Sony's Kadokawa Investment Sparks Goal of 9000 Original IPs Per Year

Kadokawa, now a Sony Group subsidiary, boldly aims to publish 9,000 original IPs annually by fiscal year 2027. This ambitious goal, representing a 50% increase from their 2023 output, is fueled by Sony's significant investment and the acquisition of a 10% stake in Kadokawa.

Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno, in an interview with Nikkei, outlined the plan. This includes leveraging Sony's global distribution network for international expansion and a projected increase in editorial staff to approximately 1,000, a 40% rise, to ensure efficient workflow. An interim target of 7,000 titles by fiscal year 2025 has also been set.

The strategy emphasizes a "media mix" approach, adapting successful IPs into anime, games, and other media. Natsuno highlighted the goal of fostering diversity to cultivate major hits. This synergistic partnership benefits Sony, particularly Crunchyroll, their anime streaming platform with over 15 million subscribers, which will gain access to a wider range of Kadokawa's IP library.

Kadokawa's extensive IP portfolio includes renowned titles such as Bungo Stray Dogs, Oshi no Ko, The Rising of the Shield Hero, and My Happy Marriage, along with popular video game franchises like Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, and Danganronpa.

Sony's interest in expanding into multimedia entertainment, encompassing live-action adaptations and international anime distribution, perfectly complements Kadokawa's ambitions. This strategic alliance positions both companies for significant growth in the global entertainment market.