Sony Buys 2.5% Bandai Namco Stake for Anime Growth

Sony has purchased a 2.5% stake in Japanese game and entertainment company Bandai Namco for 68 billion yen (approximately $441 million), aiming to grow its anime business, highlighting a deeper collaboration between the two firms amid rising global demand for Japanese animation.

Bandai Namco owns major franchises such as Gundam and Pac-Man, and publishes games, including Elden Ring and Tekken. Sony, meanwhile, has been expanding its anime footprint since acquiring Crunchyroll, an online anime streaming platform, in 2021. 

Analysts say the investment reinforces Sony’s intellectual property (IP) strategy, while supporting Bandai Namco’s international expansion.

Sony Bandai Namco Partnership to Drive Anime Growth

The partnership will focus on creating new fan experiences and increasing engagement in anime. Equity analyst Atul Goyal of Jefferies noted the deal builds on prior collaborations like Gundam SEED FREEDOM and Demon Slayer. 

Nintendo already holds a 1.8% stake in Bandai Namco, emphasizing the company’s strategic IP value. While no immediate earnings impact is expected, this move positions Sony as a central hub in Japan’s anime and entertainment ecosystem.

By combining Sony’s distribution capabilities with Bandai Namco’s established franchises, the partnership could create new content and fan experiences, reinforcing Japanese animation’s global appeal and solidifying Sony’s role in the sector to “create new and emotionally moving experiences for fans,” a joint statement read.