Sony has just made a surprising move! The company bought a small 2.5% stake in Bandai Namco, one of the biggest names in anime and games. Bandai has franchises like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and more. The deal is worth around $465 million USD, and it is not just about money, it is about teaming up for various projects!
The deal was announced in a press release from Sony.
What Is the Deal?
This new partnership is not about taking over Bandai Namco or locking games to PlayStation. Instead, it is about creating cool content together. They want to start with anime and video projects first. The two companies want to mix Bandai Namco’s popular IPs with Sony’s technology, creativity, and global reach.
So basically, this means we might start seeing more anime, shows, or even new types of media built around iconic Bandai characters, but assisted by Sony’s production and platforms.
What Kind of Content?
As mentioned, the main focus for now is anime and video content, but the door is open for future collaborations in games and music too. That said, do not worry, this does not mean Tekken 9 is suddenly going PlayStation-only. Sony’s share is too small for that kind of control. For now.
Instead, the goal is to create stories and content that can reach more people. Sony calls it delivering “Kando”, a Japanese word that means deep emotional impact.
Bandai Namco EVP Nobuhiko Momoi said this team-up could “lead to new types of entertainment, combining Sony’s tech with Bandai’s world-famous characters.”
Sony CSO Toshimoto Mitomo mentioned that they are “aiming to create content that goes beyond fan expectations.”
One thing is sure, it looks like Sony is trying to build more connections across the Japanese entertainment world, especially companies that have strong IPs and loyal fanbases like Bandai Namco. Now, only time will tell if this collaboration is a good idea or not!
Keep an eye on our latest news for more information when it releases!
