Kadokawa Aims High With 9000 IP Publications Annually

Sony Group Is Its Biggest Shareholder

With Sony Group's significant investment and acquisition of a 10% stake, Kadokawa is setting ambitious goals to publish 9,000 original IP titles each year. This bold move was discussed by Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno in an interview with the Japanese newspaper Nikkei (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun). Natsuno outlined plans to ramp up their publishing output to 9,000 titles annually by the fiscal year 2027, a target that represents a 1.5-fold increase from their output in the fiscal year 2023.

Leveraging Sony's global distribution infrastructure, Kadokawa aims to expand its reach overseas. This strategic partnership with Sony, now its largest shareholder, is a key component in achieving these lofty goals. Kadokawa's confidence in reaching this ambitious target is evident in its medium-term management plan, which projects hitting 7,000 titles by the fiscal year 2025.

Image From Kadokawa’s Official Website

To support this expansion, Kadokawa plans to increase its editorial staff to around 1,000, a 1.4-fold increase. This staffing boost is designed to enhance efficiency and help meet their growth targets without overburdening their workforce.

More Titles, More Adaptations, Natsuno Says

As part of their strategy, Kadokawa is focusing on a "media mix strategy" that will bring more of their IPs to life through anime and game adaptations. Natsuno emphasized the importance of creating a system that fosters variety and diversity in their works, aiming to produce major hits. This approach not only diversifies Kadokawa's offerings but also strengthens its market position.

The partnership with Sony is mutually beneficial, especially for Sony's anime streaming service, Crunchyroll, which has over 15 million paid subscribers. This collaboration will allow more Kadokawa-owned IPs to be featured on Crunchyroll, enhancing its anime collection.

Kadokawa's impressive IP library includes popular titles such as Bungo Stray Dogs, Oshi no Ko, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Delicious in Dungeon, and My Happy Marriage. Their portfolio also encompasses renowned video game IPs like Elden Ring, Dragon Quest (FromSoftware), the Danganronpa series (Spike Chunsoft), and Mario & Luigi Brotherhood (Acquire), highlighting the strength of Kadokawa's developers.

Sony has expressed interest in expanding into the multimedia market, aiming to produce more live-action film and TV show adaptations, as well as co-producing and exporting anime adaptations globally. This alliance with Kadokawa is a strategic step toward achieving these objectives.