Japanese gaming giant Sony has invested 50 billion yen (approximately $318 million) in Kadokawa’s parent company, becoming the largest shareholder with a 10% stake. The move comes as a full takeover appears to be on hold.
The investment marks a strategic partnership between Sony and Kadokawa, aiming to boost the latter’s global intellectual property (IP) portfolio through live-action films, TV dramas, anime production, and game publishing. This has sparked speculation about a potential Elden Ring movie or series adaptation.
Sony’s primary interest lies in Kadokawa’s anime business, which aligns with the company’s broader entertainment strategy. The partnership will focus on maximizing IP value and promoting Sony’s ‘Creative Entertainment Vision.’
The investment is seen as a calculated move by Sony, taking into account the significant cost of acquiring the entire company – approximately 640 billion yen ($4.3 billion).
This deal raises questions about the potential for a bidding war or a 50-50 stake in Kadokawa, leaving room for a future acquisition or partnership.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-becomes-majority-shareholder-in-fromsoftware-parent-kadokawa-no-full-takeover-for-now