Kadokawa
Kadokawa business and news from across the web.
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Marvel Comics NYCC announcements: Peter Parker and Miles Morales fall out, new Captain Marvel, and much more
Marvel Comics revealed numerous new titles and storylines at New York Comic Con, including a 'Crisis of Faith' crossover event that will pit Peter Parker against Miles Morales. New series for Captain Marvel, Spider-Punk, and Magneto were announced, alongside a Hulk event series and manga collaborations with Kadokawa. The publisher also teased an upcoming mysterious event called '1 Day' for June 2027.
Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring are "North Stars" for Tencent as the company tries to build the next Larian or FromSoftware: "That is the long-term commitment"
Tencent aims to replicate the success of studios like Larian and FromSoftware by focusing on genre leadership and long-term developer support, citing Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring as benchmarks. VP Yong-yi Zhu emphasized the company's commitment to nurturing talent and iterating on genres over multiple titles, contrasting this with their own portfolio of evergreen live service games.
Action RPG Dawngazer announced for Nintendo Switch 2
Dawngazer, an action RPG and the first game in the new IGNISPHERE intellectual property, has been announced for the Nintendo Switch 2. Directed by Takafumi Noma, known for Unicorn Overlord, and published by Good Smile Company and Monochrome, the title is slated for a 2028 release. The IGNISPHERE universe will also expand into light novels and merchandise.
Tokyo Game Show 2026 celebrated the past, and an uncertain AI future | Opinion
Tokyo Game Show 2026 focused heavily on remakes and existing intellectual property, with a less prominent presence of free-to-play and mobile titles compared to previous years. The event also highlighted the growing influence and controversy surrounding generative AI in game development, alongside a burgeoning trend of transmedia strategies and indie publisher investments.
Even without Winds and Waves, Pokemon just had its best ever year with $3.4 billion in net sales probably thanks to…
The Pokemon Company achieved record-breaking net sales of $3.4 billion in fiscal year 2026, a 29% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to major releases like Pokemon Pokopia and the re-releases of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen for the Nintendo Switch, solidifying the franchise's continued financial success.
Sekiro: No Defeat anime director pleads with fans to not watch the new trailer because it accidentally contains a huge…
The director of the upcoming anime Sekiro: No Defeat, Kenichi Kutsuna, has urged fans not to watch a newly released trailer due to an accidental "cinematic reveal" that spoils a significant moment. Kutsuna attributed the error to production company Arch, while noting that Kadokawa Corporation is not to blame. The trailer shows a fight scene between Wolf and Genichiro, likely depicting Wolf losing his arm.
The Duskbloods is Exclusive to Switch 2 Because Nintendo was “The Right Partner”, Says Director
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki explained that The Duskbloods is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 because Nintendo was the "right partner," offering significant support and feedback throughout development. Miyazaki highlighted Nintendo's strengths in player onboarding and conveying complex game mechanics, which is crucial for the unique systems in The Duskbloods. He also clarified that the game has no direct connection to Bloodborne, despite the similar naming conventions.
Despite investors moaning that Elden Ring's success hasn't been milked hard enough financially, FromSoftware parent company's CEO has kept his job
Kadokawa CEO Takeshi Natsuno has retained his position following an annual shareholder meeting, despite efforts by activist investor group Oasis Management to oust him. Oasis Management, Kadokawa's largest shareholder, argued that the company failed to maximize profits from Elden Ring's success, citing the decision to publish through Bandai Namco instead of self-publishing. While Natsuno's shareholder support decreased, he remains in his role, though Kadokawa has pledged to review its management structure.
Nintendo Download: Prepare for Sortie with Team Star Fox!
Nintendo has announced its latest eShop updates for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, featuring new releases like Star Fox, DELTARUNE Chapter 5, and Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition. The company is also promoting summer sales on digital games and offering a bonus month for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack memberships.
