All articles tagged with #kadokawa
BBC Studios, Kadokawa and Wheel in Motion are developing a 10-episode live-action series based on Kadono’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, with Irena Brignull writing; the project, linked to the 40th anniversary of the book, follows 13-year-old witch Kiki as she starts a delivery service in the port town of Koriko for a global family audience.
An activist investor group led by Oasis Management is pressuring Kadokawa to let FromSoftware self-publish its games, arguing Bandai Namco’s publishing deals dilute Kadokawa’s value despite Elden Ring’s global success. The bid targets Kadokawa’s CEO Takeshi Natsuno with a June 24 general meeting vote looming. While Oasis notes FromSoftware could face rights hurdles for certain franchises, the studio’s own The Duskbloods shows a potential self-publishing path, even as fans worry Oasis might meddle in development and strategy.
Amid Kadokawa's power struggle with Oasis Management, FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki publicly affirmed a development environment that lets the studio create without heavy interference, signaling no immediate changes despite Oasis's calls to oust Kadokawa leadership and push self-publishing. Kadokawa backs keeping President Takeshi Natsuno while noting publishing decisions are made case-by-case; Oasis argues FromSoftware could self-publish to capture more value, but the path and timing remain unsettled. Miyazaki's remarks are personal but carry weight, suggesting FromSoftware's creative independence remains intact for now.
Kadokawa’s latest earnings report reiterates that FromSoftware’s Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and The Duskbloods are still planned for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, following a 2025/26 update that set a 2026 window. Reports of eShop listings and online advertising have fueled the speculation, but exact dates and port performance remain unconfirmed pending further announcements, likely from a future Direct.
Kadokawa’s financial report reiterates that FromSoftware’s Switch 2 titles The Duskbloods and Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition are planned for release in 2026, despite months of silence. Elden Ring on Switch 2 will include the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and two new classes, while The Duskbloods remains largely mysterious beyond a trailer and its multiplayer-focused premise, with no firm dates yet.
Hong Kong–based Oasis Management has acquired an 8.86% stake in Kadokawa (over 13 million shares), signaling intent to push governance changes aimed at boosting shareholder returns; the move comes after Oasis previously pressed Nintendo on monetization ideas, and Kadokawa’s holdings include game studios such as FromSoftware, Spike Chunsoft and Acquire, potentially giving the investor influence across gaming and entertainment interests.
Kadokawa announced that FromSoftware's Elden Ring Nightreign DLC is expected to be released by March 2026, along with other titles like the Duskbloods and the Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2, as part of their ongoing development pipeline.
An official anime adaptation of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, titled Sekiro: No Defeat, has been announced, set to feature fully hand-drawn animation and debut later in 2026 exclusively on Crunchyroll outside Japan, China, and Korea. The adaptation aims to respectfully bring the game's story and aesthetic to life, with a talented cast and crew involved in its production.
Kadokawa's stock rose following strong sales of FromSoftware's Elden Ring, which sold 30 million copies and generated additional revenue from DLC and new game releases, boosting investor confidence despite a moderate analyst rating and a slight stock increase.
Sony is in advanced talks to acquire Kadokawa Corporation, a major player in Japanese entertainment, with a focus on anime and video games. Kadokawa insists on a full buyout, while Sony has been interested in specific segments like anime and gaming. The acquisition would enhance Sony's anime portfolio, complementing its existing assets like Aniplex and Crunchyroll. Kadokawa's ownership of FromSoftware, known for games like Dark Souls, adds value to the deal. Other potential buyers include Microsoft and Tencent.
Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of FromSoftware, is open to being acquired by Sony, with negotiations reportedly at a formal stage. The acquisition would enhance Sony's position in the anime and gaming sectors, allowing it to leverage Kadokawa's extensive media assets, including over 100,000 anime and sci-fi novels and comics. While Kadokawa has received an initial letter of intent from Sony, no final decision has been made.
Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of FromSoftware, is reportedly encouraging Sony to acquire it to prevent a hostile takeover by foreign companies like Kakao Corp. While Sony has shown interest in strategic investments, it has not committed to a full purchase. Bloomberg reports that Kadokawa's market value has risen to $4.1 billion amid acquisition rumors, complicating potential deals. Analysts suggest that acquiring Kadokawa would benefit Sony, particularly due to its anime assets, with FromSoftware being an added advantage.
Sony Group Corp. is considering a major acquisition of Kadokawa, a prominent anime publisher, which could become one of the largest takeovers in Japan's entertainment industry. This move is seen as a strategic opportunity for Sony to expand its influence in the anime sector, outweighing potential risks.
Sony is reportedly interested in acquiring Kadokawa to strengthen its position in the anime industry by owning more intellectual property (IP). This move follows Sony's recent acquisitions of anime distributors like Crunchyroll and Right Stuf, aiming to consolidate its distribution and production capabilities. By acquiring Kadokawa, Sony could gain control over a significant amount of anime and manga IP, potentially reshaping the industry landscape by reducing the number of productions but increasing their quality and franchise potential.
Sony Group Corp. is exploring a potential acquisition of Kadokawa Corp., a major Japanese publisher of anime, manga, and games, which could significantly impact the anime industry. While the move aligns with Sony's strategy to secure early-phase intellectual property and strengthen its anime production capabilities, it raises concerns about market concentration and potential influence on content due to political correctness. The acquisition could enhance Sony's vertical integration in the anime sector, similar to Disney's role in Western animation, but also poses challenges related to profit participation and market competition.