View source for Kantai Collection

{{Short description|2013 Japanese browser video game and its franchise}}
{{For|the anime|Kantai Collection (TV series)|KanColle: The Movie}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Kantai Collection
| italic title = 
| collapsible = 
| state = 
| image = Kantai Collection logo.png
| caption = 
| developer = [[Kadokawa Games]]<br>KanColle Unei Chinjyufu Committee
| publisher = [[DMM.com]]
| platforms = [[HTML5]]<br>[[Adobe Flash|Flash]] {{small|(formerly) }}<br>[[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|April 23, 2013}}
| genre = [[MMO game|Online]] [[Browser game|web browser game]]<br>[[Construction and management simulation|Fleet raising simulation]]<!--<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201302/28029514.html|title=『艦隊これくしょん -艦これ-』DMM.com＆角川ゲームスによる艦隊育成SLGが登場、事前登録の受付が開始|work=ファミ通.com|access-date=22 June 2015}}</ref>-->
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[Multiplayer]]
| director = {{ill|Kensuke Tanaka (video game creator)|lt=Kensuke Tanaka|ja|田中謙介}} <small> (C2 Preparat)</small>
| producer = Kensuke Tanaka <small>(C2 Preparat, KanColle Unei Chinjyufu Committee)</small><br>{{ill|Michio Okamiya (video game producer)|lt=Michio Okamiya|ja|岡宮道生}} <small>(DMM.com)</small><br>{{ill|Yoshimi Yasuda|ja|安田善巳}} <small>(Kadokawa Games)</small>
| designer = Kensuke Tanaka
| programmer = 
| artist = At least:
*32 illustrators
*74 [[seiyū]]s
| writer = 
| composer = Hiroshi Usami<br>Kaori Ōkoshi<!--Ohkoshi--><br>Michio Okamiya<ref name=whitepaper>{{Cite book |date = 2013-10-18 |publisher = [[Kadokawa Shoten]] |title = {{nihongo|''KanColle White Paper: Kantai Collection Official Book''|艦これ白書: 艦隊これくしょん オフィシャルブック}} |isbn = 978-4047318755 |language = ja }}</ref>
}}

{{nihongo|'''''Kantai Collection'''''|艦隊これくしょん|Kantai Korekushon|{{lit.|Fleet Collection}}|lead=yes}},{{efn|Subtitled as "Combined Fleet Girls Collection"}} abbreviated as {{nihongo|'''''KanColle'''''|艦これ|KanKore}}, is a Japanese [[free-to-play]] web browser game developed by [[Kadokawa Games]] and published by [[DMM.com]].<ref name=kotaku>{{Cite web |url = http://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/07/japans-latest-popular-online-game-has-anthropomorphic-battleships/ |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130909133548/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/07/japans-latest-popular-online-game-has-anthropomorphic-battleships/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = September 9, 2013 |title = Japan's Latest Popular Online Game Has Anthropomorphic Battleships |website = Kotaku |date = 2013-07-19 |access-date = 2015-02-12 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.famitsu.com/news/201309/07039658.html |title = 「提督といっしょに創り上げていきたい」『艦隊これくしょん 艦これ』キーマン・田中謙介氏インタビュー【前編】 |publisher = [[Famitsu]] |date = 2013-09-07 |access-date = 2013-09-25 |language = ja }}</ref>

The central theme of the game is the representation of [[World War II]] [[warships]] [[Moe anthropomorphism|personified as teenage girls and young adult women]] with personality characteristics reflecting the history of each ship. All of the featured ships were originally Japanese, but ships from other nations, like America and Germany, have also been implemented as the game has developed. Gameplay involves all aspects of naval warfare, including not only combat but also maintenance, repair, upgrading, resupply, morale, logistics as well as mission planning.

The game was launched on April 23, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.4gamer.net/games/205/G020591/20130419103/ |title = 「艦隊これくしょん -艦これ-」正式サービスが4月23日にスタート |publisher = 4gamer |date = 2013-04-19 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |language = ja }}</ref> The game is available in Japan only and as of April 2015 has 3 million registered players.<ref name=playerstats>{{cite web|url=http://ascii.jp/elem/000/001/001/1001334/ |title=祝2周年！ 艦これはこれからも拡大を続けていく |date=April 23, 2015 |website=ASCII.jp |access-date=April 26, 2015 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425191903/http://ascii.jp/elem/000/001/001/1001334/ |archive-date=April 25, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> An [[Android (operating system)|Android]] client of the original game was released in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/318/G031813/20160627048/|title=「艦これ」Android版を快適に動かせる端末はどれだ？ スマートフォン＆タブレット8機種で先行運用版の動作を検証してみた|website=4gamer|date=July 2, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> The game has developed into a much larger media franchise; various media including multiple [[manga]] series and [[light novel]]s have been released, in addition to an officially licensed [[tabletop role-playing game]]. A [[PlayStation Vita]] game was released in February 2016,<ref name=vitareleaseFeb/> and [[Kantai Collection (TV series)|an anime television series]] aired its first anime from January to March 2015,<ref name=famiani>{{Cite web |url = http://www.famitsu.com/news/201309/26040709.html |title = 【速報】『艦これ改 (仮)』PS Vitaで2014年発売決定 『艦これ』アニメ化企画も進行中！ |publisher = [[Famitsu]] |date = 2013-09-26 |access-date = 2013-09-26 |language = ja }}</ref> with [[KanColle: The Movie|an animated film]]<ref name=annfilm/> released in November 2016, and a second anime that premiered in November 2022.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Kantai Collection sample cards.jpg|thumb|right|Examples of ''kanmusu'' cards used within the game, depicting (from top left to bottom right) [[Japanese destroyer Shimakaze (1942)|Shimakaze]], [[Japanese battleship Nagato|Nagato]], [[Japanese cruiser Tenryū|Tenryū]], [[Japanese aircraft carrier Kaga|Kaga]], [[Japanese battleship Haruna|Haruna]], [[Japanese destroyer Fubuki (1927)|Fubuki]], [[Japanese cruiser Takao (1930)|Takao]], [[Japanese destroyer Hibiki (1932)|Verniy]], [[Japanese submarine I-19|I-19]], and [[Japanese aircraft carrier Taihō|Taihō]]]]
[[File:Kantai Collection interface.jpg|thumb|right|300px|'''Top:''' Home shipyard interface screenshot depicting [[Japanese battleship Kongō|Kongō]]<br />'''Bottom:''' In-game battle interface screenshot depicting [[Japanese cruiser Atago|Atago]]]]
The gameplay is centered upon building squadrons composed of individual characters represented as cards with different attributes, and then sending said squadrons out on missions. Each of the characters are [[moe anthropomorphism]]s of [[World War II]] naval [[warship]]s which are depicted as cute girls, known as {{nihongo|"Fleet girls"|艦娘|kanmusu}}.<ref name=susume_intro>{{Cite journal |date = 2013-09-30 |journal = {{Nihongo|Kantai Collection: Recommend the naval base life|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 鎮守府生活のすゝめ}} |volume = 1 |pages = 4–27 |publisher = [[Enterbrain]] |isbn = 978-4047292338 |language = ja |title = 艦隊これくしょん: -艦これ-鎮守府生活のす〓め Vol. 1 }}</ref> These personified warships are based on real-life vessels which are explained in detail within the game; the physical characteristics, appearances and personalities of each of the girls correlate in some way to the real-life vessel (for example, ships with a larger [[Displacement (ship)|displacement tonnage]] such as cruisers, battleships and aircraft carriers are usually depicted as young women, while smaller ships such as destroyers and [[Kaibōkan|coastal defense ships]] look and behave like pubescent girls, with a few exceptions). The vast majority of these fleet girls are based on ships of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]], with the remaining ships coming from the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] and the navies of other nations. So far foreign navies represented in the game include [[Kriegsmarine]], {{lang|it|[[Regia Marina]]}}, [[United States Navy]], [[Royal Navy]], [[Soviet Navy]], [[French Navy|Marine Nationale]], [[Swedish Navy|Svenska Marinen]], [[Royal Australian Navy]] and [[Royal Netherlands Navy|Koninklijke Marine]]. The player takes on the role of an {{nihongo|admiral|提督|teitoku}} and organizes their fleets in battle in order to win. Combat is largely automated, and manual actions by the player include micromanagement such as building and repairing.<ref name=kotaku/><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/000/162/162183/ |title = 新サーバー開設！これから始める『艦隊これくしょん』のススメ |publisher = Weekly ASCII Plus |date = 2013-08-13 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |language = ja }}</ref> The player can organize up to four different fleets.<ref name=dannychoo>{{Cite web |url = http://www.dannychoo.com/en/post/27073/Kantai+Collection.html |title = Kantai Collection |publisher = Danny Choo |website = Culture Japan |date = 2013-10-10 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |archive-date = 2015-03-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150324102520/http://www.dannychoo.com/en/post/27073/Kantai+Collection.html |url-status = dead }}</ref>

The player progresses through the game by advancing through maps, gaining experience points through [[Grinding (video gaming)|grinding]], obtaining new fleet girls whilst repairing and resupplying existing ones, and fulfilling quests to obtain resources. New equipment can be crafted, allowing the fleet girls to equip different armaments depending on the situation.<ref name=susume_intro/> Acquisition of new ''kanmusu'' by the player can occur via drops on map or via crafting, and is heavily [[Random number generation|RNG]]-based; randomization is also a key component of the battle mechanism, map progression and equipment development.<ref name=dannychoo/> Construction, resupply and repair of ships is reliant upon four types of resources, namely [[fuel]], [[ammunition]], [[steel]] and [[bauxite]]; these supplies will gradually increase automatically as time passes. Players can choose to engage in expeditions, sorties, and quests to further increase their supplies as well.<ref name=dannychoo/>

Ships can be customised through the addition of various equipment within their empty slots, which add attribute bonuses and even provide special effects in some cases;<ref name=susume_intro/> such equipment include [[naval gun]]s, [[anti-aircraft gun]]s, [[torpedo]]es, [[torpedo bomber]]s, [[dive bomber]]s, [[fighter aircraft]], [[seaplane]]s, [[recon plane]]s, [[radar]]s, [[steam turbine]]s, special artillery shells, [[depth charge]]s, [[sonar]]s, [[Drum (container)|drum canisters]], [[searchlight]]s and [[anti-torpedo bulge]]s. The effectiveness of ships in combat depend on its attribute parameters, namely hitpoints, armour, evasion, aircraft capacity, speed, attack range, firepower, torpedo, anti-air, anti-submarine, line-of-sight, and luck.<ref name=catalogue>{{Cite book |date = 2014-06-10 |publisher = [[Kadokawa Shoten]] |title = {{nihongo|''Kantai Collection: Ship Girl Catalogue''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 艦娘型録}} |isbn = 978-4041106341 |language = ja }}</ref>

''Kanmusu'' are capable of becoming stronger as they gain experience and level up after battles, and can also be remodeled into more advanced models once they reach a certain level. Unwanted ''kanmusu'' can also be "fed" to other ''kanmusu'' through a process known as {{nihongo|"modernization"|近代化改修|kindaika kaishu}}, which grants attribute bonuses to one ship in exchange for losing another.<ref name=dannychoo/> Ships can become fatigued once it accumulates after sorties; fatigued ships have decreased attributes, whilst sparkling ships have increased attributes. Fatigue can be alleviated by allowing ships some time to rest, or by recovering the fleet's morale using {{ship|Japanese food supply ship|Mamiya||6}}. As ships become damaged, their icons begin to blow off smoke and their clothing become visually torn and battered; in the event when a ship's durability drops down to zero, it is considered sunk, and the player will lose the fleet girl.<ref name=dannychoo/> Players cannot resurrect fleet girls that have been lost unless they are in possession of an emergency repair item, and are only able to re-train ships that have been lost from scratch.

