As a passionate gamer, I’ve noticed that Sony has always been on top of the anime trend, beating many of its competitors to the punch. To their advantage, they’ve been consistently pouring resources into this area.
In 2021, it bought the streaming platform Crunchyroll for $1.1 billion, and since then, it has made further investments in media giants such as Kadokawa and Bandai Namco.
This is part of a company-wide initiative aimed at finding overlaps among its different departments, with the ultimate goal of transforming into an entertainment powerhouse.
And PlayStation is part of the initiative.
Previously this year, the head of PS Studios, Hermen Hulst, acknowledged that anime plays a crucial role in capturing the interest of younger demographics. Consequently, they are keen on leveraging this trend as they explore innovative strategies to expand their brand.
Sony has consistently emphasized this point because they’ve noticed the growing interest in anime among young generations like Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
At the Anime Expo recently, it was mentioned by a competitor (Netflix) that the number of people watching anime on their platform has multiplied approximately threefold over the last five years. It’s believed that roughly half of their 300 million subscribers engage with anime in some way or another.
More casually, Sony has unveiled plans for a Ghost of Tsushima Legends anime series, based on the cooperative multiplayer mode developed by Sucker Punch and set to stream exclusively on Crunchyroll starting in 2027.
If successful, this might significantly boost sales for the initial game and its forthcoming sequel Ghost of Yotei, as Capcom has linked an increased interest in Devil May Cry 5 to the debut of Netflix’s animated adaption.
In 2023, it was discovered through a Fandom study that around 60% of individuals who enjoy watching anime also actively play video games. This study indicated that people who follow anime are approximately 40% more inclined to invest in video games compared to typical consumers.
This situation offers certainly intriguing prospects for PlayStation, given that it controls several franchises with potential for anime adaptations, and it also has the chance to fund fresh, captivating original games from its own developers.
Over the past few years, there’s been a surge in popularity among gamers for role-playing games that feature an anime aesthetic, such as Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona 5 Royal. In fact, Persona 5 Royal alone has sold over 7.25 million copies on all available platforms.
As a passionate gamer, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the recent surge in success for games that carry an anime aesthetic, such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Sandfall Interactive’s debut might not share the same stylized art of Atlus’ counterparts, but it certainly echoes the spirit of the ’90s Final Fantasy games. With its vast world map and turn-based combat system, it’s a clear nod to that iconic era in gaming history.
However, even with the apparent benefits highlighted earlier, PlayStation’s strategy for this type of content remains intricate or convoluted.
Moving forward, Square Enix has expressed its intention to expand the distribution of games like Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth beyond console exclusivity deals. This shift aligns with their business objectives.
It’s worth noting that while the majority of exploration in this sector by the Japanese conglomerate has been primarily driven by Aniplex lately, it’s interesting to note that despite being part of the same corporate family, Aniplex operates under Sony Music Entertainment, a distinct entity from PlayStation.
One significant triumph for Aniplex involves their mobile game titled Fate/Grand Order. In its peak year of 2018, this game is believed to have made approximately $2.5 million each day.
Additionally, it played a significant role in bringing to life the hugely successful animated series based on the Demon Slayer manga, a version that set numerous records in Japan. The most recent Infinity Castle Arc even established a new milestone as the largest opening day earnings in the Japanese Box Office.
Earlier this year, Aniplex released The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, highly praised by critics, exclusively on Nintendo Switch and PC. At present, there are no indications that a PS5 version will be developed, which underscores the inconsistency in Sony’s approach and the surprising lack of collaboration between their subsidiaries.
It becomes even more aggravating when you realize that PlayStation seems overly focused on finding a successful live service, particularly in the genre of shooter games.
The company has previously launched and subsequently closed down the costly mistake known as Concord, its first-person shooter (FPS) game. Some of their future endeavors involve working on a heist-themed game called Fairgames.
Among the top-tier live service games played on PS5, you’ll find titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, role-playing games (RPGs) featuring gacha systems and substantial followings drawn to their anime aesthetics, collectively earning billions in revenue.
The widespread success of Uma Musume Pretty Derby’s Western launch indicates that opportunities for expansion remain within this industry, however, Sony (PlayStation) has yet to make an appearance.
The declaration of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls indicates that it is open to investing in live service games beyond shooters. This game, featuring continuous updates with fresh characters and stages, suggests a prolonged existence. However, viewed independently, it might not be sufficient evidence.
As a gaming enthusiast with a soft spot for anime, it’s obvious to me that there’s a massive and ever-growing fan base eagerly waiting for new titles on PlayStation. This perfectly lines up with what I know about their strategic objectives.
And yet outside of Arc System Works’ aforementioned brawler, it’s showing no signs of servicing it.
The library of games produced by PlayStation contains many series that could be worth revisiting, ranging from timeless role-playing games such as Wild Arms to more recent titles like Gravity Rush. However, it seems all these potential revivals may have been halted following the closure of Japan Studio in 2021.
It’s clear that the organization’s recognition of anime as a promising direction is on point. Considering the obvious overlap between anime fans and gamers, we believe that Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation) could and should play a more significant role in this strategy.
There’s certainly a chance to transform current franchises for different platforms to reach new fanbases, but it’s also important that the company focuses on developing original content that specifically appeals to anime enthusiasts and keeps them engaged within their ecosystem.
Certainly, for PlayStation to expand with the upcoming generation, it’s apparent from their statements that anime-inspired content shouldn’t be treated as a secondary concern – instead, it should form a fundamental aspect of their development plans.
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Xbox’s Forza Horizon 5 Sold an Outrageous 2 Million Copies on PS5 in a Month
- xAI’s $300/month Grok 4, billed as a “maximally truth-seeking AI” — seemingly solicits Elon Musk’s opinion on controversial topics
- How Much Does a PS5 Equivalent PC Cost in 2025?
- Lewis Capaldi Details “Mental Episode” That Led to Him “Convulsing”
- Why Stephen Baldwin Is “Blessed” By Justin & Hailey Bieber’s Marriage
- Ryan Lochte Gets Cozy With New Woman Amid Kayla Reid Divorce
- Anime’s Greatest Summer 2024 Shonen Hit Drops New Look Ahead of Season 2
- Microsoft has a new way to use AI in OneNote — but a “dumb” feature excites me more
- Wrestler Marcus “Buff” Bagwell Undergoes Leg Amputation
2025-07-25 21:07