Sony's potential acquisition of Kadokawa has sparked excitement among Kadokawa employees, despite concerns about a loss of independence. This article explores the reasons behind their optimism.
Analyst Predicts Acquisition Benefits Sony More
Sony's confirmed interest in acquiring Kadokawa, while still under negotiation, has generated mixed reactions. Analyst Takahiro Suzuki, in an interview with Weekly Bunshun, suggests the deal would primarily benefit Sony. Suzuki notes Sony's shift towards entertainment, but its weakness in IP creation. Kadokawa's extensive IP portfolio, encompassing popular anime like Oshi no Ko and Dungeon Meshi, and the acclaimed game Elden Ring, makes it an attractive target for Sony to bolster its content offerings. However, this acquisition could lead to reduced autonomy for Kadokawa. As Automaton West translates, the potential loss of independence and tighter management could hinder Kadokawa's creative freedom, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of projects not directly focused on IP development.
Kadokawa Employees Express Positive Sentiment
Despite potential drawbacks, many Kadokawa employees reportedly welcome the prospect of a Sony takeover. Weekly Bunshun interviews reveal a generally positive atmosphere, with employees expressing a preference for Sony as an acquirer. This positive outlook is partly attributed to dissatisfaction with the current leadership under President Takeshi Natsuno.
A veteran employee highlighted widespread enthusiasm for the Sony acquisition, citing disappointment with Natsuno's handling of a significant data breach in June. The BlackSuit hacking group's ransomware attack compromised over 1.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive employee information. The perceived inadequate response from Natsuno fueled employee discontent, leading to hopes that a Sony acquisition might bring about a change in leadership.
