Sony Eyeing Kadokawa Acquisition

Sony's Potential Acquisition of Kadokawa: Employee Enthusiasm Amidst Concerns

Sony's confirmed interest in acquiring Kadokawa has generated a surprising reaction: widespread employee optimism within Kadokawa, despite potential losses in autonomy. This article explores the reasons behind this positive outlook.

A Strategic Move for Sony, but Uncertainties for Kadokawa?

While Sony's intention to purchase the Japanese publishing conglomerate is official, final decisions are pending. Analyst Takahiro Suzuki, in an interview with Weekly Bunshun, suggests the acquisition benefits Sony more significantly than Kadokawa. Sony's shift towards entertainment necessitates a stronger IP portfolio, a weakness Kadokawa excels in, boasting titles like Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi, and Elden Ring.

However, this acquisition compromises Kadokawa's independence, potentially leading to stricter management and increased scrutiny of projects not directly contributing to IP development. As noted by Automaton West, this shift could stifle creative freedom.

Kadokawa Employees Welcome the Change

Despite potential downsides, Weekly Bunshun reports a largely positive employee response to the potential Sony takeover. Many interviewed expressed a lack of opposition, viewing Sony as a preferable alternative to the current leadership.

This positive sentiment stems from dissatisfaction with the current Natsuno administration, particularly its handling of a June cyberattack by the BlackSuit hacking group. The breach compromised vast amounts of data, including sensitive employee information. The perceived inadequate response from President Takeshi Natsuno fueled employee discontent, leading many to believe a Sony acquisition might bring about necessary leadership changes. The hope is that Sony will address these shortcomings and potentially improve the company's future.