Whilst the game is free-to-play, special premium bonuses can be obtained through prepaid game money and credit card [[microtransaction]]s, such as repair dock expansions, home shipyard furniture tokens, ship possession limit increases, and special consumable items.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://thepage.jp/detail/20130812-00010004-wordleaf |title = 「艦隊これくしょん」ブレークの背景 ソーシャルゲームの新しい可能性とは？ |publisher = THE PAGE |date = 2013-08-12 |access-date = 2013-08-13 |language = ja |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141004090755/http://thepage.jp/detail/20130812-00010004-wordleaf |archive-date = 2014-10-04 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Although each ship in the game has an experience level cap of Lv.99, the player is able to obtain the "marriage papers and ring" item with a monetary purchase priced at 700 yen or via a one-time special quest, which allows the player to "marry" the girl, thereby breaking the original level cap and allowing a new maximum of Lv.175, in addition to other perks such as stat boosts and decreased operating costs; this process can be repeated as many times as the player wishes, and there is no limit to the number of girls that can be "married".<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/02/14/kancolle-now-lets-you-marry-your-ship-daughter |title = "KanColle" Now Lets You Marry Your Ship Daughter |publisher = Crunchyroll |date = 2014-02-14 |access-date = 2015-02-12 }}</ref>

Players can choose to battle against the fleets of other real-life players on the same game server via the exercise maneuvers menu. Players are also able to compete with each other's scores via in-game ranking boards, with periodical prizes for top ranking players. As of January 2016, there are 20 servers that can be played on, each named after a World War II-era Japanese naval base.<ref name=catalogue/> The game is currently intended to be played by a Japanese domestic audience only, with the interface exclusively in the Japanese language. As of present, the game cannot be played outside Japan without the use of a [[Virtual private network|VPN]];<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://kotaku.com/japans-biggest-gaming-phenomenon-of-2013-1491186648 |title = Japan's Biggest Gaming Phenomenon of 2013 |website = Kotaku |author = Toshi Nakamura |date = 2013-12-31 |access-date = 2015-02-02 }}</ref> utilisation of such methods to circumvent country [[IP address|IP]] restrictions and access the game breach the DMM.com online game terms of use, however.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dmm.com/rule/=/category=onlinegame_service/ |title=DMMオンラインゲーム利用規約 (DMM online game Terms of Use) |publisher=DMM.com |access-date=2015-02-02 |language=ja }} '''Quote:''' "第6条（禁止事項）... （8）不正な方法（特殊なプログラムを介しての）でのアクセスを試みる行為". '''Translation:''' ''"Article 6 (Prohibition)... (8) Attempting to access the service in an unauthorized manner"''.</ref> From August 2013 onwards, new player registrations were only available via periodic lottery, due to the servers being overloaded by large numbers of new registrants.<ref name=inside>{{Cite web |url = http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2013/08/29/69919.html |title = 『艦隊これくしょん -艦これ-』1週間で登録者数が10万人増え、合計60万人突破！アクティブユーザーも35万人規模に |date = 2013-08-29 |access-date = 2013-09-25 |publisher = Inside |language = ja }}</ref> After July 2015, new registrants were able to join the 20th server without the need to partake in a lottery; due to excessive player numbers, however, the new server has closed on multiple occasions.

===Fleet girls===
Upon the debut of the game, there were a total of 94 different fleet girls available. Within an update introduced May 15–17, 2013, additional fleet girls were added. On September 11, 2013, the first non-Japanese vessel, [[Japanese destroyer Hibiki (1932)#In Soviet service|Soviet destroyer ''Verniy'']] (Верный), was introduced into the game.<ref name=800k>{{Cite web |url = http://www.4gamer.net/games/205/G020591/20130911062/ |title = 「艦隊これくしょん -艦これ-」はいかにして生み出されたのか。その思想から今後のアップデートまで，角川ゲームスの田中謙介氏に語ってもらった |publisher = 4gamer |date = 2013-09-19 |access-date = 2013-09-25 |language = ja }}</ref> There were plans during the early stages to eventually bring additional ships from other countries,<ref>{{Cite journal |date = 2013-09-30 |journal = {{Nihongo|Kantai Collection: Recommend the naval base life|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 鎮守府生活のすゝめ}} |volume = 1 |page = 31 |publisher = [[Enterbrain]] |isbn = 978-4047292338 |language = ja |title = 艦隊これくしょん: -艦これ-鎮守府生活のす〓め Vol. 1 }} '''Quote:''' "他には『艦これ』で海外艦を出したいともおっしゃっていましたね。／もちろん出す予定です...某戦艦とか有名なとこもいってみます"</ref> and in March 2014, three German [[Kriegsmarine]] vessels were added.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/03/14/kankolle-adds-three-german-ships |title = "KanKolle" Adds Three German Ships |publisher = Crunchyroll |date = 2014-03-15 |access-date = 2015-01-25 }}</ref> Two Italian ships were added as part of the 2015 Spring event in April 2015,<ref>{{cite web|title="KanColle" Spring Event Introduces Italian Ship Daughters|date=April 28, 2015|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/04/28/kancolle-spring-event-introduces-italian-ship-daughters|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=29 April 2015}}</ref> with one more added in August.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.afachan.asia/2015/08/games-kantai-collections-summer-2015-event-begins-new-ships-added/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150812130403/http://www.afachan.asia/2015/08/games-kantai-collections-summer-2015-event-begins-new-ships-added/ |url-status = usurped |archive-date = August 12, 2015 |title = [GAMES] Kantai Collection's Summer 2015 event begins, new ships added |date = 2015-08-12 |access-date = 2015-08-21 }}</ref> The first fully non-Axis ship, the American [[USS Iowa (BB-61)]], was introduced with KanColle Kai on February 18, 2016,<ref name="crunchyroll.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/02/20/ps-vita-game-introduces-the-first-kancolle-american-ship-girl|title=PS Vita Game Introduces The First "KanColle" American Ship Girl|date=February 21, 2016|website=Crunchyroll}}</ref> later becoming available in the browser game's 2016 Spring event.<ref name="CrunchySpring2016">{{cite web | url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/05/03/kancolle-spring-event-introduces-overseas-friends-from-us-and-italy | title="KanColle" Spring Event Introduces Overseas Friends From US And Italy | publisher=Crunchyroll | date=May 3, 2016 | access-date=May 6, 2016 | author=Green, Scott}}</ref> Presently there are 164 original girls in addition to 72 upgraded variants, bringing the total number of fleet girls to 236. The game currently holds spaces for 250 different types of fleet girls. Different fleet girls are illustrated by different artists; artists involved in the drawing of various characters include Shibafu,<ref name=ASCIIPlus_20130830>{{Cite web |url = http://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/000/166/166500/ |title = 『艦これ』プロデューサー田中氏インタビュー 第二期実装と開発に込めた想いとは？ |date = 2013-08-30 |access-date = 2013-08-31 |author = Yoshiyuki Tanaka, Itō Teitoku |publisher = Weekly ASCII Plus |language = ja }}</ref><ref name=fami_voice>{{Cite web |url = http://www.famitsu.com/news/201309/08039659.html |title = 「アニメ化も夢ではないかもしれません」『艦隊これくしょん 艦これ』キーマン・田中謙介氏インタビュー【後編】 |publisher = [[Famitsu]] |date = 2013-09-08 |access-date = 2013-09-09 |language = ja }}</ref> [[:ja:しずまよしのり|Yoshinori Shizuma]],<ref name=comptiq20130910>{{Cite journal |title = 運営鎮守府司令長官が語る 「艦これ」誕生秘話 |date = 2013-09-10 |publisher = [[Kadokawa Shoten]] |journal = [[Comptiq]] |issue = October 2013 issue 別冊付録「艦隊これくしょん –艦これ– 提督が鎮守府に着任しました」 |pages = 74–79 |language = ja }}</ref> [[:ja:ひよこ西|Konishi]],<ref name=comptiq20130910/> Kūrokuro,<ref name=comptiq20130910/><ref name=mcaxis30>{{Cite journal |title = 「特別企画 今話題の「艦これ」ってどんなゲーム？」 |date = 2013-09-21 |publisher = [[:ja:イカロス出版|Icarus Shuppan]] |journal = [[:ja:MC☆あくしず|MC☆Axis]] |issue = 30 |pages = 112–113}}</ref> [[:ja:みことあけみ|Akemi Mikoto]]<ref name=whitepaper/> and 16 other artists. [[Fumikane Shimada]], who was previously the lead character designer for ''[[Strike Witches]]'' and ''[[Girls und Panzer]]'', created the designs and illustrations for [[Japanese aircraft carrier Taihō|Japanese armored aircraft carrier ''Taihō'']]<ref name=twitter_taiho>{{cite tweet |author=  |user= KanColle_STAFF|number= 411663242692280320 |date= 13 Dec 2013|title= 最新鋭の正規空母、航空母艦「大鳳」が間もなく「艦これ」に就役予定です。現在実装艤装の最終段階です。デザインは、あの島田フミカネさん！魅力一杯の航空母艦「大鳳」の就役をもう少しだけお待ちください。年内就役予定で現在実装作業中です！ |access-date= 2018-04-27 }}</ref> and the five German vessels.<ref name=humikane_z1>{{cite tweet |author=  |user= humikane|number= 444688409479495680 |date=  14 Mar 2014|title=艦これ：先日のアップデートで追加されたドイツ艦 Ｚ１・Ｚ３・ビスマルクの3キャラを担当しました。駆逐～軽巡くらいのボリューム感は頭使うところが大型艦とまた違って面白いなあと  |access-date= 2018-04-27 }}</ref>

