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Kadokawa, one of Japan’s largest publishers of manga and light novels, is gearing up for an unprecedented expansion. By the 2027 fiscal year, the company plans to publish a staggering 9,000 titles annually, a 1.5-fold increase from its 2023 output. This ambitious goal comes as Kadokawa partners with Sony Group, which recently acquired a 10% stake in the company. The collaboration is expected to boost Kadokawa’s global reach, tapping into Sony’s vast entertainment network to maximize the value of its intellectual properties.
According to a report by Nikkei, Kadokawa President Tsuyoshi Natsuno shared that diversity and variety will be very important to this expansion. By fostering innovation across its creative works, Kadokawa aims to discover new hits while solidifying its position as a global leader in publishing. With a revamped editorial system and an eye on international markets, Kadokawa is laying the groundwork for a publishing revolution that spans beyond Japan.
Scaling Operations to Meet Skyrocketing Goals
Kadokawa’s Plan to Publish 9,000 Titles by 2027
To handle the increased workload, Kadokawa is set to expand its editorial staff by 1.4 times, bringing the total to approximately 1,000 editors by mid-decade. This staffing surge ensures the workload remains manageable, allowing editors to maintain quality while meeting higher production demands. By strategically hiring mid-career professionals, Kadokawa aims to balance experience with efficiency.
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The expansion goes hand-in-hand with Kadokawa’s “media mix strategy,” which leverages published works to create cross-media adaptations such as anime, games, and live-action films. This approach not only maximizes the reach of Kadokawa’s IPs but also aligns with Sony’s strengths in global entertainment. With Sony-owned Crunchyroll already streaming over 20 Kadokawa titles, this partnership has the potential to reshape how manga and light novels reach audiences worldwide.
Going Global with Diverse IPs
Kadokawa’s Push for International Dominance
International growth is a huge part of Kadokawa’s vision. Currently, only 1% of its revenue comes from overseas-originated IPs, but the company plans to raise that to 20–30% within the next decade. This involves creating and acquiring new works catering to English and Chinese-speaking audiences, as well as exploring mergers and acquisitions in these markets.
Kadokawa’s collaboration with Sony also shows the global demand for Japanese content, including Hollywood and Korean live-action adaptations. Natsuno pointed out that Japan’s creative diversity is a significant advantage over other countries like Korea, where production systems are great, but original works are less varied. By blending bold publishing goals with strategic partnerships, Kadokawa is set to redefine the global manga and light novel industry, ensuring its stories reach every corner of the world.
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