Sony Invests Big in Bandai Namco to Expand Anime Reach

Sony Group Corporation and Bandai Namco Holdings have signed a strategic business alliance agreement aimed at strengthening engagement among anime and manga fans. This deal includes Sony’s acquisition of 16 million Bandai Namco shares for 68 billion yen, making Sony a shareholder with approximately 2.5% of Bandai Namco’s total issued shares.

See the announcement description:

Through this business alliance and Sony’s investment in Bandai Namco, as two of Japan’s leading entertainment companies, Bandai Namco and Sony will focus on expanding the global fan community for [intellectual property] such as anime and manga and strengthening engagement—especially in anime where market growth is projected to accelerate. By combining strengths, they will create new exciting experiences for fans, ultimately maximizing [intellectual property] value through these initiatives.

Bandai Namco and Sony have historically collaborated on projects spanning games, anime, and music, now extending cooperation to broader areas. Both companies will implement initiatives to expand Bandai Namco-developed [intellectual property]-based works, products and services by leveraging Sony’s strengths in anime/video content production/distribution and merchandising. They will also discuss joint [intellectual property] development/promotion for anime/manga, plus experiential entertainment planning and technical collaboration. Furthermore, they plan to explore creator support through joint development/operation of entertainment technologies/services, alongside joint investments and business alliances in fan engagement areas.