TOKYO--Square Enix recently released financials for the nine-month period ending December 31, 2003. While the bankruptcy of its convenience store distribution subsidiary DigiCube made a loss, it will not affect the company's financial forecast.

　　In a statement, the company revealed that its publishing sector is posting revenues nearly equivalent to those of its online gaming division. In particular, the company's Full Metal Alchemist manga series has been bringing up the sector. The Japanese comic book series sold a total of 8 million copies, spurred on by the franchise's anime debut in October. A Full Metal Alchemist PS2 game is creating additional buzz around the franchise.

　　Square Enix posted sales of 6.5 billion yen ($61.3 million) from its publishing sector, while the online gaming sector posted sales of 7 billion yen ($66.1 million). The company previously stated it was counting on the Full Metal Alchemist brand to become one of its primary income generators, similar to the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest franchises.

　　Square Enix said it generated a total of 22.37 billion yen ($211 million) in sales from its core platform game sector and 1.89 billion yen ($17 million) from its mobile game sector. The DigiCube bankruptcy created a loss of 760 million yen ($7.1 million), but Square Enix's estimates have not changed from their forecast in early November.

　　The company forecasts total sales of 56 billion yen ($529 million) and a profit of 8.1 billion yen ($75.5 million) for the full fiscal year that ends March 31, 2004. When comparing the two company's revenue figures from last year, before they merged, Square Enix's sales are projected to be off 10 percent, with profits down by 51 percent, mainly due to costs associated with the the merger.