Sony is in discussion withmanga andanimepublishing conglomerate Kadokawa, according to reports. As one of the biggest manga and light novel publishers in Japan, this would represent a major shake-up within the industry that could have lasting effects.
Kadokawa will be familiar to anime and manga fans as the publisher behind some of the bigger hits in recent years, such asDelicious in DungeonandOshi no Ko, to name a few.Kadokawa has a presence in several other industriesas well, including video games and anime, but is primarily known for its publishing division. Sony, of course, is one of the largest Japanese companies in the world, and already have a presence in the world of anime and manga through subsidiaries like Aniplex, as well as owning the anime streaming platform Crunchyroll, and formerly Funimation.
Sony Buying Kadokawa Would Have Major Impacts in Both East and West
Sony is Looking to Increase Its Presence in Entertainment
According toVariety, Sony Group Corporation is interested in acquiring Kadokawa, likely specifically for its anime, as well as games it has produced, such asElden Ring. Both parties are allegedly in discussion about a potential acquisition, which would have a major impact on the anime and manga industry both in Japan and internationally. Sony’s strategic plan is said to include acquiring new Intellectual Properties (IP) and to expand in the realm of anime, and acquiring Kadokawa would certainly help meet those goals.
If Sony’s acquisition of Kadokawa moves forward, it would give the company a significant new foothold in the world of anime and manga. Kadokawa is one of the larger publishers of manga in Japan, and owns 51% of Yen Press, a Western publisher for light novels. Kadokawa also owns the Anime News Network, a well-known website for anime and manga news. Given that Sony acquired Crunchyroll in 2021 and combined it with Funimation, which they already owned, it certainly looks like the corporate giant is serious about moving more into the realm of anime and manga.
What Impact Will Sony’s Acquisition Have on Fans?
It May Be A While Before Fans Notice Anything Different
Given that the deal is only in talks at this stage, there’s no guarantee that Sony does acquire Kadokawa, although such talks typically only take place in Japan if both companies are interested. Sony would have a powerful new publishing arm, as well as picking up a number of valuable IPs from Kadokawa,likeDelicious in DungeonandOshi no Ko. This likely wouldn’t change much for fans, at least initially, although how Sony moves forward with these certainly could.
While acquisitions by giant corporations like Sony can have some benefits, such as centralizing content to certain platforms (in this case, likely Crunchyroll), it can also be a problem if a company becomes too big and stops responding to the desires of consumers. Fortunately, competition in the realm of anime and manga is fierce, with other publishers able to throw their own weight around. Should Sony’s acquisition go forward, it will solidify the company as a major force within theanime and mangaindustries for years to come.
