Kadokawa, now a Sony Group subsidiary, sets ambitious publishing goals. Aiming for 9,000 original IP publications annually by fiscal year 2027, this represents a significant 1.5x increase from its 2023 output. This aggressive expansion strategy, detailed in Kadokawa's medium-term management plan, projects 7,000 titles by fiscal 2025.
Sony's substantial investment, securing a 10% stake, fuels this growth. Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno highlighted leveraging Sony's global distribution network for international expansion. To support this ambitious plan, Kadokawa will increase its editorial staff by 1.4 times, reaching approximately 1,000 employees.
This expansion includes a "media mix strategy," adapting successful IPs into anime and games. Natsuno emphasized creating a system fostering diversity to yield major successes. This collaboration benefits Sony, owner of Crunchyroll (with over 15 million subscribers), by adding numerous Kadokawa IPs to its anime offerings.
Kadokawa's extensive IP portfolio includes titles like Bungo Stray Dogs, Oshi no Ko, The Rising of the Shield Hero, and My Happy Marriage, along with video game IPs such as Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, and the Danganronpa series.
Sony's multimedia ambitions align perfectly with this partnership, aiming for live-action adaptations and co-producing anime for global distribution. This synergy promises a significant expansion of both companies' reach in the entertainment industry.
