According to fresh insights from Bloomberg, Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of FromSoftware, has reportedly been nudging Sony Group towards a purchase. Rumors began swirling last week, suggesting Kadokawa might be looking to hand the reins over to Sony as a strategic move against potential hostile takeovers by foreign entities like South Korea’s Kakao Corp.
Industry analysts have weighed in on this potential acquisition, expressing that securing Kadokawa would be highly beneficial for Sony, with FromSoftware serving as an attractive bonus. The report reveals an ongoing dialogue between Kadokawa and Sony spanning several years, with Kadokawa aiming for a full buyout, while Sony has been primarily focused on strategic investments, particularly in anime and video game intellectual properties.
Although Bloomberg’s findings mention interest from major players like Microsoft, Tencent, and Kakao, it stops short of confirming that Kadokawa’s intention is to fend off foreign suitors in favor of Sony.
Kadokawa, founded in 1945, holds a formidable position in the anime industry, boasting over 100,000 novels and comics in its catalog. Despite earlier rejections of acquisition plans, the company’s changed dynamics—following the departure of its founding members and its public listing—suggest a newfound openness to offers.
In a surprising twist, speculation regarding a possible acquisition has driven Kadokawa’s market value up to $4.1 billion, complicating potential deals with Sony and opening the door for other bidders. The situation is fluid, and it’s unclear what the next move will be.
Bloomberg’s sources believe that Kadokawa represents one of the smartest acquisitions for Sony, with the significant allure of FromSoftware. Nonetheless, the focus appears to be more on anime than gaming, underlining the multifaceted value Kadokawa could bring to Sony.
