Three years after acquiring major anime streamer Crunchyroll, Sony has confirmed its intention to purchase KADOKAWA, the publisher and distributor best known for isekai franchises such as Sword art online And Subject: Zero.

Through Bunshun, Sony has confirmed its intention to purchase light novel, manga and games publisher KADOKAWA. Bunshun reached out to several stakeholders in the deal and received the response from KADOKAWA: “We cannot comment beyond the content of our timely disclosure.” Meanwhile, Sony confirmed: “It is true that we have expressed an initial intention. We would appreciate it if we could refrain from further comment.”

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KADOKAWA employees comment on possible Sony takeover

Bunshun also spoke to KADOKAWA employees about their experiences and views following the initial news that Sony intended to buy the company. The company already holds a 1.93% stake in KADOKAWA and 14.09% in its gaming company FromSoftware (Bloodborne, Elden Ring). Some employees reportedly enjoyed the takeover rumors and mocked KADOKAWA President Takeshi Natsuno’s response to the massive cyberattack this summer. According to Bunshun, one said, “I expected that when Sony took over the company, the first thing they would do was fire President Natsuno.” Others took the news calmly, saying mergers and acquisitions are common among listed companies.

One economic analyst was less optimistic. “Independence will be lost and management will become stricter,” he said. “If you want to develop your business as freely as before, this is not a desirable option. In this recession in publishing, one must be prepared to accept cuts in publications that do not lead to the creation of intellectual property.” Nevertheless, KADOKAWA is firing up its next big project, yesterday announcing a business partnership with Kakao Piccoma, the world’s largest in terms of transaction volume largest manga app in 2023. Impress Watch reports that the companies will collaborate on the planning, production and distribution of digital content Manga to create one of “Japan’s largest IP creation facilities” to “expand their e-book business” and “maximize the LTV (long-term value) of IP”. The first step of the partnership will be the digital manga magazine MANGA Bar, which will provide free daily manga updates in a dedicated section on Piccoma and will be planned, published and produced by KADOKAWA. It will include works of all genres and will be released on December 16, 2024.

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Anime fans are largely critical of supposed monopolies

Fans have also been anything but optimistic since the announcement. Sony and KADOKAWA are already two of the biggest players in their respective fields. Analysts say Sony’s lack of IP is one of Sony’s biggest weaknesses; By the time KADOKAWA is purchased, the company will not only have a complete production line from original works to anime adaptations, but also one of the largest, giving it an important say in setting industry standards and giving new players the opportunity to enter to enter the industry. Sony has already been criticized for the fact that its size has allowed for less-than-glorious standards in the anime industry. Its subsidiary Aniplex is accused of strenuous production schedules. Crunchyroll, a subsidiary of Aniplex and Sony Pictures Entertainment, was accused of mistreating voice actors and eroding standards for its merchandise after its acquisition of Rightstuf. Many were also unhappy with Funimation’s handling of its demise.

Nonetheless, Sony’s main rival and fellow-criticized Toho has also recently suggested that it needs to streamline the scheduling of its intellectual property, with supposed benefits ensuring that fans get regular releases across television, films and other forms, as well as live and Transmissions can receive online experiences. Owning IPs from source material to anime adaptation, as Sony appears to be aiming for, could help tremendously in this area.

KADOKAWA is one of Japan’s largest novel, manga and game publishers. It also has a major anime production arm Oshi no Ko Studio Doga Kobo, a 31.8% stake in Kinema Citrus (The Rise of the Shield Hero, My happy marriage) and a 53 percent stake in ENGI (Uzaki-chan wants to hang out!). Its distribution arm includes major domestic companies BookWalker (also global) and ComicWalker, as well as foreign licensing and translation companies J-Novel Club and Yen Press (a controlling interest).

Source: Bunshun