The traits of each fleet girl are based on aspects of the historical ship they are based on; for instance, {{ship|Japanese battleship|Kongō||6}} frequently adds English words and phrases into her dialog as a reference to her British origins, whilst {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Shimakaze|1942|6}} is depicted as a speedy girl in artworks and official print media, since ''Shimakaze'' was one of the fastest destroyers of World War II.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://rocketnews24.com/2013/11/03/384638/ |title = 「強烈な艦これファンが選ぶ！ 人気ゲーム『艦隊これくしょん』お付き合いしたい艦ベスト10 |publisher = Rocket News 24 |date = 2013-11-03 |access-date = 2015-01-25 |language = ja |archive-date = 2014-07-05 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140705172610/http://rocketnews24.com/2013/11/03/384638/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> Characters which share particular links also have similar physical traits: ships of the same class may have similar accessories or clothing, whilst all Imperial Japanese Navy submarines are depicted as wearing [[wiktionary:sukumizu|sukumizu]].

[[Voice acting in Japan|Voice actors]] have been employed to voice the fleet girls, with anywhere around 10 fleet girls being voiced by one actor.

==Development==
Prior to ''Kantai Collection'', the majority of games published by DMM.com were R-18+ adult online games. In an effort to attract customers from a wider audience, DMM.com experimented with ''Kantai Collection'' in partnership with Kadokawa Games; by November 2013, ''Kantai Collection'' accounted for 30-40% of DMM.com's total online game business.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/842/842194/ |title = 艦これをパズドラと並べないでください |newspaper = ASCII.jp |date = 2013-11-14 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |language = ja }}</ref>

Unlike other online games in Japan, ''Kantai Collection'' was designed with the intention of not requiring players to spend money or participate in "gacha" lotteries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/154/G015406/20130725012/|title=「KILLER IS DEAD」「艦これ」そして「天空の機士ロデア」――角川ゲームス 安田善巳社長が，同社の最新作とその先について語ってくれた|date=July 27, 2013|website=4gamer|language=ja|access-date=March 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thepage.jp/detail/20130812-00010004-wordleaf|title=「艦隊これくしょん」ブレークの背景 ソーシャルゲームの新しい可能性とは？|date=August 12, 2013|website=The Page|language=ja|access-date=March 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004090755/http://thepage.jp/detail/20130812-00010004-wordleaf|archive-date=October 4, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The purpose of this stems from Kadokawa desiring a larger target market and to establish the game as a well-known name, eventually allowing for merchandising and sales of franchise works.<ref name=huffpost_kancorebus/>

Kensuke Tanaka, who prior to ''Kantai Collection'' was involved in the production and public relations for ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy XI|XI]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy XIII|XIII]]'', wished to create a game which involves historical elements while still appealing to the regular fans of DMM.com, namely fans of [[anime]] and [[manga]] culture, and this led him to the idea of developing a game centered on anthropomorphisms of warships.

==Media==
[[File:KanColle Maizuru Naval District Compilation Vol 1 cover.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Cover art of the first volume of ''Maizuru Naval District Compilation'', featuring (clockwise from top-left) Atago, Yamato, Hiryū, Zuihō, and Hibiki]]

===Print media===
====Manga====<!--Fourth level subsection, this belongs under "Print media" (third level)-->
A bi-monthly online web manga by Ryōta Momoi began serialization from April 23, 2013, in the ''[[Famitsu|Famitsu Comic Clear]]''. The manga follows a [[Yonkoma|4koma]] format, and features a storyline with the fleet girls enrolled in schools, where senior girls teach battle techniques to their juniors. It has been updated weekly since October 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_fh_diary&target_c_diary_id=69941 |title = 『艦これ』連載4コマ毎週更新＆アンソロの追加情報！ |date = 2013-10-04 |access-date = 2013-10-05 |publisher = [[Famitsu]] |language = ja }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=  |user= utakataclub|number= 386062497205063680 |date= 4 Oct 2013 |title= 【お知らせ】艦これ4コマが6Pにダイエットしつつ毎週更新になりました。詳細はコミッククリアのブログで！→ 『艦これ』連載4コマ毎週更新＆アンソロの追加情報！ - コミニー[Cominy] http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_fh_diary&target_c_diary_id=69941 … @cominyさんから |access-date=  }}</ref> Ryōta Momoi's 4koma manga will be released in print book format under the title {{nihongo|''KanColle 4 cell comic: Fubuki, I will do my best!''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 4コマコミック 吹雪、がんばります!|Fubuki, Ganbarimasu!}} beginning from December 14, 2013.

''Famitsu Comic Clear'' has introduced an additional manga adaptation by [[:ja:原田将太郎|Shōtarō Harada]] under the title {{nihongo|''Issued! Naval Base Communications''|発令！鎮守府通信|Hatsurei! Chinjufu tsūshin}} beginning from July 9, 2013.<ref name=ann_ani>{{cite news |url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-26/kantai-collection-moe-card-battle-game-gets-anime-new-manga |title = Kantai Collection Moe Card Battle Game Gets Anime, New Manga |date = 2013-09-26 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |work = [[Anime News Network]] }}</ref>

The Famitsu website also hosts a webcomic titled {{nihongo|KanColle Play Manga: Blazing Ships Weather|艦これプレイ漫画 艦々日和|Kankan Biyori}} by Tadashi Mizumoto<!--水本正; see http://mizutaki.main.jp/ or https://twitter.com/mizutaki--> which focuses on gameplay aspects of ''Kantai Collection''.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_fh_diary&target_c_diary_id=73660 |title = 【艦これ プレイ漫画/水本正】艦々日和 第16回 提督のイベント結果 |date = 2013-12-06 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = [[Famitsu]] |language = ja }}</ref> It began serialization from August 23, 2013. In addition, illustrations column {{nihongo|Kanmusu and ships large picture book|艦娘及ビ艦船大図鑑|Kanmusu oyobi Kansen Dai-zukan}} with multiple illustrators at the same time as the manga has also been serialized.

A manga by Kensuke Tanaka and illustrated by [[:ja:さいとー栄|Sakae Saitō]] titled {{nihongo|''KanColle: Someday as the Seas turn Calm''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- いつか静かな海で|Itsuka shizuka na umi de}} began serialisation in ''[[Monthly Comic Alive]]'' in the December 2013 issue (released October 28, 2013), with a focus on an original story revolving around Tenryū and Tatsuta.<ref name=ann_ani/><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.animate.tv/news/details.php?id=1382941197&p=2 |title = 好評発売中の「コミック アライブ12月号」は『のんのんびより』特集号！ 『艦これ』コラボ企画もスタート！ |date = 2013-10-28 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Animate News |language = ja }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://ebook.itmedia.co.jp/ebook/articles/1310/28/news114.html |title = 「艦これ」特大ポスター付き「コミック アライブ12月号」発売 |date = 2013-10-28 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = ITmedia |language = ja }}</ref>

In addition, another manga series by SASAYUKi featuring the title {{nihongo|''KanColle side:Kongō''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- side:金剛}} was serialized in ''[[Comptiq]]'' from the December 2013 issue (released November 9, 2013) onwards,<ref name=comptiq20130910/> with a story based on the adventures of battleship Kongō.<ref name=dec2013pre>{{Cite web |url = http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/co/image/yokoku/201312/chumoku.pdf |title = December 2013 Preview |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = [[Kadokawa Shoten]] |language = ja |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131214101400/http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/co/image/yokoku/201312/chumoku.pdf |archive-date = 2013-12-14 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.new-akiba.com/news/127580 |title = 付録が超豪華＆艦これ漫画版連載開始のコンプティーク12月号 |date = 2013-11-10 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = NewAkiba |language = ja }}</ref> It began serialisation within the May 2014 issue of ''Comptiq'' (released April 10, 2014) and was later terminated within the November 2014 issue (released October 10, 2014).

A manga titled {{nihongo|''KanColle: Torpedo Squadron Chronicles''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 水雷戦隊クロニクル|Suirai sentai kuronikuru}} and illustrated by [[:ja:深山靖宙|Yasuhiro Miyama]] began serialisation in the January 2014 issue (released November 9, 2013) of ''[[Comp Ace]]'', with the plot focusing on the [[Akatsuki-class destroyer (1931)|Akatsuki sisters]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2013/10/27/026/ |title = 「Fate/EXTRA」キャス狐の学園劇が開幕、コンプエースで |date = 2013-10-27 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Mynavi News |language = ja }}</ref>

''[[Fujimi Shobo|Age Premium]]'' featured a manga publication by [[:ja:七六|Nanaroku]] titled {{nihongo|''KanColle: nanodesu.''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- なのです。}} starting from the January 2014 issue (delivered December 9, 2013), with Inazuma as the main character.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://news.surpara.com/2013/10/25186 |title = 『艦隊これくしょん』エイジプレミアム2014年1月号より『艦これ』コミカライズスタート！ |date = 2013-10-27 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = SurPara News |language = ja |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150109092012/http://news.surpara.com/2013/10/25186 |archive-date = 2015-01-09 |url-status = dead }}</ref> It was serialized until the May 2014 issue (delivered April 9, 2014).

