PCkoneets

PCkoneets is a Japanese online community platform that was created in 2007 by the technology firm IXIS. Designed to serve as a social networking service, it offered users the ability to create personal profiles, join interest-based communities, and publish content such as blog posts, photos, and short videos. The site promoted both user‑generated content and collaborative projects, with features allowing members to share and comment on each other’s work.

The platform quickly attracted a diverse user base in the late 2000s, with a strong following among anime, manga, and game enthusiasts. In addition to social networking tools, PCkoneets offered discussion forums, private messaging, and a rating system that helped highlight popular sub‑communities. Its interface was bilingual, supporting both Japanese and English, which broadened its appeal beyond Japan’s borders.

In 2010, Softbank acquired a majority stake in IXIS, and PCkoneets was subsequently integrated into Softbank’s digital services portfolio. The platform continued to operate under Softbank’s management, expanding its features to include mobile compatibility and partnerships with content creators.

Despite these efforts, the growing presence of international social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, along with the rise of messaging apps, reduced PCkoneets’ market share. In 2018, Softbank announced the platform’s discontinuation, directing users to migrate to other services. The shutdown marked the end of an era for a community that played a significant role in Japan’s early online social landscape.