Sony is reportedly in talks to acquire Kadokawa, one of Japan's largest entertainment companies, responsible for hits like Elden Ring , Sword Art Online , and Re:Zero . The news, reported by Reuters, shook the market: Kadokawa's shares jumped 23%, reinforcing the strategic importance of this potential merger.
With a 2% stake in Kadokawa and 14% in FromSoftware, Sony already has a presence in the company. If the deal goes through, Sony will strengthen its dominance in the global anime, manga, and game market, consolidating intellectual properties that include acclaimed titles and platforms such as BookWalker and ComicWalker.
Sony has invested heavily in the anime market, but is still looking to expand its exclusive catalog. The acquisition of Kadokawa would significantly strengthen its control over the anime and manga market, giving it access to hundreds of new franchises and properties, which it could leverage to strengthen other areas of its business.
Kadokawa also owns renowned studios such as Kinema Citrus ( The Rising of the Shield Hero ) and Doga Kobo ( Oshi no Ko ), and develops around 20 anime series per year. On the other hand, Sony, which already controls Crunchyroll and studios like A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks, continues to expand its influence.
Despite speculation of interference, Kadokawa would likely maintain its independence, as would FromSoftware, which would continue with multi-format releases. This acquisition would not only strengthen Sony's position in the entertainment sector but also expand its impact across various business areas.