A manga series titled {{nihongo|''KanColle: Shimakaze Whirlwind Girl''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 島風 つむじ風の少女|Shimakaze Tsumujikaze no shōjo}} by Kazuma Yamazaki, Hyōbu Madoka later Kaname Yokoshima and illustrated by Kazuma Yamazaki began serialisation within the ''[[Dengeki Maoh]]'' magazine in the February 2014 issue (released December 27, 2013).<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://natalie.mu/comic/news/104514 |title = マオウで「GE2」マンガ化、次号「艦これ」島風編が開幕 |date = 2013-11-27 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Comic Natalie |language = ja }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date = 2013-12-10 |publisher = [[Kadokawa Shoten]] |journal = [[Comptiq]] |issue = January 2014 issue |asin= B00GXGMPRQ |language = ja |title=Comptiq [2014 January]}}</ref>

A manga series by [[:ja:ヒロイチ|Hiroichi]] titled {{nihongo|''KanColle: The perched naval base''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 止まり木の鎮守府|Tomarigi no chinjufu}} began serialisation in the July 2014 issue (released May 27, 2014) of ''[[Dengeki Daioh]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://ebook.itmedia.co.jp/ebook/articles/1404/22/news099.html |title = 『月刊コミック電撃大王』誕生20周年で記念プロジェクトが始動 |date = 2014-04-22 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = ITmedia |language = ja }}</ref> focusing on a storyline revolving around the heavy cruisers Kumano and Suzuya.<ref name=kumanosuzuya>{{cite news |url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-04-24/kantai-collection-gets-manga-series-starring-kumano-suzuya |title = Kantai Collection Gets Manga Series Starring Kumano, Suzuya |date = 2014-04-24 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |work = Anime News Network }}</ref>

Kadokawa website also hosts a webcomic titled {{nihongo|''Loose Ship: Woman Admiral Play Diary''|ゆる艦〜女提督プレイ日記〜|Yuru Kan: Onna teitoku purei nikki}} by Sau Nitō and illustrated by Sōta Wakui which focuses on gameplay aspects of ''Kantai Collection''. It began serialization from March 22, 2014, in Comic Walker.

A manga series by [[:ja:森永ミキ|Miki Morinaga]] titled {{nihongo|''Tonight, Another Salute!''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 今宵もサルーテ!|Koyoi mo saruute}} began serialization in the December 2018 issue (released November 10, 2018) of ''Comptiq'', focusing on a storyline where Gambier Bay, Tashkent, and Commandant Teste discover an old bar on the naval base they're stationed at, eventually learning the skills of being bartenders and the history of cocktails. Gambier Bay uses the opportunity as a way of learning to get over her fear of the Kurita Fleet, as well to pull herself out of being too self-deprecating. Two volumes of the collected chapters have been released, and the third volume is scheduled to be released in September 2020. Currently it's also available on Comic Walker since July 10, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://comic-walker.com/news/detail/1457/ |title = 2019年7月10日(水)発売のコミックス書店購入特典まとめ |date = 2019-07-10 |access-date = 2020-08-28 |publisher = Comic Walker |language = ja |archive-date = 2020-09-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200924201714/https://comic-walker.com/news/detail/1457/ |url-status = dead }}</ref>

Kadokawa has also announced a manga series titled {{nihongo|''KanColle: Black Order (provisional)''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- ブラックオーダー（仮）|Black Order (kari)}}, created by Ōto Taguchi who was previously responsible for the ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]'' manga.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-05-05/kantai-collection-black-order-manga-to-launch-in-comicwalker |title = Kantai Collection Black Order Manga to Launch in ComicWalker |date = 2014-04-22 |access-date = 2014-05-05 |work = Anime News Network }}</ref> However, the project was cancelled after a disagreement between the author and publisher.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://comic-walker.com/news/detail/136/ |title = 「艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- ブラックオーダー（仮）」掲載中止のお知らせ |date = 2014-08-22 |access-date = 2014-08-23 |publisher = ComicWalker |language = ja |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140825022955/http://comic-walker.com/news/detail/136 |archive-date = 2014-08-25 }}</ref>

''Famitsu Comic Clear'', ''DNA Comics'', ''Comptiq'' and ''Dengeki Comics'' have also published numerous series of comic compilation books which each contain a collection of various [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] manga.

====Light novels====<!--Fourth level subsection, this belongs under "Print media" (third level)-->
A short story series featuring aircraft carriers Zuikaku and Shōkaku written by [[:ja:内田弘樹|Hiroki Uchida]] and illustrated by Matarō, titled {{nihongo|''KanColle: Bonds of the Wings of Cranes''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 鶴翼の絆|Kakuyoku no kizuna}}, began serialization within the January 2014 issue (released November 20, 2013) of ''[[Dragon Magazine (Fujimi Shobo)|Dragon Magazine]]''.<ref name=dec2013pre/>

A light novel based on the game with the title {{nihongo|''KanColle: Kagerō, Setting Sail!''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 陽炎、抜錨します！|Kagerō, batsubyō shimasu!}},<ref name=ebnovel>{{Cite web |url = http://www.enterbrain.co.jp/product/pocketbook/fami_novel/13274601.html |title = 艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 陽炎、抜錨します! |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Enterbrain |language = ja }}</ref> written by Toshihiko Tsukiji and illustrated by NOCO,<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://mantan-web.jp/2013/09/18/20130918dog00m200084000c.html |title = 艦これ ： 初のラノベ化 アンソロコミックは早くも重版 |date = 2013-09-18 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Mantanweb |language = ja |archive-date = 2015-01-09 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150109085618/http://mantan-web.jp/2013/09/18/20130918dog00m200084000c.html |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=crunchy>{{Cite web |url = http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/09/18/battleship-girl-game-phenomenon-kantai-collection-inspires-light-novel-and-manga |title = Battleship Girl Game Phenomenon "Kantai Collection" Inspires Light Novel and Manga |date = 2013-09-19 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Crunchyroll }}</ref> was released on November 30, 2013.<ref name=ebnovel/>

A novel project featuring aircraft carriers Kaga and Akagi involving the illustrator Koruri and the authors Kei Shiide<!--椎出啓, see http://siidekei.hatenablog.com/ or https://twitter.com/siidekei-->, [[:ja:鷹見一幸|Kazuyuki Takami]] and Dai Akagane <!--銅大, see http://cre.jp/akaganedai/ or https://twitter.com/bakagane--> has been announced,<ref name=dec2013pre/> with the title {{nihongo|''KanColle: A day at a certain naval base''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- とある鎮守府の一日|Toaru chinjufu no ichinichi}}. It was serialized in ''Comptiq'' between the January 2014 (released November 9, 2013) and August 2014 (released July 10, 2014) issues. A novel to share the view of the world, {{nihongo|''KanColle: 1st Carrier Division, Heading Off!''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 一航戦、出ます！|Ikkōsen demasu!}} written by Kazuyuki Takami and illustrated by [[:ja:GUNP|GUNP]] was released on November 2, 2014.

A novel series featuring light aircraft carriers Zuihō written by [[:ja:むらさきゆきや|Yukiya Murasaki]] and illustrated by Satoru Arikawa, titled {{nihongo|''KanColle: Beautiful sea, Phoenix sky''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 瑞の海、鳳の空|Mizu no umi, ōtori no sora}} was released on February 1, 2015.

===Video games===
====''KanColle Kai''====
{{Infobox video game
| title = KanColle Kai
| image = KanColle Kai cover.jpg
| developer = [[Kadokawa Games]]
| publisher = Kadokawa Games
| series = 
|caption = Game cover featuring Yamato (front) and Akizuki (back)
| platforms = [[PlayStation Vita]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|February 18, 2016}}
| genre = Turn-based strategy
| producer = Kensuke Tanaka
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}
A single-player turn-based strategy game titled {{nihongo|''KanColle Kai''|艦これ改}} was announced for the [[PlayStation Vita]] during Kadokawa Games' 2013 Autumn media briefing, and following two launch delays, was finally released on February 18, 2016.<ref name=vitareleaseFeb>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/10/kan-colle-kai-launches-february-18-japan|title=Kan Colle Kai launches February 18 in Japan|date=October 8, 2015|website=Gematsu}}</ref> The game is the second title independently created by [[Kadokawa Games|Kadokawa Game Studio]], after ''[[Natural Doctrine]]''.<ref name=famiani/><ref name=sili_vita>{{Cite web |url = http://www.siliconera.com/2013/09/26/playstation-vita-will-get-game-girls-personified-naval-fleet/ |title = PlayStation Vita Will Get A Game About Girls Personified As A Naval Fleet |publisher = Siliconera |date = 2013-09-26 |access-date = 2015-02-12 }}</ref> ''KanColle Kai'' introduces various strategy elements such as hexagonal world maps, a new resource transfer system involving the escorting of supply ships over each game turn, player-selected difficulty settings, enemy counterattacks against the player's bases, control of over up to eight fleets on the world map, and the ability to simultaneously operate two separate fleets within some sortie maps. Existing functions from the original web browser game are also present, with major user interface changes.<ref>''[[Dengeki PlayStation]]'' volume 593 (July 2015 issue), [http://i.imgur.com/dRMNVZx.jpg page 192-193].</ref> Menu screens feature [[Live2D]] character animations, and the player will encounter a "game over" state if all of their territories are destroyed by the enemy. The Vita game contained the original debut of [[USS Iowa (BB-61)|USS ''Iowa'' (BB-61)]] as a playable ship, prior to her seasonal event implementation within the browser game.<ref name="crunchyroll.com"/>

In March 2014, financial analyst Fukuda Sōichirō of [[Citigroup Global Markets Japan]] made the prediction in a stock investor report that the PS Vita game would ship 500,000 copies, and expects that a profit of 1 billion yen be made. He also cites the ability to charge players for in-game premium items on the PS Vita platform as an upside for Kadokawa Corporation business-wise.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://gamebiz.jp/?p=128062 |title = 『艦隊これくしょん』が収益寄与に向けて「出撃」…シティグループ証券がPSVita版『艦これ』で「増益10億円」と予想 |date = 2014-03-14 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Social Game Info |language = ja |archive-date = 2021-07-05 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210705190800/https://gamebiz.jp/?p=128062 |url-status = dead }}</ref> ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave the game a review score of 29/40.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2016/02/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1419|title=Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1419|date=February 9, 2016|website=Gematsu}}</ref> The game sold 140,757 physical retail copies within the first week of release in Japan, placing first within the Japanese software sales rankings for that particular week;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2016/02/media-create-sales-21516-22116|title=Media Create Sales: 2/15/16 – 2/21/16|date=February 24, 2016|website=Gematsu}}</ref> ''[[Dengeki PlayStation|Dengeki Online]]'' and ''Famitsu'' both report that between 80-100% of the initial retail batch stock was sold out within the first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/228/1228077/|title=【週間ソフト販売ランキング TOP50】PS Vita『艦これ改』が13.5万本を売り上げ1位（2月15～21日）|date=February 25, 2016|website=Dengeki Online|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.famitsu.com/biz/ranking/ |title=販売本数ランキング TOP30 (2016年2月15日～2016年2月21日) |date=February 27, 2016 |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226144250/http://www.famitsu.com/biz/ranking/ |archive-date=February 26, 2016 }}<!--webcitation.org/6faSWp6Qp--><!--archive(dot)is/zlARf--></ref>

