Sony's Kadokawa Investment: 9,000+ Original IPs Yearly

Kadokawa's Ambitious Plan: 9,000 Original IPs Per Year

Following a significant investment from the Sony Group, acquiring 10% of its shares, Kadokawa Corporation has set a bold target: publishing 9,000 original intellectual property (IP) titles annually by fiscal year 2027. This represents a 50% increase over their 2023 output.

Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno, in an interview with the Nikkei newspaper, outlined the strategy. Leveraging Sony's global distribution network, Kadokawa aims for significant international expansion. Their medium-term plan projects 7,000 titles by fiscal year 2025, demonstrating confidence in achieving their ambitious goal. To support this expansion, Kadokawa plans to increase its editorial staff by 40%, to approximately 1,000 employees, ensuring efficient workflow and sustainable growth.

A Media Mix Strategy for Success

Kadokawa's strategy involves a "media mix" approach, expanding existing IPs through anime and game adaptations. Natsuno emphasizes the goal of creating a system where diverse content leads to major successes. This partnership benefits Sony as well, particularly its anime streaming service Crunchyroll, which boasts over 15 million paid subscribers. The collaboration will significantly expand Crunchyroll's anime library with Kadokawa's extensive IP portfolio.

Kadokawa's impressive IP library includes titles like Bungo Stray Dogs, Oshi no Ko, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Delicious in Dungeon, and My Happy Marriage. Their portfolio also extends to popular video games, encompassing titles developed by studios under the Kadokawa umbrella, such as Elden Ring, Dragon Quest (FromSoftware), the Danganronpa series (Spike Chunsoft), and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (AlphaDream).

This collaboration aligns with Sony's interest in expanding its presence in the multimedia market, encompassing live-action adaptations, anime co-productions, and international distribution. The partnership promises significant growth for both companies, shaping the future of entertainment.