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: A Better Deal for Sony
Sony's confirmed interest in acquiring Kadokawa has generated mixed reactions. While talks continue, analyst Takahiro Suzuki, as reported by Weekly Bunshun, suggests the acquisition would benefit Sony more than Kadokawa. Sony's shift towards entertainment necessitates strong intellectual property (IP), an area where Kadokawa excels, boasting popular titles like Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi, and Elden Ring. However, this acquisition would place Kadokawa under Sony's control, potentially limiting its creative freedom. As Automaton West notes, this could lead to stricter management and increased scrutiny of projects not directly contributing to IP development.
Employee Optimism Amidst Leadership Dissatisfaction
Interestingly, Weekly Bunshun reports a positive employee sentiment towards a potential Sony takeover. Many interviewed employees expressed no opposition, viewing Sony as a preferable alternative. This positive outlook is linked to widespread dissatisfaction with the current Natsuno administration. A veteran employee highlighted the prevalent enthusiasm for a Sony acquisition, citing the administration's inadequate response to a major data breach in June. The BlackSuit hacking group's ransomware attack compromised over 1.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive employee information. The perceived lack of decisive action from President Takeshi Natsuno has fueled employee discontent, leading to hopes that a Sony acquisition might bring about leadership changes.
