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

Kadokawa Aims for 9,000 Original IP Publications Annually, Fueled by Sony Investment

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

Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno, in an interview with Nikkei (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun), outlined the plan. The company projects reaching 7,000 titles by fiscal year 2025, paving the way for their ultimate goal. This expansion will leverage Sony's global distribution infrastructure to bring Kadokawa's IPs to a worldwide audience. To support this ambitious undertaking, Kadokawa plans to increase its editorial staff by 40%, aiming for approximately 1,000 employees. This strategic expansion aims for increased efficiency and prevents overworking existing staff.

Image From Kadokawa’s Official Website

Expanding into Media Mix and Global Markets

Kadokawa intends to implement a comprehensive "media mix strategy," expanding its IPs through anime and game adaptations. Natsuno emphasized the goal of creating a system where diverse content leads to major successes. This strategy aligns perfectly with Sony's interests, particularly given Sony's ownership of Crunchyroll, a streaming service with over 15 million paid subscribers. This partnership opens doors for numerous Kadokawa IPs to join Crunchyroll's anime catalog.

Kadokawa's extensive IP library includes notable titles such as 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 game IPs, including those 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).

Sony's interest in the multimedia market, encompassing live-action adaptations, co-production of anime, and international distribution, complements Kadokawa's expansion strategy, creating a synergistic partnership.