according to ReutersSony is in talks to buy Japanese media corporation Kadokawa, known as the publisher and studio owner FromSoftware, which developed Elden Ring and the Dark Souls series. This was reported by two sources familiar with the situation. If an agreement is reached, the agreement could be signed in the coming weeks.
Kadokawa shares rose 23% on the news, hitting their daily high. Before the Reuters report, the company’s market capitalization was about $2.7 billion At the same time, Sony and Kadokawa declined to comment.
Sony already owns a 2% stake in Kadokawa, as well as a stake in its subsidiary FromSoftware. The game, created under the direction of Hidetaka Miyazaki with the participation of George RR. Martin, became a hit, selling over 25 million copies. Its expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, sold 5 million copies within three days of its June release.
Kadokawa started as a publishing company in 1945, but expanded into animation, games, events and merchandising. Its franchises include popular titles such as Re:Zero and the manga-to-anime adaptation Delicious in Dungeon.
Sony continues its transformation from an electronics maker to an entertainment giant spanning movies, music, games and chips. Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida previously noted the importance of investing in intellectual property:
Favorite characters and brands can live for 30, 50 or even 100 years.
The company’s interest in anime and game franchises is also a result of their growing popularity among streaming services.
Amidst its expansion, Kadokawa has faced challenges: its systems suffered a cyber attack in June, leading to a data breach, and two years ago its chairman, Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, resigned following allegations corruption related to the Tokyo Olympics. If the deal with Sony is completed, it could give new impetus to Kadokawa’s media business.
Attacks that have impacted many corporations, what measures is Kadokawa taking to ensure data security and protect its intellectual property during this acquisition process?
As a professional website editor for world-today-news.com, I’d like to invite you to participate in an interview about the potential acquisition of Kadokawa by Sony, a media corporation known for its popular game Elden Ring and other related titles. This follows the recent Reuters report stating that Sony is in talks to buy Kadokawa.
Guest 1: Hiroshi Nishimura from Kadokawa Holdings.
Guest 2: Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO, Jim Ryan.
Section 1: Background and Implications of the Potential Acquisition
Guest 1: Can you tell us more about the possible acquisition of Kadokawa by Sony? How do you see this affecting your current operations and future plans?
Guest 2: Given your previous experience in the industry, Mr. Nishimura, how would you assess the potential impact of the deal on Kadokawa’s intellectual property portfolio, including popular franchises like Elden Ring and the Dark Souls series?
Section 2: Expansion of Sony’s Entertainment Empire
Guest 1: From Kadokawa’s perspective, what are some of the unique opportunities that come with joining the Sony Group? On the other hand, what are the challenges you anticipate in this potential venture?
Guest 2: Mr. Ryan, could you elaborate on Sony’s strategy behind this acquisition and how it fits into the company’s larger vision for its entertainment business? Do you see gaming and anime/manga content playing an increasingly important role in Sony’s future plans?
Section 3: Impact on Kadokawa and the Entertainment Industry
Guest 1: Given the growing popularity of anime and gaming content on streaming platforms, how do you think the potential acquisition will impact both industries? Do you have any plans for collaborations or expansion into new markets?
Guest 2: Mr. Ryan, what are some of the advantages and challenges that Sony faces as it continues its transformation into an entertainment giant? How do you plan to navigate potential changes in consumer preferences and market dynamics?
Section 4: Technical Challenges and Data Security
Guest 1: Following the cyber