Kadokawa Games has announced that the game will be no longer sold physically in retail stores or digitally in the PlayStation Store by the end of January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2016/12/15/104192.html|title=PS Vita『艦これ改』2017年1月末をもって出荷・販売を終了|date=December 15, 2016|website=Inside|language=ja}}</ref>

====''KanColle Arcade''====
{{Infobox video game
| collapsible = 
| state = 
| title =  KanColle Arcade
| image = File:Kan-Colle Arcade.jpg
| caption = Four ''KanColle Arcade'' cabinets
| developer = [[Sega AM2|Sega Interactive AM2]]
| publisher = [[Sega|Sega Interactive]]
| series = 
| engine = 
| platforms = [[Arcade game|Arcade]]
| released = {{Video game release|JP|{{Start date|2016|4|26}}|}}
| genre = [[Action video game|Action]], [[Collectible card game#Arcade|Trading card]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| arcade system = Nu1.1
}}

{{nihongo|''KanColle Arcade''|艦これアーケード}} is a [[Collectible card game#Arcade|trading card]] [[arcade game]] developed by [[Sega AM2]] and launched on April 26, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/02/kan-colle-arcade-debut-screenshots|title=Kan Colle Arcade debut screenshots|date=February 12, 2015|website=Gematsu}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=  |user= KanColle_STAFF|number= 555231460081160193 |date=  13 Jan 2015 |title= 2015年夏のスタートを目指して、『艦これアーケード』を【セガAM2研】さんと「艦これ」運営鎮守府で現在企画開発を進めています。同先行ロケーションテストを今月下旬に実施予定です。参加ご希望の提督は下記ご案内をご覧ください！  |access-date=  }}</ref> The game features fully modeled 3D characters, and involves the player taking control of the direction and speed of their ship in combat against Abyssal ships, in addition to collecting different shipgirls. The game charges players with a GP system akin to that of ''[[Border Break]]'', where money is converted into GP at a specific rate, with these points consumed for each second of play or converted in exchange for various other game elements. The game is controlled using a steering wheel and speed lever, and the player is able to organize their fleet using ''kanmusu'' cards ejected by the arcade machine. While in combat, the player can choose between using primary and secondary armaments, torpedoes and airstrikes against foes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/02/20/sega-puts-kancolle-arcade-on-display-at-japan-amusement-expo|title=Sega Puts "KanColle Arcade" on Display at Japan Amusement Expo|date=February 21, 2016|website=Crunchyroll}}</ref>

===Tabletop RPG===
{{See also|Saikoro Fiction}}

An official KanColle [[Tabletop role-playing game|tabletop RPG]] has been developed; the introductory rulebook for the game was published by Kadokawa and [[Fujimi Shobo]], and released on 18 March 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://news.ameba.jp/20140213-294/ |title = 提督！ サイコロと会話で遊ぶテーブルトークRPG「艦これRPG」の詳細が分かりました！ |date = 2014-02-13 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Ameba News |language = ja |archive-date = 2014-03-07 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140307163217/http://news.ameba.jp/20140213-294/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> A first rule book written by [[:ja:河嶋陶一朗|Tōichiro Kawashima]] and illustrated by [[:ja:ヒライユキオ|Yukio Hirai]], titled {{nihongo|''Combined Fleet Girls Collection RPG: Introductory Book''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 艦これRPG 着任ノ書|KanColle RPG: Chakunin no Sho}} was released on March 18, 2014.

A replay series written by Shiei Akatoki and illustrated by Yebisu Daikanyama, titled {{nihongo|''Combined Fleet Girls Collection RPG Replays: Wish Across the Sea''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 艦これRPGリプレイ 願いは海を越えて|KanColle RPG Replays: Negai wa Umi o Koete}} was released on July 19, 2014.

A lonely replay series written by Tōichiro Kawashima and illustrated by [[:ja:幸宮チノ|Chino Yukimiya]], titled {{nihongo|''Combined Fleet Girls Collection RPG Replays of Lonely: Although the sky is so blue''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 艦これRPGぼっちリプレイ 空はあんなに青いのに|KanColle RPG Botchi Replays: Sora wa Anna ni Aoi no ni}} was released on January 20, 2015.

===Anime===
{{Main|Kantai Collection (TV series)}}
An anime television series aired from January to March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.famitsu.com/news/201408/03058425.html |title = 『艦これ』ファンイベントでアニメ最新情報が公開 放送時期は2015年1月予定、キャストや制作スタッフなどの情報も判明 |date = 2014-08-03 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = [[Famitsu]] |language = ja }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2014/08/03/kancolle-anime-start_n_5645221.html |title = 【艦これ】アニメは2015年1月に放送開始 公式ファンイベント「第一回横浜観艦式予行」レポート |date = 2014-08-03 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |website = [[Huffington Post]] |language = ja }}</ref> The series is animated by [[Diomedéa]], and features {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Fubuki|1927|6}} as the main character, with the storyline based on her point of view.<ref>{{Cite journal |date = 2013-12-10 |publisher = [[Kadokawa Shoten]] |journal = [[Newtype]] |issue = January 2014 issue |asin= B00GUP6QU2 |language = ja|title=Newtype [2014 January]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://news.nicovideo.jp/watch/nw873563 |title = アニメ『艦隊これくしょん-艦これ-』公式サイトがついにオープン |date = 2013-12-10 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Niconico News |language = ja |archive-date = 2015-11-18 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151118101231/http://news.nicovideo.jp/watch/nw873563 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The show is directed by Keizou Kusakawa, with the script written by [[Jukki Hanada]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-07/keizou-kusakawa-helms-kantai-collection-anime-at-diomedea |title = Keizou Kusakawa Helms Kantai Collection Anime at Diomedea |date = 2014-01-07 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |work = Anime News Network }}</ref> The anime series features the voice cast from the original game.<ref name=ann_ani/><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2013/09/26/70694.html |title = 声優はそのままに『艦これ』がTVアニメ化決定！さらにPS Vita版は『艦これ 改』として2014年にリリース予定 |date = 2013-09-26 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Inside |language = ja }}</ref>

A second anime that features [[Japanese destroyer Shigure (1935)|Japanese destroyer Shigure]] as the main character was announced on January 4, 2019. The series is produced by [[ENGI]] and directed by Kazuya Miura, with scripts written by Kensuke Tanaka, the game's original writer, character designs handled by Chika Nomi, and music composed by Kaori Ohkoshi.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hodgkins |first=Crystalyn |title=KanColle Franchise Confirms New TV Anime Series in Development |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-01-04/kancolle-franchise-confirms-new-tv-anime-series-in-development/.141633 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=February 23, 2020 |date=January 4, 2019}}</ref> It aired from November 2022 to March 2023 and ran for eight episodes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pineda |first=Rafael Antonio |title=KanColle Anime Season 2's Teaser Reveals Staff, 8 Episode Run in November |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-03-26/kancolle-anime-season-2-teaser-reveals-staff-8-episode-run-in-november/.184030 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=March 26, 2022 |date=March 26, 2022}}</ref><br />
The title is 『Fleet Girls Collection "KanColle" 1944 -I・TSU・KA・A・NO・U・MI・DE-』

===Audio CDs===
An original game soundtrack {{nihongo|''KanColle Original Sound Track: Dawn''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- KanColle Original Sound Track 暁|KanColle Original Sound Track: Akatsuki}} was released on August 3, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2014/05/05/76513.html |title = 『艦これ』オリジナルサウンドトラックが今夏にリリース |date = 2014-05-05 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Inside |language = ja }}</ref> Second original game soundtrack {{nihongo|''KanColle Original Sound Track 2: Wind''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- KanColle Original Sound Track II 風|KanColle Original Sound Track 2: Kaze}} was released on August 5, 2015.

Two vocal music collection CDs {{nihongo|''KanColle Ship Girl Feelings Song 1: KanColle Vocal Collection, Volume 1''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 艦娘想歌【壱】 KanColle Vocal Collection vol.1|KanColle Kanmusu Sōka 1: KanColle Vocal Collection, Vol.1}} and {{nihongo|''KanColle Ship Girl Feelings Song 2: KanColle Vocal Collection, Volume 2''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 艦娘想歌【弐】 KanColle Vocal Collection vol.2 |KanColle Kanmusu Sōka 2: KanColle Vocal Collection, Vol.2}} have also been released on August 3, 2014.

Limited edition versions of the ''side:Kongō'' and ''Torpedo Squadron Chronicles'' manga series ''tankōbon'' were bundled with drama CDs featuring original dialogue stories from the characters' original voice actors, titled {{nihongo|"Hiei makes curry"|比叡、カレーを作る|Hiei, karē o tsukuru}} and {{nihongo|"Akatsuki's dream"|暁の夢|Akatsuki no yume}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2014/05/12/76667.html |title = 『艦これ』初のCDドラマ、制作決定 ─ 「比叡、カレーを作る」「暁の夢」の二篇を予定 |date = 2014-05-12 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Inside |language = ja }}</ref>

An anime television soundtrack {{nihongo|''Television Anime "KanColle" Original Sound Track: Ship Sound''|TVアニメ「艦隊これくしょん -艦これ-」オリジナルサウンドトラック “艦響”|TV anime "KanColle" Original Sound Track: Kankyō}} was released on March 25, 2015. An anime television vocal music collection CD {{nihongo|''Television Anime "KanColle" Character Song: Ship Girl's Song''|TVアニメ「艦隊これくしょん -艦これ-」キャラクターソング “艦娘乃歌”|TV anime "KanColle" Character Song: Kanmusu no Uta}} was released on March 25, 2015.

