Messaging application war in Japan

As LINE becomes popular, Japanese companies releasing messaging application increase. Therefore I made Japanese messaging application list.


Nakamap
Release date: December, 2010
Company: Kayac
You might think unexpectedly, but this was released earlier than LINE. This got not only Japanese users but also overseas users. However, unfortunately it has been overtaken by LINE. Kayac shows SDK of this for other game developers. Developers can add a chat and message function to own game apps by using this.


LINE
Release date: June, 2011
Company: NHN Japan
The explanation will be already unnecessary. This is messaging apps most popular in Japan. It have 120 million users now.


Comm
Release date: October, 2012
Company: DeNA
DeNA was known as an operator of Mobage, but they released this on October 23, 2012. They are going to be opposed to LINE by all stamps(stickers) for free.


ARAPPLI
Release date: October, 2012
Company: Arara
Originally ARAPPLI is AR platform app. However, Arara released ARAPPLI ver.3.0 on October 25, 2012, and added a chat and message function newly.  Users can use character "charm" using the 3DCG animation in a chat and a message. It is just like the stamp(Sticker).


mixi message
Release date: October, 2012
Company: mixi
mixi is main Social Networking Service in Japan. They did UI of the message function like messaging apps for smartphones on October 30, 2012. It is totally like LINE, and has the stamp(sticker) function, too.


Avachar
Release date: December, 2012
Company: Aeria
Avachar is the apps that combined a avatar, chat and message. Users make own avatar and can use it as a stamp(Sticker).


Tellit(iOS/Android)
Release date: December, 2012
Company: GREE
This is not yet official release. However, GREE tests this in Australia, New Zealand and India. Characters of their social game are included in the stamps.


FC2Talk
Release date: January, 2013
Company: FC2
This is messaging apps based on geolocation. Users can communicate with the people whom there is near oneself.


DECOLINK
Release date: February, 2013
Company: CyberAgent
DECOLINK is the messaging apps focused on the teenager girls. The design is KAWAII thoroughly. There are 10,000 kinds stamps(stickers), and all of them are free of charge.


freeml TALK
Release date: March, 2013
Company: GMO Media
freeml TALK is messaging apps based on mailing list service freeml. freeml is well-established service continuing more than ten years, and they have many users. Users can do communicate with members of the mailing list. Of course there is the stamp(sticker) function, too.

However, the apps that has been over exist.

Grenge, joint venture of mixi and cyber agent released "Group Talk" for Android in September, 2011. However, this was not able to get users.


CyberAgent released "cubie talk" for iOS in August, 2012. It was the cute apps that combined avatar and messaging apps. However, it was over on February 26, 2013.