Kadokawa Aims for 9,000 Original IP Publications Annually, Fueled by Sony Investment

Following a significant investment from Sony Group, acquiring 10% of its shares, Kadokawa Corporation has set an ambitious goal: publishing 9,000 original intellectual property (IP) titles annually by fiscal year 2027. This represents a 50% increase over their fiscal year 2023 output.

Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno, in an interview with Nikkei (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun), outlined the plan. The company's medium-term management plan projects 7,000 titles by fiscal year 2025, paving the way for the ultimate 9,000 target. This expansion will leverage Sony's global distribution infrastructure to broaden Kadokawa's international reach. To support this ambitious growth, Kadokawa plans to increase its editorial staff by 40%, to approximately 1,000 employees, ensuring efficient workflow and preventing staff overload.

Image From Kadokawa’s Official Website

Expanding Horizons: A Media Mix Strategy

This aggressive publishing strategy is coupled with a "media mix strategy," aiming to adapt successful IPs into anime, games, and other media. Natsuno emphasized the goal of creating a system where diverse content contributes to major successes. This collaboration benefits Sony, particularly its anime streaming platform Crunchyroll, which boasts over 15 million paid subscribers and will gain access to a wider library of Kadokawa IPs.

Kadokawa's existing IP portfolio is extensive and includes popular titles such as Bungo Stray Dogs, Oshi no Ko, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Delicious in Dungeon, and My Happy Marriage. Its influence extends to the gaming world, with its group companies developing titles like Elden Ring, Dragon Quest (FromSoftware), the Danganronpa series (Spike Chunsoft), and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (AlphaDream).

Sony's interest in expanding into multimedia entertainment aligns perfectly with this partnership. The company aims to increase its involvement in live-action adaptations and co-produce anime, further strengthening its global distribution capabilities.