Sony's Planned Acquisition of Kadokawa: Employee Enthusiasm Despite Potential Loss of Independence
Sony's confirmed bid to acquire the Japanese media conglomerate Kadokawa has sparked a surprising reaction: employee excitement. While the acquisition might mean a loss of independence, Kadokawa staff express optimism, a sentiment explored further below. Negotiations are ongoing, and no final decision has been announced.
Analyst: A Better Deal for Sony
Economic analyst Takahiro Suzuki, in an interview with Weekly Bunshun, suggests the acquisition benefits Sony more than Kadokawa. Sony's shift towards entertainment necessitates a stronger IP portfolio, a weakness the analyst believes Kadokawa's extensive library—including titles like Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi, and Elden Ring—can address. However, this comes at the cost of Kadokawa's autonomy. As reported by Automaton West, increased oversight and stricter management are likely under Sony's control, potentially stifling creative freedom.
Kadokawa Employees Welcome the Change
Despite the potential drawbacks, Weekly Bunshun reports a largely positive employee response to the proposed acquisition. Many interviewed expressed approval, viewing Sony as a preferable alternative to the current leadership.
This positive sentiment stems from widespread dissatisfaction with the current CEO, Takeshi Natsuno, and his handling of a significant June cyberattack by the BlackSuit hacking group. The breach compromised over 1.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive employee information. The perceived inadequate response to this crisis fueled employee discontent, leading to a hope that Sony's acquisition might bring about a change in leadership. The sentiment among many employees is simply: "Why not Sony?"
