Sony Group Corporationhas consolidated as an undisputed leader in the global entertainment market, increasing its investment in anime as part of its business strategy in recent years. However, according to recent statements, the company isn’t planning to slow down any time soon. Sony revealed that the corporation is looking to expand much more aggressively into the anime medium.
Although the acquisition of Crunchyroll in 2020 was considered a risky move at the time, it turned out to be one of Sony’s best business strategies, serving to strengthen its role in the global anime market in both production and distribution. However, Sony is far from satisfied, hinting at a possible shift in the anime industry’s dynamics in the future.
Sony Is Preparing to Shock the Anime Industry
The skyrocketing growth of Sony’s anime business is only just beginning, according to Toshimoto Mitomo, the corporation’s chief strategy officer, who is currently in charge of developing anime IP. In a recent statementshared by Toyo Keizai, Mitomo compared the current stage of Sony’s anime business to the transition period between the PlayStation 1 and 2 consoles.
“It’s in a phase roughly equivalent to the period between the launch of the PS1 and PS2.” - Toshimoto Mitomo
Mitomo’s statement highlights how anime has become a cornerstone for Sony, proving that the potential of the industry is comparable to that of the PlayStation, one of the top video game consoles worldwide. Likewise, this expansion could change the balance of power within the anime industry, asSony has recently become a shareholder of Bandai Namcoand Kadokawa.
Kadokawa is a leading publishing company with popular titles such asRe:Zero,while Bandai Namcohouses its own animation studio and game franchises likeDragon Ball. Because of this, the revelation that Sony’s anime business is only taking off even afterthe acquisition of Kadokawaand Bandai Namco teases that the corporation may be aiming to monopolize the industry.
Sony May Bring a New Era for Anime
Sony is looking to maximize its position in the anime industry despite its already notable impact in recent years, with the corporation currently collaborating with leading studios such as A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks and with subsidiaries like Aniplex being involved in the production and distribution of global hits likePuella Magi Madoka MagicaandFate/strange Fake.
Furthermore, in a recent report from itsBusiness Segment Presentation & Fireside Chat 2025, Sony confirmed its plans to diversify within the anime industry, highlighting that its current core IPs areDemon SlayerandSolo Leveling. This may be great news for fans, as the growth of Sony’s anime business could bring a wave of more productions in the upcoming months.