===Film===
{{Main|KanColle: The Movie}}
An animated film, titled {{nihongo|''KanColle: The Movie''|劇場版 艦これ|Gekijō-ban KanKore}}, was released on November 26, 2016.<ref name=annfilm>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-08-09/kan-colle-franchise-gets-anime-film-in-2016/.91458|title=Kan Colle Franchise Gets Anime Film in 2016|date=August 9, 2015|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-03-17/kancolle-film-title-teaser-visual-unveiled/.99905|title=KanColle Film's Title, Teaser Visual Unveiled|date=March 17, 2016|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=March 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-03-21/kancolle-film-slated-for-fall/.100066|title=KanColle Film Slated for Fall|date=March 21, 2016|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=March 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-07/kancolle-film-november-26-date-unveiled-with-new-visual/.105107|title=KanColle Film's November 26 Date Unveiled With New Visual|date=August 7, 2016|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref>

==Plot and setting==
Whilst the original game does not have a particular storyline, and largely focuses on "gameplay", each of the official media works feature various settings with separate and differing canons. Not only do the stories differ, but also the depictions and interpretations of fleet girls and the manner in which they engage in combat. The game does not strictly define anything relating to its setting, allowing for a greater diversity of secondary literary adaptation works which cater to different audiences, and more artistic freedom among secondary works which can approach the setting of ''Kantai Collection'' differently.

Kadokawa has not officially announced whether any secondary work is absolute canon, nor have they released significant quantities of canonical material, with some official works even contradicting one another. For instance, some manga anthology depictions show the ship girls as ship-sized giants, while other serialized manga show them as human-sized. The television animation explains the ship girls as humans born with the ability to possess the spirits of World War II warships, while within the ''Bonds of the Wings of Cranes'' light novel, the girls refer to themselves as actual warships, and that their origin is unknown.

===2015 anime television series===
{{Main|Kantai Collection (TV series)}}

The contents of the 2022-2023 second anime are also dealt with in this article.

===''KanColle: Bonds of the Wings of Cranes''===
Within the story of the light novel ''Bonds of the Wings of Cranes'', the setting is within an alternate universe where [[World War II]] never took place. The fleet of the Abyss, consisting of monster ships, lock down access to the seas and indiscriminately fire upon vessels and aircraft, and feed on the corpses of dead sailors in the water.<ref>{{Cite book |author = Hiroki Uchida |date = 2014-02-20 |title = {{nihongo|''Kantai Collection: Bonds of the Wings of Cranes''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 鶴翼の絆}} |page = 29 |publisher = [[Fujimi Shobo]] |isbn = 978-4040700328 |language = ja }}</ref> The large number of abyssals, along with their regenerating ability, allowed them to easily defeat the conventional navies and modern militaries of the world. Ship girls are the guardians of humanity and human-weapon hybrids that are summoned using {{nihongo|spirit energy|霊力}}, with female forms as the ships they represent have female souls.<ref>{{Cite book |author = Hiroki Uchida |date = 2014-02-20 |title = {{nihongo|''Kantai Collection: Bonds of the Wings of Cranes''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 鶴翼の絆}} |pages = 35–37, 79 |publisher = [[Fujimi Shobo]] |isbn = 978-4040700328 |language = ja }}</ref> ''Zuikaku'', having taken a humanoid form, remembers a time where she was once a ship, however, does not know the reason behind her human form.

The fleet girls live within an old-fashioned Japanese-style hotel which doubles as the girls' dormitory and is close to a nearby factory which services combat equipment.<ref>{{Cite book |author = Hiroki Uchida |date = 2014-02-20 |title = {{nihongo|''Kantai Collection: Bonds of the Wings of Cranes''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 鶴翼の絆}} |page = 23 |publisher = [[Fujimi Shobo]] |isbn = 978-4040700328 |language = ja }}</ref> The admiral of the fleet is a young man who behaves like a pervert, fond of groping the ship girls and playing with their skirts, although his personality does become serious when commanding the fleet. As the ship girls and abyssal fleets engage in combat, both sides are guarded by a protective barrier. The aircraft carriers ''Akagi'' and ''Kaga'' are depicted as firing [[Arrow|archery arrows]] from a bow which then transform into fighter planes. Armaments are detachable equipment, and when not in combat gear the ships otherwise appear as ordinary girls.<ref>{{Cite book |author = Hiroki Uchida |date = 2014-02-20 |title = {{nihongo|''Kantai Collection: Bonds of the Wings of Cranes''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 鶴翼の絆}} |pages = 75–77 |publisher = [[Fujimi Shobo]] |isbn = 978-4040700328 |language = ja }}</ref>

===''KanColle: Kagerō, Setting Sail!''===
This light novel is set within a universe based on the real world, where normal girls undergo training to become ship girls. Hundreds of warships were destroyed by abyssal forces which spontaneously emerge from anywhere under the sea, and as a result, ship girls are employed to counter the threat.<ref>2013-11-30, Toshihiko Tsukiji, {{nihongo|''Kantai Collection: Kagerō, Setting Sail!''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 陽炎、抜錨します!}}. [[Enterbrain]]. {{ISBN|978-4047292666}}.</ref>

===''KanColle: Someday as the Seas turn Calm''===
A series of mini-arcs connecting a ship girl to her existing counterpart by gradually introducing characters and rotating the leads. Within this manga, ship girls are depicted as flying on the water surface whilst in combat against the abyss fleet of monster ships, and launch aircraft managed by tiny fairies in a [[Takeoff and landing|conventional takeoff]] manner from their body attachments. Artillery and torpedo combat is shown to be performed at long range, whilst anti-submarine warfare takes place in close quarters.

===''Torpedo Squadron Chronicles''===
This manga adaptation focuses on the adventures of the Tenryū class and Akatsuki class, as it follows the newly assigned Tenryū and her new squadron in solving the mystery of the Abyssal Fleet.

===''KanColle: Shimakaze Whirlwind Girl''===
This manga depicts the story of a newly appointed, rookie officer by the name of Ensign Akai who arrives at the [[Maizuru Naval District|Maizuru Naval Base]] for duty as the assistant to the vice-admiral, however has to deal with a stubborn and difficult ''Shimakaze'' who spends most of her time alone, and does not have any friends. Multiple nations around the world have developed ship girls for their navy power, and Maizuru is one of the major bases of Japan responsible for managing them.<ref>2014-10-27, Kazuma Yamazaki/Hyōbu Madoka, {{nihongo|''Kantai Collection: Shimakaze Whirlwind Girl, Volume 1''|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 島風 つむじ風の少女 1}}. [[ASCII Media Works]]. {{ISBN|978-4048666121}}.</ref>

===''KanColle: Fubuki, Ganbarimasu!''===
This [[slice of life]] 4koma depicts the everyday life of the ship girls at the fleet training school, where newly manufactured ship girls spend one year learning knowledge before setting out to sea. Most of the scenarios are taken from the point of view of ''Fubuki'', and feature the girls doing fun things with one another, which include attending school, drinking tea, celebrating various holidays like Tanabata, Halloween and Christmas, in addition to the occasional sortie. The ship girls retain memories of their previous lives from World War II, at times displaying signs of [[post-traumatic stress disorder]]. References to their personal histories and characteristics are common and usually used to comedic effect. This manga depicts the ship girls as being able to walk on the surface of the water in a manner akin to ice-skating, just like in the anime series.

===2016 film===
{{Main|KanColle: The Movie}}

==Merchandise and other collaborations==
Merchandise based on the game have been launched as a result of the success of the online game, proliferation of derivative works, and strong interest in the franchise. PVC figurines have been released, including [[Nendoroid]] and [[Figma (toy)|Figma]] figurines of both Shimakaze and Akagi,<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1310/01/news053.html |title = 「艦これ」の「島風」ねんどろいど登場 次は「赤城」！ |date = 2013-10-01 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = ITmedia |language = ja }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-10-01/new-kantai-collection-nendoroid-from-good-smile-company |title = New Kantai Collection Nendoroid from Good Smile Company |date = 2013-10-02 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |work = [[Anime News Network]] }}</ref> in addition to a 1/7 scale PVC display figurine of a severely damaged Kongō designed and manufactured by Max Factory.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://news.surpara.com/2013/10/23926 |title = 『艦隊これくしょん』から「1/7スケール 金剛大破ver.」商品化決定！「figma島風」「figma赤城」も進行中。「ねんどろいど 赤城」のイラストも公開！ |date = 2013-10-11 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = SurPara News |language = ja |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150109092014/http://news.surpara.com/2013/10/23926 |archive-date = 2015-01-09 |url-status = dead }}</ref> An expansion for a trading card game [[Weiß Schwarz]] based on Kancolle theme was released on March 28, 2014, and reportedly sold 1.7 million packets within its first shipment.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.j-cast.com/2014/04/24203154.html?p=all |title = NHKニュースで「今日の主役はオバマではなかった」 ツイッターランキングを独占した「艦これ」って何？ |date = 2014-04-24 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = J-CAST |language = ja }}</ref>

In September 2013, a collaborative project between ''Kantai Collection'' and the ''[[Arpeggio of Blue Steel]]'' anime was announced.<ref>{{Cite journal |date = 2013-09-30 |title = ユキ提督こと比企コミッククリア編集長が突撃！ 田中プロデューサー夜戦インタビュー！ |journal = {{Nihongo|Kantai Collection: Recommend the naval base life|艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- 鎮守府生活のすゝめ}} |volume = 1 |pages = 28–33 |publisher = [[Enterbrain]] |isbn = 978-4047292338 |language = ja }}</ref> Illustrators for ''Kantai Collection'' are responsible for drawing some of the anime end cards for ''Arpeggio of Blue Steel'', which feature crossovers with ''Kantai Collection'' characters.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.japanator.com/first-impressions-arpeggio-of-blue-steel-29894.phtml |title = First Impressions: Arpeggio of Blue Steel |date = 2013-09-10 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Japanator |archive-date = 2013-12-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131211202410/http://www.japanator.com/first-impressions-arpeggio-of-blue-steel-29894.phtml |url-status = dead }}</ref> An ''Arpeggio of Blue Steel'' in-game special event for ''Kantai Collection'' also took place from December 24, 2013, to January 8, 2014.<ref>{{Cite journal |date = 2013-12-03 |journal = [[:ja:週刊アスキー|Weekly ASCII]] |issue = 12/17 issue |publisher = [[ASCII Media Works]] |language = ja |title=Weekly ASCII 17th of December}}</ref>

