Sony's Investment Drives Ambitious Goal for 9000+ Original IPs Yearly

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 50% increase from their 2023 output. This aggressive expansion is fueled by Sony's significant investment and acquisition of 10% of Kadokawa's shares.

Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno, in an interview with Nikkei, outlined the strategy. Leveraging Sony's global distribution network, Kadokawa plans significant international expansion. A medium-term plan projects 7,000 titles by fiscal 2025, paving the way for the ultimate goal. Staffing will also increase by 40%, reaching approximately 1,000 editorial employees to manage the increased workload efficiently.

This expansion includes a "media mix strategy," adapting successful IPs into anime, games, and other media. Natsuno emphasizes diversity and a system designed to cultivate major hits. This collaboration benefits Sony, whose Crunchyroll platform (with over 15 million subscribers) will gain access to a wider range of Kadokawa's anime IPs.

Kadokawa's extensive IP portfolio includes titles like Bungo Stray Dogs, Oshi no Ko, and The Rising of the Shield Hero, along with popular video game franchises such as Elden Ring and Dragon Quest. Sony's interest in multimedia expansion, including live-action adaptations and anime co-production, aligns perfectly with this partnership.

The synergy between Kadokawa's content creation and Sony's global reach promises a significant impact on the multimedia landscape. This ambitious undertaking aims to redefine the scale of original IP production and distribution.