Kaiju No. 8 The Game and Its Investment Implications for the Mobile Gaming Sector

The mobile gaming sector has long been a fertile ground for capitalizing on intellectual property (IP) and pre-launch momentum. As the global market approaches $156 billion by 2029, driven by technological advancements and hybrid monetization strategies, the launch of Kaiju No. 8 The Game—a free-to-play RPG based on the popular manga and anime series—offers a compelling case study in how pre-launch engagement and IP-driven monetization can shape post-launch success.

Pre-Launch Momentum: A Barometer of Success

Kaiju No. 8 The Game has already demonstrated extraordinary pre-launch traction. With over 1 million pre-registrations as of August 2025, the game’s developers, Akatsuki Games, TOHO, and Production I.G., have leveraged exclusive rewards (e.g., ★5 characters and Dimensional Crystals) to incentivize early sign-ups [1]. This figure surpasses the 60 million pre-registrations of Tencent’s Valorant Mobile in 2025, a game that generated $1 million in first-day revenue [2]. Such metrics are not merely vanity metrics; they correlate strongly with post-launch retention and monetization. For instance, games with high pre-launch engagement often see 30-45% higher revenue post-launch due to optimized user acquisition and data-driven strategies like A/B testing [3].

The game’s original storyline, which expands the Kaiju No. 8 universe with new characters and the CLOZER unit, further amplifies its appeal. By blending established IP with fresh narrative elements, the game taps into both existing fanbases and new audiences—a strategy that mirrors the success of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, which generated $1.4 million in its first week of release [4].

IP-Driven Monetization: A Proven Formula

The mobile gaming industry’s reliance on IP-based monetization is well-documented. In 2025, 43% of the top 200 grossing games in the U.S. were IP-driven, with manga and anime IPs showing the highest revenue growth [5]. Kaiju No. 8 The Game aligns with this trend, leveraging its source material’s cultural resonance to drive in-app purchases and advertising revenue.

The game’s monetization model is a hybrid of in-app purchases (IAPs) and aggressive advertising. AppGrowing data reveals that 96% of its ad placements are in-feed, with Meta Ads dominating 96% of the campaign [6]. This strategy reflects broader industry trends, where hybrid models (combining IAPs, ads, and subscriptions) generate 30-45% higher revenue than single-stream approaches [7]. For context, DRAGON BALL LEGENDS achieved $2.7 million in peak revenue in Q2 2025 by balancing IAPs and event-driven content [8].

Benchmarking Against Peers

To assess Kaiju No. 8 The Game’s potential, consider its peers. Umamusume: Pretty Derby generated $46.8 million outside Japan in two months, with 57% of revenue coming from international markets [9]. Similarly, Kaiju No. 8 The Game’s global release on Steam, iOS, and Android positions it to capitalize on cross-regional demand. The game’s focus on RPG mechanics and squad-building—genres with high retention rates (e.g., 32.6% day-one retention for match-based games [10])—further strengthens its case.

However, challenges remain. The mobile gaming sector’s average day-30 retention rate is below 3% [11], and even IP-based games like Solo Leveling: Arise have seen revenue declines due to waning engagement [12]. To mitigate this, Kaiju No. 8 The Game must prioritize live-service updates and community-driven events, as seen in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, which boosted Konami’s revenue by 17% in FY2025 [13].

Investment Implications

For investors, Kaiju No. 8 The Game represents a high-conviction opportunity in a sector poised for growth. Its pre-launch momentum, IP strength, and hybrid monetization model align with industry best practices. However, success hinges on post-launch execution—specifically, the ability to maintain user engagement and adapt to regional preferences. Emerging markets like Latin America and the Middle East, which saw 8-18% revenue growth in 2024 [14], could be key expansion targets.

In conclusion, Kaiju No. 8 The Game exemplifies how pre-launch metrics and IP-driven strategies can unlock value in mobile gaming. As the sector evolves, investors should prioritize titles that combine cultural resonance with data-driven monetization—a formula that has proven resilient in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Source:
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[2] The Rise of Mobile Gaming: Tencent's Valorant ..., [https://www.ainvest.com/news/rise-mobile-gaming-tencent-valorant-mobile-future-global-fps-markets-2508]
[3] The Pre-Launch Metrics Imperative: How Early Data Powers ... [https://innovatethrive.substack.com/p/the-pre-launch-metrics-imperative]
[4] Top 5 Anime Games in the US, Q2 2025: Performance ... [https://sensortower.com/blog/2025-q2-unified-top-5-anime%20games-units-us-64634f41e1714cfff1d9f0dd]
[5] Why Are IP-Based Mobile Games Dominating the Industry [https://www.blog.udonis.co/mobile-marketing/mobile-games/ip-based-mobile-games]
[6] Advertising Strategy Analysis of KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME [https://appgrowing.net/blog/en/kaiju_no-8/]
[7] Mobile Game Monetization in 2025: Balancing Revenue and ... [https://www.gamelight.io/post/mobile-game-monetization-in-2025-balancing-revenue-and-user-experience]
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[9] UMA MUSUME: PRETTY DERBY picks up 57% of mobile ... [https://www.pocketgamer.biz/uma-musume-pretty-derby-picks-up-57-of-mobile-revenue-outside-japan-in-two-months-since-global-launch/]
[10] Mobile Game Retention Rates (2025) [https://www.businessofapps.com/data/mobile-game-retention-rates/]
[11] Mobile Game Retention Rates (2025) [https://www.businessofapps.com/data/mobile-game-retention-rates/]
[12] Top 5 Anime Games in the US, Q2 2025: Performance ... [https://sensortower.com/blog/2025-q2-unified-top-5-anime%20games-units-us-64634f41e1714cfff1d9f0dd]
[13] Konami's Strategic Revival of the 'Metal Gear' Franchise, [https://www.ainvest.com/news/konami-strategic-revival-metal-gear-franchise-blueprint-ip-driven-turnaround-gaming-2508]
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