When the next ship to bear the ''Kaga'' name, the Izumo-class helicopter carrier destroyer [[JS Kaga|JS ''Kaga'']], was launched in 2015, the staff shared official art on Twitter of ''Kantai Collection'' Kaga holding a scale model of the new ''Kaga'' the day after she was launched.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=''Kantai Collection'' |author-link=Kantai Collection |user=KanColle_STAFF |number=637105083847540737 |date=August 27, 2015|title=「加賀」さんのデザインを担当したしばふさんより、昨日進水した護衛艦「かが」、進水記念緊急描きおろしが到着しました！... |trans-title=Shibafu-''san'', who was in charge of the design of ''Kaga'', has arrived with an emergency drawing commemorating the launch of the destroyer ''Kaga'' that was launched yesterday!... |language=ja |access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> She has since become a mascot for her successor, which continued when ''Kaga'' participated in the Indo Southeast Asia Deployment (ISEAD) exercise in 2018 where she sailed to the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indo Southeast Asia Deployment 2018 (ISEAD18) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/operation/operation2018.html |publisher=Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> Upon her return to Kure, ''Kantai Collection'' provided new art of Kaga wearing her predecessor's insignia, with her rigging updated to match that of the new ship and featuring helicopters instead of World War II aircraft.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=''Kantai Collection'' |author-link=Kantai Collection |user=KanColle_STAFF |number=1064337807265558529 |date=November 18, 2018|title=海上自衛隊 護衛艦「かが」のご依頼により、「加賀」さん【かが】modeをお贈りしました... |trans-title=At the request of the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer ''Kaga'', we have sent ''Kaga'' mode... |language=ja |access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref>

==Reception==

===Player population===
[[File:CWT38 DSC1849 04.jpg|thumb|[[Cosplay]] of Yamato, based on the [[Japanese battleship Yamato|Japanese battleship of that name]]]]
Due to the high popularity of the game within Japan, game operators created larger numbers of servers in early 2013 to cope with the influx of players.<ref name=kotaku/> During August 2013, the number of new players spiked by 100,000 people within one week, to a total of 600,000 people, with 350,000 daily active players.<ref name=inside/> By September 2013, it was reported that there were more than 800,000 players regularly active.<ref name=800k/> The total number of players broke 1,000,000 on 9 October 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2013/10/10/71039.html |title = 提督100万人突破、そして島田フミカネ氏による航空母艦も実装決定！ ─ 『艦これ』秋のイベントも実施準備中 |date = 2013-10-10 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Inside |language = ja }}</ref> As of April 2015, there were 3 million players.<ref name=playerstats/> One commonly cited explanation behind the success of the game is that players are not forced to spend money to play, unlike other popular Japanese online games; the free-to-play nature of ''Kantai Collection'' makes in-game purchases optional, and not a necessity.<ref name=dannychoo/> It is estimated that on average, ''Kantai Collection'' players spend less money on the game compared to the popular Japanese games ''[[Puzzle & Dragons]]'', ''[[The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls]]'' and ''[[Love Live! School Idol Project|Love Live! School Idol Festival]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://markezine.jp/article/detail/18545 |title = ツイート数は「パズドラ」より「艦これ」 【ゲームの課金についてのツイート分析】 |date = 2013-09-27 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = MarkeZine |language = ja }}</ref>

===Cultural trends and industry reception===
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| style="text-align:left; font-size:85%;" |A graph comparing the number of dōjin circles with ''Kantai Collection'' works<br />from Comiket 84 onwards<ref name=c85_crunchy/><ref name=snn/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yaraon.blog109.fc2.com/blog-entry-25911.html|title=コミックマーケット86 主要作品別サークル数！ 『艦これ』が去年の冬コミより９００以上も増えてるううううう|date=August 4, 2014|website=Yara-On!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-11-01/winter-comiket-catalog-posted-online-with-kantai-collection-at-the-top-spot/.80551|title=Winter Comiket Catalog Posted Online, with Kantai Collection At the Top Spot|date=November 2, 2014|website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yaraon-blog.com/archives/64887|title=コミケ88（夏コミ） 作品別サークル数まとめ・・・「艦これ」が今回も２５００超え！|date=June 23, 2015|website=Yara-On!|access-date=August 19, 2015|archive-date=August 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821111906/http://yaraon-blog.com/archives/64887|url-status=dead}}<!--http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-06-13/kantai-collection-comiket-circles-edge-ahead-of-touhou-project-again/.89189--></ref>
|}
</div>
Interest in ''Kantai Collection'' has significantly risen over the months following its release, to the point where it has often been compared with the fandom of ''[[Touhou Project]]'' as an emerging viral fandom. There has been a large increase in online activity and fan-created material relating to the game, such as fan-made artworks, [[doujinshi]] and other derivative content.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.excite.co.jp/News/android/20130815/Exdroid_60808.html |title = "ポスト東方"との見方も浮上した「艦隊これくしょん」 情報アプリ「艦これまとめ」もDL数が急増中 |date = 2013-08-15 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Excite |language = ja |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141213013828/http://www.excite.co.jp/News/android/20130815/Exdroid_60808.html |archive-date = 2014-12-13 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/816/816534/ |title = 東方＆艦これ！ニコ動と同人界を騒がす二大タグに迫る |date = 2013-08-15 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = ASCII.jp |language = ja }}</ref> As of April 2015, there are over 345,000 different artworks on [[Pixiv]] tagged with "KanColle" created by 67,000 individual artists, and KanColle-related videos on [[Niconico]] were watched 460 million times.<ref name=playerstats/> During [[Comiket]] 85, there were 1,136 [[Dōjinshi|dōjin circles]] producing works for ''Kantai Collection'', placing third behind ''Touhou Project'' (2,272 circles) and ''[[Kuroko's Basketball]]'' (1,462 circles), and ahead of ''[[The Idolmaster]]'' and ''[[Vocaloid]]'';<ref name=c85_crunchy>{{Cite web |url = http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/11/01-1/top-doujinshi-events-most-popular-by-the-numbers |title = Top Doujinshi Events Most Popular By The Numbers |date = 2013-11-02 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Crunchyroll }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/850/850843/ |title = コミケ人気とニコ動・pixiv人気は相関するのか調べてみた |date = 2013-12-19 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = ASCII.jp |language = ja }}</ref> this is a significant increase over the previous Comiket 84 event, which only had just over 100 circles with ''Kantai Collection'' works.<ref name=snn>{{Cite web |url = http://snn.getnews.jp/archives/223878 |title = 【C85】コミケ最大の台風の目!? 「艦これ」同人サークルまとめ |date = 2013-12-28 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = SNN |language = ja |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141213031808/http://snn.getnews.jp/archives/223878 |archive-date = 2014-12-13 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Dōjin material relating to the game have also gained traction overseas; KanColle-exclusive dōjin events have been held in [[Shanghai]] on 22 February 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://modudoujin.weebly.com/26368260322477325253.html |title = 舰娘同人祭 in 魔都: 最新情报 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = 舰娘同人祭in魔都组委会 |language = zh }}</ref> and [[Taipei]] on 29 March 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.animen.com.tw/Page/Activity/ActivityContent.aspx?ID=AC14010014 |title = 福爾摩沙鎮守府 艦これONLY |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Animen |language = zh |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141213013531/http://www.animen.com.tw/Page/Activity/ActivityContent.aspx?ID=AC14010014 |archive-date = 2014-12-13 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

On 12 December 2013, [[Twitter]] officially released the top hashtags of 2013; <span style="background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:monospace; color:DarkSlateGray;border:1px solid #007FFF">#艦これ</span> was the most used hashtag among Japanese Twitter users.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2013/12/17/digital/looking-at-2013s-japanese-social-media-scene-3/ |title = Looking at 2013′s Japanese social-media scene |date = 2013-12-17 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |newspaper = [[The Japan Times]] |author = Akky Akimoto }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/anime_news/AJ201312300042 |title = ANIME NEWS: 'KanColle,' 'Shingeki' among most popular hashtags on Twitter |date = 2013-12-30 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |newspaper = [[Asahi Shimbun]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150212151921/https://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/anime_news/AJ201312300042 |archive-date = 2015-02-12 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The game was also the eighth most searched term within Japan on Google in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/top-10-search-terms-in-japan-in-2013 |title =  Top 10 search terms in Japan in 2013 |date = 2014-01-01 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |newspaper = Japan Today }}</ref> On 30 December 2013, GameSpark named ''Kantai Collection'' as the online game category title for its game of the year awards of 2013, ahead of runners-up ''[[League of Legends]]'', ''[[World of Tanks]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2013/12/30/73260.html |title = 【Game of the Year 2013】オンラインゲーム部門は『艦隊これくしょん～艦これ～』 |date = 2013-12-30 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Inside |language = ja }}</ref> A survey of 151 different prominent Japanese game developers conducted by 4gamer asked what each developer considered to be the best game of 2013; nine of these developers selected ''Kantai Collection''. Among these developers, [[Naoki Yoshida]] of [[Square Enix]], who produced and directed ''Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn'', stated that ''Kantai Collection'' is Japan's answer to ''World of Tanks'', and that he was impressed by the business model;<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.4gamer.net/games/000/G000000/20131213085/index_5.html#sqex_yoshida |title = 今年は総勢151名。ゲーム業界著名人に聞く2013年の注目タイトルと2014年へのメッセージ: 吉田直樹 |date = 2013-12-27 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = 4gamer |language = ja }}</ref> meanwhile, ''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA]]'' director Seiji Hayashi of [[Sega]] referred to the game as "innovative".<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.4gamer.net/games/000/G000000/20131213085/index_6.html#sega_hayashi |title = 今年は総勢151名。ゲーム業界著名人に聞く2013年の注目タイトルと2014年へのメッセージ: 林 誠司 |date = 2013-12-27 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = 4gamer |language = ja }}</ref> ''Kantai Collection'' was named "Rookie of the Year" during the [[:ja:ウェブマネー|WebMoney]] 2013 Awards, as a new entrant to the games market.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.webmoney.jp/award2013/kancolle.html |title = 【WebMoney Award 2013】 Rookie of the Year GRAND PRIX 艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = WebMoney |language = ja }}</ref>

