Sony Group Corporation and Bandai Namco Holdings have signed a ‘strategic business alliance agreement’ in a deal worth 68 billion yen ($463 Million). This deal has seen Sony Group acquire 16 million shares of Bandai Namco, or around 2.5% of the company.
In a statement, it was revealed that the focus of the deal will be to expand ‘the fan community for IP such as anime and manga around the world.’
‘Rapid Market Growth’
The subtitle for the partnership announcement from Sony and Bandai Namco referenced ‘strengthening engagement among anime and manga fans and creating new and emotionally moving experiences.’ No specifics beyond that have been outlined in the deal, but the statement proposed that the future is bright.
Here’s the bulk of the release:
Through this business alliance and Sony’s investment in Bandai Namco, as two of the leading Japanese entertainment companies, Bandai Namco and Sony will focus on expanding the fan community for IP such as anime and manga around the world and strengthening engagement, particularly in the anime field where rapid market growth is anticipated, while merging their strengths to create new and emotionally moving experiences for fans, and as a result of these efforts maximize the value of IP.
Bandai Namco and Sony have historically collaborated on various projects in the fields such as games, anime and music, and they plan to extend this collaboration to a broader range of areas. The two companies intend to implement initiatives including the expansion of works as well as products and services based on IP developed by Bandai Namco, leveraging Sony’s strengths in areas such as the production and distribution of anime and other video content, as well as merchandising.
They also plan to engage in detailed discussions regarding the joint development and promotion of IP such as anime and manga, in addition to planning and technical collaboration on experiential entertainment. Furthermore, the two companies plan to explore opportunities to support creators by jointly developing and operating entertainment-related technologies and services, and to engage in joint investments and business alliances in fan engagement areas.
Bandai Namco’s EVP Nobuhiko Momoi said, ‘We are filled with excitement about the potential to create new entertainment.’ Sony Group’s Chief Strategy Officer, Toshimoto Mitomo, said, ‘We will further accelerate our efforts to maximize IP value and realize Sony’s long-term vision.’
Are you excited to see what this partnership produces? Let me know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming forum.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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Nintendo also has shares in them? How does this change things?
Nintendo owns a smaller share. Also this is weird is this for anime or gaming they can’t have both. Sony is just making a mess what is their plan? Nintendo is just a gaming company that their investment, Toho is a film/TV company, Sony is all over the place and worse they want to buy WB if they do that which seems likely given the pull Sony Pictures has it will be catastrophe for Sony they will close down. Same with their investment in Kadokawa and attempt to acquire them. Do they want to be Japanese, Hollywood, a video game company they can’t be all.
This is apparently only for anime not really games. Already see people blowing this out of proportions not to mention Bandai game IP isn’t the most robust. FGC needs to calm down. Sony needs to divest. FCC should crack on them