Sony Acquires Largest Stake in Kadokawa, Forms Business Alliance

Sony has recently become the largest shareholder of Kadokawa Corporation, marking a significant development in the entertainment industry. This strategic capital and business alliance promises to reshape the landscape of global media and entertainment. Dive in to learn more about this transformative partnership!

Sony Holds 10% Of Kadokawa Shares

Kadokawa Remains Independent

In this new alliance, Sony has acquired approximately 12 million new shares for around 50 billion JPY. Coupled with shares previously purchased in February 2021, Sony now possesses about 10% of Kadokawa's total shares. Earlier reports from Reuters in November hinted at Sony's interest in acquiring Kadokawa, but this partnership ensures Kadokawa's continued independence.

The alliance aims to fortify the relationship between Sony and Kadokawa, with a focus on enhancing the global value of their intellectual properties (IP). Through joint investments and promotional efforts, the companies plan to expand Kadokawa's IPs, particularly in live-action films and TV dramas, co-producing anime-related projects, and distributing and publishing Kadokawa's anime and video game works worldwide via the Sony Group.

"We are thrilled to forge this capital and business alliance with Sony," remarked Takeshi Natsuno, CEO of Kadokawa Corporation. He emphasized that the alliance would not only bolster their IP creation capabilities but also amplify their global media mix options, thanks to Sony's support. Natsuno is optimistic that this partnership will significantly enhance the global presence of both companies.

Hiroki Totoki, President, COO, and CFO of Sony Group Corporation, echoed this sentiment, stating, "By integrating KADOKAWA's extensive IP and ecosystem with Sony's global entertainment prowess, we aim to support KADOKAWA's 'Global Media Mix' strategy and Sony's 'Creative Entertainment Vision,' maximizing the value of our IPs worldwide."

Kadokawa, Rich In Notable IPs

Kadokawa Corporation is a powerhouse in Japan, deeply entrenched in various multimedia sectors, including anime and manga publishing, movies, television, and video game production. It boasts ownership of renowned anime IPs such as Oshi no Ko, Re:Zero, and Dungeon Meshi/Delicious in Dungeon, and is the parent company of FromSoftware, the developer behind hits like Elden Ring and Armored Core.

FromSoftware recently announced at The Game Awards that a co-op standalone spin-off, Elden Ring: Nightreign, is slated for release in 2025, showcasing the continued innovation and growth within Kadokawa's portfolio.