Sony Eyes Acquisition of Kadokawa, Parent of FromSoft and Anime Giant

Kadokawa acknowledges tech giant Sony’s intent in acquiring more shares in their company with an official statement, but talks are still underway. Read on to learn more about the ongoing talks between these two company giants.

Kadokawa Acknowledges Sony’s Interest

“No Decision Has Been Made”

Kadokawa Corporation, the Japanese conglomerate known for its extensive involvement in anime, manga, and the video game industry, has officially confirmed receiving a "letter of intent to acquire the Company's shares" from Sony. However, the company emphasized that "no decision has been made" at this stage. They assured that any forthcoming developments will be communicated "in a timely and appropriate manner."

This announcement comes on the heels of a report by Reuters indicating Sony's ambition to acquire Kadokawa. Such a move would bring the acclaimed studio FromSoftware, creators of Elden Ring, under Sony's umbrella, along with other notable studios like Spike Chunsoft, known for Dragon Quest, and Acquire, responsible for Mario & Luigi: Brothership. With Sony's backing, there's potential for the revival of FromSoftware's PlayStation exclusives like Dark Souls and Bloodborne.

Should the acquisition proceed, Sony could also play a significant role in the publishing and distribution of anime and manga in Western markets, given Kadokawa's reputation as a major distributor of diverse media. Despite the potential implications, the reaction from social media has been lukewarm. For a deeper dive into the Sony-Kadokawa acquisition discussions, be sure to check out Game8's previous coverage on this topic.