T4K3.news

Sony acquires 2.5% stake in Bandai Namco

Sony expands its anime influence by purchasing shares in Bandai Namco.

July 24, 2025 at 03:19 PM

After increasing shares in FromSoftware owner Kadokawa, Sony now owns 2.5% of Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco

Sony's recent investment in Bandai Namco signals a stronger push into the anime industry.

Sony increases stake in Bandai Namco to enhance anime offerings

Sony has acquired a 2.5 percent stake in Bandai Namco, the publisher behind popular titles like Elden Ring. This acquisition supports a strategic partnership aimed at expanding global engagement in the anime and manga markets. The deal, which amounts to about 68 billion yen or $464 million, is part of Sony's ongoing efforts to strengthen its foothold in the anime industry, following its previous investment in Kadokawa. Both companies expressed a desire to create innovative experiences for fans by leveraging their capabilities in production, distribution, and merchandising of animated content, although there was no mention of exclusive games linked to this partnership.

Key Takeaways

✔️

Sony now owns 2.5% of Bandai Namco, focusing on anime and manga.

✔️

The partnership aims to expand the global anime fan community.

✔️

This investment is the latest in Sony's push into the anime market.

✔️

Sony previously became the largest shareholder in Kadokawa, also anime-focused.

✔️

The partnership emphasizes leveraging both companies' strengths in content creation.

✔️

No plans for exclusive gaming titles have been addressed yet.

"Through this business alliance and Sony's investment in Bandai Namco, we will focus on expanding the fan community for IP."

This quote from the companies outlines their collaborative goals emphasizing the expansion of anime and manga.

"Sony is committed to creating emotionally moving experiences for fans."

This statement captures Sony's intent to enhance fan engagement in the anime sector.

Sony's acquisition of shares in Bandai Namco represents a calculated move within a booming anime sector. As streaming services and consumer interest in anime rise globally, this partnership may help Sony harness its distribution strengths to broaden the reach of popular IP. The focus on collaborative initiatives reflects a growing trend where major players aim to create interconnected experiences, enhancing both production values and audience engagement through tailored content.