Sony Eyes Kadokawa Acquisition, Sparking Employee Excitement

Sony's potential acquisition of Kadokawa has sparked a wave of optimism among Kadokawa employees, despite concerns about a loss of independence. While negotiations continue, the reaction within Kadokawa reveals a complex situation.

Analyst: A Better Deal for Sony

Economic analyst Takahiro Suzuki, speaking to Weekly Bunshun, suggests the acquisition benefits Sony more than Kadokawa. Sony's shift towards entertainment necessitates strong intellectual property (IP), an area where Kadokawa excels with franchises like Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi, and Elden Ring. However, Suzuki notes the potential downside for Kadokawa: a loss of autonomy and stricter management under Sony's control. This could lead to increased scrutiny of projects not directly contributing to IP development.

Kadokawa Employees Welcome the Change

Despite this potential loss of independence, the prevailing sentiment among Kadokawa employees is reportedly positive. Interviews with Weekly Bunshun indicate widespread acceptance, with many expressing a preference for Sony as an acquirer. This positive outlook is partly attributed to dissatisfaction with the current leadership under President Takeshi Natsuno.

A veteran employee highlighted the widespread relief at the prospect of Sony's takeover, citing the inadequate response to a June cyberattack by the BlackSuit hacking group. This attack resulted in the theft of over 1.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive employee information, further fueling the desire for a change in leadership. Many believe Sony's acquisition would lead to Natsuno's removal.