units as its first million selling title for Nintendo 3DS.

    Aug.

    “Monster Hunter the Real” was held at Universal Studios Japan (USJ).

    Dec.

    Released “Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) G” for Nintendo 3DS, which became the Capcom’s first title that sold one million units in Japan for Nintendo 3DS

    2012

    Mar

    Established BEELINE INTERACTIVE EUROPE LTD. in U.K.

    Oct.

    Established CAPCOM TAIWAN CO., LTD. in Taiwan.

    2012

    Feb.

    Premiere of “Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney”, the first live-action feature film in its series.

    ©2012 CAPCOM / “Ace Attorney” FILM PARTNERS

    May.

    Released home video game “Dragon’s Dogma”. Sold over one million units, unprecedented for a totally new brand.

    Sep.

    The Hollywood movie “Resident Evil: Retribution” was released and earned 0.24 billion dollars at the box office.

    ©2012 Screen Gems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Oct.

    Premier of CG movie “Resident Evil: Damnation”.

    ©2012 CAPCOM CO., LTD. / Resident Evil CG2 Film Partners

    2013

    Jun.

    Capcom Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary.

    2013

    Apr.

    “Sengoku BASARA” character Date Masamune used for Auto Break-in Prevention Program of Osaka Prefectural Police.

    Dec.

    Released “Monster Hunter 4” for Nintendo 3DS. It sold 4 million units with another “Monster Hunter Craze”.

    Dec.

    Released “Dead Rising 3” for Xbox One. It sold 1 million units as its first million selling title for Xbox One.

    2014
    2014

    Feb.

    “Sengoku BASARA” characters, Sanada Yukimura, Maeda Keiji and Kuroda Kanbei, used for Auto Break-in Prevention Program of a joint campaign by the police departments of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures.

    2015
    2015

    Mar.

    Concluded a comprehensive agreement to promote local revitalization with Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture utilizing the character Takada Shingen from “Sengoku BASARA”.

    Apr.

    “Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate” is the first in the series to ship 1 million units overseas, breaking 3 million units total for the title.

    Jul.

    The Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore and “Sengoku BASARA” together held a special, first-of-its-kind collaborative exhibition.

    Nov.

    Opened first directly-operated character café, known as “Capcom Cafe”.

    2016

    Jan.

    Opened newly constructed R&D Building #2 in Osaka City.

    Apr.

    Reorganized Mobile business, changed Beeline Interactive Japan Inc. to Capcom Mobile Inc.

    2016

    Apr.

    Began broadcasting the TV animation program “Ace Attorney”.

    ©CAPCOM/YTV・A-1 Pictures

    Oct.

    Monster Hunter characters are featured for the first time in the Osaka Prefectural Police’s vehicle-related crime awareness campaign.

    2017

    Sep.

    CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires CAPCOM MOBILE, INC.

    2017
    2018

    Apr.

    CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires CAPTRON CO., LTD.
    Established CAPCOM MAINTENANCE SERVICE CO., LTD.

    Nov.

    Established CAPCOM MEDIA VENTURES,INC.

    2018

    Mar.

    Sengoku BASARA is featured in traditional Japanese puppet theater, known as “bunraku,” for a first-time collaboration with games.

    Aug.

    Monster Hunter: World becomes the first Capcom game to ship 10 million units globally.

    Oct.

    Mega Man series character is featured in the Osaka Prefectural Police’s cyber-crime prevention awareness campaign for the first time.

    2019
    2019

    Feb.

    Launch of Japanese esports league, Capcom Street Fighter League powered by RAGE.

    Jul.

    Street Fighter series characters are featured in the Osaka Prefectural Police’s cyber-crime investigator recruitment advertising for the first time.

    Oct.

    Monster Hunter Series Characters Utilized in Osaka Prefectural Police’s Cyber-Crime Prevention Awareness Campaign for the First Time.

    Nov.

    Opened Capcom Store Tokyo, the Company’s first showroom, which offers an assortment of merchandise featuring popular game series and characters.

    2020

    Apr.

    Established Adelion CO., LTD. in Japan and CAPCOM SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. in Singapore.

    CAPCOM MEDIA VENTURES, INC. was merged with CAPCOM U.S.A., INC.

    2020

    Jun.

    Resident Evil Series Exceeded 100 Million Units Sold Worldwide.

    Resident Evil Series Exceeded 100 Million Units Sold Worldwide.

    2021
    2021

    Apr.

    Monster Hunter Rise surpassed 5 million units globally one week after its release.

    Monster Hunter Rise surpassed 5 million units globally one week after its release.

    Jul.

    Began offering on-site classes online in Capcom’s educational support activities.

    Began offering on-site classes online in Capcom's educational support activities.

    Aug.

    Monster Hunter: Legends of the Guild, the first 3D animated movie adaptation of the popular Monster Hunter series, is streamed worldwide simultaneously.

    ©CAPCOM CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    Monster Hunter: Legends of the Guild, the first 3D animated movie adaptation of its popular Monster Hunter series, is streamed worldwide simultaneously.

    Oct.

    Resident Evil 7 biohazard surpassed 10 Million units sold worldwide.

    Resident Evil 7 biohazard surpassed 10 Million units sold worldwide.

    Monster Hunter: World surpassed 20 Million units sold worldwide.

    Monster Hunter: World surpassed 20 Million units sold worldwide.

    2022

    Apr.

    Established Capcom Pictures, Inc. in the U.S.A.

    Moved to the top-tier Prime market due to the restructuring of the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s market segments.

    2022

    Apr.

    Capcom entered into an official sponsorship deal with the Japan Volleyball Association (JVA).

    Capcom entered into an official sponsorship deal with the Japan Volleyball Association (JVA).

    Jul.

    Monster Hunter used in collaborative event with Sakai City in Osaka.

    Monster Hunter used in collaborative event with Sakai City in Osaka.

    Resident Evil 2 surpassed 10 Million units sold worldwide.

    Resident Evil 2 surpassed 10 Million units sold worldwide.

    Aug.

    Capcom signed sponsorship deal to be top partner of Cerezo Osaka.

    Capcom signed sponsorship deal to be top partner of Cerezo Osaka.

    Capcom entered into comprehensive agreement with Kashihara City in Nara Prefecture to utilize the Street Fighter series.

    Capcom entered into comprehensive agreement with Kashihara City in Nara Prefecture to utilize the Street Fighter series.

    Oct.

    Became an official partner of the 35th Tokyo International Film Festival.

    Capcom entered into comprehensive agreement with Kashihara City in Nara Prefecture to utilize the Street Fighter series.

    2023

    Jun.

    Capcom Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary.

    Capcom 40th Anniversary

    Jul.

    Made Swordcanes Studio Co., Ltd. a wholly-owned subsidiary.

    2023

    Jan.

    Sales of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne surpassed 10 million units worldwide.

    Sales of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne surpassed 10 million units worldwide.

    Jul.

    Musical Romance "The Great Ace Attorney – The Truth Comes Back to Life Anew" opens, marking Capcom’s first collaboration with the Takarazuka Revue in ten years.

    Musical Romance "The Great Ace Attorney – The Truth Comes Back to Life Anew" opens, marking Capcom's first collaboration with the Takarazuka Revue in ten years.

    ©TAKARAZUKA REVUE COMPANY / ©CAPCOM