Sony Expands Its Anime Empire with Latest Major Acquisition

Sony is solidifying its presence in the anime landscape with the announcement that animation production company Egg Firm is now a fully owned subsidiary of Aniplex, which is part of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Egg Firm has made a name for itself through its work on projects by Kawahara Reki, including the popular Sword Art Online and Accel World franchises, as well as producing the acclaimed anime Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation.

Joining the ranks of Aniplex’s other subsidiaries, such as A-1 Pictures (known for Solo Leveling) and CloverWorks (responsible for Fairy Tail), Egg Firm enhances Sony’s extensive anime portfolio. Additionally, Sony owns Crunchyroll, the leading anime streaming platform in the West, which distributes major titles from Aniplex of America, including Chainsaw Man Movie – Reze Arc and Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. With a significant stake in Kadokawa, home to some of the most lucrative IPs in the industry, Sony’s influence in the anime sector is formidable, rivaled primarily by Netflix, which has recently partnered with Mappa.

Egg Firm’s journey began with The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., produced alongside J.C. Staff in 2016. Founded in 2015 by former Genco producer Nobuhiro Osawa, known for his work on Sword Art Online and Prison School, the studio later collaborated with notable figures like author Reki Kawahara, screenwriter Ichiro Okouchi (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion), and director Akiyuki Shinbo (the Monogatari series). In 2019, Egg Firm invested in the newly established Studio Bind, leading to their collaboration on the hit title Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation.

It appears that Sony has a strategic approach to dominate the lucrative anime market. By controlling key IP sources, producing new anime (with Aniplex and Crunchyroll launching a new production company called HAYATE Inc. in March 2025), and managing streaming and distribution in the West, concerns about a growing monopoly among fans are understandable. Currently, Sony’s main competitor in this arena is Netflix, which, while still trailing, seems to be taking steps to catch up, as indicated by its recent partnership with Mappa.