Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jun 12
Kadokawa Shareholders Face June 24 CEO Vote as Oasis Pushes 30 Million-Unit FromSoftware Self-Publishing
Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jun 12

Kadokawa Shareholders Face June 24 CEO Vote as Oasis Pushes 30 Million-Unit FromSoftware Self-Publishing

1 articles · Updated · Kotaku · Jun 12

Summary

  • June 24 is the key date for Kadokawa shareholders to decide whether CEO Takeshi Natsuno stays, with activist investor Oasis tying its ouster bid to FromSoftware’s publishing strategy.
  • Oasis, which owns 13.76% of Kadokawa, argues the company forfeits major profits by letting partners publish FromSoftware games overseas; its deck says more than 90% of Elden Ring sales came abroad.
  • That case centers on self-publishing: Oasis says another hit on Elden Ring’s scale—over 30 million units—would again leave substantial value with external publishers instead of Kadokawa shareholders.
  • The push faces limits because FromSoftware does not control Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls or Bloodborne publishing rights, though it fully owns Elden Ring and its next title The Duskbloods.
  • Hidetaka Miyazaki signaled his priority is preserving FromSoftware’s freedom from excessive interference, underscoring fan concern that a stronger Oasis role could affect the studio’s creative autonomy.

Insights

Can the creative freedom that birthed Elden Ring survive the fight for its billion-dollar profits?
Is the activist battle for Kadokawa a sign that Japan's corporate culture is fundamentally changing?