Sony Group Corporation announced that it has acquired a 2.5% stake in Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. and entered into a strategic business alliance with the company to enhance global fan engagement and strengthen the development of anime and manga-related intellectual property.
According to a statement released by the company, Sony purchased 16 million shares of Bandai Namco from existing shareholders for approximately 68 billion日元。
Through this alliance, the two companies plan to expand fan communities around the world, particularly in the anime field, where rapid market growth is expected, by combining their respective strengths.
“Through this business alliance and Sony’s investment in Bandai Namco作為日本領先的兩家娛樂公司，Bandai Namco和Sony將專注於擴大IP的粉絲社區，例如動漫和世界各地的漫畫和加強參與度，尤其是在預期市場快速增長的動漫領域，同時將他們的實力合併為創造新的和情感上的經驗，並為粉絲提供了新的努力，並將這些公司的努力
合作夥伴關係下的關鍵舉措包括利用索尼在動漫和視頻內容製作和發行中的能力以及商品，以支持Bandai Namco的IP策略。 They also plan to engage in joint development and promotion of new IP, and pursue technical collaboration in experiential entertainment projects.
In addition, the companies will explore opportunities to support creators through shared development of entertainment-related technologies and services.
Nobuhiko Momoi, Executive Vice President of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., commented on the partnership, stating, “The Bandai Namco Group promotes an “ IP軸策略”旨在通過利用IP的吸引力和世界觀來最大化IP價值，在最佳地區提供最佳的產品和服務，我們充滿了對Sony Group的優勢和與Bandai namco粉絲的各種娛樂領域相結合的興奮，以創造新的娛樂活動。 the future together, and realize our Purpose, ‘Fun for All into the Future,’ and Mid-to Long-term Vision, ‘Connect with Fans.’“
Sony’s Chief Strategy Officer Toshimoto Mitomo also echoed that sentiment, stating, “Through this partnership, we aim to co-create an array of content and experiences that exceed expectations and deliver Kando (emotion) to even more fans, alongside Bandai Namco Group, with its outstanding capacity for multidirectional expansion of diverse IP and deep connections with fans at real touchpoints, both domestically and internationally. By combining the strengths of both companies in the field of entertainment and unlocking the potential of compelling IP, we will further accelerate our efforts to maximize IP value and realize Sony’s long-term vision, ‘Creative Entertainment Vision’.“
This move follows a similar strategic investment by Sony earlier in the year. 2025年1月7日，索尼最終與Kadokawa Corporation完成了一家資本和商業聯盟，通過第三方分配，約有500億日元收購了其約10％的股份。這筆交易使索尼成為卡多川最大的股東。
與卡多川的聯盟也旨在加強IP創建和分銷方面的全球合作。當時，Kadokawa首席執行官Takeshi Natsuno表示，該聯盟將增強Kadokawa的全球IP創建和媒體混音功能。 Sony Coo Hiroki Totoki曾表示，這種夥伴關係將將Kadokawa的IP創建生態系統與索尼在動漫和遊戲中的全球娛樂擴展相結合。
來源:索尼的官方網站
