Sony acquires 2.5% stake in Bandai Namco 

• Sony acquired a 2.5% stake in Bandai Namco for $462 million to deepen strategic collaboration.
• Bandai Namco to tap into Sony’s anime, merchandising, and distribution strengths to scale its IP.
• Sony continues its investment spree, now holding shares in Kadokawa, Epic, FromSoftware, and more.

Sony has acquired a 2.5% stake in Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco for JPY68 billion ($462 million).

As part of the deal, Sony has acquired 16m shares of Bandai Namco from existing shareholders, further strengthening their partnership.

As part of their alliance, Bandai Namco will leverage Sony’s strengths in anime production, distribution, and merchandising to expand its IP-driven content and services. 

The partnership also includes joint development and promotion of anime and manga, as well as technical collaboration on immersive entertainment experiences.

Sony's latest share acquisition continues its broader investment strategy in entertainment companies. It already holds 10.11% of Japanese media giant Kadokawa, becoming its largest shareholder as of December 2024. 

The PlayStation company also owns stakes in FromSoftware (14.09%), Devolver Digital (5%), Epic Games (4.9%), and Chinese publisher Bilibili (4.98%).

Combined strengths 

Building on existing ties in games, anime, and music, the partnership now enters a broader, more strategic phase.

Sony and Bandai Namco aim to deepen their collaboration by combining strengths to expand global fan communities and deliver “new and emotionally moving experiences.”

“The Bandai Namco Group promotes an IP axis strategy that aims to maximise IP value by leveraging the appeal and worldview of IP, providing the optimal products and services at the optimal timing in the optimal regions,” said Bandai Namco EVP Momoi Nobuhiko. 

“We are filled with excitement about the potential to create new entertainment by combining Sony Group’s strengths and technological capabilities across various entertainment fields with Bandai Namco’s IP axis strategy.”

Sony chief strategy officer Toshimoto Mitomo commented: “Through the 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.

He added: “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 maximise IP value and realise Sony’s long-term vision.”