===Financial reception and sales figures===
Speaking at a symposium held by Kadokawa ASCII Research Institute on 27 September 2013, the chairman of the board of directors of [[Kadokawa Corporation|Kadokawa Group Holdings]], [[:ja:角川歴彦|Tsuguhiko Kadokawa]], stated that despite the game's popularity, ''Kantai Collection'' is nearly unprofitable for the company, in part due to the game being funded by various company partnerships, such as the profit-sharing agreement made between Kadokawa Group and [[DMM Corporation|DMM Group]], given that none of the game's development fees were paid for by Kadokawa. Kadokawa's stock price rose by 1000 yen within June 2013, following the initial rise of the game. It is expected that Kadokawa will need to rely on sales of intellectual property media works such as books and manga in order to raise profits.<ref name=huffpost_kancorebus>{{Cite web |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2013/09/27/kankore-business_n_4001827.html |title = 「艦これ、ほとんど儲からない」角川歴彦会長が明かす |date = 2013-09-27 |access-date = 2013-10-02 |website = [[Huffington Post]] |language = ja }}</ref> Kadokawa Games president Yoshimi Yasuda affirms that the free-to-play business model of the game will not change despite reports of a lack of revenue gain.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://diamond.jp/articles/-/43447 |title = 半年で100万ユーザー突破！「艦隊これくしょん～艦これ～」大ヒットから見えるポスト・ソーシャルゲームビジネスの行方――角川ゲームス安田善巳社長インタビュー |date = 2013-10-24 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Diamond OnLine |language = ja }}</ref>

Meanwhile, game distributor [[DMM Corporation]] gained 7 billion yen from the game as of June 2014, which is equivalent to 140 times the value of the game's development costs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFK17037_X10C14A6000000/|title=異形の急成長企業ＤＭＭ、多角化とトップの実像|date=June 27, 2014|newspaper=[[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]]|access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref>

Toshihiko Tsukiji's light novel ''Kantai Collection: Kagerō, Setting Sail!'' sold 16,624 copies within its first week of release, placing 11th place within the [[Oricon]] book ranking charts.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obb/w/2013-12-09/more/3/ |title = 2013年11月25日～2013年12月01日の文庫 |date = 2013-12-09 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Oricon |language = ja }}</ref> Also debuting the same week were the ''Sasebo Naval District Compilation Vol.1'' and ''Maizuru Naval District Compilation Vol.1'' comic anthologies, which sold 59,552 copies and 58,110 copies respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2013-12-09/more/3/ |title = 2013年11月25日～2013年12月01日のコミック |date = 2013-12-09 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Oricon |language = ja }}</ref> In mid-November 2013, ''Yokosuka Naval District Compilation Vol.1'' sold 48,909 copies during its first week, placing 10th place among all comic sales.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2013-11-25/more/2/ |title = 2013年11月11日～2013年11月17日のコミック |date = 2013-11-25 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Oricon |language = ja }}</ref> The first manga volume of ''Fubuki, Ganbarimasu!'' sold 28,324 copies within its first week in December 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-12-18/japanese-comic-ranking-december-9-15 |title = Japanese Comic Ranking, December 9–15 |date = 2013-12-18 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |work = Anime News Network }}</ref> The ''KanColle White Paper'' official book published by Kadokawa placed third overall within the Oricon book charts during its debut week in October 2013, selling 46,039 copies.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ob/w/2013-10-28/ |title = 2013年10月14日～2013年10月20日のBOOK(総合) |date = 2013-10-28 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = Oricon |language = ja }}</ref>

===Political commentary===
An editorial within the South Korean ''[[Hankook Ilbo]]'' on 4 November 2013 accuses that the strong popularity of the game is due to a conservative political shift amongst young people in Japan following long-term economic recession and political instability, and that the game glorifies the wartime [[Imperial Japanese Navy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/opinion/201311/h2013110321115924420.htm |title=일본 우경화에 대한 단상 |date=2013-11-04 |access-date=2015-02-12 |newspaper=[[Hankook Ilbo]] |author=김범수 (Kim Bum-soo) |language=ko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104212929/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/opinion/201311/h2013110321115924420.htm |archive-date=2013-11-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Addressing the ''Hankook Ilbo'' allegation, Akky Akimoto writing for ''[[The Japan Times]]'' disagrees with the idea that the game's design deliberately facilitates any political shift, and argues that the 1970s anime series ''[[Space Battleship Yamato]]'' was subject to similar criticisms despite having little effect on domestic politics.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/02/20/digital/kantai-collection-social-game-of-warships-sets-course-for-big-money/ |title ='Kantai Collection': Social game of warships sets course for big money |date = 2014-02-20 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |newspaper = [[The Japan Times]] |author = Akky Akimoto }}</ref>

Another opinion piece from the ''[[Asahi Shimbun]]'' suggests that the game's unforgiving mechanics, such as ships permanently sinking, with some of them even tracing their grandparents' military service history, help players understand the brutality of war given the desperate situations, so that they can gain a more positive understanding of history or even oppose conflict itself.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASG5F455FG5FPWPJ004.html|title=（声）「艦これ」ブーム 戦中派不安|newspaper=[[Asahi Shimbun]]|date=May 24, 2014|language=ja|access-date=February 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525035147/http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASG5F455FG5FPWPJ004.html|archive-date=May 25, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Intellectual property infringement outside Japan===
In January 2015, allegations arose that the company Beijing Longzhu Digital Technology ({{lang|zh|北京龙珠数码科技}}),<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2014/12/11/kancolle-chinese-copy_n_6312662.html |date = 2014-12-12 |website = [[Huffington Post]] |title = 【艦これ】中国の海賊版「艦娘国服」にDMMが対抗措置を検討 |language = ja |access-date = 2015-01-17 }}</ref> which runs an unofficial pirated KanColle server in mainland China, spent {{CNY|700,000}} ({{USD|112,800}}) in purchasing various Chinese-language KanColle internet forums such as the KanColle subforum on [[Baidu Tieba]]; online discussion boards intended for discussing the original Japanese game were closed down or placed under new management, while the forums of the pirated bootleg Chinese KanColle remained online. This led to widespread unrest amongst Chinese players of the original game, resulting in large-scale internet raids on forums and social media, [[distributed denial-of-service attack]]s, and [[Website defacement|website defacing]] via [[SQL injection]]<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://games.sina.com.cn/y/n/2015-01-16/1410851086.shtml |title = 资深程序揭秘 "舰娘国服"实为"私服" |date = 2015-01-16 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = [[Sina Corp]] |language = zh }}</ref> by hackers against those running the bootleg server.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.3dmgame.com/news/201501/3429829.html |title = 《舰娘》国服70万买下舰娘贴吧 引来粉丝疯狂攻击 |date = 2015-01-15 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = 3DM游戏 |language = zh }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://fj.ifeng.com/news/jinriredian/detail_2015_01/15/3435130_0.shtml |title = 舰娘国服70万买贴吧迎来恐怖攻击 舰娘国服7次被黑始末曝光 |date = 2015-01-15 |access-date = 2015-02-12 |publisher = [[Phoenix Television|Phoenix New Media Limited]] |language = zh |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150220015857/http://fj.ifeng.com/news/jinriredian/detail_2015_01/15/3435130_0.shtml |archive-date = 2015-02-20 |url-status = dead }}</ref> An article published by [[China Central Television]] referred to the incident as the largest online mass boycott and protest against [[intellectual property]] infringement in China, and a wake-up call for the Chinese gaming industry as a whole to strive for integrity and refrain from creating copycat works.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://games.cntv.cn/2015/news_01_0120/166854.shtml |title=中国"提督"们的抗争 和《舰娘国服》之谜 |date=January 20, 2015 |publisher=[[China Central Television]] |access-date=February 21, 2015 |language=zh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221145443/http://games.cntv.cn/2015/news_01_0120/166854.shtml |archive-date=February 21, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games|Japan}}
* ''[[Azur Lane]]'', a [[shoot 'em up]] game also utilizing the concept of warship [[Moe anthropomorphism|moe anthropomorphization]], mainly featuring anthropomorphized American, British, Japanese and German warships of [[World War II]]
* ''[[Girls' Frontline]]'', a [[strategy role-playing game]] centred upon moe anthropomorphizations of [[small arms|firearms]]
* ''[[Tōken Ranbu]]'', a clone of ''Kantai Collection'' anthropomorphizing [[Japanese sword|historical swords]] as attractive young men
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kantai Collection}}
;Official pages of the game
* [http://www.dmm.com/netgame/feature/kancolle.html Main site at DMM]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140228155815/http://www.kadokawagames.co.jp/KanColle/ KanColle at Kadokawa Games]
* [https://twitter.com/KanColle_STAFF "KanColle_STAFF" on Twitter]
;Licensed web manga
* [https://www.famitsu.com/comic_clear/se_kancolle/ KanColle manga "Fubuki, Ganbarimasu!" at Famitsu Comic Clear]
* [https://www.famitsu.com/comic_clear/se_kancolle_chin/ KanColle manga "Chinjufu tsūshin" at Famitsu Comic Clear]
* [https://www.famitsu.com/blog/kancolle_ouen/ KanColle manga "Kankan Biyori" and Illustrations Column at Cominy]
* [https://comic-walker.com/contents/detail/KDCW_EB02000004010000_68/ KanColle manga "Fubuki, Ganbarimasu!" at Comic Walker]
* [https://comic-walker.com/contents/detail/KDCW_EB04000001010000_68/ KanColle manga "Kankan Biyori" at Comic Walker]
* [https://comic-walker.com/contents/detail/KDCW_MF02000009010000_68/ KanColle manga "Someday as the Seas turn Calm" at Comic Walker]
* [https://comic-walker.com/contents/detail/KDCW_KS04000003010000_68/ KanColle manga "Torpedo Squadron Chronicles" at Comic Walker]
* [https://comic-walker.com/contents/detail/KDCW_AM01100012010000_68/ KanColle manga "Shimakaze Whirlwind Girl" at Comic Walker]
* [https://comic-walker.com/contents/detail/KDCW_AM05000004010000_68/ KanColle manga "Naval base of the perch" at Comic Walker]
* [https://comic-walker.com/contents/detail/KDCW_CW01000004010000_68/ KanColle manga "Yuru Kan" at Comic Walker]
;Official sites of secondary works
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170119120159/http://kancolle-vita.com/ Official Vita game website]
* [http://kancolle-anime.jp/ Official anime website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425181342/http://kancolle-anime.jp/ |date=2021-04-25 }}
* [http://kancolle-a.sega.jp/ Official arcade game website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140222161131/https://ssl.fujimi-trpg-online.jp/freepage/91 Official Tabletop RPG website]

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