Sony Eyes Massive IP Creation With Kadokawa Alliance

With Sony Group's significant investment and acquisition of 10% of its shares, Kadokawa Corporation has set an ambitious goal: publishing 9,000 original IP titles annually by fiscal year 2027. This represents a 50% increase from their 2023 output.

Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno, in an interview with Nikkei, outlined the plan. The company's medium-term strategy projects 7,000 titles by fiscal year 2025, paving the way for the ultimate 9,000-title target. This expansion will leverage Sony's global distribution network to broaden Kadokawa's international reach.

To support this ambitious growth, Kadokawa plans to significantly expand its editorial team, increasing staff numbers by 40% to approximately 1,000. This strategic increase aims to enhance efficiency and avoid overburdening employees.

Kadokawa intends to implement a "media mix strategy," expanding its IPs into anime and game adaptations. Natsuno emphasized the goal of creating a system where diverse content leads to major successes.

This collaboration benefits Sony as well, particularly Crunchyroll, their anime streaming platform with over 15 million paid subscribers. The partnership will significantly enrich Crunchyroll's anime library with Kadokawa's extensive IP portfolio. This portfolio includes notable titles such as Bungo Stray Dogs, Oshi no Ko, The Rising of the Shield Hero, and numerous popular video game IPs developed by studios under the Kadokawa umbrella.

Sony's interest in the multimedia market, encompassing live-action adaptations, co-productions of anime, and international distribution, aligns perfectly with Kadokawa's expansion strategy. The synergy between the two companies promises a significant impact on the global entertainment landscape.