Sony and Bandai Namco sign partnership worth nearly half a billion dollars

Sony and Bandai Namco have announced a new partnership that will usher in a new level of co-created content aimed at anime and manga fans.

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According to the press release, Sony will acquire 16 million Bandai Namco shares valued at 68 billion yen, or $464 million USD, which brings Sony's shareholder percentage of Bandai Namco shares up to 2.5% of the total. Bandai Namco Holdings Executive Vice President Nobuhiko Momoi stated in the release the new partnership aims to combine Bandai Namco IP with the technological capabilities of Sony across various entertainment fields.

Sony Group Corporation Chief Strategy Officer Toshimoto Mitomo added, the partnership will create an array of new content offerings that will encompass Bandai Namco's connection with its fans both domestically and internationally, with Sony's strengths in marketing and distribution areas. More specifically, the partnership will be expanding on the anime and manga markets that are rapidly expanding, along with experiential entertainment.

"Through this 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, with its outstanding capacity for multidirectional expansion of diverse [intellectual property] and deep connections with fans at real touchpoints, both domestically and internationally.

By combining the strengths of both companies in the field of entertainment and unlocking the potential of compelling [intellectual property], we will further accelerate our efforts to maximize [intellectual property] value and realize Sony's long-term vision, 'Creative Entertainment Vision,'" said Toshimoto Mitomo, Sony Group Corporation Chief Strategy Officer

"The Bandai Namco Group promotes an '[intellectual property] axis strategy' that aims to maximize [intellectual property] value by leveraging the appeal and worldview of [intellectual property], providing the optimal products and services at the optimal timing in the optimal regions."

"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 [intellectual property] axis strategy. Through this collaboration, we aim to connect with [intellectual property] fans worldwide, cocreate the future together, and realize our Purpose, 'Fun for All into the Future,' and Mid- to Long-term Vision, 'Connect with Fans,'" said Bandai Namco Holdings Executive Vice President Nobuhiko Momoi