FromSoftware parent CEO keeps position following activist investors' disappointment in firm's handling of Elden Ring
Takeshi Natsuno will remain CEO of Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of FromSoftware, despite a significant drop in shareholder support. Activist investor group Oasis Management had pushed for his removal, citing concerns over Kadokawa's handling of Elden Ring's success and potential profit leakage. The company has stated it will review its management structure and business plans.
Elden Ring 'profit leakage' has Kadokawa investors looking for a new boss
Activist investor Oasis Management, now Kadokawa Corporation's largest shareholder, is calling for the ouster of CEO Takeshi Natsuno due to alleged "profit leakage" from Elden Ring's success. Oasis argues that Kadokawa, through its subsidiary FromSoftware, has failed to capitalize fully on its hit titles by partnering with external publishers like Bandai Namco, instead of self-publishing. The company also faced a data leak and a less-than-ideal strategic alliance with Sony.
FromSoftware parent’s CEO survives hedge fund owners’ attempt to remove him, but there’s more pressure to come
The CEO of Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of FromSoftware, has successfully retained his position following an attempt by hedge fund owners to remove him. Despite this immediate victory, further pressure is expected regarding the company's leadership and governance.
FromSoftware parent company CEO survives vote to oust at annual shareholder meeting
Kadokawa Group CEO Takeshi Natsuno survived a vote to oust him at the company's annual shareholder meeting, despite calls from major shareholder Oasis Management. Oasis argued that Kadokawa failed to capitalize on Elden Ring's success and experienced profit leakage. Natsuno will remain in his position, and a proposal to appoint Koji Okura to the board was approved.
Business and Finance
Kadokawa, the owner of Elden Ring, is facing a dispute between itself and activist shareholders. Separately, Google's parent company Alphabet is being added to the Dow Jones index.
Kadokawa CEO faces shareholder battle as investors criticise handling of Elden Ring success
Kadokawa CEO Takeshi Natsuno is facing criticism from investors who believe the company failed to fully capitalize on Elden Ring's success. Shareholders suggest Kadokawa should have self-published the game instead of partnering with Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Kadokawa Should Be Making More Money From Elden Ring, Activist Investor Says as CEO Survives Shareholder Vote
Kadokawa's CEO has survived a shareholder vote amidst pressure from an activist investor who argues the company has not adequately profited from Elden Ring's success. The investor believes Kadokawa could be generating more revenue from the popular game.
Elden Ring owner faces tense CEO clash as a battle between Kadokawa and activist shareholders rages on
Activist investor Oasis Management, now Kadokawa's largest shareholder, is challenging the CEO Takeshi Natsuno's position at the Elden Ring publisher's annual investor meeting. Oasis claims profit leakage occurred due to the publishing arrangement for Elden Ring and points to Kadokawa's declining financial performance and a past data breach as reasons for change.
Tencent reportedly negotiating exits from various Japanese studios including Marvelous
Tencent is reportedly negotiating to sell its minority stakes in several Japanese game studios, including Marvelous, potentially at a loss. Investments in PlatinumGames, FromSoftware, and Kadokawa Corporation are unaffected. The company is shifting its focus towards user-generated content games and its existing portfolio teams.
Tencent is reportedly looking to back out of several studio investments like Story of Seasons developer Marvelous, but…
Tencent is reportedly looking to divest from several minority investments in video game studios, including a 20% stake in Marvelous, the developer of Story of Seasons. This reassessment of its portfolio may involve selling stakes back to original management, even at a loss. Investments in studios like PlatinumGames and FromSoftware are reportedly unaffected.
Report: Tencent plans to exit investments in Japanese studios like Story of Seasons developer Marvelous
Tencent is reportedly considering exiting some of its minority investments in Japanese game studios, including Marvelous, as part of a global portfolio reassessment. This move aims to divest stakes where envisioned synergies have lapsed, though investments in companies like FromSoftware and PlatinumGames are expected to remain unaffected. Tencent has stated its continued commitment to the Japanese game market.
