Sony's Potential Acquisition of Kadokawa: Employee Enthusiasm Amidst Concerns
Sony's confirmed interest in acquiring Kadokawa has sparked mixed reactions. While analysts suggest the deal benefits Sony more, Kadokawa employees reportedly express optimism about the potential change in ownership. Let's delve into the details.
A Strategic Move for Sony, but at What Cost for Kadokawa?
Sony's shift towards entertainment necessitates bolstering its intellectual property portfolio. Kadokawa, with its extensive library of successful anime (like Oshi no Ko and Dungeon Meshi), manga, and games (including Elden Ring), presents a highly attractive acquisition target. However, as analyst Takahiro Suzuki points out to Weekly Bunshun, this could come at the cost of Kadokawa's independence and potentially stricter management. The concern is that projects not directly contributing to IP development might face increased scrutiny.
Employee Morale and the Natsuno Administration
Despite potential drawbacks, the response from Kadokawa employees has been surprisingly positive. Interviews with Weekly Bunshun reveal a general lack of opposition to a Sony acquisition, with many expressing a preference for Sony over the current leadership. This sentiment stems largely from dissatisfaction with the current President and CEO, Takeshi Natsuno, and his handling of a significant data breach earlier this year.
The June cyberattack by the BlackSuit hacking group resulted in the theft of over 1.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive employee information. Natsuno's perceived inadequate response to this crisis has fueled employee discontent, making a change in leadership a welcome prospect. Many believe a Sony takeover could lead to Natsuno's removal, contributing to the positive outlook among staff.
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