Sony's influence in the animation sector is deepening significantly with the recent acquisition of Egg Firm, a notable animation production company, by its subsidiary Aniplex. This strategic move, confirmed by Egg Firm, integrates the studio responsible for popular series like "Sword Art Online" and "Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation" into Sony Music Entertainment Japan's extensive anime network. This development highlights Sony's continued efforts to expand its global footprint in the thriving anime industry.
Egg Firm now joins an impressive roster of anime studios under the Aniplex umbrella, which already includes acclaimed names such as A-1 Pictures, known for "Solo Leveling," and CloverWorks, recognized for "Fairy Tail." Beyond these production houses, Sony's anime ecosystem extends to Crunchyroll, a major Western streaming platform that distributes prominent Aniplex of America releases, including "Chainsaw Man Movie – Reze Arc" and "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle." Furthermore, Sony maintains a controlling interest in Kadokawa, a powerhouse that owns many of the anime medium's most lucrative intellectual properties.
Established in 2015 by Nobuhiro Osawa, a former producer at Genco, Egg Firm quickly carved out a niche in the anime production landscape. Its inaugural project, "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.," was a collaboration with J.C. Staff in 2016. The studio subsequently forged partnerships with significant figures in the industry, such as author Reki Kawahara, screenwriter Ichiro Okouchi, and director Akiyuki Shinbo. A pivotal moment for Egg Firm was its investment in the newly formed Studio Bind in 2019, which led to the creation of one of its most celebrated works, "Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation."
Sony's comprehensive strategy to dominate the lucrative anime market is evident. The company aims to control key aspects, from sourcing intellectual properties and producing new animated content—as demonstrated by Aniplex and Crunchyroll's joint venture, HAYATE Inc.—to managing streaming and distribution channels in Western markets. This aggressive expansion has naturally raised concerns among some fans about the potential for a monopoly. While Netflix is actively pursuing its own strategies, including a recent partnership with Mappa, it still appears to be playing catch-up in comparison to Sony's integrated and expanding anime empire.
This latest acquisition underscores Sony's deliberate and multifaceted approach to strengthening its position in the global anime landscape. By consolidating production capabilities and distribution channels, Sony is actively shaping the future of anime consumption worldwide. The company's strategic investments and partnerships reflect a clear ambition to lead the industry, positioning it as a formidable force with a diverse portfolio spanning creation, dissemination, and content ownership.
