Reuters, citing its sources, reports that Sony Group Corporation aims to expand its entertainment portfolio by purchasing the Japanese media holding Kadokawa Corporation.
Image source: Steam (Gagan4121)
The two sides are currently in talks, according to two Reuters people with knowledge of the matter. If the dialogue is successful, a deal could be concluded in the coming weeks.
The editors of Reuters turned to Sony Group Corporation and Kadokawa Corporation for comments – the first refused to provide a statement, and the second said that it “cannot” do so.
Image source: Gematsu
The history of Kadokawa began in 1945. The company is involved in publishing books, manga and magazines, visual products (films and anime) and cross-media. Its market capitalization is estimated at $2.7 billion.
Among other things, Kadokawa Corporation owns several game studios, including Acquire, Spike Chunsoft and FromSoftware – developers of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Elden Ring.
Will Bloodborne on PC become a reality? (image source: Kotaku)
Sony Group already owns a 2% stake in Kadokawa Corporation and a 14% stake in FromSoftware. Additionally, the companies entered into an alliance in 2021 to strengthen their gaming and animation businesses.
Bloomberg adds that amid news of Kadokawa’s possible merger with Sony, shares of Bandai Namco Holdings, the international publisher of Elden Ring, immediately fell by 8.7%.