Sony Seeks Acquisition of Kadokawa, Thrilling Employees

Sony's proposed acquisition of Kadokawa has sparked excitement among Kadokawa employees, despite potential concerns about loss of independence. This article explores the reasons behind their optimism.

Sony and Kadokawa Acquisition: Ongoing Negotiations

Sony's confirmed bid to acquire Kadokawa is currently under negotiation. While a final decision remains pending, the potential deal has generated mixed reactions. Analyst Takahiro Suzuki, speaking to Weekly Bunshun, suggests the acquisition benefits Sony more than Kadokawa. Sony's shift towards entertainment necessitates strong IP development, a strength of Kadokawa's extensive portfolio (including Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi, and Elden Ring). However, this acquisition could compromise Kadokawa's autonomy, potentially leading to stricter management and scrutiny of projects not directly contributing to IP creation.

Employee Optimism Amidst Acquisition Talks

Despite potential drawbacks, many Kadokawa employees reportedly welcome the Sony acquisition. Interviews with Weekly Bunshun reveal a generally positive sentiment, with employees expressing a preference for Sony's leadership over the current administration.

This positive outlook stems largely from dissatisfaction with the current leadership under President Takeshi Natsuno. A veteran employee highlighted the lack of response to a major data breach earlier this year, where hackers stole over 1.5 terabytes of sensitive information, including employee personal data. The perceived inadequacy of Natsuno's response has fueled employee hope that a Sony takeover will bring about leadership changes. The June cyberattack by the BlackSuit hacking group exposed internal documents, user data, and employee personal information, further contributing to this discontent.