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No—Sony did not announce that it had bought FromSoftware. In November 2024, KADOKAWA, FromSoftware’s parent company, confirmed receiving an initial letter of intent from Sony to acquire KADOKAWA shares, while saying no decision had been made. The later announced agreement was a minority investment and strategic alliance: Sony was to buy newly issued KADOKAWA shares for approximately ¥50 billion and become its largest shareholder, at approximately 10%.
What did KADOKAWA confirm about Sony’s offer?
On November 20, 2024, KADOKAWA said it had received “an initial letter of intent to acquire the Company’s shares,” but added that “no decision has been made at this time.” The statement concerned KADOKAWA shares—not a signed agreement to purchase FromSoftware. KADOKAWA said it would disclose facts requiring announcement in a timely and appropriate manner. Read the contemporaneous report reproducing KADOKAWA’s statement.
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Kotobukiya Armored Core: Nineball Seraph Plastic Model Kit | $118.80 | Buy on Amazon |
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Gecco Bloodborne The Old Hunters: Hunter 1:6 Scale Statue | $899.69 | Buy on Amazon |
What happened after the initial expression of interest?
On December 19, 2024, Sony and KADOKAWA announced a strategic capital and business alliance. Under the announced transaction, Sony agreed to acquire 12,054,100 newly issued KADOKAWA shares for approximately ¥50 billion. Including shares Sony had acquired in February 2021, the purchase was expected to make Sony KADOKAWA’s largest shareholder, with approximately 10% ownership. This was an agreed share investment and alliance, not an announced takeover of KADOKAWA or FromSoftware. Sony and KADOKAWA’s announcement.
Sony’s stated plan for further purchases
In its filing, Sony said it did not plan to acquire additional KADOKAWA shares after executing the agreed acquisition. That describes Sony’s announced plan at the time; it should not be read as a guarantee about every possible future event. Sony’s filing on the proposal and agreement.
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Did Sony buy FromSoftware?
The announced investment was in KADOKAWA, which owns FromSoftware as a consolidated subsidiary. Sony did not announce a purchase of FromSoftware itself. The distinction matters: owning a minority stake in a parent company is not the same as acquiring the game studio.
Sony Interactive Entertainment also has a separate, direct minority holding in FromSoftware. KADOKAWA’s 2022 notice, following a share issuance, reported the studio’s ownership as follows:
| FromSoftware shareholder | Shareholding reported after the 2022 issuance |
|---|---|
| KADOKAWA | 69.66% |
| Sixjoy, a Tencent subsidiary | 16.25% |
| Sony Interactive Entertainment | 14.09% |
Those percentages are the historical ownership snapshot in KADOKAWA’s 2022 notice, not a verified current cap table. Sony Interactive Entertainment’s direct stake in FromSoftware is also distinct from Sony Group’s investment in KADOKAWA. KADOKAWA’s FromSoftware ownership notice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What collaboration did the alliance propose?
The companies identified potential areas for collaboration and further discussion. They did not announce these as completed projects:
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Rank #3
- A Kotobukiya Japanese import
- From the hit video game series
- Design created by FromSoftware
- Convert into flight mode without the need to replace parts
- Adaptations of KADOKAWA intellectual property into live-action films and television dramas.
- Anime co-productions and broader global distribution of KADOKAWA anime through Sony.
- Expanded publishing of KADOKAWA games.
- Development of a workforce in virtual production.
KADOKAWA CEO Takeshi Natsuno welcomed the agreement, saying, “We are very pleased to conclude this capital and business alliance agreement with Sony.” Sony President, COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki described KADOKAWA as a creator of a wide variety of intellectual property, including books, light novels, comics, games, and anime. The companies’ announcement and statements.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Thoroughly supervised by FromSoftware, all the details of the protagonist "Hunter" dressed in his Old Hunter set are faithfully sculpted.
- Cobblestones and puddles are recreated on the round base, capturing the video game's world.
- This statue features the game's unique gothic atmosphere. The sculpture also captures the character's heroic yet subtle posture standing amidst the deadly "plagued" air of the environment.
- A short cape and waist belt are added on to "Hunter Garb," along side the transformable trick weapon "Beasthunter Saif" wielded in the right hand and "Piercing Rifle" in the left.
- This 1/6 scale figure stands about 12.5" tall.
Rank #4
- A terrifying new world: journey to a horror-filled gothic city where deranged mobs and nightmarish creatures lurk around every corner
- strategic action combat: armed with a unique arsenal of weaponry, including guns and saw cleavers, you'll need wits, strategy and reflexes to take down the agile and intelligent enemies that guard the city's dark secrets
- a new generation of action RPG: stunningly detailed gothic environments, atmospheric lighting, and advanced new online experiences showcase the power and prowess of the PlayStation 4 system
- ever-changing chalice dungeons to explore: use Holy chalices to gain entrance to a network of vast underground ruins, filled with traps, beasts, and rewards, to explore and conquer alone or with others. These procedurally generated dungeons offer brand new challenges to master, and can be uploaded or shared with friends.Subtitle
How to describe the deal accurately
- Accurate: KADOKAWA confirmed Sony’s initial interest in acquiring KADOKAWA shares in November 2024.
- Accurate: Sony and KADOKAWA later announced a minority share investment and strategic alliance.
- Misleading: Sony bought FromSoftware, or completed a takeover of KADOKAWA.
- Keep the dates attached: FromSoftware’s reported 2022 ownership percentages are historical, while the KADOKAWA investment terms were announced in December 2024.
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