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Namco Bandai, Kadokawa, Toei cross-invest
posted on by Mikhail Koulikov & Evan Miller
As reported by ICv2, Namco Bandai Holdings has acquired stock in both Kadokawa and Toei. In return, Toei, Toei Animation, and Kadokawa made investments in Namco Bandai. These cross-investments are expected to strengthen Namco Bandai's connections to the two important content producers.
According to a statement released on March 6th, Bandai Namco Holdings (Bandai Namco HD) is making efforts to strengthen mutual corporate shareholding with publishing group Kadokawa and entertainment company Toei. The statement announced that Bandai Namco will sell 4.9 million shares of their stock at a price of 1652 yen per share. The shares are being sold to Kadokawa (2.6 million shares), Toei (1.85 million shares), and Toei Animation (450,000 shares).
Bandai Namco HD says that the deal represents the close partnership that the companies have shared over the past few years and will help strengthen each business. The shares give Kadokawa and Toei/Toei Animation each 1% stock in Bandai Namco HD, in addition to any previously held stock.
For Kadokawa, it is speculated that the aim of their business strategy with Bandai Namco is related to the big name titles it has worked with Bandai on, such as Gundam Seed and Sergeant Frog. For Toei, the company intends to strengthen the ties with Bandai Namco that has been developed through their production of Bandai-owned Anime titles.
Source: Anime!Anime!
