Sony soon to own Elden Ring and your favorite manga?

Will From Software games become PlayStation exclusives? This future is not impossible now that Sony is preparing to Buy Kadokawa. The press agency Reuters revealed the news this morning to everyone’s surprise. According to their information, the parent company of PlayStation is in talks to acquire the Japanese entertainment giant. In 2022, Sony and Tencent had already obtained shares in the studioElden Ringbut the stakes are very different this time. Kadokawa isn’t just the company that runs From Software: it’s a massive corporation in charge of many forms of media.

In broad terms, the group notably owns the video game magazine Famitsu, studios such as Spike Chunsoft (Danganronpa, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero…) and Acquire (Octopath Traveler, Mario & Luigi: The fraternal epic…) as well as Japan’s most popular video platform: Niconico. On the archipelago, this possible buyout is therefore particularly symbolic. In addition to the possibility of bringing numerous franchises under its umbrella, Sony is also poised to expand its place in the manga and animation industry.

What impact on the Japanese cultural industry?

According to the sources of Reuters, discussions are well underway and could be concluded in the coming weeks. Will Sony start the year 2025 with a new cultural arsenal under its belt? Between the lackluster performance of the PlayStation 5 Pro and the half-admitted failure of the PlayStation VR 2, the Japanese company has every interest in strengthening its positions in other areas. The question of a merger between the manufacturer and new video game studios already excites the industry, but it would be a shame to overshadow other major acquisitions.

Kadokawa is also a leader in manga, animation and related products. By buying such a juggernaut, Sony could offer itself a place of choice in many popular areas. On the anime production side alone, the company would then be in charge of renowned series such as Dungeons and Gluttons, Re:Zero or Konosuba to name just a few. Now, only time will tell us if the Kadokawa takeover will really impact these studios and their productions. Sony will have every interest in staying the course to avoid offending players and spectators. While waiting for further news, remember that the appointment of the DLC ofElden Ring in the category “game of the year” at the Game Awards did not fail to make a big splash.

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