Kotodama Ranch Terms of Use

This is an English translation provided for convenience. The Japanese version is the official one, and if the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.

Article 1 (About These Terms)

1. These Terms of Use (hereinafter "these Terms") set out the conditions for using the browser game "Kotodama Ranch" provided by the Kotodama Ranch Management Office (hereinafter the "Operator") and its strategy database (hereinafter together the "Service").
2. Anyone who uses the Service (hereinafter a "User") shall use the Service after agreeing to these Terms. When a User uses the Service, the User is deemed to have agreed to these Terms.
3. Notices and rules that the Operator presents within the Service also form part of these Terms.
4. The handling of Users' information is as set out in the separately provided "Privacy Policy".

Article 2 (Fees)

1. The Service can be used free of charge. There is no mechanism within the Service for paying money.
2. The devices needed to use the Service, and the costs of communications, are borne by the User.

Article 3 (Save Data)

1. The Service's save data and settings are stored inside the browser on the User's device. They are not sent to the Operator's servers, and the Operator does not keep them.
2. Save data may be lost in cases such as the following. The Operator is unable to restore lost save data.
   • When browser history or site data is deleted
   • When the game was played in private browsing (incognito mode)
   • When the device or browser is changed, or when the device breaks
   • When data is deleted because of browser settings or specifications
3. The Service has a feature to export save data as a "data code" and to load it. Please back up your important save data yourself.
4. The Operator will endeavor to keep existing save data playable after updates. However, this does not guarantee that all save data will remain playable as it is.

Article 4 (Changes to the Service)

1. The Operator may add, change or remove content of the Service without notice to Users.
2. Updates may change kotodama abilities and moves, the rules of the game, the content of cups and so on, and as a result the strength of the kotodama you have already raised, and how easy the game is to play, may change.

Article 5 (Prohibited Acts)

When using the Service, Users must not do any of the following.

1. Acts that violate laws and regulations or public order and morals, or that involve crime
2. Infringing the copyrights, trademark rights, portrait rights, privacy, honor, or other rights or interests of the Operator, other Users or any other third party
3. Putting other people's personal information (real names, addresses, telephone numbers, etc.), insults, discriminatory words, or words that hurt people into breeder names, kotodama names, words said at the Spring and shared (the words that appear in links that carry words, called "Spring Links", and in share cards and share text), or the like, and making them public through sharing or posting
4. Placing an excessive load on the Service's servers or network, accessing them without authorization, or otherwise interfering with the operation of the Service
5. Impersonating the Operator or other people, or misleading others into thinking something is an official announcement or an official product of the Operator
6. Selling or redistributing the Service, or the characters, images, text, music, programs and so on within it, or using them for commercial purposes, without the Operator's permission (except as permitted in Article 7)
7. Other acts similar to the preceding items that cause trouble for other Users or third parties

Article 6 (Ownership of Rights)

1. Copyrights and other rights in the kotodama (character) designs, 3D models, images, text, music, sound effects, programs, logos and so on contained in the Service belong to the Operator or to third parties who hold legitimate rights.
2. The Service includes software and fonts made by third parties (Preact, three.js, Zen Maru Gothic, Yusei Magic, etc.). These are used in accordance with their respective licenses.
3. Apart from what is provided in Article 7, these Terms do not transfer to Users any rights relating to the Service, nor grant permission to use them.

Article 7 (Screenshots, Videos, Streams and Fan Art)

1. Users may post screenshots of the Service's screens, recorded videos, live streams, and card images and text made with the Service's share feature to social media, video sites, streaming sites, blogs and the like. There is no need to contact the Operator.
2. For posts under the preceding paragraph, Users may use the monetization features provided by the service where they post (advertising revenue, tips, memberships and so on). This is the same for individuals and for corporations and organizations.
3. Within a scope that is not for profit, Users may create and post illustrations of kotodama, stories featuring kotodama, and the like (fan art).
4. When posting under the preceding paragraphs, please observe the following.
   • Make sure it is not mistaken for something official from the Operator
   • Comply with the terms of the service where you post
   • Do not include content that falls under what Article 5 prohibits
5. We would be happy if you would add the name of the game ("Kotodama Ranch", or the hashtag "#ことだま牧場") to your posts.
6. When using the Service for commercial purposes beyond the preceding paragraphs, such as selling merchandise, please consult the Operator in advance.
7. The Operator may ask for the removal of posts (including Spring Links) that violate this Article or Article 5.

Article 8 (External Services)

1. The Service's share feature uses services provided by parties other than the Operator, such as X (formerly Twitter), LINE and the device's sharing feature (hereinafter "External Services").
2. The terms of use and privacy policy of each External Service apply to the use of that External Service. For the content of External Services and anything that happens within them, please contact the respective providers.

Article 9 (Suspension and Termination of the Service)

1. In cases such as the following, the Operator may suspend all or part of the Service without notice to Users.
   • When inspecting, maintaining or updating the Service
   • When the Service cannot be provided because of earthquakes, lightning strikes, fires, power outages, natural disasters or the like
   • When a failure occurs in servers, communication lines, delivery services or the like
   • When there are other unavoidable circumstances
2. The Operator may end the provision of the Service. When it does so, it will give notice within the Service as far in advance as possible.

Article 10 (Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability)

1. The Operator does not guarantee that the Service is free of defects or errors, that it works on all devices and browsers, that it can be used without interruption, or that it suits the User's purposes.
2. The content of the strategy database is made from the game's data, but the Operator does not guarantee its accuracy or that it is up to date.
3. If a User suffers damage in connection with the Service, then, except where it is due to the Operator's intent or gross negligence, the Operator is liable only to the extent of direct and ordinary damage actually incurred by the User.
4. Please resolve any trouble that arises between Users, or between a User and a third party, through discussion among the parties concerned.

Article 11 (Use by Minors)

Minors, please use the Service after obtaining the consent of a parent or guardian. In particular, when sharing or posting, please talk with your parent or guardian so as not to make public any information that could identify you or your family.

Article 12 (Changes to These Terms)

1. The Operator may change these Terms in the following cases.
   • When the change conforms to the general interests of Users
   • When the change is not contrary to the purpose of the Service and is reasonable in view of the necessity and content of the change, among other things
2. When it changes these Terms, the Operator will give notice within the Service of the content of the change and the date on which it takes effect, in advance of that date.
3. A User who uses the Service after the date on which a change takes effect is deemed to have agreed to these Terms as changed.

Article 13 (Governing Law and Jurisdiction)

1. These Terms are to be interpreted in accordance with the laws of Japan.
2. If a dispute arises between the Operator and a User in connection with the Service, the Tokyo District Court shall be the court with exclusive agreed jurisdiction of first instance.

Contact

Please send inquiries about these Terms or the Service by email (contact@kotoboku.cc).

Supplementary Provisions

These Terms take effect on September 29, 2026.

Revised October 3, 2026: Article 5's prohibited acts were made more detailed with regard to words said at the Spring and shared (Spring Links and share cards).

Revised October 5, 2026: The email address for inquiries was changed.

Revised October 6, 2026: Corporations and organizations, too, can now post screenshots, videos and streams, and monetize those posts, without prior consultation (Article 7).