Japanese Gaming Giant Seeks Acquisition

Sony's Proposed Acquisition of Kadokawa: Employee Enthusiasm Despite Potential Loss of Independence

Sony's confirmed interest in acquiring Japanese conglomerate Kadokawa has sparked a wave of optimism among Kadokawa employees, despite concerns about a potential loss of independence. While negotiations are ongoing, the reaction highlights a complex situation.

A Strategic Move for Sony, Potentially Less So for Kadokawa

Economic analyst Takahiro Suzuki, as reported by Weekly Bunshun, suggests the acquisition benefits Sony more significantly than Kadokawa. Sony's shift towards entertainment necessitates robust intellectual property (IP) development, an area where Kadokawa excels with titles like Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi, and Elden Ring. However, this acquisition would place Kadokawa under Sony's direct control, potentially limiting its operational freedom. As noted by Automaton West, the loss of independence could lead to stricter management and increased scrutiny of projects not directly contributing to IP creation.

Kadokawa Employees Welcome the Change

Despite the potential drawbacks, Weekly Bunshun reports a largely positive employee response to the proposed acquisition. Many interviewed expressed a preference for Sony's ownership, viewing it as a preferable alternative to the current leadership under Takeshi Natsuno.

This sentiment stems from widespread dissatisfaction with Natsuno's handling of a June cyberattack by the BlackSuit hacking group. The attack resulted in the theft of over 1.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive employee information. Natsuno's perceived inadequate response to this crisis fueled employee discontent, leading to a belief that Sony's acquisition could usher in positive change, potentially starting with a change in leadership.