Now backed by the Sony Group, Kadokawa has set an ambitious target of 9,000 original IP publications annually. Discover their strategic plan to achieve this impressive goal!
Kadokawa Aims High With 9000 IP Publications Annually
Sony Group Is Its Biggest Shareholder
With a significant investment from Sony, which now holds a 10% stake in the company, Kadokawa is poised to ramp up its production to 9,000 original IP titles per year. In an interview with the Japanese newspaper Nikkei (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun), Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno disclosed plans to boost their publishing output to this level by fiscal year 2027. This ambitious target represents a 1.5-fold increase over their fiscal year 2023 output.
Leveraging Sony Group’s status as its largest shareholder, Kadokawa plans to expand its reach internationally using Sony's robust "global distribution infrastructure" to distribute its IPs worldwide. Confident in their strategy, Kadokawa’s medium-term management plan projects a milestone of 7,000 titles by fiscal year 2025.
To support this growth, Kadokawa intends to expand its editorial team to approximately 1,000 members, an increase of 1.4 times the current staff. This expansion aims to enhance efficiency and meet growth targets without overburdening existing employees.
More Titles, More Adaptations, Natsuno Says
As part of their expansion strategy, Kadokawa is set to enrich its offerings with a "media mix strategy" that involves bringing more of its IPs to life through anime and game adaptations. President Natsuno emphasized, "We want to create a system where pursuing variety and diversity in our works leads to major hits."
This partnership also promises benefits for Sony, particularly through its anime streaming platform, Crunchyroll, which boasts over 15 million paid subscribers. The collaboration will enable more Kadokawa IPs to be featured on Crunchyroll, enhancing its anime library.
Kadokawa's IP portfolio is already impressive, including notable titles like Bungo Stray Dogs, Oshi no Ko, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Delicious in Dungeon, and My Happy Marriage. In addition, their video game IPs are equally renowned, featuring hits like Elden Ring, Dragon Quest (FromSoftware), the Danganronpa series (Spike Chunsoft), and Mario & Luigi Brotherhood (Acquire), among others, developed by studios within the Kadokawa group.
Sony's interest in the multimedia market aligns well with Kadokawa's goals, as Sony aims to increase its production of live-action films and TV shows, co-produce anime adaptations, and manage their global distribution. This synergy is set to propel both companies towards greater success in the entertainment industry.
