Sony's Anime Ambitions Could Change Dragon Ball's Future

Sony is reportedly exploring investments in major manga publishers, expanding its anime production capabilities, and even considering theme park ambitions as it looks to turn Japanese entertainment into a bigger global business.

Sony may be gearing up for an even bigger splash in the anime and manga industries, potentially reshaping the future of major brands like Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, and Demon Slayer. Reports said the company views anime as a key part of its future growth plan as it strives to expand its entertainment division and build a bigger portfolio of intellectual properties.

Sony already owns major anime distribution services like Crunchyroll and Funimation, which it integrated after acquiring the latter. But the company’s goals apparently go beyond streaming and distribution. It aspires to strengthen its position across the anime business and become a far stronger player in production, publishing, and franchise management.

One particularly noteworthy scenario involves Japan's largest manga publisher, Shueisha. 

Sony is said to be considering an investment in the company. Shueisha produces Weekly Shonen Jump and V Jump, home to some of the world’s most renowned manga titles, including Dragon Ball, Naruto and One Piece. This is not to say an investment in Shueisha necessarily means Sony wants to buy the publisher altogether.

Shueisha is a huge company with significant international leverage, and any potential purchase would likely involve extensive financial and corporate discussions. Still, Sony's interest might mean more partnerships and more anime adaptations of Shueisha's IP. Sony is also said to be looking at more acquisitions when the right prospects come along. It is already Kadokawa's top shareholder, another big Japanese entertainment and publishing corporation.

The proposed strategy also includes a foray into children’s entertainment with properties like Chiikawa and Bluey. This would allow Sony to expand beyond the conventional anime audience while diversifying its entertainment portfolio. Theme parks could be one of the most ambitious possibilities. Sony sees the potential of developing large-scale entertainment locations if it can manage or license enough recognizable intellectual property, the article said.

A concept like that may include themed attractions based on popular anime franchises.

 Imagine separate zones for Dragon Ball, Demon Slayer, and One Piece, with dedicated rides, eateries, shops, and other attractions. This is still an aspiration, not a done deal, but it shows how far Sony could take its anime business. Aniplex chairman Atsuhiro Iwakami also highlighted the value of developing franchises that can span decades. Speaking on Demon Slayer, he said he wants to keep the brand for 10, 20, or even 50 to 100 years.

This method signals the expanding popularity of Japanese entertainment worldwide. Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece have already become legendary franchises, with Demon Slayer becoming another major global success. Sony’s deeper engagement might mean greater financial backing, overseas marketing, and distribution for these assets.

Ultimately, Sony’s objectives could be a major game changer for anime and manga. Better promotion and more worldwide exposure could help established franchises and new productions. But retaining creative liberty will be just as important. Sony's rising involvement in anime might be an exciting development for the industry if it can broaden its influence without interfering with the creative direction of these products.