Nekonome
Category: AI in Media / Gaming / Entertainment
A Japanese game studio developing AI-powered shogi (Japanese chess) games and digital card games, known for the upcoming title 'KIOU' featuring AI move-suggestion and coaching. Nekonome was founded in 2024. The company is led by Sean Kudo (工藤ショーン). Based in Tokyo, Japan. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $1.38M. Latest round: Series A. Key investors include East Ventures, iFund, ANOBAKA, EX Innovation Fund (TV Asahi HD / Simplex Capital Investment), Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, SMBC Venture Capital.
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- Tokyo, Japan
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $1.38M
Value proposition
Nekonome combines character-driven storytelling with competitive shogi gameplay, powered by a dedicated shogi AI ('KIOU AI') developed by professional shogi player Hiroki Taniai. The AI provides move suggestions, positional guidance, and adaptive difficulty for players from beginner to advanced levels.
Products and solutions
KIOU (棋桜) — AI-powered competitive shogi game with character interaction, launching June 2026 on iOS, Android, and Steam, Mesologear Series (メソロギアシリーズ) — simultaneous-turn digital card game with 200K+ downloads, #1 on App Store free and card game charts
Unique value
The only shogi game that integrates a professional shogi player-developed AI with character interaction, voice acting, and a relationship system — making competitive shogi accessible and engaging for casual and serious players alike.
Target customer
Shogi players from beginners to advanced (kishi-level), mobile gamers, PC gamers, fans of character-driven games, Japanese and global gaming audiences
Industries served
Mobile gaming, PC gaming, Digital card games, AI-powered board games
Technology advantage
Proprietary 'KIOU AI' developed by professional shogi player Hiroki Taniai (Tokyo University graduate AI researcher); proprietary simultaneous-turn system for card games; qualitative user feedback-driven game design methodology; cross-platform (iOS/Android/Steam) deployment
How they differentiate
Unlike traditional shogi apps that focus purely on gameplay, Nekonome's KIOU blends character interaction (voice acting, affinity system) with professional-grade AI coaching. The AI is developed by an actual professional shogi player with AI research credentials from the University of Tokyo, giving it unique credibility. The company also pioneered a 'simultaneous-turn' mechanic in its card game Mesologiar.
Main competitors
AI Shogi ZERO (free shogi app), Shogi Wars (competitive online shogi), PiyoShogi (shogi analysis app)
Key partnerships
Hiroki Taniai (professional shogi player, KIOU AI developer), Mynavi Publishing (tsume-shogi puzzle content provision), EX Innovation Fund (TV Asahi HD LP fund), East Ventures (seed investor), iFund (seed investor), ANOBAKA (seed investor)
Notable customers
200,000+ downloads for Mesologear Series, #1 on App Store free and card game charts
Major milestones
2024-01: Company founded, 2024-08: Seed round completed (East Ventures, iFund, ANOBAKA), 2024-09: Tokyo Game Show 2024 exhibition, 2025-09: Tokyo Game Show 2025 exhibition, 2025: Mesologear Series reaches 200K+ downloads, #1 on App Store free & card game charts, 2026-05: KIOU AI announced (developed by Hiroki Taniai), 2026-06: Series A of ¥110M raised (cumulative ¥200M), 2026-06-12: KIOU launches on iOS and Android, 2026-06-14: KIOU launches on Steam (PC)
Growth metrics
200,000+ downloads (Mesologear Series); #1 App Store free & card game charts; 30 team members (group total incl. contractors)
Market positioning
Niche but defensible position at the intersection of AI gaming, traditional board game digitization, and character-driven mobile games. Competes with pure shogi apps (AI Shogi ZERO, Shogi Wars) by adding RPG/character elements, and with character games by adding authentic competitive shogi mechanics.
Geographic focus
Japan (primary), with stated plans for global expansion
About Sean Kudo (工藤ショーン)
Ex-NetEase Games UX Manager (荒野行動/Knives Out, 第五人格/Identity V); Ex-CEO AnachroJapan Inc.; Aoyama Gakuin University (Game Development); Created digital card game 'Mesologiar' during university
Official website: https://neconome.co.jp/