Sony Wants to Buy Kadokawa and Their Employees Are Thrilled

Sony's Proposed Acquisition of Kadokawa: Employee Enthusiasm Amidst Concerns

Sony's confirmed bid to acquire Japanese media conglomerate Kadokawa has sparked a wave of optimism among Kadokawa employees, despite potential implications for the company's independence. While negotiations are ongoing, the reaction highlights underlying dissatisfaction with current leadership and a belief that Sony could bring positive change.

A Strategic Move for Sony, but Uncertain for Kadokawa?

Analyst Takahiro Suzuki, writing in Weekly Bunshun, suggests the acquisition benefits Sony more than Kadokawa. Sony's shift towards entertainment necessitates bolstering its intellectual property (IP) portfolio, a strength Kadokawa possesses with franchises like Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi, and Elden Ring. However, this acquisition could compromise Kadokawa's autonomy and lead to stricter management, potentially stifling creative freedom. As noted by Automaton West, projects not directly contributing to IP development might face increased scrutiny.

Employee Optimism Despite Loss of Independence

Despite the potential downsides, Weekly Bunshun reports a positive employee sentiment towards a Sony takeover. Many interviewed expressed approval, viewing Sony as a preferable alternative to the current leadership under President Takeshi Natsuno.

This positive outlook is largely attributed to dissatisfaction with Natsuno's handling of a significant June cyberattack by the BlackSuit hacking group. The breach compromised over 1.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive employee information, and Natsuno's perceived inadequate response fueled employee discontent. Many hope a Sony acquisition will lead to a change in leadership.

The situation presents a complex picture: a potential boost for Sony's entertainment ambitions, countered by the potential loss of independence and creative freedom for Kadokawa, yet met with surprising optimism from within Kadokawa due to internal dissatisfaction with current management. The outcome of these negotiations remains to be seen.