Sony's proposed acquisition of Japanese conglomerate Kadokawa has sparked a surprising reaction: employee enthusiasm. Despite the potential loss of independence, Kadokawa staff express optimism about the future under Sony's leadership. Let's explore the reasons behind this unexpected positivity.
Sony and Kadokawa: Ongoing Negotiations
A Strategic Move for Sony, Perhaps Less So for Kadokawa?
While both companies remain tight-lipped about the specifics, Sony's intentions to acquire Kadokawa are confirmed. Analyst Takahiro Suzuki, writing in Weekly Bunshun, suggests the acquisition benefits Sony more significantly than Kadokawa. Sony's shift towards entertainment necessitates a stronger IP portfolio, a weakness the acquisition of Kadokawa directly addresses. Kadokawa boasts a treasure trove of successful IPs spanning anime, manga, and video games, including titles like Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon), and the critically acclaimed Elden Ring.
However, this strategic move comes at a cost for Kadokawa: a potential loss of autonomy and stricter management. As Automaton West translates, concerns exist about the future of projects not directly contributing to IP creation under Sony's oversight.
Unexpected Optimism Among Kadokawa Employees
Despite the potential drawbacks, the prevailing sentiment among Kadokawa employees is surprisingly positive. Interviews conducted by Weekly Bunshun reveal a lack of opposition to the acquisition, with many expressing the sentiment, "Why not Sony?"
This optimism is fueled, in part, by dissatisfaction with the current Natsuno administration. A veteran employee highlighted widespread discontent stemming from the company's response to a June cyberattack by the BlackSuit hacking group. The breach resulted in the theft of over 1.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive employee information. The perceived inadequate response from President and CEO Takeshi Natsuno has fostered a desire for change. Many employees believe a Sony acquisition could lead to a change in leadership, contributing to their positive outlook.
