Sony and Kadokawa strengthen partnership to expand games and anime globally.

Sony Interactive Entertainment and Kadokawa Corporation, owner of FromSoftware, are expanding their strategic partnership to bring games, anime, and other media to a global audience. The collaboration, which arose after Sony's investment in Kadokawa in 2021, was detailed in a recent conference with investors, revealing ambitious plans for the creation and distribution of intellectual properties beyond Japan.

What changes with this partnership?

Kadokawa's strategy, supported by Sony, will be divided into two main fronts: IP creation and global distribution. The idea is to strengthen the production of anime, games, and digital content, as well as boost its presence in international markets.

1. IP Creation

The goal is to develop new franchises and strengthen existing ones, covering the sectors of animation, cinema, digital publications, and games. This segment is divided into three areas:

Discovery and Development:

• Creation of anime and films with new technologies, such as virtual production.
• Use of UGC (User-Generated Content) platforms to discover new creators.
   

Production:

• Development and co-production of anime and films.
   

Investment and Acquisition:

• Acquisition of publishers, animation studios, and game developers, both in Japan and abroad.
   

2. IP Distribution

Sony and Kadokawa will work together to maximize the global exposure of their products, strengthening digital and physical distribution.

Expansion of Game Publishing:

• Kadokawa will have Sony's support for publishing games outside of Japan, expanding the reach of titles like Elden Ring and future productions from FromSoftware.
   

Integration of IPs:

• Strengthening the Media Mix strategy, where franchises can have adaptations for cinema, anime, and games within the Sony ecosystem.
   

Digital Distribution of Publications:

• Sony will assist in the distribution of Kadokawa's mangas and e-books, strengthening the global presence of digital content.
   

With this partnership, Kadokawa will be able to expand its international influence, while Sony reinforces its portfolio of anime and games, creating a more integrated ecosystem. For gamers, this could mean faster global releases, greater support for franchises like Elden Ring, and possibly new projects between Sony and FromSoftware.