Chiyomaru Shikura, the Chairman and Representative Director of Visual Novel Developer MAGES, most well-known for the Steins;Gate series, will be stepping down in favor of an executive producer role within the company. This comes following MAGES reporting a loss of over ¥613,000,000.

The change of leadership was announced by Shikura himself, who made a statement on his personal Twitter account that he would be stepping down from his prior position at Mages.

He says that he left due to the expiration of his term in office but wishes to continue at the company a little longer to work on more projects.

皆様へご報告
この度、任期満了により株式会社MAGES.代表取締役会長の職から離れる事となりました。創立以来、長い間お世話になった関係者の皆様、頼れるスタッフ、そして何よりも僕の作品に少しでも触れてくれたファンの皆様には、心からのお礼の言葉で溢れています。本当にありがとうございました。

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— 志倉千代丸 (@chiyomaru5pb) January 4, 2023

“I’m reporting to everyone this time. Due to the expiration of my term of office, I have decided to leave my position as Chairman and Representative Director of MAGES Co., Ltd. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the people who have been indebted to me since my founding, my reliable staff, and most of all, my fans who have touched my work even just a little. I am deeply thankful to you all”.

“But as far as my life as a creator is concerned, I would like to be allowed to continue a little longer. With a feeling of going back to my beginnings, like the old AD days, I am discussing a new relationship with MAGES. In the future, in a new position, with the staff I know well, so that we can build a system to be able to release new works again”.

MAGES have made their own statement saying that Mr. Shikura will be continuing on as a creative producer and working closer to developing new games/visual novels.

“Notice: Appointment of Executive Producer Chiyomaru Shikura, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, has been leading the management and game development as Chairman of the Board of Directors and a creator. From now on, as Executive Producer, he will concentrate on the development of original works and new games, and continue to support the enhancement of the company’s corporate value. We look forward to your continued support for MAGES.”.

MAGES is a subsidiary of COLOPL. They are known for their popular visual novel works, the most notable of which is the Science Adventure series which includes Steins;Gate, Chaos;Head, and Robotics;Notes. Aside from gaming, they also produce video and music content as well as talent management and program production.

During their September 2022 Fiscal Year (via Gamebiz), MAGES reported a total loss of over ¥613,000,000 ($4,701,618 USD / RM20,687,119). This had made the company insolvent meaning that they are currently unable to pay back their losses.

While it is unconfirmed if Shikura’s change in position is due to the company’s recent financial woes, management changes are often common in these kinds of circumstances.

Anonymous;Code (2023)

MAGES’ latest title, Anonymous;Code, a new entry in the Science Adventure Series will be released for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC in 2023. It has been confirmed that the title will be getting an international release.