Japanese game developer KLab, popularly known for hits like ‘Love Live! School Idol Festival’, ‘Bleach: Brave Souls’, and ‘Captain Tsubasa: Dream Team’, has announced a major capital and business alliance with Ultimate Classic Investment (UCI), a UAE-based investment firm.
As per the agreement, UCI has become the majority stakeholder, now owning over 79% of KLab’s shares. This marks a significant shift in ownership of the Tokyo-based studio, which has been a mainstay in Japan’s mobile gaming scene.
After the deal was announced, KLab’s stock price skyrocketed to new year-to-date highs as the market reacted to the company’s strengthened financial position.
As per the shared plan, KLab plans to focus its 5.1 billion yen (approximately US$34.5 million) in capital on diversifying its assets. Notably, around 70% of this amount will be allocated toward acquiring Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, signaling a strategic pivot beyond traditional game development. 20% of the funds will go toward game planning, development, and operations, and the rest 10% will be invested in developing new business initiatives.
For several years, KLab Corporation has struggled amid intense market competition and a decline in blockbuster titles. In 2025, founder Tetsuya Sanada returned as CEO and initiated a comprehensive restructuring, positioning the UAE as the center of KLab’s next stage of growth.
CEO Tetsuya Sanada stated: “Pursuing new opportunities in the UAE has proven to be the right decision. KLab aims to become one of the few Japanese listed companies to build a strong presence in the region. This is only the beginning — we plan to establish a local subsidiary in the UAE next year to expand game development and IP services.”
“The UAE offers not only capital but also strategic value. Its role as a neutral global financial center, combined with strong liquidity and long-term investment perspectives, makes it an ideal base for KLab’s next growth phase. In addition, KLab holds a unique position that allows us to work preferentially with world-class Japanese animation IPs that Japan is proud to present to the global market. Japanese anime already enjoys strong popularity in the UAE, and we believe investment in high-quality IP will continue to expand further in the region. We view this investment as a foundation for unlocking future value rather than a short-term financial transaction,” a company statement said.
Subsequent to the agreement of the capital and business alliance, UCI has formally proposed that His Highness Sheikh Salem Khalid Humaid Mohammed Al Qasimi, a distinguished member of the royal family of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), be engaged as an advisor to the company. His appointment recognizes his broad and profound knowledge in corporate management and financial strategy.
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