Kadokawa Sets Ambitious Goal: 9,000 Original IP Publications Annually
Following a significant investment from Sony Group, acquiring 10% of its shares, Kadokawa Corporation has set an ambitious target: publishing 9,000 original intellectual property (IP) titles per year by fiscal year 2027. This represents a 50% increase over their 2023 output.
Kadokawa President Takeshi Natsuno, in an interview with Nikkei (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun), outlined the company's plan. This expansion includes leveraging Sony's global distribution network to broaden Kadokawa's international reach. Their medium-term plan projects reaching 7,000 titles by fiscal year 2025, demonstrating confidence in achieving their ultimate goal. To support this expansion, Kadokawa plans to increase its editorial staff by 40%, aiming for approximately 1,000 employees. This strategic increase in personnel aims to improve efficiency and prevent staff overwork.
Image From Kadokawa’s Official Website
A Media Mix Strategy for Growth
Kadokawa's strategy involves a "media mix approach," expanding existing IPs into anime, games, and other media. Natsuno emphasized the goal of creating a system where diverse content leads to major successes. This synergistic approach will benefit Sony, particularly its Crunchyroll streaming service, which boasts over 15 million paid subscribers. The partnership will significantly expand Crunchyroll's anime library with Kadokawa's extensive IP portfolio.
Kadokawa's impressive IP library includes renowned titles such as Bungo Stray Dogs, Oshi no Ko, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Delicious in Dungeon, and My Happy Marriage. Their portfolio also encompasses popular video game IPs, including those developed by studios under the Kadokawa umbrella, such as FromSoftware (Elden Ring), Spike Chunsoft (Danganronpa), and Acquire (Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story).
This collaboration aligns with Sony's broader multimedia ambitions, encompassing live-action adaptations, anime co-productions, and international distribution.
