Sony's proposed acquisition of Kadokawa has sparked a surprising reaction: employee enthusiasm. Despite potential loss of independence, Kadokawa staff express optimism about the tech giant's involvement. Let's explore the reasons behind this positive outlook.

Sony and Kadokawa Acquisition: Ongoing Negotiations

While Sony has publicly declared its intention to acquire Kadokawa, and Kadokawa has acknowledged this, final agreements remain pending. Analyst perspectives are divided, with Takahiro Suzuki of Weekly Bunshun suggesting the deal benefits Sony more than Kadokawa. Sony's strategic shift towards entertainment, coupled with its relative weakness in IP creation, makes Kadokawa's extensive portfolio—including titles like Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi, and Elden Ring—a highly attractive asset. However, this acquisition could compromise Kadokawa's autonomy and lead to stricter management, potentially stifling creative freedom.

Unexpectedly Positive Employee Sentiment

Paradoxically, many Kadokawa employees reportedly welcome the acquisition. Interviews with Weekly Bunshun suggest a prevailing sentiment of approval, with the common question being, "Why not Sony?" This positive reception stems partly from dissatisfaction with the current leadership under Takeshi Natsuno.

Dissatisfaction with Current Leadership

A veteran Kadokawa employee highlighted widespread employee discontent with the Natsuno administration, citing the 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 Natsuno has fueled the desire for change, with many employees hoping a Sony takeover would lead to a leadership change.

In conclusion, while the Sony-Kadokawa acquisition presents potential drawbacks regarding Kadokawa's independence, the positive employee response reveals underlying issues within the company's current structure and leadership. The acquisition may ultimately be a catalyst for positive change, despite the shift in ownership.